[gixxerwimp]

  @gixxerwimp, read again your earlier post, any particular reasons for ifi micro to sound best when turn the volume at 3 o'clock level? I could have missed out info/post here and there.
 
I have been listening with max to 10 or 11 o'clock level.

 
Search the micro iDSD thread for "o'clock" in posts by iFi Audio. They mention this many times. Something to do with reducing the attenuation in the volume pot and getting the best out of the amplifier. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind it, but all amps are supposed to have a "sweet spot" in their volume settings. Personally, I just want to get far enough past 9 o'clock to be able to lower the volume for whatever reason and not get any channel imbalance. But 12 to 3 o'clock seems to have a bit more punchiness (perhaps it's a psycho/placebo affect due to iFi's advice).
http://www.head-fi.org/t/728236/ifi-idsd-micro-dsd512-pcm768-dac-and-headphone-amp-impressions-reviews-and-comments/4050#post_11727857

 

[Cornan]

 
[CONTENTEMBED=/t/754820/idac2-is-out-2-and-3-winners-are-page-28-also-free-dsd-pcm-album-see-page-21/390#post_11779116 layout=inline]@gixxerwimp, read again your earlier post, any particular reasons for ifi micro to sound best when turn the volume at 3 o'clock level? I could have missed out info/post here and there.[/CONTENTEMBED]
[CONTENTEMBED=/t/754820/idac2-is-out-2-and-3-winners-are-page-28-also-free-dsd-pcm-album-see-page-21/390#post_11779116 layout=inline] [/CONTENTEMBED]
[CONTENTEMBED=/t/754820/idac2-is-out-2-and-3-winners-are-page-28-also-free-dsd-pcm-album-see-page-21/390#post_11779116 layout=inline]I have been listening with max to 10 or 11 o'clock level.[/CONTENTEMBED]

Search the micro iDSD thread for "o'clock" in posts by iFi Audio. They mention this many times. Something to do with reducing the attenuation in the volume pot and getting the best out of the amplifier. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind it, but all amps are supposed to have a "sweet spot" in their volume settings. Personally, I just want to get far enough past 9 o'clock to be able to lower the volume for whatever reason and not get any channel imbalance. But 12 to 3 o'clock seems to have a bit more punchiness (perhaps it's a psycho/placebo affect due to iFi's advice).
http://www.head-fi.org/t/728236/ifi-idsd-micro-dsd512-pcm768-dac-and-headphone-amp-impressions-reviews-and-comments/4050#post_11727857

Interesting! All what I have learned regarding attenuators have been from Russ Andrews info page on this link: http://www.russandrews.com/viewindex.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&article_id=Attenuation&customer_id=PAA2576077015090SVUESPFXTYFCUJMV

 

[carfidelity]

oh no maybe too late for this awesome competition

I would love this setup for all my next time in hospital and rehabilitation and this was my best chance

So I need to order a little smaller version like iDsd nano


Here are my answers:

1=6.3mm
2=SMC
3 =3.5mm
4=XLR

But thank you guys for givin a lot of people such a good chance to get your cool stuff

 

[RadioWonder737]

  Everyone is already a winner with the Special iFi Music Sampler give away!!

Sign-Up or Sign-In here for Free Hi-Rez music files...

http://bluecoastmusic.com/free-downloads

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I return from Holiday Tuesday, looking forward to downloading the new driver for my Nano, thank you iFi!

Congrats Koolpep on your win, hope you enjoy your new iFi Gear!!!

 

[gixxerwimp]

I just tried using my ER•4P to 4S adapter (basically a pair of 75 ohm resistor in series) and it gets me to from 12 to 3 o'clock with my ZMF Blackwoods (T50RP). Sound signature is the same, but the planar magnetic drivers are effectively a resistive load so that's not surprising. I left the K7XXs at work, but I tried the 75 ohm adapter with my DT 1350s and the change in sound sig is minimal.

 
Got in to work this morning and fired up the iDAC2 with P-to-S adapter and plugged in the K7XXs. Highs seem slightly accentuated, but in a nice way. Bass is slightly toned down again, so not as fun or punchy as stock, but kinda what I was originally looking for when I first got them. The K7XX bass signature has since grown on me, so I'll keep looking for some proper 3.5mm to 3.5mm attenuators like MikeyFresh  got his hands on from Avatar.

 

[gixxerwimp]

 

gixxerwimp /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  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.

 
The SUPRA USB 2.0 Cable was recommended to me. I'm a bit of a cable skeptic in general, but I can see how different impedances could affect the colour/signature. Was highly doubtful that a USB cable could make a difference, but they have one at my local headphone shop.
 
I first bought a cable at the market for US$2.50, then went to the headphone store and connected my ThinkPad the iDAC2. Listened with my ER-4Ss (P-to-S adapter) and ran through a few trackes. Totally not expecting to hear any difference, imagine my surprise when a small detail that I hadn't heard before ​in Adele's Set Fire to the Rain became apparent. I quickly switched back to the el cheapo cable and the detail was there, but not as clear and not in the same place spatially. Ambient noise level was pretty high in the store, but the Etys knocked it down to a whisper. I didn't do an extended comparison, but the bass seemed not boosted as one review said. I found it possibly a bit tighter. Who'da thunk it? Digital cables make a difference. Albeit a very small difference.
 
​I guess if I was spending 4 figures on a DAC and/or putting together a 5 figure 2-channel system, I'd go the extra yard on "quality" cables. But 25x the price for 1% improvement isn't justified in my situation, especially since the iDAC2 is for office use. However, I may consider having someone like Forza do a custom OTG cable for my micro iDSD.​ 
 
Any recommendations on who can do a a hi-fi version of my self-modded OTG cable?


 
 

 

[iFi audio]

And the #1 Winner is.............MIKEYFRESH

It is weird how Gixxerwimp above mentioned MikeyFresh....on this day of all days but ladies and gentlemen, he is the winner.
 
 
 
#1. iDAC 2 + iPurifier with Claire HPC Mk2 in 1.5 meters length and transparent black insulation = Euro 379 + Euro 109 = Euro 488.
 

and

 
So PM us and we'll organise to get you your prize.
 
Same setup as with the other winners.
 
Thank you everyone for participating.

 
The little surprise is out in a day or so. We do not think you will be disappointed.

 

[gixxerwimp]

 

gixxerwimp /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  ... so I'll keep looking for some proper 3.5mm to 3.5mm attenuators like MikeyFresh  got his hands on from Avatar.

 
 

iFi audio /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 

And the #1 Winner is.............MIKEYFRESH

It is weird how Gixxerwimp above mentioned MikeyFresh....on this day of all days but ladies and gentlemen, he is the winner.
 

 
Hmm ... mighty big coicidence. First, MikeyFresh gets a set of "hen's teeth" pre-production attenuators from Avatar and now he wins the Grand Prize ...

 
Yo! Mikey! Whichever attenuator you don't need (-12dB or -24dB), I sure would appreciate it in return for omenizing your selection as winner!

 

[Cornan]

   

gixxerwimp /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  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.

 
The SUPRA USB 2.0 Cable was recommended to me. I'm a bit of a cable skeptic in general, but I can see how different impedances could affect the colour/signature. Was highly doubtful that a USB cable could make a difference, but they have one at my local headphone shop.
 
I first bought a cable at the market for US$2.50, then went to the headphone store and connected my ThinkPad the iDAC2. Listened with my ER-4Ss (P-to-S adapter) and ran through a few trackes. Totally not expecting to hear any difference, imagine my surprise when a small detail that I hadn't heard before ​in Adele's Set Fire to the Rain became apparent. I quickly switched back to the el cheapo cable and the detail was there, but not as clear and not in the same place spatially. Ambient noise level was pretty high in the store, but the Etys knocked it down to a whisper. I didn't do an extended comparison, but the bass seemed not boosted as one review said. I found it possibly a bit tighter. Who'da thunk it? Digital cables make a difference. Albeit a very small difference.
 
​I guess if I was spending 4 figures on a DAC and/or putting together a 5 figure 2-channel system, I'd go the extra yard on "quality" cables. But 25x the price for 1% improvement isn't justified in my situation, especially since the iDAC2 is for office use. However, I may consider having someone like Forza do a custom OTG cable for my micro iDSD.​ 
 
Any recommendations on who can do a a hi-fi version of my self-modded OTG cable?


 
 

Here is one suggestion if you are looking for top notch performance: http://www.custom-cable.co.uk/vertere-micro-usb-to-usb-b-usb-otg-on-the-go-cable.html This one is available in 25 cm lenght and with different USB configurations. A bit pricey though...but IMO what you will have to pay for good USB cables.

 
Vertere Pulse D-Fi have got amazing review on What-Hifi http://www.whathifi.com/vertere/pulse-d-fi/review

 

[EVOLVIST]

Big congrats Mikeyfresh! May the jams always be your jelly!

 

[bluewrx1025]

Congrats MikeyFresh!

 

[MikeyFresh]

.

 

[rickyleelee]

Forza audio does a custom OTG cble. Someone over on the micro DSD appreciaton thread showed pictures of it. Maybe be Turrccan or somebody sounding similar.

 

[kostaszag]

Congratulations Mickeyfresh, Congratulations iFi for that great contest!