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iDAC2. Calling 5 Head-Fi'ers. A litte surprise. (page 37)
Aug 17, 2015 at 12:51 PM Post #496 of 781
a1uc said:
  Anyone compare the micro iDSD and the iDac2 
Click to expand...

 
Yes, post #482 above and also recently on the micro thread.  It seems SQ of the two DACs is virtually indistinguishable, despite the new model having a beefed up output stage.
 
The Micro seems better value considering the relatively small cost difference, even for home use.
 
 
Quote:
ifi audio said:
 
In some ways the best way of thinking of the iDAC2 micro is as a iDSD micro without battery, SPDIF and super powerful Headphone amplifier and instead optimised as Computer only USB DAC with the emphasis on the sound quality of the line output.
Click to expand...

 
Aug 19, 2015 at 9:50 AM Post #500 of 781
As a Focal Sig Pro owner, I'm just wondering how the headamp performs with your typical lowish impedance/ highish sensitivity cans?  Does it veer slightly towards the lean or warm side?   TIA.
 
Aug 19, 2015 at 3:55 PM Post #501 of 781

Flavours of Firmware 5.0 for DSD256

Vanilla, Strawberry or Choc Chip?
 
 

 
The DSD DoP Revolution – iFi Firmware v5.0 ushers in a new era
At iFi, when we say we develop our software in-house, we really mean it. This time, with Firmware version 5.0 (and its sub-versions) we have gone above and beyond because:
 
1) Firmware v5.0 ‘Vanilla’ optimises DSD via DoP to give it equal performance; freedom from clicks and sound quality on par with native DSD (which was up to now, only available on Windows). While the 30% data overhead of DoP is retained, special code optimisation in the iFi firmware brings it level with ASIO native. Sonically, both protocols are now equally good.
 
2) Special sub-version firmware v5.0A ‘Strawberry’ that enables DSD256 via DoP (on nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 ONLY). Supports DSD256 on all major computer platforms including Smartphones and Streamers as well as computing platforms like Windows, OSX and Linux.
 
3) Additional Sub-version firmware 5.0B ‘Choc Chip’ (for micro iDSD only) to disable sleep mode for Android and similar devices. Thus prevents the micro iDSD from drawing charge from recent generation Android Phones/Tablets/Phablets. Also prevents any click/pop generated by the micro iDSD’s entering sleep mode.
 
For detailed instructions and the download files, please follow this link:
http://ifi-audio.com/downloads/
 
Happy Easter!
wink_face.gif

 
 
 
 
1Background. The DSD DoP Evolution
DoP DSD is known for inherently creating noise when switching between PCM and DSD-DoP tracks and back. This problem has been addressed at the source by some but not all playback software - hence, much available software when playing DSD, struggles. So we at iFi have taken it upon ourselves to think ‘outside of the (PC) box’ to resolve this upstream issue at the downstream firmware level for all our DSD capable devices. In a process that took over a year, we have resolved the many areas where the differences between DSD-DoP and PCM make switching an annoyance.
 
Additionally, DoP is often cited as offering a lower sound quality. By adjusting core code and the clocking system in the firmware, this point is now moot – as we eliminated the hit on processor utilisation by DoP vs. native DSD playback. So choose native DSD or DoP-DSD with the confidence that either will deliver the same great DSD sound quality and user experience. Just like DSD and PCM, we like one as much as the other.

 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/people/IFi-audio/61558986775162/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Aug 19, 2015 at 4:18 PM Post #502 of 781
ifi audio said:
 

Flavours of Firmware 5.0 for DSD256

Vanilla, Strawberry or Choc Chip?
 
 

 
The DSD DoP Revolution – iFi Firmware v5.0 ushers in a new era
At iFi, when we say we develop our software in-house, we really mean it. This time, with Firmware version 5.0 (and its sub-versions) we have gone above and beyond because:
 
1) Firmware v5.0 ‘Vanilla’ optimises DSD via DoP to give it equal performance; freedom from clicks and sound quality on par with native DSD (which was up to now, only available on Windows). While the 30% data overhead of DoP is retained, special code optimisation in the iFi firmware brings it level with ASIO native. Sonically, both protocols are now equally good.
 
2) Special sub-version firmware v5.0A ‘Strawberry’ that enables DSD256 via DoP (on nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 ONLY). Supports DSD256 on all major computer platforms including Smartphones and Streamers as well as computing platforms like Windows, OSX and Linux.
 
3) Additional Sub-version firmware 5.0B ‘Choc Chip’ (for micro iDSD only) to disable sleep mode for Android and similar devices. Thus prevents the micro iDSD from drawing charge from recent generation Android Phones/Tablets/Phablets. Also prevents any click/pop generated by the micro iDSD’s entering sleep mode.
 
For detailed instructions and the download files, please follow this link:
http://ifi-audio.com/downloads/
 
Happy Easter!
wink_face.gif

 
 
 
 
1Background. The DSD DoP Evolution
DoP DSD is known for inherently creating noise when switching between PCM and DSD-DoP tracks and back. This problem has been addressed at the source by some but not all playback software - hence, much available software when playing DSD, struggles. So we at iFi have taken it upon ourselves to think ‘outside of the (PC) box’ to resolve this upstream issue at the downstream firmware level for all our DSD capable devices. In a process that took over a year, we have resolved the many areas where the differences between DSD-DoP and PCM make switching an annoyance.
 
Additionally, DoP is often cited as offering a lower sound quality. By adjusting core code and the clocking system in the firmware, this point is now moot – as we eliminated the hit on processor utilisation by DoP vs. native DSD playback. So choose native DSD or DoP-DSD with the confidence that either will deliver the same great DSD sound quality and user experience. Just like DSD and PCM, we like one as much as the other.
Click to expand...


Listening to this update now on the iDAC2 (DSD256 from HQPlayer via DoP) and it is good, really good.
 
The iFi folks definitely deserve to have a beer, and then another!
 
Aug 20, 2015 at 5:31 AM Post #504 of 781
mikeyfresh said:
Bravo iFi on developing Mac platform compatibility for the DFU.

This simplifies things for me and allows me to leave everything connected as is and just do the update on my bedroom Mac mini rather than disconnect everything in order to connect to my business Windows machine.

The new Mac DFU went off without a hitch! It took less than 30 seconds to complete and now I'm right back to listening. Thank you!

This is a rather big deal for Mac owners.
Click to expand...

 
Somebody found the Easter Egg...
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/people/IFi-audio/61558986775162/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Aug 20, 2015 at 9:50 AM Post #505 of 781
ifi audio said:
   
Somebody found the Easter Egg...
Click to expand...


I done the upgrade to my micro iDAC2 with new firmware ver 5.0A now. Quite easy and straight forward to do this on Mac OSX. Just only few clicks and it will run and install automatically. Just make sure you are not playing music or other sounds with you iFi device. Will do the same to my micro iDSD as soon as my friend has returned it back to me (lend him to play and try with his A&K music player). Well done iFI and thanks for the excellent work!! :)
 
Aug 21, 2015 at 2:23 AM Post #506 of 781
gixxerwimp said:
On my unit, the filter settings playing DSD files seem to be "upside down" from the labels. "Standard" is smoothest (highs rolled off) and "Bit-Perfect" is brightest. It should be the other way around, and is on my iDSD. The filter settings playing PCM files make almost no difference to the sound, whereas on my iDSD I can hear a subtle roll-off going from Standard to Min-Phase to Bit-Perfect.
Click to expand...

 
After an initial "our product is working fine, we can't comment on what you hear" response from iFi, they eventually offered to send me a replacement iDAC2. The filters on the replacement unit work as they should when playing DSD files (I still can't hear much difference with PCM content, but that's probably my ears). Faulty unit sent back to iFi and also got to keep the USB 2.0 cable that came with the replacement unit to replace the non-functioning one that came with my original unit. Now I'm a happy iFi camper!
 
Aug 21, 2015 at 4:31 AM Post #507 of 781

iFi will rock your Mac world

Double-click for DSD256 DoP on OS X
 

 
 
The DSD DoP Revolution – and updater now on OS X
 
A few days ago, we launched the special Firmware version 5.0 (and the sub-versions). We incorporated an ‘Easter Egg;’ we have coded three separate iFi dmg files for updating the 3 ‘flavours’ of firmware on OS X.
 
1) Firmware v5.0 optimises DSD via DoP was launched a few days ago to give it equal performance; freedom from clicks and sound quality on par with native DSD (which was up to now, only available on Windows). While the 30% data overhead of DoP is retained, special code optimisation in the iFi firmware brings it level with ASIO native. Sonically, both protocols are now equally good.
 
2) Special sub-version firmware v5.0A that enables DSD256 via DoP (on iDSD nano and iDAC2 micro). Supports DSD256 on all major computer platforms including Smartphones and Streamers as well as computing platforms like Windows, OSX and Linux. Further, there is lso sub-version 5.0B is for micro iDSD only to disable sleep mode for Android and similar devices[1].
 
3) iFi Firmware update on for MAC which introduces the much requested option to update the specific firmware not only via Windows PC but also using Mac OSX. Making iFi one of only a handful of companies to develop a proprietary Mac OS X firmware update application.
 
[1] Thus prevents the iDSD micro from drawing charge from recent generation Android Phones/Tablets/Phablets. Also prevents any click/pop generated by the iDSD micro entering sleep mode.
 


 
 
Not everyone spotted the Easter Egg which was the dmg files.
 

 
So if you are a MAC OS X user (User note: Minimum requirement is: 10.9 or Mavericks - so quite a recent version of OS X).
 
 
 
 
Note:
The Firmware is 'built-into' the dmg file. So, one must select the correct 'flavour' of firmware dmg file to upgrade.
 
Unlike Windows where one does a 'browse.'
 
If youare a MAC person, no need to source a Windows PC.
 
We hope you like it as it was a little bit of work (heck, otherwise there would be loads of dmg files out there.) 
wink_face.gif
 
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/people/IFi-audio/61558986775162/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Aug 22, 2015 at 1:45 AM Post #509 of 781
When updating to 'Strawberry', I lost the ability to play DSD in my Nano iDSD. 'Vanilla' works fine though.
 
Aug 22, 2015 at 2:35 AM Post #510 of 781
pinonl said:
When updating to 'Strawberry', I lost the ability to play DSD in my Nano iDSD. 'Vanilla' works fine though.
Click to expand...


Upgrade your iFi (AMR) HD + USB Audio driver.

http://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/data/driver/iFi%20(by%20AMR)%20HD%20USB%20Audio%20Driver%20-%20for%20installation%20-%202.23.exe

Edit: uninstall the old version 2.20 first.
 
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