[Condocondor]

Good to know. I don't really hear much noise but I wonder if it'll lower the noise floor and make the background even darker.



Crap, I was worried you'd say that. The additional bump in instrument placement and a more lively sound. My wallet is not a fan, but my ears are.

Well hopefully, Ifi can get an iDSD Signature in the hands of someone to review soon so I can decide whether I pre-order one of those or add an iGalvanic to the wonderful micro BL.

Seriously, just order an iGalvanic3.0 and try it so you know. Even if you don't have the money, you can try and return it.....then re-buy it when you have the money. The idea is that you learn what makes a difference or what is "snake oil" as one guy in this feed said.

 

[Baten]

Seriously, just order an iGalvanic3.0 and try it so you know. Even if you don't have the money, you can try and return it.....then re-buy it when you have the money. The idea is that you learn what makes a difference or what is "snake oil" as one guy in this feed said.

I would be very surprised there'd be any difference if there are no issues/problems for the iGalvanic to solve.

 

[Condocondor]

I would be very surprised there'd be any difference if there are no issues/problems for the iGalvanic to solve.

That's the amazing thing. I had no issues whatsoever. All I know is that man does it make a difference! I suspect that inaudible ground noise, although small, propagates throughout the whole chain and all the DAC circuitry, degrading a little here and a little there until it adds up to a bunch by the time it hits your ears.

Also, to put it in perspective, people spend as much for the iGalvanic as they spend on high end USB cables in search of cleaner transmission etc. Honestly, the iGalvanic negates the need for these high end USB cables. I just run the cheapies. I'd much rather have the iGalvanic than expensive USB cables if money was limited.

 

[mwhals]

I assume the noise people are mentioning is when using the iFi Micro iDSD BL as a DAC for a PC. I assume it is not an issue from an iPhone or Android phone. Correct?

 

[makatech]

That's the amazing thing. I had no issues whatsoever. All I know is that man does it make a difference! I suspect that inaudible ground noise, although small, propagates throughout the whole chain and all the DAC circuitry, degrading a little here and a little there until it adds up to a bunch by the time it hits your ears.

Also, to put it in perspective, people spend as much for the iGalvanic as they spend on high end USB cables in search of cleaner transmission etc. Honestly, the iGalvanic negates the need for these high end USB cables. I just run the cheapies. I'd much rather have the iGalvanic than expensive USB cables if money was limited.

OT: A good USB cable doesn't have to be expensive though, I'm really happy with this one.
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/7418/supra-usb-2-0-cable-type-a-to-b-plug-2m/

 

[iFi audio]

I would be very surprised there'd be any difference if there are no issues/problems for the iGalvanic to solve.

Any USB pipeline not galvanically isolated creates the same issue galvanic isolators address. And many people agree that such products do make a difference

All I know is that man does it make a difference! I suspect that inaudible ground noise, although small, propagates throughout the whole chain and all the DAC circuitry, degrading a little here and a little there until it adds up to a bunch by the time it hits your ears.

The earlier noise in a setup can be banished, the better. Many USB products (isolators, reclockers etc.) make audible difference because they address noise very early on and devices further in a setup have signal cleaner to work on.

 

[Voxata]

So.. I can't help but notice the SNR/THD specs between the Ifi Signature and Black Label are exactly identical, except for the 100mw extra on the signature... I can't really see any changes either except for the 4.4 and this S-Balanced tech.. I'm at a loss for picking out differences/improvements between this and the Black Label. Is S-Balanced just SE wired to a 4.4 Pentaconn connector? I've a feeling given the specs between the two being are identical that the 4.4mm is just there for convenience of the connector itself as opposed to true balanced operation or other benefit.

 

[elira]

So.. I can't help but notice the SNR/THD specs between the Ifi Signature and Black Label are exactly identical, except for the 100mw extra on the signature... I can't really see any changes either except for the 4.4 and this S-Balanced tech.. I'm at a loss for picking out differences/improvements between this and the Black Label. Is S-Balanced just SE wired to a 4.4 Pentaconn connector? I've a feeling given the specs between the two being are identical that the 4.4mm is just there for convenience of the connector itself as opposed to true balanced operation or other benefit.

There seems to be no significant performance improvement. It just has a couple new conveniences that some people wanted. They have hinted there’s a better thing coming soon and that this is a minor revision.

 

[Voxata]

Yeah I think the marketing fluff needs to be dropped here. Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome device - just best to shoot straight on this one. Why even bother? As an owner of the BL, Silver & xCan I have enjoyed Ifi's offerings - less the marketing.

 

[iFi audio]

Yeah I think the marketing fluff needs to be dropped here. Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome device - just best to shoot straight on this one. Why even bother? As an owner of the BL, Silver & xCan I have enjoyed Ifi's offerings - less the marketing.

I was vocal why micro iDSD Signature was made, please take a look here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi...e-saga-continues.944241/page-12#post-15927406

They have hinted there’s a better thing coming soon and that this is a minor revision.

There's always something "better" coming. Honestly, always. Our R&D is engaged in multiple projects at the same time and our roadmap is full for years to come

As for micro iDSD Signature, that's the last iteration of a platform that gained lots of love on this forum and worldwide

 

[Voxata]

I was vocal why micro iDSD Signature was made, please take a look here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi...e-saga-continues.944241/page-12#post-15927406



There's always something "better" coming. Honestly, always. Our R&D is engaged in multiple projects at the same time and our roadmap is full for years to come

As for micro iDSD Signature, that's the last iteration of a platform that gained lots of love on this forum and worldwide

Right, but the wording I would have liked more direct. Is the DAC/Amp sections prettymuch identical to the BL? If so, this is a good thing IMO.

 

[iFi audio]

Right, but the wording I would have liked more direct. Is the DAC/Amp sections prettymuch identical to the BL? If so, this is a good thing IMO.

Yes.

 

[Metalingus]

I wonder how much efficient planars like LCD-X benefit from this over Nano BL. Impedance on headphones are low but it requires good current to cut sibilance and increase oomph.

 

[Kike6685]

Hi
So compared with black label, only the blue color , pentacom 4.4mm output and extra 100 mw change?
On the web it says that it also changes
"
Finely tuned
Based around two Burr-Brown DAC chips in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration, the digital engine has four pairs of differential signals – two pairs per channel. This means

• a lower noise floor
• improved channel separation
• finer musical detail and micro-dynamics

.... "
Greetings

 

[Voxata]

Hi
So compared with black label, only the blue color , pentacom 4.4mm output and extra 100 mw change?
On the web it says that it also changes
"
Finely tuned
Based around two Burr-Brown DAC chips in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration, the digital engine has four pairs of differential signals – two pairs per channel. This means

• a lower noise floor
• improved channel separation
• finer musical detail and micro-dynamics

.... "
Greetings

I know it's specs that are already present in the BL.. it was confusing, it's just a BL updated with some charging features and such. Still, a very nice device!