[gixxerwimp]

Well, it's got the same DAC chip (just 1 less) and a bit less power. If it sounds 2/3 as good, I'll be satisfied since it's 2/3 the price. For office use, I'm pretty sure it'll be adequate. Will use it with my new K7XXs for now. The micro iDSD will stay home to drive my ZMF Blackwoods ... I always have a smile on my face listening to that combo 

 

[iFi audio]

ok - CLOSED!

 
We are collating the answers and going to announce in the next few days.
 
There may even be a small surprise. Hopefully we can announce that too.

 

[Mach3]

  Well, it's got the same DAC chip (just 1 less) and a bit less power. If it sounds 2/3 as good, I'll be satisfied since it's 2/3 the price. For office use, I'm pretty sure it'll be adequate. Will use it with my new K7XXs for now. The micro iDSD will stay home to drive my ZMF Blackwoods ... I always have a smile on my face listening to that combo 

 
K7XX is my new favourite Giant Killer headphones. It's very easy to drive, so I'm sure you won't have any issue regarding great sound with the iDAC2.

 

[gixxerwimp]

Tried plugging it in when I got home last night, but nothing happened. Only had the Type A-to-B that came with the iDAC2 at home so I had to wait until I got to work to try swapping cables. Works fine with the cable from my photo scanner.
 
Feedback for @iFi Audio:
 

• What's the middle LED with the "computer monitor" icon for? To indicate that it's communicating with a device? Seems a bit extraneous, as there's a bitrate LED too. The micro iDSD could have done with a charge level LED, so maybe you're making up for it with an extra LED on the iDAC2.
  
   
• When playing DSD files, I think the filter labels are backwards. Bit Perfect (i.e. Extreme) is brightest, Standard is smoothest. They seem correct playing PCM (Standard is brightest, Bit Perfect smooths the highs a bit). Is this intentional?
   
• Something "clacks" inside when it's put down firmly on a table top (metal on metal sound). The rubber feet are installed.

 
 
I was concerned about channel imbalance on the volume pot, but it seems to be "just right". Goes away at 9 o'clock, which is a moderate listening level with a fairly loud recording through AKG K7XXs. Anything more sensitive and you might have problems if you listen at low volumes.
 
Less than an hour on it, but sounding good so far! Will compare to the micro iDSD later.

 

[DJScope]

 

ok - CLOSED!

 
We are collating the answers and going to announce in the next few days.
 
There may even be a small surprise. Hopefully we can announce that too.

 
Fingers crossed!!! So excited!!! 

 

[Gaghiel]

@gixxerwimp, for iDAC, the three icons: Playing, Computer Connected and Power On. So should be the same for 2nd gen.
 
btw, I am pairing iDAC with 7XX

. Like this combo, but a little too bright to me.  

 

[gixxerwimp]

  @gixxerwimp, for iDAC, the three icons: Playing, Computer Connected and Power On. So should be the same for 2nd gen.
 
btw, I am pairing iDAC with 7XX

. Like this combo, but a little too bright to me.  

 
Thanks. The Play LED is on all the time for me, even if I close foobar. I just tried plugging it into an Apple USB charger and all 3 LEDs are still on. Play LED is cyan, so I guess it's playing 192kHz

. In any case, no biggie.
Seems a bit redundant, but no biggie. Wish I could transfer it over to my micro iDSD to use as a battery level indicator

 
These are fiddly details. What's important is the sound, and listening casually at work (w/o ABing) I can't discern any difference with the micro iDSD. A gain switch would be useful to get the pot to at least 12 o'clock without shattering my eardrums. Don't know if this would make much difference on the iDAC(2), but iFi seems to encourage going to 3 o'clock on the micro for best results.
 

Spoiler: Off topic K7XX content

The K7XXs were ear shatteringly bright for me out of the box. I haven't found any real felt for the "ring mod" (the fleece-like material I tried makes them sound too dead), but 2 layers of disposable duster sheets over the center of the drivers tames the highs without too much side effects in other areas (I went from my wife's feminine napkins to cotton make-up removal pads to these and it's the best result so far). I'm still playing around with them and will post something in the relevant thread later.

 

[marcialmatters]

Any news on the winners? Hahaha ☺☺

 

[noobandroid]

thank you ifi for selecting me as the winner for this competition, i will cherish and appreciate the idac 2 very much

 

[earfonia]

 

ok - CLOSED!

 
We are collating the answers and going to announce in the next few days.
 
There may even be a small surprise. Hopefully we can announce that too.

 
Exciting! Waiting for the winner list 

Where will you post the winner list? Is it here?
http://www.head-fi.org/t/754820/idac2-is-rocking-comp-is-closed-free-dsd-pcm-album-see-page-21/45#post_11731503
 
Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

A short note from Forza Audio Works and iFi Audio

 
1. Thank you one and ALL for entering this special Forza Audio Works and iFi Audio competition. We hope you enjoyed every step of the way as we sure did - the prizes and the thrill of it all (as we enjoyed running this too - and the fun comments were great and made us chuckle).
 
 
2. We know you all like a bit of suspense (hopefully not too much!).

 
Today, tomorrow and Monday, the winners will be announced in reverse order.
 
 
 
3. Next week, after the #1 Winner has been announced, we have a little surprise that we expect you to like the 'sound' of. This is as much as we say for the moment. So stay tuned.

 
 
 
 
So, without further ado, the 4th and 5th Prize Winners are are:

 
 
 
 

4. iPurifier - Value = Euro115

 
Goes to ExpatinJapan
 
 
 

5. Copper Series HPC Mk2 in 1.5m length and also transparent black insulation - Value = Euro 65.

 
Goes to 1600 kHz
 
 
 
Congratulations! "ExpatinJapan" and "1600 kHz"
 
 
What to do next:
 
1) Please PM us via Head-Fi.
- so the real winners come forward!
 
2) Include your real name, address, contact email/telephone.
- this is solely for arranging your winning prize to be sent to you from your local iFi dealer or Forza Audio Works (as we don't handle the non-iFI prizes).
 
 
Any questions, just ask away. And thanks again for joining in.

 

[defbear]

Thank you for the fun contest.

 

[kuekwee]

thank you for the contest. simple and fun lol.

 

[DJScope]

 

A short note from Forza Audio Works and iFi Audio

 
1. Thank you one and ALL for entering this special Forza Audio Works and iFi Audio competition. We hope you enjoyed every step of the way as we sure did - the prizes and the thrill of it all (as we enjoyed running this too - and the fun comments were great and made us chuckle).
 
 
2. We know you all like a bit of suspense (hopefully not too much!).

 
Today, tomorrow and Monday, the winners will be announced in reverse order.
 
 
 
3. Next week, after the #1 Winner has been announced, we have a little surprise that we expect you to like the 'sound' of. This is as much as we say for the moment. So stay tuned.

 
 
 
 
So, without further ado, the 4th and 5th Prize Winners are are:
 
 
 
 
 

4. iPurifier - Value = Euro115

 
Goes to ExpatinJapan
 
 
 

5. Copper Series HPC Mk2 in 1.5m length and also transparent black insulation - Value = Euro 65.

 
Goes to 1600 kHz
 
 
 
Congratulations! "ExpatinJapan" and "1600 kHz"
 
 
What to do next:
 
1) Please PM us via Head-Fi.
- so the real winners come forward!
 
2) Include your real name, address, contact email/telephone.
- this is solely for arranging your winning prize to be sent to you from your local iFi dealer or Forza Audio Works (as we don't handle the non-iFI prizes).
 
 
Any questions, just ask away. And thanks again for joining in.

 
Congrats guys!!

 

[gixxerwimp]

gixxerwimp /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Feedback for @iFi Audio:
 
When playing DSD files, I think the filter labels are backwards. Bit Perfect (i.e. Extreme) is brightest, Standard is smoothest. They seem correct playing PCM (Standard is brightest, Bit Perfect smooths the highs a bit). Is this intentional?
 
Less than an hour on it, but sounding good so far! Will compare to the micro iDSD later.

 
After another couple of days of listening, I can say the iDAC2 sounds pretty much the same (i.e. as good) as my micro iDSD. I had them both at Min. Phase and the micro on Eco.
 
The filters on the iDAC2 in PCM mode barely make an audible difference for me. The micro's PCM filters are subtle, but noticeable smooth the highs going from Standard to Min. Phase to Bit Perfect. On the iDAC2, the filters have basically no effect.
 
As I mentioned before, in DSD mode, the effect of the filters is opposite to the labels. Anybody else getting this on their unit?