iFi Audio presents iDSD Valkyrie

[TheOnetoWin]

For a straight upgrade and if you truly need a transportable unit, *if* you dont mind the price than id go with valkyrie. Diablo 2 wouldnt be that much more power. You could also just replace the battery on your sig unit.

Got it, thanks. So I guess I'll wait for some reviews to decide whether or not to make that next jump.

 

[Ficcion2]

Mr. Loesch stated that it's practically just another transportable iDSD rather than being closer to the Pro model. If so; the Valkyrie is also too expensive for what it is IMO. Ive seen some Matrix Element X go for less in the classifieds and that's a serious DAC/streamer.

Id love to see iFI make dedicated DAC/streamer and dedicated amp with internal power supplies rather than another transportable. Although, I'd wager that the price would be astronomical.

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

my Signature Blue is kind of on its last legs now with the battery deteriorating.

Change the battery. I put up the details. There are replacements from Alibaba and the 40 Schenese Robbers. Alternatively check Adorama, last I looked the Finale was on blowout for 250 Bux. It's basically a 1:1 replacement with a fresh battery. You can still fix your OG and have spare. Plus a lot of change compared to buying Diablo or Val.

The Diablo is a swimways move and only has extra power into high impedance (> 100R) headphones. Anything else, if a Black Label/Siggie/Finale cannot drive it well and it ain't a 600 Ohm AKG K240 Monitor or a AKG K1000, the Diablo will not either.

The Diablo will remove all the switches that allow the shortcomings of (some) headphones to ameliorated and adds a bright, forward sound. And it costs a lot more.

I haven't heard the Val. The Val is closer in design to what I would have done as replacement for the iDSD micro, but pricing seems Lalaland levels.

If it really delivers meaningfully more real world output, I'd wait for the objective tests by Golden or Amir.

I don't see much difference in the Amp compared to the Diablo, looking at the PCB Pictures. The power supply is bigger which should help a little. The "fix my 'can's" switches are back, batteries are easily replaceable, all of which is good. But boy they charge harder than the light brigade!

Not sure what "more juice" means, I always want more pulp in my OJ.

So my take, change the battery and:



Thor

 

[mw7485]

Big thanks and kudos to you!

Tomorrow I’ll try to do the same excercise.

So the remote works only with the bluetooth listening sessions?

Btw. Yesterday I tried to connect with my TV, but couldn’t hear anything. That’s strange because it connected and worked with my phone. And Gryphon did work with the same TV. Any advise?

I'm not sure that what I did was anything more than hitting it with a hammer until I got it working (metaphorically speaking)! I came back to it earlier today - and it wants to pair again! This time I'm ready for it, and remembered what I did to get it to work. But, I cannot believe this is the way iFI want it to work - makes no sense.

I seem to need activate bluetooth to get things connected - once connected, I can select another input source (which in my case is normally USB) and its "fine".

What is the input method for your TV?

 

[Jefecesti]

I'm not sure that what I did was anything more than hitting it with a hammer until I got it working (metaphorically speaking)! I came back to it earlier today - and it wants to pair again! This time I'm ready for it, and remembered what I did to get it to work. But, I cannot believe this is the way iFI want it to work - makes no sense.

I seem to need activate bluetooth to get things connected - once connected, I can select another input source (which in my case is normally USB) and its "fine".

What is the input method for your TV?

Thanks for the advise.

Bluetooth is the way to connect to TV.

 

[Jefecesti]

Couple of questions @iFi audio:

• When I'm using the Valkyrie in my work desk, should I use it with the power cord attached?
• Does it bypass the battery so that the battery won't be under charge all the time?
• And when I don't listen to it, can I let it be with the power cord attached like the other desktop gadgets?
• So basically may I use it like to the other desktop devices all the time power cord plugged in?

 

[chesebert]

Couple of questions @iFi audio:

• When I'm using the Valkyrie in my work desk, should I use it with the power cord attached?
• Does it bypass the battery so that the battery won't be under charge all the time?
• And when I don't listen to it, can I let it be with the power cord attached like the other desktop gadgets?
• So basically may I use it like to the other desktop devices all the time power cord plugged in?

My understanding is “no” for everything.

 

[Jefecesti]

My understanding is “no” for everything.

So, why the iPower X is included in the package?

https://www.silentpower.tech/products/ipowerx?_gl=1*1h1oege*_gcl_au*MTgyMzc4MjYzNi4xNzQ4NjQ2NDY4

 

[chesebert]

So, why the iPower X is included in the package?

https://www.silentpower.tech/products/ipowerx?_gl=1*1h1oege*_gcl_au*MTgyMzc4MjYzNi4xNzQ4NjQ2NDY4

Premium product? Need a fancy PSU to justify the price?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I think we may be overthinking what should and shouldn't be done.

Best battery practices apply to almost all situations meaning

You never wanna leave it charging all the time, The Valkyrie maintains the battery for many years of trouble free useage (by design)

As many have pointed out battery life between 20-80 is best practice.

My advice would be to fully charge it and use it plugged it (also your not telling us how long your workday is) so vague at best 8 hrs.

I use mine for three or four days in my work area then recharge

Neither of these scenarios are wrong.

Hope this helps as 1 person telling you what's best practice is not going to help you.

PS I still have a fully functional chargeable original iPad but I'm one person.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Premium product? Need a fancy PSU to justify the price?

Or trying to be nice to our high end customers!



Cheers!!

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

Hi,

I will answer this in a generic way.

• When I'm using the Valkyrie in my work desk, should I use it with the power cord attached?

Yes, because if you run on batteries you will cycle the batteries and reduce battery lifespan. This goes for ALL modern battery powered devices.

So all else equal running the device on external power avoids cycling the battery. Among the main causes of battery capacity reduction in modern lithium polymer batteries other than outright abuse is cycling the battery.

• Does it bypass the battery so that the battery won't be under charge all the time?

Since the early 00's there is a battery charging "standard" issued by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association). This standard defines recommend practice for battery safety.

Any battery charger solution (controller chip etc.) since has implemented JEITA in their products. One of the key directives of JEITA is to stop charging the battery once the charging current falls below a threshold of usually 0.1...0.02C.

That is, ANY JEITA COMPLIANT CHARGER "BYPASSES" THE BATTERY when the battery is full.

If external power remains connected this state is "latched" until the battery drops below the recharge threshold (usually 5% self discharge).

So for any modern battery powered device, using modern batteries and solutions and competently designed to follow the battery and charger IC datasheets the best course of preserving battery life is to power it externaly.

• And when I don't listen to it, can I let it be with the power cord attached like the other desktop gadgets?
• So basically may I use it like to the other desktop devices all the time power cord plugged in?

I stated above "competently designed".

This should be answered by iFi, by stating, with evidence, that their product operates according to the JEITA standard battery charging standard and if they use additional methods of battery life protection (such as I designed into the iDSD micro), what they are and how they are invoked.

Thor

 

[Dietmar Görtz]

Hi,

I am greatly reducing my hobby.
I have an unused Valkyrie and will be letting it go.
If anyone in Europe is interested please PM me.

Best
Dietmar

 

[Assationater]

I have an unused Valkyrie and will be letting it go.

Unused? damn, atleast give it a whirl XD