[iFi audio]

  Hi guys,
 
received my iDSD micro today. Few things to clarify please:
 
- the Xbass switch does nothing (I feel like it maybe does a tiny little bit when using very sensitive IEMs, but on my Senn's 600 it does nothing (tried turbo too). Nil. Tiny little crack when switched.) -- Faulty?
 
- the 3D thing does almost nothing -- only a very slight change in the highs. Probably OK. Can live with that.

 
Hi,
 
Please understand that neither X-Bass nor 3D holographic are gimmicks that fundamentally alter the music. 
 
X-Bass is a correction for the very low frequency roll-off of headphones (and IEM's), mostly below 50Hz, not a "make everything boomy" bass boost. We are talking AMR dna here! 

 
 
Most modern 'popular' music has little or no musical content this low, so make sure to use tracks that have low frequency content.
 
With 3D enabled and playing a recording with a good, natural soundstage, the sound should move forward out of your head and spread out in front of you.
 
The freely downloadable 2L Demo track " Blågutten" by the HOFF ensemble is a good choice for showing what both X-Bass and 3D are doing (and what they do not do).
 
http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html
 
 

 
- the IEM sensitivity switcher on the bottom, when positioned on one of the two "more sensitive IEM" settings, reacts glitchy to the touch -- I guess basically loses contact on a slight touch / push (like when you want to switch it, but much less force) -- Faulty?
 

 
This switch is a miniature type, but once correctly switched in position it should not cut out. Can you check that it is really correctly engaged in the intended position (there is a click), it is possible to not have it locked in.
 
 

   
Seems like DSD playback situation on Windows is a farce -- I'm a pretty good developer, any ways to help?

 
Not sure what you refer to? Herewith many Windows Music Players that support DSD:
 
Foobar 2000 (freeware)
http://www.foobar2000.org/
 
Hysolid (freeware)
http://www.hysolid.com/
 
Pono Music World (freeware version of J-River with timeout)
https://www.ponomusic.com/pmw
 
J-River Media Centre (payware)
https://www.jriver.com/
 
Roon (payware)
https://roonlabs.com/
 
J-Play (payware)
http://jplay.eu/
 
HQ-Player  (payware)
http://www.signalyst.com/consumer.html
 
Otherwise encapsulating DSD files as 'DoP-FLAC' allows any playback application that handles High Resolution PCM to play the resulting files, which will be correctly decoded to DSD by DoP aware DAC's like your iDSD micro.
 
One free software to perform DoP-FLAC packing including batch processing is Yuki San's DSD to PCM converter:
http://wpup.html.xdomain.jp/ (scroll down on the page)
 
 
 
We hope we have shed more light on the micro iDSD for you.
 
Cheers.

 

[Aegruin]

  Hi guys,
 
received my iDSD micro today. Few things to clarify please:
 
- the Xbass switch does nothing (I feel like it maybe does a tiny little bit when using very sensitive IEMs, but on my Senn's 600 it does nothing (tried turbo too). Nil. Tiny little crack when switched.) -- Faulty?
 
- the 3D thing does almost nothing -- only a very slight change in the highs. Probably OK. Can live with that.
 
- the IEM sensitivity switcher on the bottom, when positioned on one of the two "more sensitive IEM" settings, reacts glitchy to the touch -- I guess basically loses contact on a slight touch / push (like when you want to switch it, but much less force) -- Faulty?
 
Am I a warranty case, and if yes, where to send, back to seller or does iFi replace it?
 
Other than that -- fine, still burning in I guess.
 
Seems like DSD playback situation on Windows is a farce -- I'm a pretty good developer, any ways to help?

 
1) Xbass does a very small job. It's not faulty.
 
2) 3D switch does a very huge effect in the sound but it depends on the recording. For example, try it with the Nina Simone - Sinnerman.
 
3) There might be a problem with the IEMatch. I don't have that problem.
 
 
iFi has a lot to do as software. Some people complaining about the device going to sleep every 3 seconds. There should be a tick box switch for that in the software. If you want to protect your device, you tick it. If you don't, do not tick it.
Also a software based EQ would be awesome. Specially I'm in love with Mathaudio Headphone EQ. If iFi does that kind of a EQ in their iFi USB Audio software to affect all the Windows sound, it would be awesome.
And... and a Windows sound PCM to DSD mode. They have it on Foobar. Why not all Windows sounds? 

 

[youurayy]

Originally Posted by iFi audio /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
..snip..
 
We hope we have shed more light on the micro iDSD for you.
 

 
Wow! Now that's a customer support
 
Yeah.. on my nuForce NE800m headphones (these are out of this world btw.), with some tracks when I switched on the xBass I could notice a different shaping in the the bass envelope at very low frequencies. I was thinking, really? Could they be _this_ serious about music? They are, and that's great.
 
Similarly with the 3D, it's something to taste on multiple songs.
 
And yes, once the IEM switch clicks into the position, it seems to be okay -- but a simple slight tapping it with a finger "rustles" it -- and it does give a sense of not being sure if it had settled 100% back to the position you expect it to be in ---- this however may be a subjective feeling learned from other electronics in the past (bad/broken solders, etc.). It may be OK, I will give it more time.
 
After my post I was doing more listening yesterday, I was feeding my bigger tube amp with the micro, but I ended up preferring the pure sound of micro in the end --- what? Lol. I guess we're both burning in.
 
 
With the Windows, I just couldn't get Foobar to light the micro above the yellow color --- 176khz. Thanks for for massive list of players to try out, again, this needs more time.
 
It's just that on Android I was able play DSD natively (okay, it too uses DoP) in no time on the mirco (I used USB Audio Player Pro).
 
 
 
 

  ...snip...
And... and a Windows sound PCM to DSD mode. They have it on Foobar. Why not all Windows sounds? 

 
Thanks for the input. Interesting, I had read those posts about micro before purchasing, but I just have none of those issues with it. I did update the firmware right from the open-box. Also I'm not an EQ guy, just prefer to switch the heaphones if they sound bad. The nuForces I mention above just turned my world upside down. I drive them from iPad 2 through a $50 chinese mini tube amp and the sound is out of this world. I did test the small tube amp with micro yesterday and I did happen to miss the definition of the iDSD micro later when falling asleep listening back to the iPad. The micro also does great job in powering my Philips Fidelio X2 which can behave quite rough to the ears when played louder on other amps.

 

[youurayy]

OMG. Just for the record, the more I listen to this thing, the more I fall in love with it. The xBass and 3D are right on the money = perfect. There's both definition and musicality - in spades. Money well spent. Thank you iFi.

 

[youurayy]

Hey, unfortunately the IEM sensitivity switch is a problem on my unit. Just had a case where I handled the unit, then put it back on the desk, and then noticed the balance in my headphones is leaning towards the left channel. It was the IEM switch on the most-sensitive position, not completely touching the contacts.
 
I took a closer look at it and I can see a crack on the switch (see photo).
 
 

 
EDIT: actually it's not a crack. Maybe some scratches but not a crack (there's a rectangular feature on the face of the switch platform, partly visible on the pic - I confused that with a crack at first).
 
iFi -- I won't be returning the product, but how feasible would be to send me a replacement switch? I can pay postage etc. Yep I'm skilled (or crazy) enough to solder it on.

 

[iFi audio]

   
 
iFi -- I won't be returning the product, but how feasible would be to send me a replacement switch? I can pay postage etc. Yep I'm skilled (or crazy) enough to solder it on.

 
Hi,
 
Best you open a Support Ticket here:
 
http://support.ifi-audio.com/
 
If you are in England, just post the unit to us and we'll replace the PCB. The support techs said they dont repair, they replace the PCB. So easier to go down this route. But if you open a support ticket, they will look after you.
 
Cheers

 

[Maxpain]

I have been using the micro running on battery mode for quit a while now. I allways use it with my desktop pc.
 
When nothing is playing micro is going to ''sleep'' mode I think and the light is flashing rythmically. This happens allmost right after the signal stops due to battery saving if I understand correctly.
 
Is there a danger for the device if this is happening 4-5 times when using it? Is there a way of keeping the micro allways ''on'' even if nothing is playing at the moment?
 
Thanks a lot for helping,
 
Cheers!

 

[youurayy]

   
Hi,
 
Best you open a Support Ticket here:
 
http://support.ifi-audio.com/
 
If you are in England, just post the unit to us and we'll replace the PCB. The support techs said they dont repair, they replace the PCB. So easier to go down this route. But if you open a support ticket, they will look after you.
 
Cheers

 
Thanks guys. I currently live in Greece but at some point I'd probably like to get it fixed. Right now none of my HP's actually require the IEMatch, plus I can't really stop listening to this thing, so .. later
 
I've got the DSD512 upscale working in Foobar, and my MP3's sound best I've ever heard them. Here's a screenshot of the updated foo_dsd_asio (ASIO Proxy 0.9.2) config, in case it helps anyone:
 

 
(native .dsd playback is currently foo-bared in foobar, i think they are working to fix it)
 
Also I feel like the iDSD plays a little louder when connected to a powered USB 3.0 hub?
 
Also, could please anyone explain how is the actual DSD data stream converted to audio signals in the iDSD micro? Is that going throught the Burr-Brown as well, and if yes, how is that different from PCM? Many thanks!
 
EDIT: so I see it's a single (doubled) DSD1793 DAC chip which handles both PCM and DSD -- my question is more of ---> does it handle DSD and PCM via separate logic inside the chip, or it's basically a single convertor inside? Do these 2 input formats take a completely separate IC path inside the chip? --- I keep on reading the various threads about iDSD so I may eventually find it somewhere, anyway, feel free to chime in

 

[iFi audio]

   
Is there a danger for the device if this is happening 4-5 times when using it?
 
Thanks a lot for helping,
 
Cheers!

 
The whole point of the 'sleep mode' and 'sleep charge' is to maximise both operational battery life and overall battery lifespan. So the only 'danger' is that of longer operating time in battery mode and of a longer lifespan of the battery.
 
 

  Is there a way of keeping the micro allways ''on'' even if nothing is playing at the moment?
 
Thanks a lot for helping,
 
Cheers!
 

 
 
You can use Firmware  5.XB (current stable is  5.2B) to disable sleep mode. But there is no reason to do this unless you experience specific issues with your setup.
 
For now 5.XB addresses two issues, first, some newer smartphones are incorrectly detected by the iDSD micro as a PC and the iDSD micro will attempt to charge from the Smartphone and draw down the battery. Second, some active speakers have very high and non-adjustable sensitivity which greatly magnifies the tiny click the iDSD micro produces going 'to sleep.' 
 
Unless you experience either issue there is no reason to disable sleep mode.
 
Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

   
EDIT: so I see it's a single (doubled) DSD1793 DAC chip which handles both PCM and DSD -- my question is more of ---> does it handle DSD and PCM via separate logic inside the chip, or it's basically a single convertor inside? Do these 2 input formats take a completely separate IC path inside the chip? --- I keep on reading the various threads about iDSD so I may eventually find it somewhere, anyway, feel free to chime in

 
Please go here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-crowd-designed-and-the-new-firmware-flavours-are-here-page-138/60#post_10404689
 
There is an index of various technical postings on the first page of this thread. A lot of background info for one to crunch through.

 

[youurayy]

   
Please go here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-crowd-designed-and-the-new-firmware-flavours-are-here-page-138/60#post_10404689
 
There is an index of various technical postings on the first page of this thread. A lot of background info for one to crunch through.

 
Yeah, already read through some of that, a book-worthy material indeed!
 
I understand that what I am asking, there's is probably no way to know without getting to TI secrects, or reverse engineering the chip somehow. And it doesn't matter either, it's just my curiosity. Basically I'm curious if the DSD bits are converted to audio voltage differently from the PCM bits. Answering "yes" to that question would basically mean having two DACs in one chip. But even answering "no" would not necessarily mean that the DSD reproduction equals the PCM reproduction at comparable bit-rates.

 

[Maxpain]

   
The whole point of the 'sleep mode' and 'sleep charge' is to maximise both operational battery life and overall battery lifespan. So the only 'danger' is that of longer operating time in battery mode and of a longer lifespan of the battery.
 
 
 
 
You can use Firmware  5.XB (current stable is  5.2B) to disable sleep mode. But there is no reason to do this unless you experience specific issues with your setup.
 
For now 5.XB addresses two issues, first, some newer smartphones are incorrectly detected by the iDSD micro as a PC and the iDSD micro will attempt to charge from the Smartphone and draw down the battery. Second, some active speakers have very high and non-adjustable sensitivity which greatly magnifies the tiny click the iDSD micro produces going 'to sleep.' 
 
Unless you experience either issue there is no reason to disable sleep mode.
 
Thanks.

Thank you for your help! I am going to leave it just as it!
 
Cheers!

 

[iFi audio]

   
Yeah, already read through some of that, a book-worthy material indeed!
 
I understand that what I am asking, there's is probably no way to know without getting to TI secrects, or reverse engineering the chip somehow. And it doesn't matter either, it's just my curiosity. Basically I'm curious if the DSD bits are converted to audio voltage differently from the PCM bits. Answering "yes" to that question would basically mean having two DACs in one chip. But even answering "no" would not necessarily mean that the DSD reproduction equals the PCM reproduction at comparable bit-rates.

 
The short answer is: Yes, very differentl.
 
For the long answer please peruse the datasheets (google them) for the Burr Brown DSD1700 DSD DAC, which describes in great detail the working for DSD operation and the PCM67/69 PCM DAC which describes in great detail the working for PCM operation.

 

[youurayy]

   
The short answer is: Yes, very differentl.
 
For the long answer please peruse the datasheets (google them) for the Burr Brown DSD1700 DSD DAC, which describes in great detail the working for DSD operation and the PCM67/69 PCM DAC which describes in great detail the working for PCM operation.

 
Awesome, found it, thanks for the pointer! Quoting the relevant part here for others:
 

DIRECT TRANSFER OF DSD DATA STREAM TO ANALOG OUTPUT SIGNAL
The concept of Direct Stream Digital (DSD) conversion is simple. An analog audio input is digitized by a 1-bit, 64x oversampled delta-sigma modulator. The 1-bit data stream is then stored and may be transferred to a SACD disc at a later time. For playback, the 1-bit, 64x oversampled data is then presented to the DSD1700 directly by a DSD decoder IC. The DSD1700 then low-pass filters the oversampled data to reconstruct the original analog audio waveform. 

 

[youurayy]

Love the versatility of this thing.
 
In the pic: watching a movie, SONY blu-ray (stereo PCM downmix) -> RCA coax digital -> iFi micro -> chinese tube amp with russian KT77 -> headphone adapter -> Philips Fidelio X2
 
(not that the micro's output isn't good as is, just satisfying the variety in taste here!)