iFi Audio Pro iDSD discussion thread

[deanorthk]

I have tried m iDSD pro signature on my hifi setup, so both connected through USB (ifi audio cable) and to my surprise, via the software bridge that worked on my Roon server (it never have worked on my gaming rig). So I had the chance to try both solutions, and a direct comparison to my hifi dac, a mytek brooklyn bridge, that is natively roon endpoint.
The iDSD sounded better via ethernet, that's a clear point.
It sounded very different than the mytek, I shall say, smoother.
Sound stage was better, with more depth, but not as wide as with the Mytek. At same volume level, the iDSD music volume is lower compared to the Mytek.
It's a different music experience, enjoyable for sure, but I prefer my iDSD as a headphone dac/amp
I just have to ask, because....because.... ifi Audio R&D team are still working on a possible firmware upgrade to make it roon ready/endpoint?

 

[iFi audio]

It sounded very different than the mytek, I shall say, smoother.

Thanks for noticing this, we've been getting a lot of feedback about Pro iDSD's smoothness in gnereal!

I just have to ask, because....because.... ifi Audio R&D team are still working on a possible firmware upgrade to make it roon ready/endpoint?

I'm not sure whether Pro iDSD can be turned into a Roon Endpoint device, but our R&D still investigates how to make that possible. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, if you were now to redesign our Pro iDSD, which features would you add and remove? Asking out of curiosity

 

[deanorthk]

add :
- auto sleeping mode/auto awakening mode if signal received
- roon ready (cough cough)

remove :
- USB 3 input. This is maybe nice but make third party cables testing hard. And you all know how crazy we music lovers are when it comes to test out câbles (hello @Forza audio)

 

[iFi audio]

- auto sleeping mode/auto awakening mode if signal received
- roon ready (cough cough)

Roger that, these are fair requests!

USB 3 input. This is maybe nice but make third party cables testing hard.

I'm not sure if I understand correctly what you mean, but USB3.0 it's the same socket as USB2.0 + some extras in its upper part, which doesn't affect USB2.0 plugs as far as I'm aware?

 

[deanorthk]

Roger that, these are fair requests!



I'm not sure if I understand correctly what you mean, but USB3.0 it's the same socket as USB2.0 + some extras in its upper part, which doesn't affect USB2.0 plugs as far as I'm aware?

-> there, i'm a noob, never though that plug could accept USB2.0 input. I'm going to dig a hole and hide my shame there, brb

 

[iFi audio]

-> there, i'm a noob, never though that plug could accept USB2.0 input. I'm going to dig a hole and hide my shame there, brb

It's all good, really! And yes, USB3.0 sockets work retroactively with older gen. plugs no probs!

 

[JaquesGelee]

Folks, if you were now to redesign our Pro iDSD, which features would you add and remove? Asking out of curiosity

Sure,

- better streaming section
- DLNA/ UPNP from the beginning (MUZO was a desaster)
- SDCard/ USB subsystem/ wifi module improvement or remove
- better display
- most important: better support for TOTL lineup

Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

- better streaming section
- DLNA/ UPNP from the beginning (MUZO was a desaster)
- SDCard/ USB subsystem/ wifi module improvement or remove

Roger that!

- better display

If I may ask, in what sense? Higher resolution? Colors?

better support for TOTL lineup

Can you elaborate?

Thanks!

 

[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....)

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!!

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!!!

So I got the new tubes I inserted them in the iDSD in no time (I am an expert by now) - and everything worked perfectly. Haven't gotten down to detailed comparisons, byt first impression is wow, they are definitely a step up from the stock GE tubes.

The strange thing about the first pair of WE I got from TAD, is that they reported back "Tubes have been checked, no fault was detected. Exchange under goodwill"

Anyway, fine service and I am happy now

 

[dericchan1]

So I got the new tubes I inserted them in the iDSD in no time (I am an expert by now) - and everything worked perfectly. Haven't gotten down to detailed comparisons, byt first impression is wow, they are definitely a step up from the stock GE tubes.

The strange thing about the first pair of WE I got from TAD, is that they reported back "Tubes have been checked, no fault was detected. Exchange under goodwill"

Anyway, fine service and I am happy now

Glad to know everything work out for you and great service from TAD. "WOW" was my first impression as well since I felt the stock GE tubes were pretty bad sounding that I didn't bother to use the tube mode much. Ever since I swapped in the WE396A, I have not used the solid state mode for 2-3 weeks now!!!

 

[iFi audio]

Anyway, fine service and I am happy now

That's awesome to hear that now everything works great. Enjoy and thanks for the update!

 

[TooFrank]

Glad to know everything work out for you and great service from TAD. "WOW" was my first impression as well since I felt the stock GE tubes were pretty bad sounding that I didn't bother to use the tube mode much. Ever since I swapped in the WE396A, I have not used the solid state mode for 2-3 weeks now!!!

It will probably be the same for me now. I have 2 amps: iCAN and V222, so many new options. But I think the iDSD now will stay in Tube+ mode

 

[iFi audio]

But I think the iDSD now will stay in Tube+ mode

My man

 

[deanorthk]

So I got the new tubes I inserted them in the iDSD in no time (I am an expert by now) - and everything worked perfectly. Haven't gotten down to detailed comparisons, byt first impression is wow, they are definitely a step up from the stock GE tubes.

The strange thing about the first pair of WE I got from TAD, is that they reported back "Tubes have been checked, no fault was detected. Exchange under goodwill"

Anyway, fine service and I am happy now

I think I'm going to do the same test as you did. I haven't searched the TAD site yet, but if you have posted the ref of those babies.. I'll find them