iFi audio Pro iDSD (Official) - NEW Firmware - MQA and more.

[iFi audio]

So if I understand corrrectly, the release date was delayed by a few months in order to have the 4.4mm headphone socket added. Now that the release date is upon us (supposedly), we are being told that it will only be ready to ship with the original 2.5mm output, and if there are customers who want the 4.4mm option, they will still have to wait a further 3 months (your 3 months of course being much longer than the rest of the world’s 3 months)

Where’s the logic in all this? Why couldn’t you have released the 2.5mm product back when you said you would (Not when you originally said you would of course, but the more recent of this year’s release dates...) and have 4.4mm hopefuls wait until now for their custom versions?

How to spin a yarn - very long one

This subject we've already explained one page earlier, please take a look here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-the-official-thread.869144/page-10#post-14264706

In short, we've adjusted to the real demand while staying faithful to our principle of giving people options. From our perspective there's a lot of logic in what we did.

Man if only I hadn’t just lost my job I really wanted to get this

Man, sorry to hear that. We keep our fingers crossed that you'll be in the game soon.

 

[Giraku]

I just got mine yesterday. Pairing with Audio Technica ATH-ADX5000, it sounds wonderful so far (with Tube+). I just started scratching the surface. This unit has tons of options to try. Also it needs some burning in (yes, I'm a believer).

I have a couple of questions to @iFi audio:
1. With wireless connection, using MUZO player, I could not get MQA streaming properly rendered (indicator stayed at 48kHz). When I connect to my MacBook Pro using Roon (ver. 1.5), the same MQA streaming got rendered as designed (e.g. 96kHz, etc.). How can I enable the MQA renderer for wireless streaming?
2. Right after playing with wifi connection, DSD upsampling started sound very noisy (with lots of white noise). I repeated turn off and on cycle for a couple of times but did not resolve the issue. After I completely disconnect from the AC outlet for more than 3 minutes and turned on again, finally the noise is gone and everything got back to normal. So far I could not reproduce this problem. Is this a known software issue? Or did I get a defective one (potentially)?

 

[iFi audio]

1. With wireless connection, using MUZO player, I could not get MQA streaming properly rendered (indicator stayed at 48kHz). When I connect to my MacBook Pro using Roon (ver. 1.5), the same MQA streaming got rendered as designed (e.g. 96kHz, etc.). How can I enable the MQA renderer for wireless streaming?

MQA is not supported yet. It will come shortly as a free firmware upgrade. Stay tuned!

2. Right after playing with wifi connection, DSD upsampling started sound very noisy (with lots of white noise). I repeated turn off and on cycle for a couple of times but did not resolve the issue. After I completely disconnect from the AC outlet for more than 3 minutes and turned on again, finally the noise is gone and everything got back to normal. So far I could not reproduce this problem. Is this a known software issue? Or did I get a defective one (potentially)?

Please open a ticket here: http://support.ifi-audio.com

...and we'll sort you out there. Thanks!

 

[bluesaint]

@iFi audio I ordered and waiting for mine to come in. Quick question, as I have iCAN Pro as well, Is there a suggested mode to connect the two? ie. If i'm listening on Tube mode on iCan, should i set the iDSD Pro in Tube mode as well? What about gain? Basically trying to understand the balance/synergy when pairing the 2 together.

 

[Giraku]

Please open a ticket here: http://support.ifi-audio.com

...and we'll sort you out there. Thanks!

Thank you, @iFi audio for your quick response.
When I get the same problem again, I will certainly open a ticket. So far it is not a reproducible problem. I hope it stays this way.

 

[Giraku]

@iFi audio, what is the output impedance on the headphone outputs?

Thanks.

 

[saudio7]

Just short question regarding wi-fi on iDSD PRO, is it possible to connect it to WPA2 secured wi-fi network?

 

[ItsAllInMyHead]

Is (or will) the iDSD Pro a Full MQA decoder or a renderer? I can never find the full and proper terms (even on the MQA website)... In short - can I run pass-through from Tidal, or does Tidal (or other software) need to do the first unfold?

Edited to add - I just saw in a previous post that MQA is not supported yet. Is this only over wireless or also through USB? What is the expected timing for full support?

 

[iFi audio]

Is (or will) the iDSD Pro a Full MQA decoder or a renderer? I can never find the full and proper terms (even on the MQA website)... In short - can I run pass-through from Tidal, or does Tidal (or other software) need to do the first unfold?

Pro iDSD will provide full decoding.

Edited to add - I just saw in a previous post that MQA is not supported yet. Is this only over wireless or also through USB? What is the expected timing for full support?

MQA is not available yet for all inputs, both wireless and wired. We're working with full speed to deliver MQA as soon as possible and once we have something to share, we surely will do it here.

 

[Giraku]

MQA is not available yet for all inputs, both wireless and wired. We're working with full speed to deliver MQA as soon as possible and once we have something to share, we surely will do it here.

On my unit when connected via USB to my MacBook Pro + Roon, the signal path shows that the signal is decoded by Roon and transported to iDSD where it is recognized as 96kHz PCM. So it seems like the renderer part is working. I'm not sure if it is simply passing it as PCM or MQA, though...

 

[ItsAllInMyHead]

On my unit when connected via USB to my MacBook Pro + Roon, the signal path shows that the signal is decoded by Roon and transported to iDSD where it is recognized as 96kHz PCM. So it seems like the renderer part is working. I'm not sure if it is simply passing it as PCM or MQA, though...

It seems that Roon is doing the first unfold properly, but you are not getting the final render.

Edited - I noticed you are commenting on the new Pro, apologies. Once iFi releases the new firmware mentioned, Roon should show a renderer similar to below. iFi mentioned that the Pro will be both a decoder and renderer. I don't currently have a hardware device that does both, so I'm not sure how Roon will show it either separately or as one single "process" once passed to the Pro. iFi or anyone with a Meridian Explorer 2 or similar using Roon may be able to weigh in.

Edited - You can ignore this part.

If you have a DAC that's recognized as a renderer, then I think you should see something like this at the end. I'll let the kind folks at iFi pick this back up, but you may want to try the new firmware depending on which iDSD you have. It works out of the box on my Nano BL (below) and also on my Micro BL and Micro iDAC2 when updated to the latest firmware.​

 

[Giraku]

It seems that Roon is doing the first unfold properly, but you are not getting the final render.
Edited - I noticed you are commenting on the new Pro, apologies. Once iFi releases the new firmware mentioned, Roon should show a renderer similar to below. iFi mentioned that the Pro will be both a decoder and renderer. I don't currently have a hardware device that does both, so I'm not sure how Roon will show it either separately or as one single "process" once passed to the Pro. iFi or anyone with a Meridian Explorer 2 or similar using Roon may be able to weigh in.
Edited - You can ignore this part.

If you have a DAC that's recognized as a renderer, then I think you should see something like this at the end. I'll let the kind folks at iFi pick this back up, but you may want to try the new firmware depending on which iDSD you have. It works out of the box on my Nano BL (below) and also on my Micro BL and Micro iDAC2 when updated to the latest firmware.​

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Now I understand that Roon does not recognize Pro iDSD as a renderer. When iFi releases the update, I will install, test, and report about this issue. Cheers!!

 

[ItsAllInMyHead]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Now I understand that Roon does not recognize Pro iDSD as a renderer. When iFi releases the update, I will install, test, and report about this issue. Cheers!!

Any time! I'm glad it helped. I'm looking forward to impressions on the new Pro iDSD, and I can't wait to hear one. The local dealer doesn't have an ETA, and even after hearing one, I'll order the 4.4mm option.

I am trying to figure out the proper purchasing order... Pro iDSD only (for now) using the internal amp or feed my iDAC2 into a Pro iCAN. I can't buy both at once. I almost pulled the trigger on the Pro iCAN, but then I heard the Pro iDSD would have a (really versatile) amp section with Tube+ also...so I've been waiting patiently. Nothing I (currently) own falls into the "obscenely hard to drive" category, so I am thinking the Pro iDSD will be perfect.

BTW iFi - thanks as always for keeping us informed of progress and the decisions.

 

[iFi audio]

Just short question regarding wi-fi on iDSD PRO, is it possible to connect it to WPA2 secured wi-fi network?

Yes, Pro iDSD supports current network/security protocols.

 

[iFi audio]

BTW iFi - thanks as always for keeping us informed of progress and the decisions.

Sure, that's what we're here for