dericchan1
100+ Head-Fier
Thanks I have been using the Schiit Freya + preamp to output xlr to power amp and rca to subs but felt I should try using the idsd preamp and compare.
Cheers
Deric
iFi audio Pro iDSD (Official) - NEW Firmware - MQA and more.
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Cheers
Deric
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I always wanted to hear the Freya but never got around to it.
Do come back and post your findings, either way!
Cheers!!
chaz_flhr
500+ Head-Fier
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I just ordered one today to test.
chaz_flhr
500+ Head-Fier
Works great found a 26 ft cable run with the booster in the middle of the run.
dericchan1
100+ Head-Fier
Sooooo, had my first listening session with DAC to amp direct last night. It was pretty good actually, though I am not sure whether I prefer that VS having the Freya + tube preamp in the chain.
My initial findings were:
1) the DAC pre section was quite capable to drive the power amp directly; turning the motorized volume knob to around 10 o'clock was all I need to get to about 80-85db volume;
2) There was definitely an added sense of clarity with the DAC going direct to power amp. Changes in DSP settings became more immediately telling, that was previously masked by the Freya +.
i.e. You could easily heard that DSD256 has more tube-like harmonic distortion compared to DSD512 and actually sounded a bit more forward. DSD512 pushes more ultrasonic noise to inaudible band, less harmonic distortion so the background was cleaner but sounded a bit more distant;
Effects between different digital reconstruction filters also became immediately telling - you could easily heard using Hqplayer to switch digital on the fly and compare for example Sinc Short filter VS Sinc Long filter - for the longer filter with more taps the highs became more extended and you could actually hear a bit of a smear in the highs. The shorter filter in comparison actually has a bit more dynamics but highs not as extended...
3) Obviously you now don't have the tube coloration and as much of the holographic/harmonic distortion previously with the Freya +, which can be pleasing to the ears. But the hybrid tube and the tube buffer stage of the DAC help in that regard with a pair of NOS WE396 tubes, still the soundstage with the Freya + was wider and deeper than the ifi idsd pro pre section.
I will continue to explore more for the next few days and see what I preferred. So far I am mixed in my feelings.
Deric
My initial findings were:
1) the DAC pre section was quite capable to drive the power amp directly; turning the motorized volume knob to around 10 o'clock was all I need to get to about 80-85db volume;
2) There was definitely an added sense of clarity with the DAC going direct to power amp. Changes in DSP settings became more immediately telling, that was previously masked by the Freya +.
i.e. You could easily heard that DSD256 has more tube-like harmonic distortion compared to DSD512 and actually sounded a bit more forward. DSD512 pushes more ultrasonic noise to inaudible band, less harmonic distortion so the background was cleaner but sounded a bit more distant;
Effects between different digital reconstruction filters also became immediately telling - you could easily heard using Hqplayer to switch digital on the fly and compare for example Sinc Short filter VS Sinc Long filter - for the longer filter with more taps the highs became more extended and you could actually hear a bit of a smear in the highs. The shorter filter in comparison actually has a bit more dynamics but highs not as extended...
3) Obviously you now don't have the tube coloration and as much of the holographic/harmonic distortion previously with the Freya +, which can be pleasing to the ears. But the hybrid tube and the tube buffer stage of the DAC help in that regard with a pair of NOS WE396 tubes, still the soundstage with the Freya + was wider and deeper than the ifi idsd pro pre section.
I will continue to explore more for the next few days and see what I preferred. So far I am mixed in my feelings.
Deric
Hey, wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if there is solution for fixing it? On boot I get "dsdl1793 init error. Please reboot." Hoping for any kind of support so I can get it working again. Thanks
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I am not familiar with this particular error code, I would reach out to support and open a ticket by using this link...
https://support.ifi-audio.com/
Give them the specifics of the issue and they will help you out.
: After doing a quick search I found this, was this you as well? The posts are listed as 2021.
Cheers!!
deanorthk
100+ Head-Fier
I have been selling mine, but the buyer sent it back to me. I do admit I have never used my iDSD pro through its wifi network applications, and if I do understand it right, I can't stream directly through quobuz, but need to install Wiim.
There Wiim sometimes see my iDSD, but if I kill wiim and re launch it, it can't find it again. Inside wiim, can't launch qubouz, it keeps telling me the device is busy.
The device work like a charm through usb and lan, but wifi... anyone else got those issues?
There Wiim sometimes see my iDSD, but if I kill wiim and re launch it, it can't find it again. Inside wiim, can't launch qubouz, it keeps telling me the device is busy.
The device work like a charm through usb and lan, but wifi... anyone else got those issues?
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