[Roscoeiii]

No need to sell either Schiit or iDSD for half on eBay. Both can be found with excellent 15-30 day return policies (Schiit from Schiit; iFi from Music Direct).

 

[ticos442]

 
True... as you all know, its hard/impossible to hear a piece of kit before you buy it, so getting something that doesnt work out with a particular system happens a lot. Thats why we are here talking about it, and people are hesitant to spend a chunk of change only to sell it on ebay for half. Honestly, my personal 'observation' of how the Gungnir sounds in my system is based on listening over time, but more so on comparisons with some of my other DACs. Especially this little gem from Parts Express - http://www.parts-express.com/fiio-d03k-coaxial-optical-dac-digital-analog-converter--230-120. It made me think that more is not necessarily better. I took the DAC apart and it has Cirrus Logic chips in it. There are other factors, I run the DAC straight in to my Emotiva XPA-2. Could be a synergy factor - Anyway - IMO these new inexpensive DACs with modern clocks, chips, op amps and other inexpensive techniques could well be the future of the everyman audiophile digital front end.

Well said, it has been my experience over the years as well.  And you are also correct that with recent fast and furious releases of inexpensive DACs with solid technical implementations, and high quality/resolution music files, we are living in an audiophile golden era.  After 35 years of being in this hobby, I am finding so much enjoyment of listening to music, in the same way that I used to listed to my carefully taken care of vinyl records and hi fi systems in the 70s.  I'm finding that today, with the right gear, and with high quality and resolution recordings, the experience is even better than in past years, and truly portable in many cases.

 

[Pentagonal]

For those concerned with shipping times, I just ordered an iDSD from TweekGeek.com and they placed me on the next shipping batch. I only need to wait 1 week as those are coming in around late January. I can't wait to get it!

 

[kugino]

  For those concerned with shipping times, I just ordered an iDSD from TweekGeek.com and they placed me on the next shipping batch. I only need to wait 1 week as those are coming in around late January. I can't wait to get it!

the iDSD's not listed on tweekgeek. i'm assuming you spoke to them and ordered over the phone? maybe i'll give them a call tomorrow...

 

[iFi audio]

How to take full advantage of True Native PCM/DSD/DXD playback - WINDOWS
 
Before we proceed, we do apologise but we cannot answer emails on whether products by other manufacturers play 'True Native DSD.' Being part of AMR means we have a 'no comment' policy on other manufacturers. We have rec'd a 'few' emails on this question which is why we would like to state upfront to clarify.
 
Without further ado, the following is a brief tutorial on how to setup JRMC to send DSD natively via DoP. Yes, the iDSD does not convert internally to another format, hence 'True Native'.
 
 
Setup Instructions
The following are examples on each OS X and Windows platform, Audirvana Plus and JRiver Media Center respectively (if your program is different, the principle remains the same but please consult your software vendor for more information).
 
 
 
JRiver Media Centre: 
 

 

 
 
 
Step 1: Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Output. Select WASAPI
 
Step 2: Tools > Options > Audio > Output mode settings: Select the iFi (by AMR driver) and

1. CHECK the boxes as per below.
2. Bitdepth: Automatic
3. Buffering: 500 milliseconds

 

 
 
Step 3: Tools > Options > Audio > Settings > Bitstreaming

1. Select DSD over PCM (DoP)
2. Select DoP Format: DoP 1.0 (0xFA/0.05)

 
 

 
Exit. You are now ready to enjoy DSD without conversion to another format on your iDSD by iFi.
 
 
Audirvana to follow in due course....

 

[jaywillin]

  How to take full advantage of True Native PCM/DSD/DXD playback - WINDOWS
 
Before we proceed, we do apologise but we cannot answer emails on whether products by other manufacturers play 'True Native DSD.' Being part of AMR means we have a 'no comment' policy on other manufacturers. We have rec'd a 'few' emails on this question which is why we would like to state upfront to clarify.
 
Without further ado, the following is a brief tutorial on how to setup JRMC to send DSD natively via DoP. Yes, the iDSD does not convert internally to another format, hence 'True Native'.
 
 
Setup Instructions
The following are examples on each OS X and Windows platform, Audirvana Plus and JRiver Media Center respectively (if your program is different, the principle remains the same but please consult your software vendor for more information).
 
 
 
JRiver Media Centre: 
 

 

 
 
 
Step 1: Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Output. Select WASAPI
 
Step 2: Tools > Options > Audio > Output mode settings: Select the iFi (by AMR driver) and

1. CHECK the boxes as per below.
2. Bitdepth: Automatic
3. Buffering: 500 milliseconds

 

 
 
Step 3: Tools > Options > Audio > Settings > Bitstreaming

1. Select DSD over PCM (DoP)
2. Select DoP Format: DoP 1.0 (0xFA/0.05)

 
 

 
Exit. You are now ready to enjoy DSD without conversion to another format on your iDSD by iFi.
 
 
Audirvana to follow in due course....

question, i followed the instrunctions, i've tried the process in both jriver18, and 19, jriver shows i'm playing files in whatever resolution the file is in, its not indicating dsd, and the light on the idsd indicates the same, i can actually convert a file and get dsd, the light and jriver both indicate dsd, which does sound really good, but i really don't want to have to convert my whole library ! lol

 

[semeniub]

I was able to sub my iDSD into my main headphone setup (Audirvana+ > Kingrex Y-art usb cable and Kingrey UPower > AMI MUSIK DS5 > tube amp with Mullard NOS tubes > Audeze LCD2's).
 
I substituted the iDSD (running on it's own battery power) for the AMI MUSIK DS5, but here the iDSD wasn't as immediately satisfying as the DS5 (and looking at the differences between the DAC's wasn't my main objective here).
 
I then substituted the Kingrex Y-art cable and UPower that was now connected to the iDSD with a normal low level audiophile USB cable.
 
Here was the nice surprise - In my first impressions, I found the basic cable connected to the iDSD running on it's own battery power to sound as good as the much more expensive split USB cable with separate battery.
 
Gives me more confidence that I can really enjoy the iDSD as is (on it's own battery power at least), and not have to worry that I'm missing something due to USB cables or noisy power making it's way from the computer's USB port.
 
It will be interesting to hear if other users have the same experience.

 

[iFi audio]

  question, i followed the instrunctions, i've tried the process in both jriver18, and 19, jriver shows i'm playing files in whatever resolution the file is in, its not indicating dsd, and the light on the idsd indicates the same, i can actually convert a file and get dsd, the light and jriver both indicate dsd, which does sound really good, but i really don't want to have to convert my whole library ! lol

Hi
 
drop our technical people an email on: tech@ifi-audio.com
 
with screenshots of JRMC settings. We need to check your on screen settings in JRMC.
 
thanks

 

[jaywillin]

  Hi
 
drop our technical people an email on: tech@ifi-audio.com
 
with screenshots of JRMC settings. We need to check your on screen settings in JRMC.
 
thanks

ok, will do, thanks !

 

[Tokyolifer]

   
It was seamless to connect to the iPhone 5S using the ONKYO HF app - now if it was only possible to stream hires music from the cloud to this app on the iPhone!
 

 
Having some issues connecting my iPhone 5 to iDSD.  The iDSD is connected to the iPhone 5 through camera adapter / USB cable, but it doesn't seem like the iPhone recognizes iDSD, as music is played only through the iPhone speaker..  I am turning on the iDSD power before connecting it to the iPhone to makes sure that it is battery powered...Not so sure what is going on.  Any tip you can give me would be helpful.

 

[semeniub]

   
Having some issues connecting my iPhone 5 to iDSD.  The iDSD is connected to the iPhone 5 through camera adapter / USB cable, but it doesn't seem like the iPhone recognizes iDSD, as music is played only through the iPhone speaker..  I am turning on the iDSD power before connecting it to the iPhone to makes sure that it is battery powered...Not so sure what is going on.  Any tip you can give me would be helpful.

I am using the Apple Lightning to USB camera adaptor to connect to the iPhone 5S. If it helps, I play music through the ONKYO HF app, and also found that Spotify works as well. My version of iOS is 7.0.4.

 

[Pentagonal]

Dear kugino, 
 
If this helps you, I was able to locate the iDSD on their website: http://www.tweekgeek.com/ifi-audio-idsd/
 
I recommend speaking with Michael, he is very helpful and has given me nothing but excellent service! 
 
Best of luck,
Pentagonal

 

[Tokyolifer]

  I am using the Apple Lightning to USB camera adaptor to connect to the iPhone 5S. If it helps, I play music through the ONKYO HF app, and also found that Spotify works as well. My version of iOS is 7.0.4.

Thanks.  I am using the same app, same cable and has the same OS... I wonder if it is one of the apps I have on the iPhone that are in conflict.

 

[semeniub]

  Thanks.  I am using the same app, same cable and has the same OS... I wonder if it is one of the apps I have on the iPhone that are in conflict.

An easy thing to do is plug your iDSD into someone else's iPhone or iPhone(s) - if the connection problem still exists, then maybe the iDSD or cable needs to be checked.

 

[JWahl]

  I am using the blue USB cable supplied for the I Link from computer > I USB > Gemini cable dual output > I Purifier > I Link > Neotech NEVD-2001 BNC Cryo Digital Cable > Audio-GD NFB2 > Audioquest Colorado Interconnects > Denon 2808 > Audioquest Colorado Interconnects > Ming DA 8407 Zone 2 (Headphones)/Hafler XL 280 Zone 1 (Speakers) > Kimber PSB Extension Cable > Detachable Headphone Cables > Beyerdynamic T1, DT880 600 Ohm, DT990 600 ohm.

Scratching my head a bit looking at this.  For the price of those Audioquest IC's you could get a much better quality DAC and still afford some decent IC's.  I'm using the WW Equinox 7 in my setup at about $100.  And yes, I'm upgrading my DAC soon so I don't sound like a hypocrite having IC's that cost as much as my current DAC.  Replacing it soon with an Anedio D1.  Not that I have anything against the NFB-2, I've owned 2 Audio-GD DACs myself
 
That being said, the iFi line seems very interesting to me.  I'm planning on getting the I-link to run to the Anedio, and possibly the Gemini cable to split power from my USB battery.