iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread

[Esprit]

See pg.59 where I compiled all of the iDSD Pro data onto one page. The Pro is DSD512

Well: the alert was subsequently called off. Pfiuuuuuu...

 

[analogsurviver]

  I'm listening now, using HQPlayer (you can download the trial), all my PCM files: PCM 44,1 upconverted to DSD128 (Mytek DSD 192, Yulong DA8, Yulong DA 8 II, Yulong D200, Yulong U200 onlly to DSD64).
For me it is a great pleasure to listen in this way
 
About the Teac 503:
DSD Up-conversion function using a custom chip

Using an FPGA (programmable IC) of our own design that utilizes a fluency algorithm to smoothly augment digital audio signals, in addition to the 2x, 4x and 8x upconversion of PCM digital signals, DSD up conversion is also supported. Using this, you can easily experience the dense sense of air that DSD files have even when listening to CDs from your collection. 
You can up-convert 44.1kHz/16-bit audio files ripped from CDs up to 11.2MHz DSD format files, which have about 256 times the amount of data as the original CD files. 48kHz PCM audio files can be played back in 12.2MHz DSD format.



http://www.teac.com/product/ud-503/

 
 

 

  I'm listening now, using HQPlayer (you can download the trial), all my PCM files: PCM 44,1 upconverted to DSD128 (Mytek DSD 192, Yulong DA8, Yulong DA 8 II, Yulong D200, Yulong U200 onlly to DSD64).
For me it is a great pleasure to listen in this way
 
About the Teac 503:
DSD Up-conversion function using a custom chip

Using an FPGA (programmable IC) of our own design that utilizes a fluency algorithm to smoothly augment digital audio signals, in addition to the 2x, 4x and 8x upconversion of PCM digital signals, DSD up conversion is also supported. Using this, you can easily experience the dense sense of air that DSD files have even when listening to CDs from your collection. 
You can up-convert 44.1kHz/16-bit audio files ripped from CDs up to 11.2MHz DSD format files, which have about 256 times the amount of data as the original CD files. 48kHz PCM audio files can be played back in 12.2MHz DSD format.



http://www.teac.com/product/ud-503/

 
 

I am a firm supporter and advicate of DSD and record most of my recordings in it. But seeing claims that DSD contains  up to 256x more data than CD is not just sugar coating, it is downright misleading. I would have expected some more honesty from the likes of TEAC. This undermines the credibility of up to now highly regarded manufacturer in my eyes.
 
DSD is 1 bit system, PCM is multibit - and even CD has 44.1 kHz times 16 bit data - not times 1bit; what it would have had according to the above totally false and misleading claim. 

 

[Esprit]

For more on why iFi won't be transcoding on the iDSD Pro, read this post:

I've read but, I could be wrong, It seems to me different regarding what I've asked (and the Teac does...) 

 

[Esprit]

I am a firm supporter and advicate of DSD and record most of my recordings in it. But seeing claims that DSD contains  up to 256x more data than CD is not just sugar coating, it is downright misleading. I would have expected some more honesty from the likes of TEAC. This undermines the credibility of up to now highly regarded manufacturer in my eyes.

You are right about these statements, it's marketing...

 

[EVOLVIST]

I know we're still veering off topic, since everyone is (and should be) all about the iFi iDSD Pro DAC in here, but I've managed to convert PCM to DSD128 using JRMC 18.
 
Load your track. Go to TOOLS in the top menu. A dropdown list appears. Select ADVANCED TOOLS. Select CONVERT FORMAT.
 
Now in the navigation tree on the right of the JRMC software, at the bottom, you'll see many different ways to convert files. DSD is one of them, up to 128.
 
I haven't heard a track yet, though. I'll have to wait until I'm home to try the ear test.
 
So, @iFi, is the iDSD Pro still in the hangar?

 

[analogsurviver]

  You are right about these statements, it's marketing...

Marketing is usually limited to sugar coating, this exceeds it by far too much. It is plain misleading.
 
There is any number lovers of RBCD out there, the last thing DSD needs is shooting itself in the foot  in such a way...

 

[Haris Javed]

   
Hi,
 
- How much will the desktop pro version cost in the US?
We expect ~US$2,000
 
- You state that the Desktop version is rated at 16OHM and 3W - is this XLR or Single ended?
Single-ended.
 
- Can you make the unit pump out more power? maybe 5W @ 50 OHMS
As a result of being SE output voltage is up to 10V into headphones. So with a 50 Ohm headphone this is 2 Watt. Even with quite inefficient headphones this is a very large amount of power. Power is nice but it is isnt everything.
 
​- Can you offer a Black version with the White IFI logo?
Sorry no. Will be dark titanium or dark titanium. The iFi logo will change colour (white/orange) based upon whether Solid-State or Tube circuit is engaged.
 
- If the Unit is a DAC / AMP combo, can you please change the goofy USB extender connector cable?
No extender cable. It is a USB 'B' type port. The micro iDSD's USB 'A' male is for CCK/OTG type connections as it was designed to be portable and desktop use.
 
Cheers.

Thank you
 
My ocd is not happy about the color  
 

 
Thank you

 

[EVOLVIST]

Thank you

My ocd is not happy about the color  




Thank you

Paint it Black.

 

[iFi audio]

Join the force.......head over to our competition for a chance to win some iFi goodies and get the latest on the iCan SE Micro!
 
Thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/790869/ican-micro-se-intergalactic-launch-competition

 

[bmoura]

  After waiting all this time the only thing I hope is that, as the Mytek, the Teac, the Antelope and new other DACs, the iDSD Pro can do HARDWARE upsampling from PCM to DSD128/256 and from DSD64 to DSD128/256. At that point, the Pro will be a "must have"

I'm surprised that more DACs don't offer hardware upsampling to DSD 128 and DSD 256. 
I have DSD 128 upsampling on the Sony HAP-Z1ES and use it all the time with PCM files.

 

[bmoura]

I mean, if it can be done by just anyone, why buy obvious up converted DSD files from vendors?

Yes, you can focus on DSD 64, DSD 128 and DSD 256 files vs. converted PCM files.
Over on Native DSD, they specifically don't offer PCM to DSD files.
https://www.nativedsd.com/homepage/quad_dsd_music
https://www.nativedsd.com/homepage/double_dsd_music

 

[bmoura]

Yep - got those on my iDSD pro - which I would still categorize as one of the all-time greatest hi-fi products for the money.  They help a little sometimes - it depends.  

Congratulations on being an early beta tester of the iDSD Pro.
Must be very exciting!

 

[EVOLVIST]

  Yes, you can focus on DSD 64, DSD 128 and DSD 256 files vs. converted PCM files.
Over on Native DSD, they specifically don't offer PCM to DSD files.
https://www.nativedsd.com/homepage/quad_dsd_music
https://www.nativedsd.com/homepage/double_dsd_music

 
Right. But that is just a very small niche. I've purchased recordings from them, and they are beautiful. Still, outside of very small labels and groups, there is not much Native DSD out there.
 
In short, you find Frank Sinatra, Alan Parsons, Aerosmith, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, and on and on in DSD, but to the best of my knowledge they are up-converting just as I am. Now, there are some DSD files of older music that are remastered especially for DSD and/or SACD (which a lot of DSF files are pulled from), and that's really cool! That's probably the best you'll ever get for older recordings.
 
Otherwise, I can do the up-converting, myself, which doesn't mean that I'm imparting some sort of extra sonic quality by doing so. It only means that I'm able to use iFi's excellent Extended analog filter to enjoy my music (which is pleasing in its own right - but that's as far as it goes).
 
In closing, what super popular act today, has released a brand new album in DSD? To the best of my knowledge, none. Hell, the truth is, the probability of that happening is so super small, because most popular artists are still brickwalling the piss out of their albums. Even the good guys (Tom Petty, Neil Young, Jack White <insert any jazz or country great here>) are just now getting around to the 24/196 thing.
 
I just converted the Sgt. Peppers album to DSF 64, and I listen with my iFi filter. It shimmers! It sounds lovely. Thanks to iFi for that filter. It's not native DSD, or course, but it least it offers another perspective you're not going to get from any other DAC.

 

[bmoura]

   
Right. But that is just a very small niche. I've purchased recordings from them, and they are beautiful. Still, outside of very small labels and groups, there is not much Native DSD out there.
 
In short, you find Frank Sinatra, Alan Parsons, Aerosmith, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, and on and on in DSD, but to the best of my knowledge they are up-converting just as I am. Now, there are some DSD files of older music that are remastered especially for DSD and/or SACD (which a lot of DSF files are pulled from), and that's really cool! That's probably the best you'll ever get for older recordings.
 

If you're into Elvis, check out his Stereo '57 album on DSD Download at Acoustic Sounds.  Transferred from Stereo Analog Master Tape to DSD.  Amazing.
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94709/Elvis_Presley-Stereo_57_Essential_Elvis_Volume_2-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download
 
As to conversions from PCM to DSD, the quality depends on the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) you are using.
It's pretty likely that the converters used by the mastering and transfer engineers are more accurate and of higher sonic quality than what a music listener at home would own.

 

[MikeyFresh]

  If you're into Elvis, check out his Stereo '57 album on DSD Download at Acoustic Sounds.  Transferred from Stereo Analog Master Tape to DSD.  Amazing.
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94709/Elvis_Presley-Stereo_57_Essential_Elvis_Volume_2-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download
 
As to conversions from PCM to DSD, the quality depends on the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) you are using.
It's pretty likely that the converters used by the mastering and transfer engineers are more accurate and of higher sonic quality than what a music listener at home would own.

PCM to DSD conversion does not make use of an ADC, the conversion happens solely in the digital domain.
 
The ADC comes into use on the original transfer from analog tape, whether that transfer is to PCM or DSD, but no ADC is used for PCM to DSD conversion or vice versa excepting rare cases with very early digital recordings where there is no analog tape. The early 16 bit digital recordings are sometimes first output as analog, then that analog output is recaptured in hi-rez (PCM or DSD) by an ADC. The stellar Dire Straits Brothers In Arms import SACD was done that way.