[doggiehowser]

Can you please shoot us a message via our support platform?

http://support.ifi-audio.com

Already created the ticket before I posted. #255834

 

[tinnitize]

Yup, this is factual.

So ifi attach to iDSDpro an upgraded iPower+ 15V with three primary rails and the secundary grounded internally thus my version for my iCANpro is old stuff. They could have told me...



Generally I would appreciate news from ifi when they launch a new or altered product – how to make them do so? Is there any kind of newsletter available?

By the way: When will ifi change their tutorial for DSDing mp3 files with new asio v2.x? The old one is still for v0,7 not telling me how to cope with the newer one, so I am waiting... But I really don't want to make the ifi staff few overstressed and they might be able to go on producing extraordinary gear!


Cheers, Tinnitize

 

[iFi audio]

Generally I would appreciate news from ifi when they launch a new or altered product – how to make them do so? Is there any kind of newsletter available?

When we're ready with something, this community is the first place we announce. We'll pass on your comments though. Thanks!

 

[gordec]

I'm happy to report, it's now more than 3 days with the Pro iDSD as a network streamer without any hiccups or stutters. The problem lies with Windows 10. Windows 10 is just not optimized as a network audio server, so you have to make adjustments to the system. Here are the things I had to do:
1. Run LatencyMon https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon and make sure there is no GPU or other drivers interfering with audio playback. My USB audio with Pro iDSD was stuttering before. LatencyMon was able to identify Nvidia drivers causing issues with audio playback. Same applies to network play back. It was able to show that the wifi driver is causing problems with network stability, so I turned off wifi all together.
2. Make sure you are using hardwired ethernet using a switch or bridge.
3. The final kicker for me is to uninstall and reinstall ethernet driver. Disable Windows turning off ethernet to conserve power under the ethernet driver.

I think the audio quality can improve further if I get a dedicated PCIe ethernet card. Currently I'm running off motherboard ethernet port which is probably very "noisy." Regardless, it's clearly better than USB. You will notice tighter bass and improved clarity and separation.

 

[iFi audio]

Regardless, it's clearly better than USB. You will notice tighter bass and improved clarity and separation.

This feedback checks out what a number of our customers told us recently. Ethernet's getting more and more popular in case of Pro iDSD.

 

[bluesaint]

This feedback checks out what a number of our customers told us recently. Ethernet's getting more and more popular in case of Pro iDSD.

would be great as your official firmware 2.0 or future firmware release to spend more QA and Dev time on optimizing how network playback works. Compared to other network streamers its still very buggy and not that stable overall.

 

[gordec]

I think from marketing standpoint, it makes sense to sell it as a TOTL USB DAC. Most of the headfiers aren't comfortable yet moving to pure network audio. Also developing a software suite to optimize network playback is very costly. Look at how much Auralic, Aurender and Lumin are charging for their network players. The DAC section probably aren't as good as the Pro iDSD.

Since it can act as its own DLNA/UPNP server (now only through Muzo app), if it can be firmware updated where DLNA server can be seen by Jriver, Audirvana or other desktop apps, it may be all you need. I don't expect ifi to develop it's own iOS or android app, but a more robust DLNA server would be pretty awesome.

 

[flyte3333]

This feedback checks out what a number of our customers told us recently. Ethernet's getting more and more popular in case of Pro iDSD.

So I assume you're getting more and more requests to have Pro iDSD certified as Roon Ready?

Is there more time and energy being spent on this now? Discussions with Roon about what is required?

 

[iFi audio]

So I assume you're getting more and more requests to have Pro iDSD certified as Roon Ready?

We're getting requests about various things.

Is there more time and energy being spent on this now? Discussions with Roon about what is required?

If we had something to say re Roon (other than what we did already), we would and that's pretty much it.

 

[flyte3333]

If we had something to say re Roon (other than what we did already), we would and that's pretty much it.

Not a problem at all. Just a friendly request 'bump', that's all.

There aren't many ethernet input DACs of the quality of Pro iDSD, let alone near the price for the quality, so it could be a great opportunity.

I'm sure you're getting plenty of Roon Ready requests via the ticket system, so hopefully discussions are happening in the background and it happens.

 

[iFi audio]

Not a problem at all. Just a friendly request 'bump', that's all.

Yes, we're getting quite a lot of those

 

[doggiehowser]

I really like the DirectStream Jr which is DLNA and Roon ready and comes with the Bridge 2 preinstalled. My Chord Poly is finally also working the way it should.

I think Chord/PS Audio did it right - rather than work on a native streaming app, which takes a couple of generations to fine tune and get the whole UI right, just enable the right protocols and get them compatible with the apps like Roon/Audirvana+/JRiver which have become more of less industry standards.

 

[flyte3333]

I really like the DirectStream Jr which is DLNA and Roon ready and comes with the Bridge 2 preinstalled. My Chord Poly is finally also working the way it should.

I think Chord/PS Audio did it right - rather than work on a native streaming app, which takes a couple of generations to fine tune and get the whole UI right, just enable the right protocols and get them compatible with the apps like Roon/Audirvana+/JRiver which have become more of less industry standards.

Agree. I would say Airplay and Chromecast are even more popular than RAAT. The former is supported (limited to 16/44.1 of course) but the addition of Chromecast would have opened things up considerably.

The Chromecast solution kills two birds with one stone - as Roon can play to Chromecast endpoints.

I think it's too late for Pro iDSD as Chromecast needs an encrypted chip (hardware), i.e. it's not just a software/firmware solution.

So Chromecast, Airplay, UPnP covers all bases nicely.

There'd be no need to put up with crappy user interfaces like MUZO, mConnect, Bubble UPnP etc. In addition to Roon & Audirvana, you could use the native Qobuz/Tidal/Deezer/Spotify apps on iOS/Android/Desktop, which all provide really nice user interfaces and features.

The cheap little Chromecast Audio puck (with it's TOSLink output) is now discontinued and support will eventually stop. No news of any replacement either.

So Chromecast "Built-In" (like NAD and Naim products are now offering) is the way to go now.

Something to consider for future network input devices I guess.

Still, Roon Ready support up to 24/192kHz would be fantastic right now.

 

[doggiehowser]

I listen to a lot of DSD too so chromecast audio would limited what I want to play.

I’ve been testing Chromecast on a Naim and even on 16/44, it feels that the native app sounds better. I wonder if the Chromecast layer is responsible for the downgrade.

 

[flyte3333]

I listen to a lot of DSD too so chromecast audio would limited what I want to play.

For sure. Both Roon Ready and Chromecast Built-In would be ideal for iFi's next network input device.

And hopefully Roon Ready is still an option for Pro iDSD.