iFi audio iDSD Signature - The saga continues!

[531412]

The eagle has landed!

Just tested for a few seconds at the shop, but channel imbalance seems improved by quite a lot.

Same here Received my iDSD Signature today.

Atm I can just test with my Arya on the SE output via 6,3mm Jack (4,4mm balanced cable is on the way).

First Impression:
- Channel imbalence below 9 oclock is fixed
- Sounds a bit different than the iDSD BL (in a better way)
- Sound signature is not that smooth then the one from the BL
- SE output has not that much power then the BL offers (as reference: the volume knob is at 11 oclock with my Arya in turbo mode)
- Switches for xBass and 3D+ feel a bit cheap
- xBass changed compared to the BL -> more body and more focus on the deep bass and and the bass is not too prominent (compared to BL)

I had some complains when it comes to the DAC part of my BL (a bit to smooth). On the other side, the Pro iDSD was a bit to analytic. It seems that the iDSD Signature is somewhere between those two, which is pefect from my point of view. But I need some more days to test. Just wanted to share the first impression with you

 

[elira]

The eagle has landed!

Just tested for a few seconds at the shop, but channel imbalance seems improved by quite a lot.

The channel balance issue varies between units. There are some micro BL units with good channel balance and others with bad channel balance. It's good that you got a good one, enjoy!

 

[pompecukor]

Thank for the short review guys. Keep them coming
Where in EU did you find stock? IFI wrote me on Facebook message that they will have them on amazon.co.uk on the 31th (that is 2 days ago), but it is still not up. I asked about it in the message, but this time the message was read and then ignored. Talk about motivating a would be brand new customer, :/
Anyway I am still interested.

 

[531412]

Thank for the short review guys. Keep them coming
Where in EU did you find stock? IFI wrote me on Facebook message that they will have them on amazon.co.uk on the 31th (that is 2 days ago), but it is still not up. I asked about it in the message, but this time the message was read and then ignored. Talk about motivating a would be brand new customer, :/
Anyway I am still interested.

Just check this out: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-idsd-signature-the-saga-continues.944241/post-15949400

After few more hours ... the Xbass implementation is much better. More texture, tighter, more on the point and a bit more cautious (which is good in my opinion) compared to the Xbass in the BL. Still a bit to much in deep bass orientated tracks (trentemoeller etc.), but a nice feature.


But I think I will stop writing updates here You will hear it by your own in few days/weeks

 

[pompecukor]

Just check this out: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-idsd-signature-the-saga-continues.944241/post-15949400

After few more hours ... the Xbass implementation is much better. More texture, tighter, more on the point and a bit more cautious (which is good in my opinion) compared to the Xbass in the BL. Still a bit to much in deep bass orientated tracks (trentemoeller etc.), but a nice feature.

Thank you, that is where you ordered yours from?

 

[pompecukor]

Also may I ask how you have yours hooked up? PC or Android phone? Any filtering USB needed or is that just marketing?

 

[531412]

Yes, I purchased my Signature there.

I used the Signature on PC and MacOS so far. Without any issues. But the BL works fine as well on those devices.
I do not have an Android device here to test. But I do not think that it will have any problems with Android.

 

[iFi audio]

The eagle has landed!

Yup, looks like ours alright

After few more hours ... the Xbass implementation is much better. More texture, tighter, more on the point and a bit more cautious (which is good in my opinion) compared to the Xbass in the BL. Still a bit to much in deep bass orientated tracks (trentemoeller etc.), but a nice feature.

Thanks!

First Impression:
- Channel imbalence below 9 oclock is fixed
- Sounds a bit different than the iDSD BL (in a better way)
- Sound signature is not that smooth then the one from the BL
- SE output has not that much power then the BL offers (as reference: the volume knob is at 11 oclock with my Arya in turbo mode)
- Switches for xBass and 3D+ feel a bit cheap
- xBass changed compared to the BL -> more body and more focus on the deep bass and and the bass is not too prominent (compared to BL)

I had some complains when it comes to the DAC part of my BL (a bit to smooth). On the other side, the Pro iDSD was a bit to analytic. It seems that the iDSD Signature is somewhere between those two, which is pefect from my point of view. But I need some more days to test. Just wanted to share the first impression with you

...and thanks!

 

[mwhals]

Yup, looks like ours alright



Thanks!



...and thanks!

Will it be on Amazon in the USA?

 

[aspirina750]

It's me or 3D is wider, maybe even too wide

 

[emilsoft]

Same here Received my iDSD Signature today.

Atm I can just test with my Arya on the SE output via 6,3mm Jack (4,4mm balanced cable is on the way).

First Impression:
- Channel imbalence below 9 oclock is fixed
- Sounds a bit different than the iDSD BL (in a better way)
- Sound signature is not that smooth then the one from the BL
- SE output has not that much power then the BL offers (as reference: the volume knob is at 11 oclock with my Arya in turbo mode)
- Switches for xBass and 3D+ feel a bit cheap
- xBass changed compared to the BL -> more body and more focus on the deep bass and and the bass is not too prominent (compared to BL)

I had some complains when it comes to the DAC part of my BL (a bit to smooth). On the other side, the Pro iDSD was a bit to analytic. It seems that the iDSD Signature is somewhere between those two, which is pefect from my point of view. But I need some more days to test. Just wanted to share the first impression with you

Does it still have the U shaped signature of the original idsd bl? I found the treble a bit too piercing on the original, I hope it's been improved

 

[qsk78]

Does it still have the U shaped signature of the original idsd bl? I found the treble a bit too piercing on the original, I hope it's been improved

Are you sure that this is BL and not your headphones U-shaped?
To me the original iDSD BL is pretty linear.

 

[531412]

I agree with @qsk78 ... from my point of view the BL does not have an U-shape. Rather the opposite in the treble area ... the treble on the BL feels a bit to "passive".

What I can say (my personal opinion) is, that the Signature feels better in almost every region across the whole hearable frequency.

I hope it will not chance in the upcomming days/weeks, but it feels that the Signature is a good upgrade to the BL. Not much, more fine tuning then huge inovations, but noticeable and thats enough for me to recommend this nice device Good job, ifi. But next time, please do not use this cheap switches for Xbass and 3D+

 

[Kike6685]

Hi
Tomorrow I will receive my ifi mucro signature in Spain.
Are the cables included to connect a mobile phone by usb and a dap by coaxial?
My idea is to connect it to the mobile or to my ibasso dx220 in which I have all my library in sd.
I currently have a ca cascade and hifiman ananda headphones.
In the ananda I expect a significant improvement over the ibasso dx220 amp8.
Cheers

 

[pompecukor]

Better yet, could someone make a picture of what is included in the box please? Thank you.