[x838nwy]

  My two cents:
 
1) Battery supplyed by two batteries, one when work the other is charging
2) Sabre 9018 2M dac chip
3) Amanero usb async receiver
4) Holographic 3d and bass bost system.
5) selectable gain headphone out to perform well with IEM and low impedance headphone (usually who has high impedance and orto have also an amp)
6) A regular shaped case (rectangular) so you can put other IFI component in a stable "tower"
7) Coaxial input
8) Usb receiver powered from battery and not from usb
9) 6,3 mm heaphone out 

 
An idea, if possible, is for the USB power to go to the battery first, then dec circuitry draws power from battery. Different ones if space allows.

 

[iFi audio]

+1 maybe the ability to get the power via USB would be a better choice over a battery. Something like what FiiO did to their E10. USB powered.

Hopefully iFi allows black finish for xD something like the Schiit's supplier mistake... That finish look high class xD

If no battery - then minimal portability.
 
The overwhelming feedback from Japan and USA (our two major markets which has seen quite a few nano iDSDs sold) is that portability with Smart Devices is a must.
 
Black finish....got it and will investigate further.
 
Petition your local iFi store!

 

[iFi audio]

  One thing I'd like to add in addition to my original post is if we can have a tube output stage? I have the iTube and love it. But internal volume of the case is probably prohibitive.
 
Personally, I really don't care for all the 3D and Xtra-More-Bass type thing.
 
And could we have feet that are already on the thing? Seriously, I'm OCD and I always felt I have them in the wrong place  or covering up all the writing or something.
 
Oh, and if it is at all avoidable, could we not have cable entries like in the middle of one side? (Like on the iTube.)
 
Thanks
 
C

 
The chassis size of the micro makes the iDSD virtually impossible to also incorporate GE5670 tube and its circuitry.
 
If you have a chance, get a demo of the iCAN and try the 3D and XBass. One or both floats most folks' boat.
 
Feet, you already get them and then stick on only if you like.
 
Power cable entry from the side with 'L' shape optional adapter has got good feedback. So far, only the iTube has this.

 

[BillsonChang007]

It is also worth mentioning that adding battery may be an issue too. The charging progress... Unless we are allowed to use it while charging! And afraid the battery may be an issue after some time.

While E10 powered via USB, the iOS, with CCK, works fine still!

Sadly, there's no distributor of iFi in Brunei iFi should consider here too though xP be the first to bring in good audio to Brunei hehe

 

[iFi audio]

  My two cents:
 
1) Battery supplyed by two batteries, one when work the other is charging
2) Sabre 9018 2M dac chip
3) Amanero usb async receiver
4) Holographic 3d and bass bost system.
5) selectable gain headphone out to perform well with IEM and low impedance headphone (usually who has high impedance and orto have also an amp)
6) A regular shaped case (rectangular) so you can put other IFI component in a stable "tower"
7) Coaxial input
8) Usb receiver powered from battery and not from usb
9) 6,3 mm heaphone out 

 
1. nano iDSD runs 10 for hours!
 
2.
[17:02:04] Thorsten Loesch @ AMR: 2. Dual-Core Burr-Brown. It is one of few chips that keeps PCM and DSD in their native format. 
We write our own software for the system which is highly specific to this BB DAC and cannot be accommodated by off the shelf generic DIY Kit USB hardware, unless we downgrade our DAC-choice to something that works well with generic off the shelf DIY Kit USB hardware and that would be missing point. You would hear the difference.
 
See Tech talk with Thorsten 2 (http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/ifi-skunkworks-micro-idsd-crowd-design-more-and-more-design-inputs-keep-it-up/60).
 
If you have the time and inclination, this is Thorsten's viewpoint on ESS Sabre and why to our ears, it does not sound as nice as the Burr-Brown:
http://www.diyhifi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2331&sid=0338265518954f543c3fc4b5725cdc63
 
In Thorsten's vault are a number of commercial ES9018 designs at hand, he has implemented other ESS Chips as well. According to him:
"They are very nice DAC's and sound quite decent. There is much worse out there.
 
The way things have been implemented makes it VERY easy to design and build a DAC with something like an XMOS or Armanero USB interface that allows SPDIF, USB PCM and DoP PCM using minimal extra parts. 
 
Just follow the App notes and reference designs and you are good to go, no effort, knowledge etc. required. Results are pretty much guaranteed to be very good (measured results at least)."
 
But at AMR/iFi we dont do it the easy way and get decent sonics. We like doing the more arduous way and get great sonics. 
Otherwise, Thorsten would come to work at 11 and not come back from the Pub after lunch and still get all the designs scheduled done ahead of schedule!
 
3. No way - our USB hardware cannot be replacedby a DIY Kit, it is by far more advanced. AMR put out Aysnch USB for the last few years since the DP-777. iDAC has that and it came our over 18 months ago! 

 
4. People love this so we shall try to do one, both is not easy.
 
5. Very popular choice.
 
6. iRACK? http://www.head-fi.org/t/701759/ifi-irack-dont-wish-your-desktop-system-was-hot-like-me
 
7. Co-axial input (what source do you have in mind? We are curious)
 
8. See nano iDSD....
 
9. IEMs vs Full-Size Headphones - really difficult.

 

[x838nwy]

   
The chassis size of the micro makes the iDSD virtually impossible to also incorporate GE5670 tube and its circuitry.
 
If you have a chance, get a demo of the iCAN and try the 3D and XBass. One or both floats most folks' boat.
 
Feet, you already get them and then stick on only if you like.
 
Power cable entry from the side with 'L' shape optional adapter has got good feedback. So far, only the iTube has this.

 
No worries about the tube stage.
 
The 3D stuff on the iTube I feel is too severe, but then again, it's probably more intended for speakers.
 
The digital anti-dote is nice though. I'd like that on the micro iDSD. Totally forgot about that.
 
Lolz. re feet. It's probably me being weird.
 
I've also been asking for a coax s/pdif - for me, it's my CD player. I also have a thing that takes my iPod's files and outputs them in s/pdif (CLAS).
It'd be nice also if it can be used with some DAP's like the Fiio X5 or similar which features a digital out (which is not optical).

 

[BillsonChang007]

Maybe iFi can include a 3.5mm - 6.3mm jack! That will solve all the possible issues on the headphone jack section. But the cost for one and how many will fit is the typical problem are there not one 3.5mm-6.3mm jack that will fit into any 3.5mm jack of any patten? @.@

 

[x838nwy]

Maybe iFi can include a 3.5mm - 6.3mm jack! That will solve all the possible issues on the headphone jack section. But the cost for one and how many will fit is the typical problem

are there not one 3.5mm-6.3mm jack that will fit into any 3.5mm jack of any patten? @.@

 
My suggestion would be to just have a 6.3 mm jack if space is a concern. Going 1/4"->1/8" can be done by an adaptor that fits nearly entirely inside the hole. Going the other direction means a long hard adaptor or a short length of cable. Both of which is kindda against the concept of the thing being 'micro'.

 

[john57]

 Going 1/4"->1/8" adapter just put much stress on the adapter and I have bend quite a few 1/8 plugs

 

[Mr Creosote]

I see your reply.
 
I use the hifiman he-500s at home and shure 535s when out and about.
 
Which will the micro iDsd headphone section suit better?
 
Will it have the XBass and 3D as in the iCan? (as the OP said). I cant live without them. I have the iCAN and it is a killer headphone amplifier. It allowed me to get flog off my £500 headphone amp.

 

[iFi audio]

   
No worries about the tube stage.
 
The 3D stuff on the iTube I feel is too severe, but then again, it's probably more intended for speakers.
 
The digital anti-dote is nice though. I'd like that on the micro iDSD. Totally forgot about that.
 
Lolz. re feet. It's probably me being weird.
 
I've also been asking for a coax s/pdif - for me, it's my CD player. I also have a thing that takes my iPod's files and outputs them in s/pdif (CLAS).
It'd be nice also if it can be used with some DAP's like the Fiio X5 or similar which features a digital out (which is not optical).

 
1. The iCAN has 3D Holographic for Headphones.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/ifi-audio/what-is-3d-holographic-sound-for-headphones/465871956781885
 
 
2. The iTUBE has 3D Holographic for Speakers.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/ifi-audio/itube-tech-notes-part-2-3d-holographicsound-system-for-speakers/628528137182932
 
These are two different circuits and do almost totally the opposite.
 
If you use the 3D Holographic for Speakers on your Cans, you put the sound "even more inside you head." No wonder you don't like it. We wouldn't either! You will get a "Kylie" (Cant get you otta my head).
 
 
3. The Digital Antidote Plus is here:

 
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ifi-audio/itube-tech-notes-part-3-digital-antidote-plus/628539027181843
 
The Digital Antidote is not needed on iDSD micro - it has Bitperfect processing (no digital filter) option,the very thing that Digital Antidote tries to fix is not a problem in the first place.
 
 
4. Understood with SPDIF request. Though this is not so popular.

 

[iFi audio]

Tech Talk with Thorsten (Part 3)
 
As all this chatter of 3.5mm and 6.3mm, we pulled Thorsten away from the design/measuring stuff and asked him share with you all his thoughts.
 
Tipping the Balance
Another thing that will not happen are balanced outputs. Yes, they have advantages and especially for driving headphones. However the micro iDSD will retain the iDAC micro’s size and format, so there is just no space to fit XLR sockets, which are the only standard connectors. And unless implemented with care, balanced outputs have drawbacks that often outweigh their benefits.

The iDSD mini has enough space to fit XLR’s and to include balanced circuitry that will do the format justice, so if you need balanced connections and you want a reference grade desktop DAC, maybe redirect your suggestions into the iFi mini thread here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/702376/ifi-audio-mini-desktop-line-discussion-thread
 
The big problem with Headphone connections is that the common ground connection in the unbalanced 3.5mm jack limits channel separation to around 65dB, with a 16 Ohm load and progressively worse with lowering load. 

One way to improve this is to use a lower resistance connector and as some have also asked for this we will probably change the Headphone connector to 6.3mm, as 6.3mm Jacks have much lower contact resistance.
 
Generally-speaking, the improvement from a headphone wired balanced, but with the ground combined in the 6.3mm plug will show channel separation non too different from a balanced headphone drive. So this is quite a neat approach to attain the right sonic results.
 
So thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. We will back soon with more.
 
Ciao
 
Thorsten Loesch
 

 

[BillsonChang007]

Thanks for pointing that out! Would prefer iFi to use 3D holographic for HEADPHONES on iDSD micro xD if not, both if possible but I doubt anyone would like to use the iDSD micro for speakers but I could be wrong

 

[wod2014]

Vince, Thorsten,
 
hier mein Vorschlag zum micro iDSD:
 
- XBass und 3D Halographic sound,
- Akku Betrieb,
- USB 3 Eingang
- Schalter um USB Power zu trennen (dann Akkubetrieb)
- S/PDIF Eingang (RCA oder BNC)
- symmetrische Ausgänge
- Digitalausgang (S/PDIF)
- Digital Filter
- Kopfhörerausgang (regelbar)
- LED Indikator für Signal und Abtastfrequenz
- alle Audioformate (PCM und DSD)
- integrierter CCK?
 
Danke
Werner

 

[Hermmann123]

Grüß Gott,
 
Ein Plädoyer für den iDAC
 
In dieser Diskussion scheint es anscheinend darum zu gehen eine eierlegende Mega-Wollmilchsau zu produzieren. Sicher werde ich auch einen iDSD mikro kaufen. 
Es scheint aber das der neue iDSD mikro den iDAC mikro ablösen soll.
 
Bitte macht das nicht. Behaltet den iDAC im Programm.
 
Er ist super einfach zu benutzen und was das ich „normalen Leuten“ empfehlen kann. Das Ding kann jeder benutzen, besonders an Mac.
 
Einstecken, Musik Hören, sich wegen dem Super Klang putzen.
 
iDAC mikro 2 Wunsch Liste:
 
• Bitte ohne Treiber bei Windows, oder den Treiber automatisch direkt von der Windows Aktualisierung installieren
• Chinch Buchsen auf der Rückseite, zusammen mit USB 2 Sockel
• 3.5 mm und 6.3 mm Kopfhörer Buchse und Lautstärke auf der Vorderseite
• Keine Verzerrungen am Linien Ausgang wenn man den KH absteckt (das macht mich kirre)
• Kein DSD und DXD und solches Gesocks – wer hat denn solche aufnahmen?
• Keine Batterie, aber eine Netzteil Buchse wäre willkommen, notfalls auch an der Seite
• Keine Mäuse Klaviere und andere Schalter
• Klingt noch besser als der alte
• Kostet weniger als der alte
 
Vielen dank im Voraus
 
Hermann von Wartburg
 
Google Übersetzung
 
Good day ,
 
A plea for the iDAC
 
In this discussion, it seems seems to be about to produce an egg-laying mega jack of all trades . Sure I'll buy a micro IDSD .
But it seems that the new micro IDSD to the iDAC micro peel off.
 
Please do not do that. Keep the iDAC in the program is super easy to use and what I can recommend " normal people " .
 
The thing everyone can use, especially on Mac.
 
Plug it in, listening to music, brushing because of the super sound.
 
iDAC 2 micro wish list :
 
• Please no driver in Windows, or the driver automatically directly from the Windows install update
• RCA jacks on the back, along with USB 2 socket
• 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm headphone jack and volume control on the front
• No distortion at the output lines when setting pre- KH ( that makes me tame )
• No DSD and DXD and such riff-raff - who has since such recordings ?
• No battery, but a power supply socket would be welcome , if necessary also on the side
• No mice pianos and other switches
• Sounds even better than the old one
• Costs less than the old
 
Many thanks in advance
 
Hermann von Wartburg