[john57]

One thing I am not completely clear does the Micro IDSD will have any advantage of a USB 3.0 cable using the computer USB 3.0 ports? Does the adapters that comes with the micro will have extra pins for use of a  USB 3.0 cable?  I know that the Nano iDSD does have 3.0 ports but it is type B. Does using the USB3.0 cable on a PC USB 3.0 port will give the micro iDSD any advantage? I will be needing a longer cable is the reason I asked this question when the micro iDSD comes in for desktop use. The specs on the IFI web page for the iDSD micro only mention that the input is USB 2.0

 

[iFi audio]

  Thank you, iFi, for the Micro iDSD, a great product. I'm looking forward to picking one up soon. I intend to use the Micro iDSD with a desktop/laptop running JRiver connected via USB. I would like to run the Micro iDSD on battery power at all times. I have the following questions:
 
1) When being used in "direct" mode (not preamp mode), does the Micro iDSD volume/power switch need to be turned on? 
2) If the desktop/laptop is turned off and the Micro iDSD is connected to the iUSB (which is plugged into a wall socket at all times) via the Gemini Cable will the Micro iDSD charge?
3) Will the iDSD charge regardless if the volume/power switch is turned on or off?
 
In my setup, I would like to always leave the Micro iDSD and the iUSB powered on with the desktop/laptop powered on and off as needed for use. I am hoping that this setup will have the effect of the Micro iDSD always being run off battery power and always being charged (at least being charged when not running).
 
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 
Hi,
 
1) Yes, you need to switch it on! Just like the nano iDSD, you hear a "click" as the analogue volume pot is the on/off and vol control.
 
2) Yes, but regardless, same as with the nano iDSD, once full, it auto-reverts to top-up charge to max the battery life. You do not need to do anything.
 
3) It will charge with power set to off and it will charge when turned on in USB Mode AND if there is more current available from the USB port than is needed to run the iDSD micro (more on this later).
 
It will also charge when on Battery power mode and when the iDSD has not been playing for 3 minutes AND a "strong"  USB port (e.g. a PC/Mac/Laptop and not a smart phone) is connected, or if a charger is connected (SPDIF mode).
 
For your setup, we advise:
 
The iDSD micro should be connected in Battery Mode. Battery mode will "stick" until the unit is turned off. The iUSB Power will still be detected as a "strong" power port.
 
Thanks.

 

[RadioWonder737]

1. I did not see a "How To Replace Battery" on the The micro iDSD User Card... When will we get these instructions?
2. When new and first unpacked does the battery need to be charged,and for how long? 

  Thank you...

 

[iFi audio]

  1. I did not see a "How To Replace Battery" on the The micro iDSD User Card... When will we get these instructions?
2. When new and first unpacked does the battery need to be charged,and for how long? 

  Thank you...

 
 
1. See above, the battery is run on "Top-Up Charge" same as the nano iDSD. This will max the battery life which we estimate to be 3-4 years with normal usage.
 
Battery exchange in 3-4 years requires it go back to a service centre as it is a very fiddly job to open up the micro iDSD. Don't fret, the nano iDSD has been out since December and we haven't had one battery replaced yet. And there are a fair few out there.
 
2. When first unpacked, the 4,800mAh battery needs to be recharged for a FULL 24 hours using the USB 3.0 cable provided as this carries the maximum current.
 
We are going to add some battery info later - it is quite tech intensive!

 

[chrisxyz]

Hi!
* I would like to listen to the micro DAC before buying. I am living in Vienna, Austria. Your webpage tells me that the official seller (distributor) for Austria is WOD Audio (ifi.audio.de), located in Germany. Are there sellers in Vienna where I have to possibility to listen before buying?
* Battery exchange: Would I have to send my DAC to WOD for a battery exchange? (I am asking because sending the DAC to Germany and back to Austria could be a little bit costly and would need some time...). Do you know - more or less - what the price for a battery exchange would be?
* If the battery is empty after some years: Is it still possible and safe to listen to music only in USB-Mode?
Thank you very much for any answer!

 

[iFi audio]

  Hi!
* I would like to listen to the micro DAC before buying. I am living in Vienna, Austria. Your webpage tells me that the official seller (distributor) for Austria is WOD Audio (ifi.audio.de), located in Germany. Are there sellers in Vienna where I have to possibility to listen before buying?
* Battery exchange: Would I have to send my DAC to WOD for a battery exchange? (I am asking because sending the DAC to Germany and back to Austria could be a little bit costly and would need some time...). Do you know - more or less - what the price for a battery exchange would be?
* If the battery is empty after some years: Is it still possible and safe to listen to music only in USB-Mode?
Thank you very much for any answer!

 
Hi,
 
1) Yes - WOD has retailers in Austria but you need to check with WOD directly - hope you do not mind.
 
2) The micro is cigarillo-size so the postage cost is minimal but WOD also visits dealers in Austria and Switzerland. You can contact WOD in 3-4 years' time to exchange your battery. 

 
3) Yes. But please see above about the "top-up" technology. Your battery life is maximised. This is existent technology that has been in the nano iDSD since last December.

 

[chrisxyz]

That´s perfekt!

 

[bjas406]

   
Hi,
 
1) Yes, you need to switch it on! Just like the nano iDSD, you hear a "click" as the analogue volume pot is the on/off and vol control.
 
2) Yes, but regardless, same as with the nano iDSD, once full, it auto-reverts to top-up charge to max the battery life. You do not need to do anything.
 
3) It will charge with power set to off and it will charge when turned on in USB Mode AND if there is more current available from the USB port than is needed to run the iDSD micro (more on this later).
 
It will also charge when on Battery power mode and when the iDSD has not been playing for 3 minutes AND a "strong"  USB port (e.g. a PC/Mac/Laptop and not a smart phone) is connected, or if a charger is connected (SPDIF mode).
 
For your setup, we advise:
 
The iDSD micro should be connected in Battery Mode. Battery mode will "stick" until the unit is turned off. The iUSB Power will still be detected as a "strong" power port.
 
Thanks.

Thanks so much for the reply. So if I understand correctly - If I connect the powered up iUSB via Gemini cable to the Micro iDSD after I've turned on the Micro iDSD (via volume knob) and I never turn off the Micro iDSD (via volume knob), then I can be assured that, at all times, I will be running the Micro iDSD in battery mode, regardless of the fact that my desktop/laptop is powered on and off for use. Am I correct?
 
Thanks again in advance for your reply.

 

[KmanChu]

So ... excited ... waiting for ... Christmas in July...

 

[pearljam50000]

How does it compare to GeekOut?
oh and btw, too bad it's not based on a Sabre 9018 chip, it would have been perfect.
Isn't Burr Brown inferior to Sabre?

 

[kugino]

How does it compare to GeekOut?
oh and btw, too bad it's not based on a Sabre 9018 chip, it would have been perfect.
Isn't Burr Brown inferior to Sabre?

No one here has heard it yet so can't tell you how it compares to the GO.

Read the posts where ifi explains why they chose burr brown over sabre.

 

[audioholik]

How does it compare to GeekOut?
oh and btw, too bad it's not based on a Sabre 9018 chip, it would have been perfect.
Isn't Burr Brown inferior to Sabre?

 
AudioStream's Michael Lavorgna did a comparison of the nano iDSD with other DACs (including the GeekOut) in this review.
 
His conclusion:
 
iFi Nailed It
I'd say iFi nailed this one. The iDSD offers what I hear as a more fulsome, dimensional, and all around more engaging sound as compared to many of the like-competitors on the market. For its asking price and multiples thereof, the iFi iDSD makes a no-brainer recommendation for use as a PCM, DXD, and DSD DAC. Consider the headphone amp a bonus.
 
Associated Equipment
Also on hand and in use during the iFi nano iDSD DAC review: LH Labs Geek Out 1000, AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC, Meridian Explorer

 

[BillsonChang007]

No one here has heard it yet so can't tell you how it compares to the GO.

Read the posts where ifi explains why they chose burr brown over sabre.

"Simple. On paper they may look great. But in practice, because they do not sound particularly good to our ears." - iFi

 

[pearljam50000]

Humm, that's weird, because the Sabre chip is used is used in many excellent DAC's such as the Benchmark DAC2, but i guess they wanted a rich, bass heavy sound , and not detailed and Analytical sound, which is OK.

 

[maricius]

Humm, that's weird, because the Sabre chip is used is used in many excellent DAC's such as the Benchmark DAC2, but i guess they wanted a rich, bass heavy sound , and not detailed and Analytical sound, which is OK.

Detailed is a term which should mean "with detail that is more upfront" instead of "more detail."

No, iFi isn't going for an analytical sound signature but that isn't to say the amount of detail is any less. Chips aren't the determining factor for sound signature. Check out iFi's iDAC. It features a Sabre chip but it's anything but analytical.