[iFi audio]

 
I'm always "up" to try new things, but it appears either of these is moot for iFi Micro iDSD *unless* you're trying to play from Android phone.  Otherwise, it gives you nothing, right?
 
Again, happy to give it a try, but if there is no benefit to my unit, I'll let others try it first  

 
4.8.0/4.8.4 Beta are based on a completely new core code. So they may (or may not) resolve any small niggles around USB.
 
Key changes from our end are around the changeover from PCM to DSD and from DSD to PCM and the fix for Android support, as well as the support DSD256 via DoP for iDSD nano.
 
Hope this helps!

 

[joe1016zw]

1. LEDs showing sample rate on top of the unit, something like the 3 LEDs on top left of the micro iCan
2.) PROPER USB-B none of this micro/mini crap.
3) This is asking a lot, but may be an FPGA implementation, like that of Chord and more recently PS Audio in place of a mass produced DAC chip. 4) This last one is a bit personal, but I'd love to have feet I don't have to stick on myself. Never sure if I have them in the 'right' places.

Samsung Galaxy J5 skin cover
Samsung Galaxy S6 screen protector

 

[Vartan]

About FPGA
The truth is that the contribution of each new benchmark in accuracy - less and less. Between 128 (many industrial DACs) and 26,000 difference - percent. It is higher for CD (44.1KHz), but hardly noticeable to 192kHz records. For DSD do nothing, because should not be used.

 

[technobear]

1. LEDs showing sample rate on top of the unit, something like the 3 LEDs on top left of the micro iCan
2.) PROPER USB-B none of this micro/mini crap.
3) This is asking a lot, but may be an FPGA implementation, like that of Chord and more recently PS Audio in place of a mass produced DAC chip.
4) This last one is a bit personal, but I'd love to have feet I don't have to stick on myself. Never sure if I have them in the 'right' places.

An excellent first post!

A contribution to a design which has been available to buy for some 8 or 9 months now

1. The micro iDSD does have an LED showing sample rate and PCM/DSD.

2. The micro iDSD has a USB A male for maximum compatibility with phones and tablets.

3. iFi has explained their choice of DAC chip in this very thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-crowd-design-the-meaty-monsters-are-flying-out-page-95/585#post_10585670

4. Not everyone wants feet. The stick-on solution is therefore the right way to go. If you have OCD, see a doctor or a psychiatrist.

 

[gixxerwimp]

 

technobear /img/forum/go_quote.gif

An excellent first post!

 
...

 

[technobear]

He's still only made one post. I hope I haven't put him off.

I forgot to add "Welcome to Head-Fi" :rolleyes:

 

[iFi audio]

Licking the Lollipop

 

 
We have Android 5 (Lollipop) tested using the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet, the results are as follows:

1) Sony Walkman - there are no longer settings for external DACs, the DAC (tested using iDSD nano with latest beta code). All audio is up-sampled to quad speed (176.4/192kHz), so never Bit-Perfect. Android Volume control sets DAC Volume.

2) Spotify - plays audio also as Quad Speed upsampled (this may be Sony specific). Android Volume control sets DAC Volume.
 

3) USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP), took two restarts before it could grab the DAC, after that works normally, bitperfect the Android Volume control does not change levels.
 

So UAPP remains recommended for HD/HiRez and high quality playback. 

For other audio player apps etc. the Android volume control should be set to maximum to avoid "loosing bits". 


 
We hope you found this useful.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

   
4.8.0/4.8.4 Beta are based on a completely new core code.

 
Any idea for a public firmware release, which is based on this new beta firmware? Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

   
Any idea for a public firmware release, which is based on this new beta firmware? Thanks.

 
Hi,
 
Sorry for the delayed reply - as we have been chasing skunkworks for an answer.
 
We have been doing more tests with different machines.
 
Then tweaked the firmware some.
 
So it has taken longer.
 
No short cuts to getting as bug free firmware as possible.
 
Should be within next 2 weeks though.
 
Thank you for your patience.

 

[h1f1add1cted]

No worries! Great news, take the time you need nobody want a "buggy" or "unstable" firmware.

 

[iFi audio]

  No worries! Great news, take the time you need nobody want a "buggy" or "unstable" firmware.

 
Thank you and much appreciated.
 
Plus, Macs have seen successive new Yosemite updates as the early versions were not quite 100% USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant.
 
It seems subsequent updates have addressed this.
 
Which we are glad to see.

 

[iFi audio]

For iCLUB members ONLY - please open a new support ticket and ask your concierge for the v4.08 Beta firmware.

 
 
 

BETA: v4.08 Firmware upgrade

 
User Notes:
This is the first unified version of firmware for nano iDSD, micro iDSD and Retro ONLY.
NOT to be uploaded to the micro iLink, micro iDAC, nor AMR DP-777!

 
Improvements
• Further improvement sfor DoP playback which exhibits clicks/pops during track changes
• Various optimisations regarding clock distribution.
• Various optimisations regarding muting circuitry.
• Improved compatibility with Mac OS X.
 
Bug fixes
• Fixed various small bugs.
 
 
Note to others, once this has been confirmed as all a-okay, we will release this into the wild for everyone to enjoy.
 
We thank you for your patience but as you can see, we do not issue firmware updates lightly because they need to undergo rigorous testing.

 

[RadioWonder737]

You appear to have a USB port Software problem... A problem that plagues your iFi Audio and AMR Audio lines...
 
Every time I start my computer and try to use my Micro iDSD I have to Unplug/Re-Plug the USB Cable... I am an iClub member and I have made a ticket to my iClub Rep ... I did try other iFi USB Cables but it was only a temporary fix... At first I thought it was just me until I read this AMR DP-777 review...
 
Quote: "I experienced only one performance glitch during the review period: On a morning occasioned by an unusual amount of switching among different media players, the DP-777 apparently ceased to inform my computer of its presence. According to the computer's System Preferences window, it couldn't find the AMR at all. Rebooting had no effect; surprisingly enough, simply unplugging the USB cable to the AMR for a second and plugging it back in did the trick."
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/abbingdon-music-research-dp-777-da-processor-page-2
 
Please fix this Software Problem... I am afraid the USB Cable connector or the USB port on my computer will become very loose and both will have to be replaced from all the Plug/Un-Plug of the USB cable...
 
Thank you for any help...

 

[iFi audio]

  You appear to have a USB port Software problem... A problem that plagues your iFi Audio and AMR Audio lines...
 
Every time I start my computer and try to use my Micro iDSD I have to Unplug/Re-Plug the USB Cable... I am an iClub member and I have made a ticket to my iClub Rep with zero results... At first I thought it was just me until I read this AMR DP-777 review...
 
Quote: "I experienced only one performance glitch during the review period: On a morning occasioned by an unusual amount of switching among different media players, the DP-777 apparently ceased to inform my computer of its presence. According to the computer's System Preferences window, it couldn't find the AMR at all. Rebooting had no effect; surprisingly enough, simply unplugging the USB cable to the AMR for a second and plugging it back in did the trick."
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/abbingdon-music-research-dp-777-da-processor-page-2
 
Please fix this Software Problem... I am afraid the USB Cable connector or the USB port on my computer will become very loose and both will have to be replaced from all the Plug/Un-Plug of the USB cable...
 
Thank you for any help...

 
Hi,
 
With a Windows PC, only one USB audio driver can be installed at a time. In this particular instance, we lent a Dell laptop along with the DP-777 for this review and when we got it back, we found it had a total of 5 drivers from 4 other different manufacturers. Windows is not USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant - hence the need for only one driver to be installed at a time. Yes - it is possible to 'disable' the other 4 drivers and only leave one active, but this did not happen. Otherwise they conflict as they 'fight' over the USB port. Therefore one had to unplug/replug to 'force' the pickup (though this is not guaranteed).
 
With Mac OS X, of course this is not required. But even with the latest Yosemite on a 2014 MBP, we find we have to ask the audio player to 'pickup' the iFi audio device as it sometimes defaults back to built-in speakers.
 
With many OS updates thesedays, USB Audio Class 2.0 is not high on the list of priorities hence it is only look at by the vendors after the fact.
 
Hope this sheds more light on our experiences.
 
We'll ask our support team to have a look through the tickets to see and maybe they can escalate it to someone senior for you.

 

[RadioWonder737]

   
Hi,
 
With a Windows PC, only one USB audio driver can be installed at a time. In this particular instance, we lent a Dell laptop along with the DP-777 for this review and when we got it back, we found it had a total of 5 drivers from 4 other different manufacturers. Windows is not USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant - hence the need for only one driver to be installed at a time. Yes - it is possible to 'disable' the other 4 drivers and only leave one active, but this did not happen. Otherwise they conflict as they 'fight' over the USB port. Therefore one had to unplug/replug to 'force' the pickup (though this is not guaranteed).
 
With Mac OS X, of course this is not required. But even with the latest Yosemite on a 2014 MBP, we find we have to ask the audio player to 'pickup' the iFi audio device as it sometimes defaults back to built-in speakers.
 
With many OS updates thesedays, USB Audio Class 2.0 is not high on the list of priorities hence it is only look at by the vendors after the fact.
 
Hope this sheds more light on our experiences.
 
We'll ask our support team to have a look through the tickets to see and maybe they can escalate it to someone senior for you.

Like I said, I did get a temporary fix by switching USB cables, but it was only temporary... I forgot to mention I also have the iFi iUSBPower Supply in the above system...