iDSD micro Black Label. Tour details (page 147). Release info (page 153).
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:02 PM Post #3,422 of 4,252
From the guy's shirt in the video I posted, I have a feeling that it will indeed be new Black Label hardware, with MQA and DSD1024 being the new features.

While MQA maybe could have been a firmware update (maybe, only a guess) I doubt DSD1024 could be (lower phase noise clocks for higher sample rates, and all that).

I still hope current iDSD owners can get a firmware update for just MQA, even if there is new hardware with more new features.
 
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Sep 5, 2017 at 9:04 PM Post #3,423 of 4,252
It shouldnt be too long now.
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 3:54 PM Post #3,424 of 4,252
I'm just happy to have gotten my iDSD BL for $380. For that price, it is a steal. It has taken my main spot due to portability, capability and synergy with my now favorite modded K702s sealed the deal.
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 4:01 PM Post #3,425 of 4,252
I'm just happy to have gotten my iDSD BL for $380. For that price, it is a steal. It has taken my main spot due to portability, capability and synergy with my now favorite modded K702s sealed the deal.
I use the iDSD BL as my go to portable as well. I love the sound of it with all of headphones. I was able to get it at the sale price too. I also sold my Oppo HA-2SE and my Centrance HiFi-M8 once I got it. It's that good to. I do still have my Mojo but I use it as a DAC for my Pro iCan.
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 4:02 PM Post #3,426 of 4,252
I'm just happy to have gotten my iDSD BL for $380. For that price, it is a steal. It has taken my main spot due to portability, capability and synergy with my now favorite modded K702s sealed the deal.

I have to agree. The iDSD is an amazing value. I found mine for $399 which is still a steal. It bests many of my much more expensive gear. The only thing that I wish it had is the ability to connect with my iTube 2 without having to have a separate AMP or DAC. I'm a tube head and need my tubes. :ksc75smile:
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 8:25 PM Post #3,427 of 4,252
Hi! I love my iDSD BL, it's an amazing device, however, I have a few questions related to the play & charge capabilities of the device, hopefully some of you guys could help me figuring them out:

- Can I achieve "Play & Charge" through the USB audio input, with a Cayin N3 as the transport, using a powered USB Hub? If so, will the iDSD's battery be bypassed while powering the device through the USB hub?

- ifi recommends using a BC 1.2 compliant Orico USB Hub. Is BC 1.2 strictly necessary to achieve play & charge?

https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/orico-high-power-usb-hub-one-sure-way-to-feed-the-meaty-monster/

- Will any of these USB hubs (BC 1.2 complianr or not) serve my purpose?

USB C BC 1.2 Powered USB Hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6LQU2A/

Powered USB Hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BIDTU04/

I already read ifi's official docummentation but somehow I'm not quite sure if what I'm trying to do is achievable :frowning2:

Thank you!
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 9:54 PM Post #3,428 of 4,252
I have it hooked up to my gaming PC burning in for 15 straight days so.. no issues here.
 
Sep 6, 2017 at 9:55 PM Post #3,429 of 4,252
Hi! I love my iDSD BL, it's an amazing device, however, I have a few questions related to the play & charge capabilities of the device, hopefully some of you guys could help me figuring them out:

- Can I achieve "Play & Charge" through the USB audio input, with a Cayin N3 as the transport, using a powered USB Hub? If so, will the iDSD's battery be bypassed while powering the device through the USB hub?

- ifi recommends using a BC 1.2 compliant Orico USB Hub. Is BC 1.2 strictly necessary to achieve play & charge?

https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/orico-high-power-usb-hub-one-sure-way-to-feed-the-meaty-monster/

- Will any of these USB hubs (BC 1.2 complianr or not) serve my purpose?

USB C BC 1.2 Powered USB Hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6LQU2A/

Powered USB Hub
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BIDTU04/

I already read ifi's official docummentation but somehow I'm not quite sure if what I'm trying to do is achievable :frowning2:

Thank you!
I use a usb hub while using the Bl with my Surface 3 and what i use is something similar to the 1st amazon link you have given. I dont know if the N3 can be used at the same time as i mostly play from the laptop.
 
Sep 7, 2017 at 2:31 AM Post #3,430 of 4,252
- Can I achieve "Play & Charge" through the USB audio input, with a Cayin N3 as the transport, using a powered USB Hub? If so, will the iDSD's battery be bypassed while powering the device through the USB hub?

If you turn on the iDSD before connecting to the hub then the iDSD will run from it's own battery. It will enter sleep mode after a short time of not playing music and will recharge if power is available.

If you turn on the iDSD after connecting to the powered hub then the iDSD is running in USB bus power mode and will only call on it's own battery if you use turbo mode (or normal mode but playing very loud).

- ifi recommends using a BC 1.2 compliant Orico USB Hub. Is BC 1.2 strictly necessary to achieve play & charge?

BC1.2 allows for faster charging. It isn't a requirement, just a nice-to-have.
 
Sep 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM Post #3,431 of 4,252
The new HF Player with iDSD BL

Screenshot_20170907-202640 (1).png @jmills8
 
Sep 7, 2017 at 11:23 AM Post #3,432 of 4,252
Sep 7, 2017 at 2:47 PM Post #3,433 of 4,252
Can I achieve "Play & Charge" through the USB audio input, with a Cayin N3 as the transport, using a powered USB Hub?

Yes.

If so, will the iDSD's battery be bypassed while powering the device through the USB hub?

As long as the power delivered by the hub (and negotiated according to USB Standards) is sufficient to support the full power consumption of the iDSD micro, yes.

In Eco mode the micro iDSD is guaranteed to be powered from a standard USB 2.0 Port (500mA limit).

In normal mode there may be just a tiny bit of power draw from the battery to supplement the 500mA, depending on volume and sampel rate.

In Turbo Mode nearly half of power will be drawn from the battery UNLESS the USB port supports more than 500mA current and is compliant with the USB battery charging standard V1.2 (BC1.2 in short).

ifi recommends using a BC 1.2 compliant Orico USB Hub. Is BC 1.2 strictly necessary to achieve play & charge?

Only if you want to use either Normal or Turbo mode.

For normal mode, you need BC1.2 to recharge a depleted battery in acceptable time while also playing music.

For Turbo Mode, BC1.2 is needed, otherwise your battery will be flat in around 12 hours of continuous play.

If you do not play music continuously and you have not installed Firmware 5.XB (it disables sleep mode), the micro iDSD will charge while idle (audio stream must stop). That way it should play indefinitely even in turbo mode, on a 500mA port, if no more than 8-12 hours listening followed by an idle time of > 12 hours.

Will any of these USB hubs (BC 1.2 complianr or not) serve my purpose?

First, if you need to buy a hub anyway, please make sure it is BC1.2 compliant. The extra cost is minimal and it means no worries on the charging front. As a rule, USB3.0 hubs with high power external supplies will also be BC1.2 compliant, but if this is not explicitly listed, there's no guarantee.

Secondly, you may want to make sure to get a hub that uses a 5V external power supply. This way you can (significantly) upgrade the power supply & sound quality by adding a very low noise replacement power supply (e.g. iFi iPower 5V).

For some more cash (but additional sonic benefits) we recommend the iUSB 3.0 nano to pair with the micro iDSD.

Among other things, it also handles the power supply side with extremely low noise, provides USB signal re-conditioning and can even be used to charge a smartphone/tablet/DAP in parallel with the iDSD micro using a suitable accessory cable that allows charge & play for the source.
 
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Sep 7, 2017 at 9:02 PM Post #3,435 of 4,252

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