[iFi audio]

Would using the Roon Nucleus work with the iFi Pro iDSD?

Our app needs to be engaged in Windows. So if Roon Nucleus is based on this OS and our software can be enabled and set it in there, then it should work. Otherwise, nope.

 

[iFi audio]

Woohoooo! Our Pro iDSD won the Sound+Image 2020 award in the "DAC / HEADPHONE AMP OVER $1000" category. Yeah!

https://www.avhub.com.au/news/sound-image/sound-image-awards-2020-music-sources-534319

 

[dmk300]

Would using the Roon Nucleus work with the iFi Pro iDSD?

I use my Pro iDSD with a SonicTransporter i5 which is similar to the Nucleus. Here is my setup: SonicTransporter connected to router via ethernet. Sonore ultraRendu connected to router via ethernet. iDSD connected to ultraRendu via USB. Roon sees the ultraRendu as an endpoint and it all works just great. Controlled by iMac and I use an iPad as a remote. No problems at all. Hope this helps.

 

[gerb0075]

@iFi audio

I just received two iDSD Pro units a couple of weeks ago. Frankly, I am highly disappointed with the considerable amount of noise/hash/hiss that both units exhibit. After extensively analyzing every piece of my setup and researching the two Head-Fi forums, It is obvious to me that this noise emanates from within both of the iDSD Pros and is most likely due to a poor implementation of the WiFi subsystem.

I have never experienced any noise or interference with any of my other iFI products (iCan Pro, micro iDSD BL, Mercury 3.0 USB cable, iPurifier 2, iPurifier 3). I deliberately waited before purchasing my iDSD Pro to get a unit with the 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output AND in hopes that all of the bugs that had been reported by early adopters were resolved.

This noise is quite significant. I hear it from both the iDSD Pro’s headphone outputs when used standalone, as well as the iCan Pro’s headphone outs when fed by the iDSD Pro as a DAC. The noise is best described as an amalgamation of noise, hum, and hiss — whose character changes and is modulated when digital filters, DSD remastering, and input settings are adjusted. It also appears related to the OLED display, as the spectral content of the noise changes with graphical changes in the display while some of the noise disappears when the display is fully shut off. Regardless of what I do, there is always noticeable background noise even when both iDSD Pro units are just “idling” (i.e., no music is being played) and is present across all three (SS, Tube, Tube+) operational modes. The noise is present with multiple headphones, none of which are highly sensitive IEMs.

Ultimately, the situation is particularly disturbing — and ironic — given the years of development work and focus on noise reduction put forth by iFi on this TOTL product.

Do you have any suggestions for eliminating the noise? Is there more noise exhibited by the newer, 4.4mm units, versus the older 2.5mm units? I have really loved my iFI products up to this point and greatly appreciate your contribution toward elevating the head-fi experience over these past several years.

@iFi audio

A quick update regarding my noise issue. I’m happy to report that 90 percent or so of the noise has disappeared after allowing one of the iDSD Pro units to sit a few days disconnected from the mains power, then attaching the wifi aerial to the wifi terminal on the rear of the unit. After reconnecting to the mains, most of the noise I had previously experienced is no longer present.

I had initially assumed that connecting the wifi antenna would increase noise, but it seems that it may have reduced it. In any event, I will report back should the noise resurface or if I gain any further insight.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio

A quick update regarding my noise issue. I’m happy to report that 90 percent or so of the noise has disappeared after allowing one of the iDSD Pro units to sit a few days disconnected from the mains power, then attaching the wifi aerial to the wifi terminal on the rear of the unit. After reconnecting to the mains, most of the noise I had previously experienced is no longer present.

I had initially assumed that connecting the wifi antenna would increase noise, but it seems that it may have reduced it. In any event, I will report back should the noise resurface or if I gain any further insight.

Thanks for this feedback. If something unexpected and not pleasant happens, please don't hesitate and let us know! Thanks!

 

[gerb0075]

I just recived very good linear PSU for my IFI combo and results is great, sound is more dynamic, better detali, more air, blacker background.

What linear PSU did you purchase? Thanks.

 

[vonBaron]

I didin't purchase it, just loan but it's worth buying.
Its form my local audio manufacture https://www.lucartoaudio.pl/produkty/Zasilacz-liniowy-mocy-LPS

 

[jacofman]

How can you tell which version of the iFi firmware your iFi Pro iDSD is using?

 

[Dr. Udo Brömme]

I have an iDsd / iCan pro combo and an Amp with Speakers connected to the iCan. They are wired via Xlr cabels.

Can I set the iDsd to Pro (fixed) mode? Does the iCan decetects that automatically? And does this affect the connected speakeramplifier?

Happy New Year
Udo

 

[iFi audio]

I have an iDsd / iCan pro combo and an Amp with Speakers connected to the iCan. They are wired via Xlr cabels.

Can I set the iDsd to Pro (fixed) mode? Does the iCan decetects that automatically? And does this affect the connected speakeramplifier?

Happy New Year
Udo

Yup, iDSD should be set to fixed to bypass its volume control. But let us ask you about your amp and speakers?

 

[Dr. Udo Brömme]

Right now it is set to hifi (fixed), but I have read that pro should sound better.

I am not sure if the iCan pro passes the 11,2 V to my advance paris bx1 amp. Or should I leave the iDsd in hifi mode?

 

[jacofman]

I’d still appreciate an answer to my question:

“How can you tell which version of the iFi firmware your iFi Pro iDSD is using?”

Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

I’d still appreciate an answer to my question:

“How can you tell which version of the iFi firmware your iFi Pro iDSD is using?”

Thanks!

Have you seen this page?

https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Right now it is set to hifi (fixed), but I have read that pro should sound better.

I am not sure if the iCan pro passes the 11,2 V to my advance paris bx1 amp. Or should I leave the iDsd in hifi mode?

Ideally you'd want to connect your amp directly to Pro iDSD and regulate its volume via Pro iDSD. In this scenario you'd have to set your iDSD's outputs as 'hifi variable'. The goal here is to have as short signal path as possible. Since you don't need Pro iCAN for your amps, Pro iDSD to your amp is what we'd suggest.

But if you'd like to have Pro iDSD and Pro iCAN connected all the time and still be able to use your bx1 amp, then on your Pro iDSD you need to disengage its volume control (set the rear knob on hifi fixed). Now your Pro iDSD will send signal to your Pro iCAN's balanced inputs. Then you go from your Pro iCAN's balanced outputs to your amp.

TL;DR:

• your amp connected to Pro iDSD = hifi variable
• your amp connected to Pro iCAN and Pro iDSD = Pro iCAN in 'hifi variable' mode, Pro iDSD in 'hifi fixed' mode.

 

[jacofman]

Have you seen this page?

https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Thanks for getting back to me. If I’m not mistaken, this just offers you the opportunity to download and install the latest firmware as of October, 2019. I have in fact installed that firmware version—I think. This is the point of my question. I’d like to see if my installation took hold. Otherwise, I just have to assume the installation was successful. Any way to visually verify your current firmware version? Thanks in advance.

 

[xiamen]

Just start the firmware update program again (just start it, don't run it). The first screen shows you the current version. You can then exit without running the update again.