[Sev Bordas]

When we specify that 5Gbps speed is the case in a device, it means that it has a USB3.0 chip inside indeed. The 3.0 connector has better construction and that's why we use it. Yet it doesn't mean that a product without USB3.0 chip inside (and with this connector) will go 3.0 speed.

USB3.0 chip on the other hand will handle both speeds, be it 2.0 or 3.0. But in order to exploit the latter, a product with this chip needs to be connected to a USB3.0 compliant device.

Hopefully all is clear now.

It would be more clear if you were explicit about what iFi devices with USB3 connectors can and cannot connect at USB3 speeds.

 

[PPkiller]

Can igalvanic owners or even ifi themself help to verify if it's normal for device to feel hot to the touch when it's on?

 

[Sev Bordas]

USB 3.0 includes USB 2.0 & USB 1.1 as part of the specification, hence it will work 100% with any USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 device and cable, naturally at USB 2.0 & USB 1.1 speeds.

USB 2.0 & 1.1 is one distinct subsystem in the chipsets while USB 3.0 is very different and in effect is another parallel system.

USB standards however require USB 2.0/1.1 to be present and - for a SuperSpeed device - to connect it first via USB 2.0/1.1 before switching to USB 3.0.



According to USB standards, there is no requirement to have the USB 3.0 pins connected and/or active on a downstream device that needs to work at USB 2.0 Speeds.

And USB 3.0 connectors are significantly higher quality and so are USB 3.0 cables compared to USB 2.0. It's also important to know that USB 3.0 cables can only be used with devices having a USB 3.0 type B socket, otherwise they will not fit.

All iFi DAC's use the USB 2.0 portion of the USB 3.0 connections and connect at USB 2.0 speeds.

Hopefully all is clear now.

Nice edit! Yes, much clearer now, thank you!

 

[Sev Bordas]

Can igalvanic owners or even ifi themself help to verify if it's normal for device to feel hot to the touch when it's on?

I would characterize mine as "warm", not "hot".

 

[iFi audio]

It would be more clear if you were explicit about what iFi devices with USB3 connectors can and cannot connect at USB3 speeds.

It's actually very simple, every product with the '3.0' in its name is able to handle USB3.0 speed.

 

[PPkiller]

I would characterize mine as "warm", not "hot".

Let's say.. About 43 degree?

 

[Sev Bordas]

It's actually very simple, every product with the '3.0' in its name is able to handle USB3.0 speed.

"able to handle" vs. "it will connect at USB3 speed". With all due respect, "able to handle" is ambiguous.

All iFi DAC's use the USB 2.0 portion of the USB 3.0 connections and connect at USB 2.0 speeds.

That's crystal clear, no need to expound. Thanks again.

 

[iFi audio]

"able to handle" vs. "it will connect at USB3 speed". With all due respect, "able to handle" is ambiguous.

Fair enough. 'It will connect at USB3.0 speed' is the case if 3.0 is a part of a product's name.

 

[Sev Bordas]

Fair enough. 'It will connect at USB3.0 speed' is the case if 3.0 is a part of a product's name.

Cool. Any plans for a DAC with "3.0" in its name?

 

[GHoldridge]

Cool. Any plans for a DAC with "3.0" in its name?

If I was to bet I'd say yes. In fact It's fair to guess all of the USB products will eventuallly be 3.0.

 

[Sev Bordas]

If I was to bet I'd say yes. In fact It's fair to guess all of the USB products will eventuallly be 3.0.

Perhaps. Hey, do you suppose the iDSD Pro will become the iDSD Pro3.0?

 

[Zachik]

Fair enough. 'It will connect at USB3.0 speed' is the case if 3.0 is a part of a product's name.

Cool. Any plans for a DAC with "3.0" in its name?

If I was to bet I'd say yes. In fact It's fair to guess all of the USB products will eventuallly be 3.0.

I would actually bet on "not any time soon"... USB 2.0 easily deals with the highest quality (192KHz / 32-bit) requirements for bandwidth, and many sources (DAPs with USB out, phones with USB out / OTG) still use USB 2.0, so what's the incentive?!

 

[GHoldridge]

I would actually bet on "not any time soon"... USB 2.0 easily deals with the highest quality (192KHz / 32-bit) requirements for bandwidth, and many sources (DAPs with USB out, phones with USB out / OTG) still use USB 2.0, so what's the incentive?!

Well I didn't bet on anytime soon. Ifi have said that they are future proofing and that the usb 3.0 specs are a higher standard than usb 2.0. The incentive is so things like a usb 3.0 external drive actually run at that speed. Usb 3.0 can just handle more information down and up. Yea it's true that usb 2.0 speed is fine for audio even though it wasn't really built for audio quality. I say why not push it forward.

 

[iFi audio]

I would actually bet on "not any time soon"... USB 2.0 easily deals with the highest quality (192KHz / 32-bit) requirements for bandwidth, and many sources (DAPs with USB out, phones with USB out / OTG) still use USB 2.0, so what's the incentive?!

Just as @GHoldridge pointed out, we aim to be future proof and we do this exactly whenever we can. Yet at the same time it's not an announcement of anything. We work on our stuff in secret and when we have something to share, rest assured that this community will know it as soon as possible.

 

[Sev Bordas]

I've had the iGalvanic3.0 for a week now. It really takes the iDAC2 to a higher level. While I'm a big fan of upsampling (primarily with HQPlayer), the iGalvanic3.0 makes CD resolution files sound really, really good through the iDAC2. I highly recommend this product.