[disastermouse]

The iDAC2 doesn't have XBASS or 3D.

The RCA outputs are fixed 2.1V. The iDAC2 has no pre-amp mode (unless you use the headphone output but that is not really recommended).

Also worth noting is that unlike the iDSD, the iDAC2 doesn't have S/P-DIF inputs.

Is the Tube tech stuff similar to the iTube, or is the iTube entirely different? The maintenance of tubes and the temptation to roll tubes has been something that's been keeping me away. The Polaris is said to have a 'tube-like' sound (it's a Solid State amp) due to the JFETs used. 
 
I really want to see what their 3D sounds like. It's something that first got me looking at their amps, but I'm so happy with the Polaris that I just got that I really don't know if I want to get another amp.
 
iDSD is also a DAC? I guess for portable use? I doubt the built in amp would power my HE-500, but it's an interesting product. I do have Tidal HIFI on my phone, but my best portable is the DT1350 and it just doesn't compete with my HE-500.
 
Is the iUSB redundant for the iDAC2? It seems to have a 'de-crappifier' (using another company's description) already in it. 
 
Most importantly, is it a significant step up from an HRT MusicStreamer ii+?

 

[iFi audio]

 
Is the Tube tech stuff similar to the iTube, or is the iTube entirely different? The maintenance of tubes and the temptation to roll tubes has been something that's been keeping me away. The Polaris is said to have a 'tube-like' sound (it's a Solid State amp) due to the JFETs used. 
 
I really want to see what their 3D sounds like. It's something that first got me looking at their amps, but I'm so happy with the Polaris that I just got that I really don't know if I want to get another amp.
 
iDSD is also a DAC? I guess for portable use? I doubt the built in amp would power my HE-500, but it's an interesting product. I do have Tidal HIFI on my phone, but my best portable is the DT1350 and it just doesn't compete with my HE-500.
 
Is the iUSB redundant for the iDAC2? It seems to have a 'de-crappifier' (using another company's description) already in it. 
 
Most importantly, is it a significant step up from an HRT MusicStreamer ii+?

 
 
Hi,
 
"Is the Tube tech stuff similar to the iTube, or is the iTube entirely different?"
The iTube uses a Circuit very similar to the TubeState circuit in the iCAN. However it replaces the J-Fet input with a real Tube (General Electric 5670) and has a different output stage (as it only needs to drive line inputs, not headphones).
 
 
"I really want to see what their 3D sounds like."
For that you need either the iDSD micro, or any of the DAC/AMP Combos (iDSD nano + iCAN nano or iDAC2 micro + iCAN micro [SE]).
 
The 3D Holographic Sound Matrix is tightly integrated into the Headphone Amplification circuit, so this is only available on the Headphone Output, it cannot be used with third party amplifiers (unless using the headphone feed).
 
The iDSD micro was designed with portability in mind so is a combined DAC and Headphone Amplifier.
 
The iDAC2 and iCAN SE is stationary, PC only and 'disintegrated,' allowing more space/budget to the core function. So as a duo they offer improved sound quality over the iDSD micro (to be expected). The differences are not night & day, but notable.
 
 
"iDSD is also a DAC? I guess for portable use? I doubt the built in amp would power my HE-500"
Doubt not, the iDSD micro does power the HE-6 and pretty much any other headphone (except AKG K-1000). No need to use 'Turbo' with the HE-500. We recommend Eco or Normal.
 
 
"Is the iUSB redundant for the iDAC2? It seems to have a 'de-crappifier' (using another company's description) already in it."
The iDAC2 works fine on pretty much any USB Power, yes, it has technology to dramatically clean up bad USB power.
 
The iUSB Power only provides clean power and we found it compared to non-iFi dacs (AMR company policy means we do not name other dacs, just try for yourself) to have relatively little effect on the iDAC2. So it is certainly not a mandatory addition.
 
The new iUSB3.0 is a rather different animal and it does improve the iDAC2 notably, as does the iPurifier 2.
 
Cheers.

 

[athlon7750]

Something is rattling inside my brand new iDAC2, but it seems to work fine. Is this normal?
 
It sounds amazing BTW. It wipes the floor with my old Fiio E10K.

 

[technobear]

Something is rattling inside my brand new iDAC2, but it seems to work fine. Is this normal?

It sounds amazing BTW. It wipes the floor with my old Fiio E10K.

No, it's not normal. Send it back for a replacement.

 

[athlon7750]

I also noticed that the iDAC2 comes with a USB 2.0 type-B cable instead of a USB 3.0 one, although the specs say that this is a USB 3.0 DAC. How can it take advantage of this feature if it doesn't come with the proper cable? 

 

[spdtdl]

Its USB 3 to keep up with the current trend, in reality audio doesn't push that much data so usb 2 levels are more than enough, that's probably why.
 
Having said that my iDSD came with a USB3 cable.... Go figure....

 

[Leo888]

Finally had myself a proper desktop setup. Mercury>iUSB3>Gemini>iDAC2. Coming from the Fiio E7/E9, was a very noticeable step up to my ears. Will put in more thought when I get more time with them. Cheers.

 

[iFi audio]

  Its USB 3 to keep up with the current trend, in reality audio doesn't push that much data so usb 2 levels are more than enough, that's probably why.
 
Having said that my iDSD came with a USB3 cable.... Go figure....

 
Hi,
 
All the technical documentation is to be found here: www.usb.org
 
These are the people who spec USB2.0 and USB3.0, Audio Class etc.
 
The specifications for USB3.0 are higher than USB2.0 - better quality connectors, better cables for Signal Integrity, better power delivery, all very useful even if using USB 2.0 devices, so USB 3.0 can only be a better platform and at the very least, the same. So using the USB3.0 cable for the micro is better than using a comparable USB2.0 cable.
 
Hope this sheds more light.

 

[wushuliu]

   
Hi,
 
All the technical documentation is to be found here: www.usb.org
 
These are the people who spec USB2.0 and USB3.0, Audio Class etc.
 
The specifications for USB3.0 are higher than USB2.0 - better quality connectors, better cables for Signal Integrity, better power delivery, all very useful even if using USB 2.0 devices, so USB 3.0 can only be a better platform and at the very least, the same. So using the USB3.0 cable for the micro is better than using a comparable USB2.0 cable.
 
Hope this sheds more light.

 
 
 
Btw, is there a recommended setting for the buffer/usb streaming mode? Any reasons or circumstances to change it from 'Safe'?

 

[hamachan]

   
Hi,
 
All the technical documentation is to be found here: www.usb.org
 
These are the people who spec USB2.0 and USB3.0, Audio Class etc.
 
The specifications for USB3.0 are higher than USB2.0 - better quality connectors, better cables for Signal Integrity, better power delivery, all very useful even if using USB 2.0 devices, so USB 3.0 can only be a better platform and at the very least, the same. So using the USB3.0 cable for the micro is better than using a comparable USB2.0 cable.
 
Hope this sheds more light.

Would someone suggest me any recommendable USB3.0 cables? (sorry but I am newbie here. The question might has been exhausted) Mercury is USB2.0 class cable.  A famous audio cable shop in Japan is recommending C2G USB3.0 cable (USA brand).  Is it good for iDAC2?  I recently purchased iDAC2 and I have no issue for the bundled blue cable so far though.

 

[technobear]

Btw, is there a recommended setting for the buffer/usb streaming mode? Any reasons or circumstances to change it from 'Safe'?

Yes

No

 

[iFi audio]

   
 
 
Btw, is there a recommended setting for the buffer/usb streaming mode? Any reasons or circumstances to change it from 'Safe'?

 
Hi,
 
There are many issues.
 
The current version Driver has some limitations, which means we cannot set buffers high enough to match all streaming modes. The whole relationship has been explained before - you will have to search this thread. Each steaming mode increases the USB Buffer, which is set in X milliseconds.
 
The ASIO Buffer is listed in samples, in other words, how long it is it depends on sample rate. Under all conditions the ASIO Buffer must be larger than the USB buffer, or dropouts or other strange effects may happen.
 
The USB Streaming Mode sets the following USB Buffer length:
 
Minimum Latency = 1 millisecond
Low Latency = 2 milliseconds
Standard = 4 milliseconds
Relaxed = 8 milliseconds
Reliable = 12 milliseconds
Safe = 16 milliseconds
Extra Safe = 32 milliseconds
 
If using 768kHz sample rate (or DSD512 or DSD256 vis DoP) 8192 samples are around 10 Milliseconds, so for correct operation at this sample rate the ASIO Buffer setting must be the maximum 8192 and streaming mode must be Relaxed (8mS).
 
The downside is that such a setting will generate high latency at low sample rates, for example at 44.1kHz 8192 samples are 185 milliseconds, to which 8 milliseconds must be added.
 
All of this is avoided if using the WASAPI audio sub-system.

 

[wushuliu]

   
Hi,
 
There are many issues.
 
The current version Driver has some limitations, which means we cannot set buffers high enough to match all streaming modes. The whole relationship has been explained before - you will have to search this thread. Each steaming mode increases the USB Buffer, which is set in X milliseconds.
 
The ASIO Buffer is listed in samples, in other words, how long it is it depends on sample rate. Under all conditions the ASIO Buffer must be larger than the USB buffer, or dropouts or other strange effects may happen.
 
The USB Streaming Mode sets the following USB Buffer length:
 
Minimum Latency = 1 millisecond
Low Latency = 2 milliseconds
Standard = 4 milliseconds
Relaxed = 8 milliseconds
Reliable = 12 milliseconds
Safe = 16 milliseconds
Extra Safe = 32 milliseconds
 
If using 768kHz sample rate (or DSD512 or DSD256 vis DoP) 8192 samples are around 10 Milliseconds, so for correct operation at this sample rate the ASIO Buffer setting must be the maximum 8192 and streaming mode must be Relaxed (8mS).
 
The downside is that such a setting will generate high latency at low sample rates, for example at 44.1kHz 8192 samples are 185 milliseconds, to which 8 milliseconds must be added.
 
All of this is avoided if using the WASAPI audio sub-system.

 
Ok. Thanks.

 

[Mr Creosote]

Agree. the usb3.0 blue cable that comes with the micro dsd is better than the Belkin usb2.0 which I have lying around. And the Belkin was on a level with quite a few expensive usb cables that I tried including a well known US cable that was $500 in the US.

 

[spdtdl]

I understand for:
 
iDSD Nano > iCAN SE - The nano should be set at full volume...
 
What is the procedure for iDAC2 > iCAN SE ?