[Sphere 57]

I regret that i didn’t provide context for my question.

I was not asking why a linear power supply in general would be worth $640. I own a similarly-priced Keces P8 linear power supply that works quite well with my iDSD.

I’m asking what makes this MCRU power supply, the first I’ve seen that specifically states it’s designed to work with the iDSD, worth its price in comparison to other manufactured linear power supplies. In my case, I wonder if this particular power supply would improve the sound beyond the power supply i already use?

There are other customized power supplies for other audio gear on the MCRU website that lack details about how they are designed to improve the gear they were for. It seems to me that information would be a selling point.

Or to put it more cynically, who’s to say they’re not just rebranding their general linear power supplies without any customization?

I do not mean to disparage this company in particular, but the general lack of information set off my “unsubstantiated Audiophile claims” spidey sense.

As you suggest, I could certainly call MCRU and get more details, but as a casual shopper in these days of online-only audio products, I prefer to get those details up front.

This company makes no secret of the fact that they are marketing a few different power supplies in several different ways. If you click on the descriptions you often find this to be obvious, for instance in the details of a PSU for a Chord DAC they say 'here is a review of the same supply used with an Arcam DAC'.

They also list power supplies with no specified partnering equipment, you can specify them as you want, including options for sockets, fuses and cables.

Many customers will not know what their voltage or current requirements are, or size of barrel connector, center negative or positive. I don't smell any BS here, they are just making it easier for people to buy what they need without doing any research.

I do agree that they could be more specific about which of their upgrade options you are getting for your money.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Ifi has a nice power cleaning circuit on board, no need. Chord stuff- probably.

 

[iFi audio]

Ifi has a nice power cleaning circuit on board, no need.

The circuit inside Pro iDSD that powers everything includes multiple rectifiers, choke input capacitors and LDOs with local LC filters for stabilization. In short, it's a power conditioner.

 

[dcguy73]

The circuit inside Pro iDSD that powers everything includes multiple rectifiers, choke input capacitors and LDOs with local LC filters for stabilization. In short, it's a power conditioner.

Well, I live in an older apartment building that has crappy, noisy power and occasional brownouts. No way to isolate anything. The best quality listening sessions I've had happen late at night when my neighbors are asleep. Is it just confirmation bias that the iDSD sounds better to me through my regulated linear supply rather than straight from the wall?

 

[iFi audio]

Is it just confirmation bias that the iDSD sounds better to me through my regulated linear supply rather than straight from the wall?

If in your apartment Pro iDSD works better connected to a linear PSU than its standard brick, that's all there is to know. Since Pro iDSD's release we got extensive feedback on how beneficial LPSUs are for it, so there might be something in there.

 

[tushardas]

Hello @iFi audio, When I connect the iDSD directly to ROON N+ using USB, the maximum DSD Sample is 512, but I Understand iDSD can do 1024, am I missing any config to set it up?

 

[Sphere 57]

Hello @iFi audio, When I connect the iDSD directly to ROON N+ using USB, the maximum DSD Sample is 512, but I Understand iDSD can do 1024, am I missing any config to set it up?

As I understand it, iDSD Pro can upsample to 1024, but 512 is the maximum input

 

[tushardas]

As I understand it, iDSD Pro can upsample to 1024, but 512 is the maximum input

Thank you.

 

[iFi audio]

As I understand it, iDSD Pro can upsample to 1024, but 512 is the maximum input

That's correct, DSD1024 upsampling is done in Pro iDSD's circuit.

 

[tushardas]

Hello @iFi audio,

I'm getting continuous click sound from iFi Pro iDSD, if I plug in the 2.5 mm headphone jack the click sound stops. I'm using the iDSD as a DAC and feeding my XLR O/P to KEF active speakers. There is no output from my XLR, but I'm getting output from my 2.5 mm Jack.

PS:- After I did a restart by disconnecting the power, the output is now oscillating between XLR & 2.5mm, I guess since the music from XLR comes in an interval in sync with the click sound. If I plug in the 2.5 mm headphone jack the click sound stops and I have O/P from 2.5 mm Jack. If I remove the jack from 2.5mm the oscillation starts along with the click sound.

Can you please help me here. I have raised a ticket with iFi Support.

Regards,
Tushar.

 

[tushardas]

Hello @iFi audio,

I'm getting continuous click sound from iFi Pro iDSD, if I plug in the 2.5 mm headphone jack the click sound stops. I'm using the iDSD as a DAC and feeding my XLR O/P to KEF active speakers. There is no output from my XLR, but I'm getting output from my 2.5 mm Jack.

PS:- After I did a restart by disconnecting the power, the output is now oscillating between XLR & 2.5mm, I guess since the music from XLR comes in an interval in sync with the click sound. If I plug in the 2.5 mm headphone jack the click sound stops and I have O/P from 2.5 mm Jack. If I remove the jack from 2.5mm the oscillation starts along with the click sound.

Can you please help me here. I have raised a ticket with iFi Support.

Regards,
Tushar.

@iFi audio issue resolved..

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio issue resolved..

Whoa, that was fast. What was the issue if I may ask ?

 

[tushardas]

Whoa, that was fast. What was the issue if I may ask ?

@iFi audio I opened the iDSD tapped few things..cleaned the dust, I could see. Last time to replace the tubes with WE, I opened it from the front, this time I opened it from the rear; and so, was able to set any stuff that may have been loose. I switched it ON and voila! back to normal.. I feel the sound is much better now..

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio I opened the iDSD tapped few things..cleaned the dust, I could see. Last time to replace the tubes with WE, I opened it from the front, this time I opened it from the rear; and so, was able to set any stuff that may have been loose. I switched it ON and voila! back to normal.. I feel the sound is much better now..

That's as odd as it's mysterious, but if it works, it works

 

[tushardas]

That's as odd as it's mysterious, but if it works, it works

@iFi audio Does the XLR & RCA outputs of iFi Pro iDSD work simultaneously?