[dsnyder]

Ah...definitely no reason for you to be running 5.2A then. Please switch back to 5.2 (without the "A") if you have not already and let your DAC burn-in with that version. May also be a good idea to make sure that you are running the latest Windows ASIO driver...probably so, but here's the link: https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Good luck!

 

[dsnyder]

Oh, and definitely make sure that you power the DAC off and disconnect the USB cable for a few seconds after changing the firmware. I have experienced strange results in the past when I did not remove power after the firmware update was complete.

 

[Zerocool20]

Ah...definitely no reason for you to be running 5.2A then. Please switch back to 5.2 (without the "A") if you have not already and let your DAC burn-in with that version. May also be a good idea to make sure that you are running the latest Windows ASIO driver...probably so, but here's the link: https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Good luck!

I tried both the 5.2A and 5.20 but sound is the same, now I'm back with the stock firmware hoping the sound signature will go back default one but it didn't. I might have to update it again to 5.20 then hope that once the burn in period is over the sound will be good again.

 

[Danielvr]

It seems unlikely that a firmware upgrade would cause such a dramatic detoriation in sound, and your reverting to the earlier firmware (without improvement in sound) seems to confirm this. There's probably a simple explanation. Some potential causes..:

• Have you verified that all relevant analog cables in the chain (eg. headphones) are still plugged-in correctly?
• Could it be that you've changed the filter settings on the idac2?
• Any changes in how the idac2 is powered?
  
• Have you changed any settings or plugins in your player?

 

[Zerocool20]

It seems unlikely that a firmware upgrade would cause such a dramatic detoriation in sound, and your reverting to the earlier firmware (without improvement in sound) seems to confirm this. There's probably a simple explanation. Some potential causes..:

• Have you verified that all relevant analog cables in the chain (eg. headphones) are still plugged-in correctly?
• Could it be that you've changed the filter settings on the idac2?
• Any changes in how the idac2 is powered?
  
• Have you changed any settings or plugins in your player?

I haven't done any changes

It seems unlikely that a firmware upgrade would cause such a dramatic detoriation in sound, and your reverting to the earlier firmware (without improvement in sound) seems to confirm this. There's probably a simple explanation. Some potential causes..:

• Have you verified that all relevant analog cables in the chain (eg. headphones) are still plugged-in correctly?
• Could it be that you've changed the filter settings on the idac2?
• Any changes in how the idac2 is powered?
  
• Have you changed any settings or plugins in your player?

I haven't done any changes with any of my settings in foobar and it's been connected to the same usb port. The only thing I did is after the firmware got upgraded I disconnected the usb cable for a few seconds then reconnected it back. Then got surprised to know that the sound quality turned garbage hehe

 

[Zerocool20]

Oh, and definitely make sure that you power the DAC off and disconnect the USB cable for a few seconds after changing the firmware. I have experienced strange results in the past when I did not remove power after the firmware update was complete.

Hi I was able to resolve the issue yesterday From v5.00 I updated it again to v5.20 the only thing I did different is instead of disconnecting the usb cable for few a seconds after the update, this time I left it disconnected for more than a minute. To my surprise when I played the first song the sound is fuller again, mid bass is back, sound stage is as wide when I first got it, after playing several songs I was able to verify that sound signature is really back. When I updated it few days ago I only disconnected the usb cable for about 5 seconds so maybe that was the problem. I would like to thank those who gave suggestions on how to resolve the issue, I really appreciate it.

 

[dsnyder]

Something so simple. Glad to hear that you're back in the game! Let it burn in, and then add one of the iUSB3.0 devices....and perhaps a Gemini cable.

 

[Zerocool20]

Something so simple. Glad to hear that you're back in the game! Let it burn in, and then add one of the iUSB3.0 devices....and perhaps a Gemini cable.

I'll definitely add those on my list, does the iUSB 3.0 make a lot of difference? I'm waiting for hd6xx to be available in Massdrop again, once it's available I'll buy that and the iCAN se as well. Once I have those my next buy would be the iUSB 3.0 and the gemini cable.

 

[dsnyder]

The difference is pretty big. I don't have an iCAN SE to compare, but with Sennheiser HD600/650 or similar headphones and the micro iDAC2, I suspect that the micro iUSB3.0 is a bigger bang-for-buck upgrade for the iDAC2 than the iCAN SE. Look around for reviews, but I think you'll find others saying the same thing.

Also, if you don't feel like waiting for the Massdrop, the real HD650's are on sale at B&H (an authorized dealer in the US)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310010-REG/Sennheiser_HD_650_HD650_Reference_Class.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/146611-REG/Sennheiser_HD_600_HD_600_Headphone.html

I have both...at times, I prefer the HD600...depends on what I'm listening to. Cheers.

 

[Zerocool20]

However I find the micro iUSB3.0 too expensive, it's more expensive than iDAC2 and iCAN se.. I'm wondering if the nano iUSB3.0 will do the job.. Unfortunately at my location I can't go over $200 when buying stuff from the US because if I do I have to pay hefty customs tax hehe.. If it's over $200 I'll just have to buy it locally.

 

[dsnyder]

I have both. The nano iUSB3.0 + Gemini cable make a pretty big difference also. The micro is just that much better...plus, I use the second 5V output to power my Raspberry Pi based streamer (saved me a bit vs. buying a nicer power supply).

 

[iFi audio]

I have both. The nano iUSB3.0 + Gemini cable make a pretty big difference also. The micro is just that much better...plus, I use the second 5V output to power my Raspberry Pi based streamer (saved me a bit vs. buying a nicer power supply).

We can agree on this. Micro iUSB3.0 is the most effective USB treatment in our portfolio now and while its nano version is very good, the first place belongs to the former product.

 

[Stanley chin]

The iDAC2 micro just like the original iDAC it replaces / draws it's ppower from the USB connection. The iPhone and many Android devices either cannot supply sufficient power or have small batteries which would be quickly depleted.

We have tested the iDAC2 micro as drawing between 200 and 250mA (depending on sample rate and loudness of headphone Amplifier. Given the usual design of the USB Host mode on Android and iOS devices this translates into a draw of around 1.5Wh or with a common Lithium based battery of 430mA/h. So if a given Phone delivers (say) 10 Hours playback time while fitted with a 4,300mAh battery, powering the iDAC2 micro will cut this playback time in half.

When using Laptops or desktop PC's the extra 1.5Wh power draw is usually inconsequential to operating time. The iDAC2 micro is designed for semi-stationary use on Desktop, for a portable/mobile solution the iDSD nano and iDSD micro are recommended, as they both offer up to around 8...10 Hours playback time in mobile operatioin without drawing power from Phone/Tablet etc.

I don't know if this is true but when using rca output only like oure dac mode as i much more like speaker sound,i have a headphones too,but if only using the dac section,how much power will the dac draw?less than using both function?

 

[Stanley chin]

Does anyone try to compare this to the oppo ha 2se & sony pha 2a,three of this are very similar product and nearly the same price.

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, just a quick bit of nfo: if you're going to attend this year's RMAF in Denver (Colorado), at our booth we'll update firmware of any non-Pro iDSD machine by iFi audio to 5.3C. Why? Most people can get this done on their own, but if you're in need of assistance and would like to get familiar with our GTO filter, we're there for you! Please bring your hardware to our booth and we'll do the rest!