iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread
Mar 29, 2017 at 4:02 PM Post #1,666 of 3,449
Pardon my lack of knowledge, but is iCan pro (and proposed spec. for iDSD Pro) pure class A amplification.

I have an older iDSD which is A/B.

Thanks.


Basically. Only low impedance headphones at very high levels are Class A/B.

But the overwhelming majority of headphones will be juiced in Class A.
 
Mar 29, 2017 at 4:06 PM Post #1,667 of 3,449
Basically. Only low impedance headphones at very high levels are Class A/B.

But the overwhelming majority of headphones will be juiced in Class A.

So if I understand correctly, the amp is A/B but runs in A the majority of the time?
 
Mar 31, 2017 at 4:21 AM Post #1,668 of 3,449
  So if I understand correctly, the amp is A/B but runs in A the majority of the time?

 
Any modern so-called class A amplifier using solid state push-pull output stages is technically speaking class A/B once the load becomes low enough at high enough output voltage.
 
On the iCAN Pro for example, peak output current in class A is around 150mA. After that the output stage leaves class A. 
 
This means for 5V signals class A is maintained for loads greater than around 33 ohm. For 10V signals, the load impedance where the output stage remains in class A if around 66 ohms and for 20V signals the output stage remains in class A for loads greater than 133 Ohm.
 
In addition, around 5V is the output of the iDSD micro in "normal mode" and of the original iCAN micro, both of which can drive most headphones splendidly at those voltages.
 
As lower impedance headphones generally are much more sensitive and require much less voltage, it is likely fair to note that the iCAN Pro output stage is likely always in class A at the signals we expect to see with >99 % of all headphones at even deafening sound levels.
 
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Mar 31, 2017 at 1:47 PM Post #1,669 of 3,449

Very helpful, the clearest explanation I've seen. Appreciated.
 
Apr 8, 2017 at 5:02 PM Post #1,670 of 3,449
A rather worrying quote taken from the iDSD BL Tour thread:

So what happens now? Well, we certainly didn’t forget the big giveaway at the end! If you haven’t posted your review yet, make sure to do so! As a reminder, we will be giving away one iDSD BL to each of the participating region. Additionally, two other lucky individuals will get the chance at winning a Unique Melody Martian Universal IEM as well as a chance to spend 6 months with our long-awaited Pro iDSD before anyone else!


from this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-black-label-tour-details-page-147-release-info-page-153/2850#post_13404219

This seems to imply that the iDSD Pro won't be launched for at least another 6 months? :eek:
 
Apr 8, 2017 at 5:04 PM Post #1,671 of 3,449
A rather worrying quote taken from the iDSD BL Tour thread:

So what happens now? Well, we certainly didn’t forget the big giveaway at the end! If you haven’t posted your review yet, make sure to do so! As a reminder, we will be giving away one iDSD BL to each of the participating region. Additionally, two other lucky individuals will get the chance at winning a Unique Melody Martian Universal IEM as well as a chance to spend 6 months with our long-awaited Pro iDSD before anyone else!


from this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-black-label-tour-details-page-147-release-info-page-153/2850#post_13404219

This seems to imply that the iDSD Pro won't be launched for at least another 6 months? :eek:


One of the prizes for the contest is a loaner of the unit for 6 months. Pretty sure thats what they mean.
 
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:36 AM Post #1,672 of 3,449
A rather worrying quote taken from the iDSD BL Tour thread:

So what happens now? Well, we certainly didn’t forget the big giveaway at the end! If you haven’t posted your review yet, make sure to do so! As a reminder, we will be giving away one iDSD BL to each of the participating region. Additionally, two other lucky individuals will get the chance at winning a Unique Melody Martian Universal IEM as well as a chance to spend 6 months with our long-awaited Pro iDSD before anyone else!


from this post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-black-label-tour-details-page-147-release-info-page-153/2850#post_13404219

This seems to imply that the iDSD Pro won't be launched for at least another 6 months? :eek:


One of the prizes for the contest is a loaner of the unit for 6 months. Pretty sure thats what they mean.


Let's hope so. This thread has been running for over 3 years now and the iDSD Pro was already a functioning prototype when the thread started!
 
Apr 9, 2017 at 12:12 PM Post #1,673 of 3,449
Let's hope so. This thread has been running for over 3 years now and the iDSD Pro was already a functioning prototype when the thread started!


Seriously. More importantly, it better be light years ahead of its competition. The main selling point for me is the ability to be transportable with its small form factor as all in one solution.
 
Apr 9, 2017 at 1:14 PM Post #1,674 of 3,449
Depending on price. If you want transportable, a little more extra, there will be a Hugo 2. Which I am sure a class also of its own also.

For this, I am a wait and see attitude... If this will be good, I may go the iDSD + iCan Pro route to replace my current system.

There are many possibilities right now and on the horizon.
 
Apr 9, 2017 at 1:45 PM Post #1,675 of 3,449
Depending on price. If you want transportable, a little more extra, there will be a Hugo 2. Which I am sure a class also of its own also.

For this, I am a wait and see attitude... If this will be good, I may go the iDSD + iCan Pro route to replace my current system.

There are many possibilities right now and on the horizon.


I'm perfectly happy with my Holo spring like r2r dsd DAC, but that isn't moveable so I'll still get the idsd pro for transportability. I don't hear the Hugo 2 as any better than idsd BL.
 
Apr 10, 2017 at 9:23 AM Post #1,676 of 3,449
I'm perfectly happy with my Holo spring like r2r dsd DAC, but that isn't moveable so I'll still get the idsd pro for transportability. I don't hear the Hugo 2 as any better than idsd BL.


Have you heard Hugo 2?  I was curious about that...  But if it's not (in your opinion) much better than iDSD BL (which I really like!) I'll just stick with my BL!
 
Apr 10, 2017 at 12:09 PM Post #1,677 of 3,449
 
Have you heard Hugo 2?  I was curious about that...  But if it's not (in your opinion) much better than iDSD BL (which I really like!) I'll just stick with my BL!

Yes I have.  I know the hugo 2's amp section is supposedly pretty superior, but I wouldn't know. I only heard the Hugo 2 and iDSD BL in DAC only setup and using desktop AMP to quickly compare. Was listening in DSD512 only mode as well and the differences were pretty subtle to me.  So as an overall pkg, the Hugo2 may still be better if you use the amp section.  But for the price hugo 2 is charging, i'd very much wait for iDSD PRO.
 
Apr 11, 2017 at 2:19 PM Post #1,678 of 3,449
Has anyone peeked at the back-end of this lately? I'm wondering if there's both fixed output (RCA & balanced) and preamp outputs?
 
Apr 15, 2017 at 8:32 AM Post #1,679 of 3,449
wishful thinking  i want an amp that is solid state and then can with a switch be converted to a tube amp and also has 3d and bass boost and a high end dac
 
wow that would be amazing for a desktop amp
 
Apr 15, 2017 at 10:16 AM Post #1,680 of 3,449
And that I can use my stax headphones at the same time...
 

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