iFi audio iDSD Signature - The saga continues!

[Sebastien Chiu]

Hi guys,

I just bought iDSD Signature 2 days ago with gaming on PlayStation 5 purpose. I upgraded the firmware to 7.2c yesterday and my PS5 has not seeing the iDSD through USB. I know I can connect it via toslink, but I want the USB connection because of Sony’s 3D audio effect.

I have read on this topic that there is two version of the Signature - newer and older. The older one might have some problems with connection via USB to PS5. Is that so?

Also, when I enter to iFi's download centre and enter my iDSD's SN (2014000121), only 7.2c and few 5.x firmware is available to download. Is that mean that I have the older version of iDSD and connection via USB to my PS5 is not possible?

Another question - from which serial number new version of iDSD Signature start?

I have wrote to iFi's Customer Service but the guy who answered me (his name is Nick) said that I should instal 5.3 firmware. But the firmware is older than the iDSD Signature and PlayStation 5 itselves!

BTW: Signature sounds very satisfying with Grado GS1000i

Appreciate if somebody would be so kind to answer my 3 questions

Best regards

As our support advised, please install firmware 5,3.

It does not mean you have an older version, there are simply two levels of SNs out there.

Age of the firmware isn't something that you need to worry about, as well!

Hope that helps!

 

[makoos]

That's help a lot, thanks!
May I ask, if there are any differences between those two kinds of iDSD Signature? Any advantages one over the other?
I still may return my iDSD and buy the second version. (Which serial number the second version start from?). But if it's pointless I won't do that.
FYI: I will use the iDSD Signature for gaming on PS5 (30%), movies (20%), listening to music (20%) and audio editing (30%).

 

[StevenR296]

Hi guys,

I just bought iDSD Signature 2 days ago with gaming on PlayStation 5 purpose. I upgraded the firmware to 7.2c yesterday and my PS5 has not seeing the iDSD through USB. I know I can connect it via toslink, but I want the USB connection because of Sony’s 3D audio effect.

I have read on this topic that there is two version of the Signature - newer and older. The older one might have some problems with connection via USB to PS5. Is that so?

Also, when I enter to iFi's download centre and enter my iDSD's SN (2014000121), only 7.2c and few 5.x firmware is available to download. Is that mean that I have the older version of iDSD and connection via USB to my PS5 is not possible?

Another question - from which serial number new version of iDSD Signature start?

I have wrote to iFi's Customer Service but the guy who answered me (his name is Nick) said that I should instal 5.3 firmware. But the firmware is older than the iDSD Signature and PlayStation 5 itselves!

BTW: Signature sounds very satisfying with Grado GS1000i

Appreciate if somebody would be so kind to answer my 3 questions

Best regards

It's not a fault of the Signature, but a fault of the PS5. The Signature uses USB UAC2 Class audio, which is basically the standard, and the PS4/PS5 both use the outdated UAC1 Class. You will not be able to get audio through USB on the Signature, unless there's a UAC1 fallback feature in the Signature I'm not aware of. If the feature isn't there now, I hope iFi is able to implement it, or Sony should step up their game and implement the UAC2 standard.

 

[makoos]

It's not a fault of the Signature, but a fault of the PS5. The Signature uses USB UAC2 Class audio, which is basically the standard, and the PS4/PS5 both use the outdated UAC1 Class. You will not be able to get audio through USB on the Signature, unless there's a UAC1 fallback feature in the Signature I'm not aware of. If the feature isn't there now, I hope iFi is able to implement it, or Sony should step up their game and implement the UAC2 standard.

Problem solved, I get audio from PS5 via USB - console sees iFi as 3D audio headset, so everything is just fine as it should be

If somebody has the same problem, than you have to install 5.3c and then XMOS software.

 

[StevenR296]

Problem solved, I get audio from PS5 via USB - console sees iFi as 3D audio headset, so everything is just fine as it should be

If somebody has the same problem, than you have to install 5.3c and then XMOS software.

Great to know!

 

[StevenR296]

Power's been out at my house the last few hours but I'm making do

 

[JoshG1217]

If anyone is looking for a mint signature, I'm letting mine go. I love it, but with kids and working from home, I don't use it enough.

I'll reiterate that it beats out the diablo, the ibasso dx300, the r6 2020 and everything else portable that I've thrown at it. Had ro spend 1000 on a desktop set up to actually get a more detailed sound, and even then, it's barely better. Sad to let it go, but someone might as well enjoy it

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Problem solved, I get audio from PS5 via USB - console sees iFi as 3D audio headset, so everything is just fine as it should be

If somebody has the same problem, than you have to install 5.3c and then XMOS software.

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

Power's been out at my house the last few hours but I'm making do

Nice!

If anyone is looking for a mint signature, I'm letting mine go. I love it, but with kids and working from home, I don't use it enough.

I'll reiterate that it beats out the diablo, the ibasso dx300, the r6 2020 and everything else portable that I've thrown at it. Had ro spend 1000 on a desktop set up to actually get a more detailed sound, and even then, it's barely better. Sad to let it go, but someone might as well enjoy it

So sorry to hear you have to let it go, but understand where you're coming from

 

[lapmic]

Hi! I don't know if it's a stupid question, but anyway.... Can I connect an external balanced amplifier to the signature with a 4.4mm (headphone output) to 2 XLR cable (amp's input) ? (IFI has a cable like that).
Thanks!

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Hi! I don't know if it's a stupid question, but anyway.... Can I connect an external balanced amplifier to the signature with a 4.4mm (headphone output) to 2 XLR cable (amp's input) ? (IFI has a cable like that).
Thanks!

You'll be double Amping that way and this will cause extra distortion, noise... not good for audio quality.

better to use the RCA Line-Out, not sure what Amp you are trying to use but most will have RCA Input.

 

[sahmen]

Okay, here's my own "perhaps dumb" question : do power supply units such as the Ifi i-power X or i-power elite enhance the performance of the signature when it (signature) is operating in wired mode?

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Okay, here's my own "perhaps dumb" question : do power supply units such as the Ifi i-power X or i-power elite enhance the performance of the signature when it (signature) is operating in wired mode?

When I purchased the Zen CAN, iPower was included in the packaging and I had a generic 5V SMPS lying around so I did a comparision.

with Zen DAC, iPower vs just the USB power did not bring any improvement, maybe there was a reduction in noise but it could just of been placebo. What I did notice was using the generic power supply made the sound quality harsher and grainy, by a very small margin but noticeable.

Same story with the Zen CAN, generic SMPS vs iPower, I liked the iPower. With the generic power supply being less clear and stage also seemed just a bit closed in.

Again, all the differences I noticed where very minute. I thought about getting an LPS like Allo Shanti but decided to upgrade my setup instead, which seemed like a better investment than paying for expensive power supplys with minimal benefit to sound.

Maybe laptops or other PC with a lot of connections and hence noise will benefit from these, I don't know.

Now coming to the Signature, no it won't help. With battery powered devices, cleaner power probably won't matter. Signature will draw power from the battery and not from external power. Unless there is something else going on under the hood.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Okay, here's my own "perhaps dumb" question : do power supply units such as the Ifi i-power X or i-power elite enhance the performance of the signature when it (signature) is operating in wired mode?

Now coming to the Signature, no it won't help. With battery powered devices, cleaner power probably won't matter. Signature will draw power from the battery and not from external power. Unless there is something else going on under the hood.

John's statement is correct here. The Signature draws from battery power in this circumstance and the iPower will provide no direct benefit. It was made to be used without the need of a PSU.

 

[Verificateur]

Bought the iFi iDSD Signature and currently using it with Hifiman HE1000. Very happy with the combo.

Writing with a couple quick questions:

1. I checked my serial number and there is an option to upgrade to 7.2C, 7.2 limoncello and a newer 7.4 firmware.
Based on my reading here, it seems like 7.2C which introduces the GTO filter is the way to go? Could anyone confirm or advise otherwise based on your experience?

2. The HE1000 sounds amazing with the iFi iDSD Signature. Currently using Medium again with IE Match Off.
Reading the iFi manual and other sources, it seems that the “Turbo” gain would give more current, which planar drivers enjoy from what I know.
My question is — would it make sense to use Turbo gain vs. Normal gain, if I were to “volume-match”? With Turbo I would naturally have to dial back the volume wheel a bit.
Any benefit to Turbo vs Medium when volume is the same, or would it be placebo?

Does Turbo give out more current vs Normal when volume is adjusted to be the same?

@Sebastien Chiu and @iFi audio

Thanks in advance.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Bought the iFi iDSD Signature and currently using it with Hifiman HE1000. Very happy with the combo.

Writing with a couple quick questions:

1. I checked my serial number and there is an option to upgrade to 7.2C, 7.2 limoncello and a newer 7.4 firmware.
Based on my reading here, it seems like 7.2C which introduces the GTO filter is the way to go? Could anyone confirm or advise otherwise based on your experience?

2. The HE1000 sounds amazing with the iFi iDSD Signature. Currently using Medium again with IE Match Off.
Reading the iFi manual and other sources, it seems that the “Turbo” gain would give more current, which planar drivers enjoy from what I know.
My question is — would it make sense to use Turbo gain vs. Normal gain, if I were to “volume-match”? With Turbo I would naturally have to dial back the volume wheel a bit.
Any benefit to Turbo vs Medium when volume is the same, or would it be placebo?

Does Turbo give out more current vs Normal when volume is adjusted to be the same?

@Sebastien Chiu and @iFi audio

Thanks in advance.

1. Completely upto you. In my setup, I liked the Bit-Perfect filter with Sundara which helped tame the brightness. On the other hand, I liked GTO with A&K Diana, which added a bit of energy/sharpness and complimented the dark IEM well. Flashing the GTO Firmware will disable other filters.

2. Try both gains and listen for yourself, if you don't hear any difference does it matter? Mostly try to keep the volume pot between 12 & 3 position. Below 11 there's channel imbalance and after 3, the Amp starts distorting a bit.