iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread

[iFi audio]

Thanks - just did check. Couldn't wait until tomorrow. First I swapped left and right WE, still glowing, but no sound. Then I replaced them with the GEs - and it works as usual - phew. Thought I might have damaged something. Conclusion: the WEs seem to be faulty and I will have to contact TAD....

From this I gather that these WE tubes are at fault indeed. I'm sorry to hear that still, these are great tubes.

 

[TooFrank]

Called TAD today and they said I should return them for their testing. I was asked whether I knew if the WE tubes were "fit" for my amp. And I just confirmed that according to iFi they should work fine with the Pro iDSD. So the tubes will go back tonight... To be continued (upside: by now I know how to disassemble my Pro iDSD....)

 

[dericchan1]

Called TAD today and they said I should return them for their testing. I was asked whether I knew if the WE tubes were "fit" for my amp. And I just confirmed that according to iFi they should work fine with the Pro iDSD. So the tubes will go back tonight... To be continued (upside: by now I know how to disassemble my Pro iDSD....)

Please keep us in the loop on how this goes.

There are many of us who had swapped the tubes and they work fine and ifi also confirmed they are the right tube replacement!!

 

[dericchan1]

Hi everyone, yes, I have to admit I am a complete newbie to headphones and yet I am here on head-fi. I figure perhaps I should dive in for a pair of headphones to be used with the Pro IDSD DAC hp amp. Any recommendation for a starter that you are aware that will work well with the Pro IDSD DAC hp amp?

Thanks

Deric

 

[TooFrank]

Hi everyone, yes, I have to admit I am a complete newbie to headphones and yet I am here on head-fi. I figure perhaps I should dive in for a pair of headphones to be used with the Pro IDSD DAC hp amp. Any recommendation for a starter that you are aware that will work well with the Pro IDSD DAC hp amp?

Thanks

Deric

FWIW: While I am waiting for the new WE tubes (I hope), I can share with you, that I - while not being an audiophile - enjoy good sound quality. Please note, that this is of course my very subjective opinion/experience. Will not try to lure you in the very deep rabbit hole of HPs . However, before the Pro iDSD, I have had a couple of other DACs, but based on very good reviews, I went for the iDSD 2.5 years ago. Initially, I only used this (i.e. no external amp) with mainly Grado headphones. They are open HPs, very easy to drive and are very good with a lot of genres. Not so long ago, I got a very favorable offer and bought a 2nd hand Pro iCAN. Of course, they are meant for each other, but it allowed me also to try experimenting with the balanced out and I bough XLR cables for the HD650, Focal Stellia and Arya V2. I think dependent on the choice of headphones, you may find that an external amp will add to the listening experience. Powerwise, I think the iDSD will drive most HPs and now when you successfully have swapped tubes, I guess, there is lots of room for experimenting. It is really a nice DAC.

 

[dericchan1]

FWIW: While I am waiting for the new WE tubes (I hope), I can share with you, that I - while not being an audiophile - enjoy good sound quality. Please note, that this is of course my very subjective opinion/experience. Will not try to lure you in the very deep rabbit hole of HPs . However, before the Pro iDSD, I have had a couple of other DACs, but based on very good reviews, I went for the iDSD 2.5 years ago. Initially, I only used this (i.e. no external amp) with mainly Grado headphones. They are open HPs, very easy to drive and are very good with a lot of genres. Not so long ago, I got a very favorable offer and bought a 2nd hand Pro iCAN. Of course, they are meant for each other, but it allowed me also to try experimenting with the balanced out and I bough XLR cables for the HD650, Focal Stellia and Arya V2. I think dependent on the choice of headphones, you may find that an external amp will add to the listening experience. Powerwise, I think the iDSD will drive most HPs and now when you successfully have swapped tubes, I guess, there is lots of room for experimenting. It is really a nice DAC.

Thanks TooFrank. I have the Pro iDSD 2.5mm balance out version, so with an adapter shouldn't I be able do balanced out to headphones ?

 

[TooFrank]

Thanks TooFrank. I have the Pro iDSD 2.5mm balance out version, so with an adapter shouldn't I be able do balanced out to headphones ?

AFAIK you cannot do balanced out, if the HPs are not terminated as balanced. So in that case I think you need to buy a new cable. Unfortunately, not all HPs have detachable cables (Grado's definitely not), but I know that some members on Headfi have got such HPs re-terminated to balanced. However, balanced is not the holy grail. It will add more power basically.....

 

[dericchan1]

AFAIK you cannot do balanced out, if the HPs are not terminated as balanced. So in that case I think you need to buy a new cable. Unfortunately, not all HPs have detachable cables (Grado's definitely not), but I know that some members on Headfi have got such HPs re-terminated to balanced. However, balanced is not the holy grail. It will add more power basically.....

I was actually looking at something like a HD600 as a starter (seeing that they are on sale for about $400 CAD) but have not done much more researches on other headphones...

 

[iFi audio]

Called TAD today and they said I should return them for their testing. I was asked whether I knew if the WE tubes were "fit" for my amp. And I just confirmed that according to iFi they should work fine with the Pro iDSD. So the tubes will go back tonight... To be continued (upside: by now I know how to disassemble my Pro iDSD....)

I assume that folks at TAD will confirm that your WE set was off, but by all means please keep us updated, thanks!

 

[dericchan1]

I assume that folks at TAD will confirm that your WE set was off, but by all means please keep us updated, thanks!

I think fortunately the tubes were bought from a reputable company like TAD and will no doubt take care of you in odd cases like that. I can't imagine if you had bought these tubes on ebay and that happened!!!

 

[iFi audio]

a reputable company like TAD

Yep, their reputation is solid to say the least, so I'm sure that they'll handle @TooFrank without any issues

 

[TooFrank]

Yep, their reputation is solid to say the least, so I'm sure that they'll handle @TooFrank without any issues

Thanks - I am waiting in eager anticipation I had a fine phone call with TAD, so I am very optimistic. Will keep you updated

 

[TooFrank]

I was actually looking at something like a HD600 as a starter (seeing that they are on sale for about $400 CAD) but have not done much more researches on other headphones...

It is really difficult to advise without knowing music preferences. I have heard that the HD series really like tubes, so maybe your new WE's will do them good. My advice will always be to try to get a listening test - or if you can get an option to return.....For example, I like the HD650 (haven't heard the 600) and I find them really good for rock & roll, but I would never chose them for acoustic guitar.
Better stop this now - it is getting off thread

 

[dericchan1]

It is really difficult to advise without knowing music preferences. I have heard that the HD series really like tubes, so maybe your new WE's will do them good. My advice will always be to try to get a listening test - or if you can get an option to return.....For example, I like the HD650 (haven't heard the 600) and I find them really good for rock & roll, but I would never chose them for acoustic guitar.
Better stop this now - it is getting off thread

Thanks - not really getting off thread as we are on headphones for the PRO IDSD DAC hahaha

 

[iFi audio]

I was actually looking at something like a HD600 as a starter (seeing that they are on sale for about $400 CAD) but have not done much more researches on other headphones...

Senns HD600 are super-solid for their price and they also scale very well with amps.

Thanks - not really getting off thread as we are on headphones for the PRO IDSD DAC hahaha

It's okay, we don't mind