[RadioWonder737]

  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.

 
 
EDIT: The PDF file marked Nano needs to be opened and instructions are listed... All set... 
 
EDIT #2... This version sounds better than the last version...

 

[Franatic]

Is there a new release date to the public for firmware v4.08? I am sure the last estimate has expired.
 
Will this fix the loud pop I get from my micro at the start of dsd playback, and a less loud pop at the end. It is dead quiet at the start of pcm.
 
Other than that loud pop, no complaints. The micro is amazing.

 

[iFi audio]

  Is there a new release date to the public for firmware v4.08? I am sure the last estimate has expired.
 
Will this fix the loud pop I get from my micro at the start of dsd playback, and a less loud pop at the end. It is dead quiet at the start of pcm.
 
Other than that loud pop, no complaints. The micro is amazing.

 
Hi,
 
> Is there a new release date to the public for firmware v4.08? I am sure the last estimate has expired.
 
Still being tested by iCLUB members and we are collating the feedback. So far, no bugs reported so it should be ready for prime time soon.
 
 
> Will this fix the loud pop I get from my micro at the start of dsd playback, and a less loud pop at the end. It is dead quiet at the start of pcm.
 
Depends. The pop comes the PC and related to sending DSD over the PCM protocol. Some audio software manufacturers try to address (as it makes the most sense to do this at the source) like JRMC on Win. Some have not eg Audirvana on OS X.  Onkyo is also trying with their HF player on iOS.
 
www.ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/pop-goes-dsd-why-does-this-happen/
 
This latest firmware further reduces it but will vary from platform to platform and software to software. It is now not so much of an annoyance.
 
 
Cheers.
 
 
 
> Other than that loud pop, no complaints. The micro is amazing.  Thank you very much. Really means a lot and will relay on. 

 

[rickyleelee]

what headphones or audio system do you use? are they the ones in your signature? i know its not the last word in headphone amplifier but for portable use it has no equal in my eyes. Not as good as the Stereo retro but dont think that is the point of it

 

[Franatic]

what headphones or audio system do you use? are they the ones in your signature? i know its not the last word in headphone amplifier but for portable use it has no equal in my eyes. Not as good as the Stereo retro but dont think that is the point of it

I still use the micro's dac to feed the maxed out WA2 and modified T1s. I absolutely love this set-up and do not see it changing......except to get the idsd pro when it comes out....eventually.......hopefully early fall........right ifi?

 

[JoeyGS]

I am also on the same boat as RadioWonder737.  Everytime I would start my windows based CAPS Zuma v3, I need to re-connect the USB cable so that JRiver would be able to see the micro iDSD and also the iDAC in another system.  Am also worried that if the USB contact becomes loose, it may affect the hardware operation which may lead to a malfunction or even being defective after.
 
A work around or permanent solution would be much appreciated.
 
 
 
 
Quote:

  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]

 

Everytime I would start my windows based CAPS Zuma v3, I need to re-connect the USB cable so that JRiver would be able to see the micro iDSD and also the iDAC in another system.  Am also worried that if the USB contact becomes loose, it may affect the hardware operation which may lead to a malfunction or even being defective after.

 
Hi,
 
Best open support ticket as computer audio is dynamic and the support team has to look at each individual case because it is probably not generic but specific.
 
For example, as we are not the manufacturer so please confirm for yourself but from what we understand, the CAPS Zuma uses a special audiophile USB Card.
 
Our tech team suggested to try plugging the iDSD micro directly into a motherboard USB Port to exclude this card having unusual "undocumented features".
 
 
Generally, here are a few things to try:
 
1) Power on upstream and power off downstream.
 
2) Go to Standby and set your BIOS to not turn off power to the USB port (may be possible/may not. PC specific).
 
3) Ask the CAPS manufacturer how to not power off the USB power supply.
 
 
But the support guys can take a more detailed look for you.

 
Cheers.

 

[iFi audio]

 

iDAC2 + ‘Special iFi Music Sampler’ DSD album by Sound Liaison

 
We have seen that you very nice Head-Fi people have left some kind comments with your entries. So we thought we should return the compliment. Well, here goes.
 
Costing you absolutely ZERO, from the great people at Sound Liasons studios, you will find three specially-selected tracks in three formats; PCM, FLAC and DSD (of course!).
 
 

 

iFi micro iDAC2 - Special iFi Music Sampler

01. Carmen Gomes Inc. – Thousand Shades of Blue
02. Andre Heuvelman – Oblivion
‘Oblivion’ and ‘Thousand Shades of Blue’ were performed live in the studio, recorded in multi-track PCM 96kHz. The DSD conversion was done via an analog signal chain, using state of the art professional equipment to the Tascam DA-3000 DSD recorder.
 
03. Tony Overwater & Bert van den Brink – Impromptu
‘Impromptu’ was recorded live directly to DSD using the Tascam DA-3000 DSD recorder and simultaneously to PCM with the RME UFX.
 
 
Whether you are an iFi customer or not, you are welcome to download this FREE iDAC2 PCM/DSD album courtesy of Sound Liason in the Netherlands.
 
 
 
i. Simply follow this link and get the password.
http://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/idac2-special-ifi-music-sampler-dsd-album-by-sound-liaison/
 
ii. Go to the Sound Liason website and download.
http://soundliaison.com/all-categories/185-ifi-micro-idac2-music-sampler
 
We hope you like them. Most of all, have fun listening to them on your gear.

 

[iFi audio]

iFi XMOS Firmware v4.10 is a go

After having passed extensive testing, the iFi XMOS firmware version 4.10 is ready for public download.

This latest firmware v4.10 is unified (read: works on the following machines):

micro iDAC2
RETRO Stereo 50
micro iDSD
nano iDSD

 

XMOS Firmware v4.10 Improvements

• Further enhancement/improvement of DoP playback which due to the nature of DSD playback on DoP, exhibits clicks/pops during track changes. The DoP click/pop is now negligible.

• Optimisation of the ‘Star-Clocking’ technology inside the XMOS.

• Better XMOS (8 Cores) load distribution.

• Various optimisations regarding muting.

• Improved compatibility with Mac OS for smoother operation.

• Unified firmware across nano iDSD, micro iDAC2, micro iDSD, RETRO Stereo 50

Bug fixes

• Fixed various minor bugs.



iFi XMOS Firmware version 4.10 is NOT suitable for: iDAC, iLINK, AMR DP-777. So please do NOT FLASH these machines with v4.10.

Non-iFi customers should NOT download this firmware for other non-iFI XMOS devices. This firmware is proprietary XMOS firmware and is for iFi-specified products only. You risk damage to your machine if you attempt to flash your non-iFi XMOS dac with this firmware.


Link for the firmware is contained here: http://ifi-audio.com/micro-idac2-ifi-xmos-firmware/

 

[lucidreamer]

Thanks iFi!
 
The firmware update went smoothly for me. I have not actually noticed any sound quality difference on my end, at least the new firmware sounds and works as great as the previous one I had which was 4.06.
 
Is the new version supposed to sound better?

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Question why I had before firmware 0.16 on my device? My iDSD was on repair service back to iFi. Before the latest one are 4.06 on my device, why my device have had 0.16, it seems like a beta or something to me? Now it shows as desired 4.10.

 

[john57]

I did have IFI technical support to send me the 0.16 file to troubleshoot a issue that I had with my Retro locking up at power up. Turn out to be a issue with USB legacy support setting with my Asus Z97-C motherboard. With the 0.16 I noticed a difference in quality in PCM playback  between between Jriver and Foobar. Both were using the same buffer setting and ASIO drivers at the same levels. That was kind of a mystery that I can not explain at this time. DSD playback was the same with both Jriver and Foobar. When I upgraded to 4.10 the PCM playback between the two players now sounds the same.  I noticed that with the 4.08 firmware I previously had the PCM light and sample indicator will go out in a few seconds after I finished playing audio files. Now with 4.10 on the Retro it is staying on. Just a different muting behavior.

 

[Turrican2]

iFi XMOS Firmware v4.10 is a go

[COLOR=656565]

[COLOR=000000]After having passed extensive testing, the iFi XMOS firmware version 4.10 is ready for public download.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]This latest firmware v4.10 is unified (read: works on the following machines):[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]micro iDAC2

RETRO Stereo 50

micro iDSD

nano iDSD[/COLOR]



 



[COLOR=000000]XMOS Firmware v4.10 Improvements[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Further enhancement/improvement of DoP playback which due to the nature of DSD playback on DoP, exhibits clicks/pops during track changes. The DoP click/pop is now negligible.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Optimisation of the ‘Star-Clocking’ technology inside the XMOS.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Better XMOS (8 Cores) load distribution.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Various optimisations regarding muting.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Improved compatibility with Mac OS for smoother operation.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Unified firmware across nano iDSD, micro iDAC2, micro iDSD, RETRO Stereo 50[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]Bug fixes[/COLOR]



[COLOR=000000]• Fixed various minor bugs.[/COLOR]





[COLOR=FF0000]iFi XMOS Firmware version 4.10 is NOT suitable for: iDAC, iLINK, AMR DP-777. So please do NOT FLASH these machines with v4.10.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=FF0000]Non-iFi customers should NOT download this firmware for other non-iFI XMOS devices. This firmware is proprietary XMOS firmware and is for iFi-specified products only. You risk damage to your machine if you attempt to flash your non-iFi XMOS dac with this firmware.[/COLOR]



[/COLOR]
Link for the firmware is contained here: http://ifi-audio.com/micro-idac2-ifi-xmos-firmware/

Hi iFi, I'm currently running v4.8 beta and loving using tidal with my micro idsd and my android phone, will 4.10 break that?

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Hi iFi, I'm currently running v4.8 beta and loving using tidal with my micro idsd and my android phone, will 4.10 break that?

Thanks

 
Hi,
 
USB Audio Class 2.0 compatibility is as usual, maintained.
 
In a worst case situation, you can roll back to v4.08.
 
So we suggest you try it if you are comfortable with FW updates - as you are an Android user, we assume you are handy with computers!

 

[Turrican2]

Hi,

USB Audio Class 2.0 compatibility is as usual, maintained.

In a worst case situation, you can roll back to v4.08.

So we suggest you try it if you are comfortable with FW updates - as you are an Android user, we assume you are handy with computers!

Cool I'll give it a bash next week after I return from hols!