[Adamora]

I've been using this Amp/DAC unit for over a year now and by god It's bested every setup I've had over the last 10 years.

Only issue is the switches on the bottom of the device came extremely loose out of the box =[, making it a pain in the ass if I accidentally push it whilst its on a table.

 

[iFi audio]

Only issue is the switches on the bottom of the device came extremely loose out of the box =[, making it a pain in the ass if I accidentally push it whilst its on a table.

There are silicone feet in the package, have you used them? They are there to raise the chassis and elevate it above the buttons on the underside - which were designed to protrude by 1mm for ease of use.

 

[kp297]

Extra Ordinary MQA Easter Egg

Introduction

With Easter just around the corner, iFi audio has delivered an eagerly anticipated upgrade option as a very special Easter gift.

iFi first introduced MQA into its product mix with the nano iDSD Black Label in November 2017. Since then, iFi customers across the globe have been asking when this option would be available in other iFi products. The good news is that the latest improvements to the nano Black Label firmware version 5.30, ‘Cookies & Cream’, does just that.

Mqa for all

This latest firmware flavour not only adds the latest scoop to the nano iDSD Black Label sundae but it also dishes out MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio to the full range* of iFi audio products going back to 2013!

This ‘legacy’ update means that you can now download the MQA upgrade (PC and Mac) straight from the Support section of iFi’s website at no extra cost.

Mqa optimised

Firmware version 5.30 will optimise your device for MQA and can handle up to DSD256 and PCM384. Enjoy the MQA magic like never before.



And Finally…

None of the above would have been possible without the MQA software engineers who worked tirelessly alongside the iFi software team to make this unique opportunity happen. Thank you.

Go to https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/mqa-firmware/ to enjoy your upgrade.

This firmware provides MQA rendering as this is the ideal solution for portable products and those with power considerations. This means the workload is shared between the host (the computer) and the client (the DAC). The listener will still enjoy full MQA experience.

For more information on MQA, go to http://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/how-it-works

Legacy

*The only exception is the original iDAC.

Hi,
I've tried multiple times to install the firmware, but when opening the ifi update app, I immediately get a 'fail' image. I have re downloaded the file a couple of times as well for safety, but didn't work.
Here are the steps I've used:

1. Disconnect Micro BL, close Audirvana and other music apps.
2. Turn off power Micro (via knob).
3. Connect Micro via USB and turn it on.
4. Select Micro as sound output on my Mac.
5. Run the iFi app.
6. Immediate install fail image.

Can you help? Current firmware is 5.20, using High Sierra on Mac.

 

[iFi audio]

Hi,
I've tried multiple times to install the firmware, but when opening the ifi update app, I immediately get a 'fail' image. I have re downloaded the file a couple of times as well for safety, but didn't work.
Here are the steps I've used:

1. Disconnect Micro BL, close Audirvana and other music apps.
2. Turn off power Micro (via knob).
3. Connect Micro via USB and turn it on.
4. Select Micro as sound output on my Mac.
5. Run the iFi app.
6. Immediate install fail image.

Can you help? Current firmware is 5.20, using High Sierra on Mac.

Yes!

1. Please go here: http://support.ifi-audio.com
2. Please open a ticket
3. One of our tech staff members will halp you shortly!

Thanks!

 

[Adamora]

There are rubber fet in the package, have you used them?

Indeed I have, they just didn't last long =/ (2 weeks)

 

[iFi audio]

Indeed I have, they just didn't last long =/ (2 weeks)

The silicone feet dont come off that easily but we can send some more out to you. If this is a solution for you, please do let us know here: http://support.ifi-audio.com

Our support team will try to work something out with you.

 

[iFi audio]

Also folks, not sure if you've seen it, but there's a nice Axpona impressions thread and we're in there too!

Please take a look here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/axpona-2018-impressions.877121/#post-14175040

 

[Adamora]

The silicone feet dont come off that easily but we can send some more out to you. If this is a solution for you, please do let us know here: http://support.ifi-audio.com

Our support team will try to work something out with you.

That would be awesome =]

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, you might wanna check out our official xDSD tour page. It just started and yes, there are prizes!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/xdsd-tour-the-official-thread.877669/

 

[superuser1]

@iFi audio I had a question regarding usb vs. spdif on the BL. Which according to you, would technically be a cleaner signal?

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio I had a question regarding usb vs. spdif on the BL. Which according to you, would technically be a cleaner signal?

Please define 'cleaner'.

 

[superuser1]

Please define 'cleaner'.

With comparably lesser jitter.

 

[iFi audio]

With comparably lesser jitter.

Both S/PDIF and USB uses the exact same GMT clock derived from the AMR DP-777, use memory buffers to decouple data feeding the DAC from the source and re-clock data after the memory buffer.

So objectively speaking, there is no difference between USB and S/PDIF for any objectively measurable factors such as jitter. Different sources may have different RF noise signatures and may transfer different RF noise signatures to the DAC. This is device dependent.

USB does allow for higher data rates, thus supporting PCM of more than 192kHz sample rate and DSD. Currently MQA is also only supported via USB (with the version 5.3 Firmware).

 

[Paulus XII]

I can't get the micro idsd BL to work with Nokia 8 (OTG). What...!!!

 

[Paulus XII]

Worked great with Note 8.