I think that if the iDSD Pro is to be a flagship product, the functionality of the iUSB3.0 must be built in.
What kind of flagship product requires the addition of a $400 widget to make it sound like a flagship?
People who bought the Retro Stereo 50 must already be mildly annoyed at the idea that it can be improved by adding an external widget. It's supposed to be an all-in-one so basically it's out of date already.
Very soon now most other DAC manufacturers will be adding this new USB technology to their products, just as they all added 'asynchronous' operation to replace the greatly inferior 'adaptive' mode.
Hi,
Interesting points raised but we respectfully beg to differ, albeit slightly.
- I think that if the iDSD Pro is to be a flagship product, the functionality of the iUSB3.0 must be built in.
What kind of flagship product requires the addition of a $400 widget to make it sound like a flagship?
Please bear with us but adding the "iUSB 3 Technology" makes only sense for DACs that are:
1) USB Powered (for any function) - which includes many notionally self-powered, high-end DACs even ones that cost US$10k (see upcoming RMAF for ones that use the iUSB3.0).
2) Lack galvanic isolation (so noise from the USB circuitry can enter the actual DAC/Clock DAC) - which is most DACs out there
3) Have the clock system for Audio on the "dirty USB Side" rather than the "clean DAC Side" in terms of PCB Layout - again, most DACs out there are affected as USB Chip application notes invariably show the audio clocks on the same sheet as the USB Chip.
We hope this sheds more light on what/who the micro iUSB3.0 is aimed at.
This does not apply to the Pro iDSD. The iDSD Pro will have galvanic isolation and is fully self-powered. So the iUSB3.0 will not help much if any. Few DACs do this at any price. And to answer the next likely question, we have not snipped a trace to get galvanic isolation.
- People who bought the Retro Stereo 50 must already be mildly annoyed at the idea that it can be improved by adding an external widget. It's supposed to be an all-in-one so basically it's out of date already.
Its priorites are in a different direction for a different customer base. The Retro has tube amp, DAC, phono stage and headamp all under one chassis and comes with speakers. And the fact that it handles DSD512 means it is quite future-prooofed.
The $400 iUSB Power* is for all iFi and non-iFi products. It improves the sound of US$10k DACs that use a USB connection see at RMAF for example. So yes it wll improve the Retro too.
- Very soon now most other DAC manufacturers will be adding this new USB technology to their products, just as they all added 'asynchronous' operation to replace the greatly inferior 'adaptive' mode.
We accept other manufactures will cotton on - such is life and the nature of free-markets. But fear not. As we originally designed this stuff, we will continue to push the envelope while at the same time, trying to maintain the
same backwards and forwards modularity for iFi and non-iFi products. eg ANC was developed by AMR for its future products - but it has been trickled-down to the iDAC2 and iUSB3.0.
However, if you are referring specifically to "re-driving USB Inputs," this normally does not make much sense for inclusion in a DAC, as it does not remove the problem from
inside the DAC.
If you place these electronics inside the DAC and power them on the same groundplane and with the same PSU as the USB Chip you have put the whole problem
back into the DAC.
If you then start separating power supplies etc. et al until you have a situation similar to the iUSB 3 you are looking at major effort, which can be completely avoided by providing galvanic isolation and placing the clocks and other noise sensitive items on the "qiuet side."
Because Bits are truly just Bits. As long as the USB circuitry spits out the right bits and cannot effect any clocks, power supplies etc. and as long as correct impedance USB Cables are used the USB System is quite "tweak proof" which is what we have done as much as we can across the board.
Cheers.
