[bflat]

XU216 chip supports PCM768kHz, DSD512 & MQA Full decoding, so hopefully they are working on using the full capabilities of the chip for the signature.

How do you know iFi changed the XMOS chip to XU216? If recall, you were only guessing.

 

[kion]

How do you know iFi changed the XMOS chip to XU216? If recall, you were only guessing.

I'd imagine it's an educated guess, their new 7.0 firmware literally has "XU216" in the filename https://ifi-audio.com/firmware/iFi_XMOS_v7.00_XU216.bin. It is more powerful than XU208 for sure, but whether iFi will leverage the extra power for the new Signature model in the future is anyone's guess, rationally I don't think they should or they end up alienating a bunch of users.

I appreciate that @iFi audio is not in a position to comment on this as it is a very sensitive topic (almost feel sorry that they have to deal with this as it's nice for them to engage with users on forums, being helpful and all that). While I am not impressed with the situation as a whole, I am still hopeful that they will make the right decisions down the line and keep their users happy regardless of which version they have.

 

[CANiSLAYu]

It’s likely the XU208 is discontinued. It came out in 2016 and XMOS’ website only references the 216 variants. Given the Signature is an iterative release it was probably originally designed for the 208 and/or they already had inventory they had to use and then pivoted to the 216. If that’s the case, that’s really the only option other than discontinuing it. That’s what FiiO opted to do with their M11/M11Pro/M15 because the SOC they were using (and the LCD panels) are discontinued.

 

[yiauta]

It’s likely the XU208 is discontinued. It came out in 2016 and XMOS’ website only references the 216 variants. Given the Signature is an iterative release it was probably originally designed for the 208 and/or they already had inventory they had to use and then pivoted to the 216. If that’s the case, that’s really the only option other than discontinuing it. That’s what FiiO opted to do with their M11/M11Pro/M15 because the SOC they were using (and the LCD panels) are discontinued.

I don't believe the XU208 chip is discontinued. XMOS still has it listed as available on their website: https://www.xmos.ai/xcore-200/.

 

[Baten]

I don't believe the XU208 chip is discontinued. XMOS still has it listed as available on their website: https://www.xmos.ai/xcore-200/.

It's being phased out. All vendors will need to switch to XU216, CANiSLAYu is right.

 

[Sean_MR]

I just switched to 5.2 and the BitPerfect (NOS) mode sounds glorious,

Shouldn't 5.3/7.0 also have BitPerfect available? I thought only 5.3c and 7.0c had the GTO filter. Or do you need to go down to 5.2 to get BitPerfect?

 

[iFi audio]

Shouldn't 5.3/7.0 also have BitPerfect available? I thought only 5.3c and 7.0c had the GTO filter. Or do you need to go down to 5.2 to get BitPerfect?

Our firmware versions 5.3c/7.0c feature our GTO applied for all PCM data, so every firmware other than these two allows for bit-perfect playback.

 

[Sean_MR]

Our firmware versions 5.3c/7.0c feature our GTO applied for all PCM data, so every firmware other than these two allows for bit-perfect playback.

Thank you. Just for clarity, using 5.3 or 7.0 would allow for all 3 original PCM filters on the Signature to work right? So Bit-Perfect, Minimum-Phase, and Standard?

Also, if the above is true, is there any benefit for users to run the 5.2 firmware from a PCM perspective?

 

[iFi audio]

Thank you. Just for clarity, using 5.3 or 7.0 would allow for all 3 original PCM filters on the Signature to work right? So Bit-Perfect, Minimum-Phase, and Standard?

Yes, these filters should work.

Also, if the above is true, is there any benefit for users to run the 5.2 firmware from a PCM perspective?

Our FW 5.2 goes with PCM up to 768kHz:

https://ifi-audio.com/firmware/unified-firmware-for-various-products/

 

[Chamade]

I currently have the Black Label, would I hear any difference from upgrading to the Signature?
I am using the Arya, would the signature expose more details?

 

[Baten]

I currently have the Black Label, would I hear any difference from upgrading to the Signature?
I am using the Arya, would the signature expose more details?

The BL and Sig are more similar than not. For an upgrade for Arya maybe consider the Diablo

 

[Chamade]

The BL and Sig are more similar than not. For an upgrade for Arya maybe consider the Diablo

I do like 3D and Xbass sometimes...
What I don’t like is that both the Signature and Diablo still appear to have volume pot imbalance issues.

 

[Baten]

I do like 3D and Xbass sometimes...
What I don’t like is that both the Signature and Diablo still appear to have volume pot imbalance issues.

I read somewhere that Diablo has all effects removed for the Asia market, since those toggles seem to inspire a loss of fidelity compared to 'pure' DAC. Kinda nonsensical but eh, you can do a lot on software side too thankfully.

 

[mblain]

I currently have the Black Label, would I hear any difference from upgrading to the Signature?
I am using the Arya, would the signature expose more details?

I currently have both the BL and Signature on hand. Using them with my Elegia's I mainly notice better instrument separation, wider soundstage, better-controlled bass, and maybe a touch more detail but that might be more the better soundstage and instrument separation I'm hearing more.

I can definitely say iFi improved the USB port signal. I have the ipurifier 3 and find I don't really hear as much of a difference as when I use it on the BL.

It's a welcome upgrade over the BL, but I wouldn't expect to hear a massive change. You might get a 15-20% bump max.

 

[iFi audio]

It's a welcome upgrade over the BL, but I wouldn't expect to hear a massive change. You might get a 15-20% bump max.

That's quite accurate, yup