[Dixter]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but if it helps others out...  
 
Yesterday I decided I was going to re purpose my iphone 5 to exclusive music mode..
 
Its not on a carrier for phone use but still works fine for wifi streaming and of course locally installed music files...
 
So I remove as many of the apps that I can and then load the Onkyo HF Player and during the player setup I noticed the setup
being a little different than I am used to when using my iphone 6...   ( HF mode upgraded )
 
the option for " Real-time DSD Conversion"  wasn't listed at all... not even there and grey'd out....   
so I'm thinking maybe I need to update the player for the option to show up... nope, they are the same rev...
 
so after looking around the internet for an explanation I finally found the reason...
The Onkyo HF player will recognize a 64bit processor ( 5s and up for phones, newer ipad ) and the iphone 5 is the cutoff...
 
so with the newer apple devices that utilize 64 bit the Onkyo HF player will present you the option of " real-time DSD conversion "
 all the way up to " high precision DSD 5.6 MHz "  for red book files...   allowing the DSD DAC in the ifi Micro DSD to do its magic...
 
so just in case some run into the same situation now its posted here...    

 

[Rad22]

Hi Folks!
 
I just registered on the forum, but have been a lurker for quite a while. I thought I would share with y'all an interesting discovery I've never seen mentioned here (after searching for days) in hopes it will help someone else with what was a vexing issue for several days.
 
I received my micro iDSD a few days ago and I just love it. Right out of the box, it blew me away on my MacBook Pro Retina using Audirvana and my HD800's...even with AAC, FLAC and some well-sampled old, past CD rips. Getting a few DSD's now and...WOW!
 
Hooking it up to my iPhone 6+ however was an issue. Using Onkyo HF Player with a true DSD source, PCM mode played fine but DoP only yielded loud "white noise" with a very faint tune in the background. I tried everything. Rechecked all the settings, etc. No joy. Happened to have an old iPhone 5 laying around, so I decided to try it as a test. Installed HF Player and a DSD test track...voila! Worked perfectly!
 
I figured something in the 6+ was conflicting...ie: other software. After a 5 day search, I made a discovery. In the iTune equalizer settings, there is a "Late Night" equalizer setting. I have no idea when it appeared or how it came to be selected, but it was. I "turned off" the equalizer and now the 6+ functions perfectly with the iDSD in DoP mode. Interestingly, none of the other equalizer settings cause the issue. Obviously, they don't affect the sound coming from HF Player, but at least they don't block it like the "Late Night" setting does.
 
Weird.
 
Hope this helps someone.

 

[JoeyGS]

Great share guys! Thanks a bunch.

 

[tf1216]

Have you guys seen this?!?!

http://www.head-fi.org/t/790869/ican-micro-se-intergalactic-launch-competition#post_12155761

 

[DomieMic65]

Guys which driver do you use on Win? 2.23 or 2.26?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[technobear]

Guys which driver do you use on Win? 2.23 or 2.26?

2.26

 

[davidmthekidd]

Which firmware version have you guys updated too? I see three different flavors available, I don't know which to flash. Also, has anyone gotten their Micro iDSD to 768Khz on windows? I can do this on my MacBook air but I cant raise the resolution pss 32-192Khz on windows, Any thoughts?

 

[iFi audio]

  Which firmware version have you guys updated too? I see three different flavors available, I don't know which to flash. Also, has anyone gotten their Micro iDSD to 768Khz on windows? I can do this on my MacBook air but I cant raise the resolution pss 32-192Khz on windows, Any thoughts?

 
Hi,
 
To answer:
 
1) Which firmware version have you guys updated too? I see three different flavors available, I don't know which to flash.
- it depends upon your needs. It really does.
 
2) Also, has anyone gotten their Micro iDSD to 768Khz on windows? I can do this on my MacBook air but I cant raise the resolution pss 32-192Khz on windows,
If audio playback software cant go above 192, then it cant go above 192. Download JRMC trial version - that will work. Or Foobar.
 
Thanks.

 

[doctorcilantro]

   
Hi,
 
To answer:
 
1) Which firmware version have you guys updated too? I see three different flavors available, I don't know which to flash.
- it depends upon your needs. It really does.
 
2) Also, has anyone gotten their Micro iDSD to 768Khz on windows? I can do this on my MacBook air but I cant raise the resolution pss 32-192Khz on windows,
If audio playback software cant go above 192, then it cant go above 192. Download JRMC trial version - that will work. Or Foobar.
 
Thanks.

I thought it was a little strange to see (3) separate firmwares when features of each seemed beneficial. I loaded B IIRC, and have been using DSD256 with JRMC for a few days.
 
The only thing I have noticed with this DAC vs. my Auralic Vega  is a times, it just drops off the system and needs to be unplugged to re-enable playback. It's very strange.
 
For example, pause playback and try to resume and the software player will continue playback as it sees the DAC, but no sound. Windows lists the device as sound device, but Test will not work.

 

[iFi audio]

 
I thought it was a little strange to see (3) separate firmwares when features of each seemed beneficial. I loaded B IIRC, and have been using DSD256 with JRMC for a few days.
 
The only thing I have noticed with this DAC vs. my Auralic Vega  is a times, it just drops off the system and needs to be unplugged to re-enable playback. It's very strange.
 
For example, pause playback and try to resume and the software player will continue playback as it sees the DAC, but no sound. Windows lists the device as sound device, but Test will not work.

 
Hi,
 
We have underlined the aspects that you need to check is suited to your system. Nowadays, there are PCs, Smartphones (different versions as it open-source). Only you can determine which one is your setup. Otherwise the inappropriate software will not be best suited. For example, v5.0A 'Strawberry' is best suited to MAC users on DSD256.
 
If you are not sure, go with v5.0 'Vanilla' or drop down to v4.10/v4.06.
 
This is the beauty of what we do by writing our own code, users can get their 'best suited' firmware to run on there system - thesedays, there are just too many source variations.
 
 
 
Firmware 5.0 comes in 3 ‘flavours’

1) Firmware v5.0 ‘Vanilla’ optimises DSD via DoP to give it equal performance; freedom from clicks and sound quality on par with native DSD (which was up to now, only available on Windows). While the 30% data overhead of DoP is retained, special code optimisation in the iFi firmware brings it level with ASIO native. Sonically, both protocols are now equally good.

2) Special sub-version firmware v5.0A ‘Strawberry’ that enables DSD256 via DoP (on nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 ONLY) and SPDIF signal/USB charging (on micro iDSD). Supports DSD256 on all major computer platforms including Smartphones and Streamers as well as computing platforms like Windows, OSX and Linux.

For iDSD micro (only on v5.0A), allows for SPDF signal input and USB charging simultaneously.

3) Additional Sub-version firmware 5.0B ‘Choc Chip’ (for specific micro iDSDs only) to disable sleep mode for Android and similar devices. Thus prevents the micro iDSD from drawing charge from recent generation Android Phones/Tablets/Phablets. Also prevents any click/pop generated by the micro iDSD’s entering sleep mode.

Otherwise identical to v5.0 – ‘Vanilla’ mainstream firmware.

If you still have questions, just open an STS and one of our techies will look through your system.
 
Cheers.

 

[doctorcilantro]

   
Hi,
 
We have underlined the aspects that you need to check is suited to your system. Nowadays, there are PCs, Smartphones (different versions as it open-source). Only you can determine which one is your setup. Otherwise the inappropriate software will not be best suited. For example, v5.0A 'Strawberry' is best suited to MAC users on DSD256.
 
If you are not sure, go with v5.0 'Vanilla' or drop down to v4.10/v4.06.
 
This is the beauty of what we do by writing our own code, users can get their 'best suited' firmware to run on there system - thesedays, there are just too many source variations.
 
 
 
Firmware 5.0 comes in 3 ‘flavours’

1) Firmware v5.0 ‘Vanilla’ optimises DSD via DoP to give it equal performance; freedom from clicks and sound quality on par with native DSD (which was up to now, only available on Windows). While the 30% data overhead of DoP is retained, special code optimisation in the iFi firmware brings it level with ASIO native. Sonically, both protocols are now equally good.

2) Special sub-version firmware v5.0A ‘Strawberry’ that enables DSD256 via DoP (on nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 ONLY) and SPDIF signal/USB charging (on micro iDSD). Supports DSD256 on all major computer platforms including Smartphones and Streamers as well as computing platforms like Windows, OSX and Linux.

For iDSD micro (only on v5.0A), allows for SPDF signal input and USB charging simultaneously.

3) Additional Sub-version firmware 5.0B ‘Choc Chip’ (for specific micro iDSDs only) to disable sleep mode for Android and similar devices. Thus prevents the micro iDSD from drawing charge from recent generation Android Phones/Tablets/Phablets. Also prevents any click/pop generated by the micro iDSD’s entering sleep mode.

Otherwise identical to v5.0 – ‘Vanilla’ mainstream firmware.

If you still have questions, just open an STS and one of our techies will look through your system.
 
Cheers.

Thanks, so 5.0 Vanilla does not enable DSD256 Dop?
 
I noticed that J. River for example does not offer any DoP setting for DSD512 over DoP.
 
DSD512 is only possible via ASIO?

 

[BillsonChang007]

Guys which driver do you use on Win? 2.23 or 2.26?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

start with the latest [2.26] if it doesn't work on your PC, then try the older version. Strangely, my windows 7 fail to install the latest version but that's long ago. 
 
PS: Good to be back on Head-Fi, its been a year! Happy new year guysss 

 

[iFi audio]

 
Thanks, so 5.0 Vanilla does not enable DSD256 Dop?
 
I noticed that J. River for example does not offer any DoP setting for DSD512 over DoP.
 
DSD512 is only possible via ASIO?

 
Hi,
 
> "Thanks, so 5.0 Vanilla does not enable DSD256 Dop?"
The iDSD micro always supports DSD256 via DoP, regardless of firmware version.
 

> "I noticed that J. River for example does not offer any DoP setting for DSD512 over DoP.
DSD512 is only possible via ASIO?"
At this moment in time, DSD512 requires ASIO, this is correct.
 
Cheers.

 

[HiFi FOR METAL]

I just wanted to comment on the forum, I have had the iFi iDSD Micro for about a year and just did the vanilla software update for Mac...and all I can say is wow! What did you guys do to it! the sound quality, musicality, PRAT, even ordered harmonics, imaging, and background noise all improved, My headphones Goldring DR-150 disappear a lot more now. Even the volume steps seem to increase more linearly. I can dial in unity gain much more easily. Using HQ Player my system just took a huge leap forward, what was once fatiguing is now balanced and musical, it went rom sterile to sweet. I am definitely hearing musical details and ques I didn't hear before. I didn't see any comments to this effect So I all can say is thank you. 
 
iFi if you could comment on maybe some the reasons why this occurred, it seems as if power management and the data became much more linear with the XMOS update. 
 
Thank You!.

 

[iFi audio]

Unified Firmware 5.1

Gelato and then some
 
 

 
Southport, UK – 18^th February 2016
 
 
Latest Unified Firmware v5.1 ‘Gelato’ (for Stereo 50 /micro iDSD / micro iDAC2 / nano iDSD)
 
The very latest in-house firmware[1] version 5.1 for ALL iFi products[2] is available:

• All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behaviour of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section).
• Enables DSD256 for 48kHz based sample rates up-conversion when using DSD256 in DoP mode.
• Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD and other minor bug fixes.

 
For customers with particular requirements, there are two firmware sub-versions (PLEASE read carefully):
 
2) For nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 v5.1A - Enables DOP256 operation

1. This enables DSD256(DoP) operation, which requires 768kHz PCM at the USB interface level.  
2. Nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 CANNOT decode 768kHz at the DAC level, but they can all be programmed to receive 768kHz PCM at the USB interface level hence enable DSD256(DoP). 
3. With 5.1A, the user MUST make sure to manually alter the PCM audio settings correctly (especially Mac), otherwise there will be no audio output at all.
4. In other words, when playing PCM files, the sample rate must NOT set to be higher than 384kHz.  Only set the sampling rate to 768kHz when one wants to play DSD256(DoP).
5. There is no need to use this firmware if one uses ‘native mode’ (not DoP) to play DSD or DSD files are not played at all.
6. Do NOT use 5.1A on any other products other than nano iDSD and micro iDAC2.

3) For iDSD micro Firmware v5.1B - Disable Sleep Mode (Smartphone users ONLY)

1. This is strictly for Smartphone users ONLY, there is no other reason to use 5.1B on the micro iDSD.
2. The micro iDSD micro will try to recharge while in Sleep Mode (e.g. when connected to a PC).  If connected to a Smartphone which is ‘seen’ as a computer, it will recharge via the Smartphone.
3. 5.1B disables the Sleep Mode within the micro iDSD; hence it will no longer try to recharge during Sleep Mode and flatten the Smartphone’s battery.
4. Do NOT use 5.1B on any other products other than micro iDSD.

 
 
For detailed instructions and the download files, please follow this link:
http://ifi-audio.com/downloads/
 
or on the website, select 'Support' > 'Download'
 

---

[1] WARNING: Do NOT flash non-iFi products on the XMOS platform with iFi firmware!

[2] iFi Native DSD-capable DACs so original iDAC excluded so do NOT update using v5.10.