[iFi audio]

Soon.

 

[superuser1]

Whats the update here... is there any?

 

[KotBegemot]

Here's my review for the Pro iDSD

Dear TMR,

How many hours of the "break in" the IFI pro had when you started testing it? Did you use it in the full hifi , i.e. a non headphone based audio system as well, and if so were you able to evaluate how transparent is its volume control when used as a preamp vs if used as straight dac into a preamp? (Can you please list your full system along with USB cables used). Also were you able to listen to it in the AIRPLAY mode and if so does it upsample the apple's limited 16-48 range and how was its sound when used in this mode? Also how stable was when used with WI FI network? Thanks so much for your early bird review! Much appreciated!

 

[iFi audio]

Whats the update here... is there any?

In the upcoming days we'll have something. Stay strong.

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, good news! Pro iDSD launch date is:

the 31st of May 2018

Yay!

 

[Esprit]

Price???

 

[superuser1]

Folks, good news! Pro iDSD launch date is:

the 31st of May 2018

Yay!

Would this unit include the 4.4mm socket?

 

[XSAMURAI]

Price???

2500 USD

 

[Slim1970]

Would this unit include the 4.4mm socket?

It should. If I recall correctly that was the reason for the delay.

 

[iFi audio]

It should. If I recall correctly that was the reason for the delay.

We investigated 4.4mm headphone out and it took us a while. The decission was made to release Pro iDSD with 2.5mm headphone out, though 4.4mm version is still possible to order. To quote our own post published on the next page:

Folks, there is an option to purchase Pro iDSD with 4.4mm headphone out. This should be handled with your local iFi distributor directly. He needs to be informed that such a product is requested and it'll be done, but this procedure will take +/- 3 months. As always, we're open to those of you who need 4.4mm headphone out, but as of now interest around this standard in our upcoming flagship DAC is non-existent.

 

[iFi audio]

In the meantime, Munich's High End 2018 is in the past, we were there and there was a chancce to listen to the full Pro stack there (Pro iDSD, iCAN and iESL) and our upcoming all in one no-compromise solution. If you were there, please share with us your impressions!

 

[iFi audio]

Pro iDSD - An easygoing explanation!
Part 1/1 – the rear panel

Introduction
Recently we posted two documents showing you Pro iDSD’s front panel and describing what the various knobs and switches do. In this document we’ve turned our attention to the DAC’s rear panel.

Analog output stage
Pro iDSD is a fully-balanced machine and as such has both XLR and RCA outputs – one pair of each. You can find them on the right side of the panel with a selector switch nearby to determine the operation mode.



You can set the signal output to different levels for home (HiFi fixed or variable) or studio (Pro fixed or variable) use. Industry standard signal output levels apply:

· Balanced output: 4.6V (+15.5dBu - HiFi) or 10V (+22dBu - Pro)
· Single-ended output: 2.3V (HiFi) or 5V (Pro)

If variable mode is selected, then the output volume can be adjusted via the volume knob on the front panel.

Digital inputs
Pro iDSD offers a host of digital inputs, some of which are making their debut in iFi’s product range.



Here they all are:

1. Ethernet
If you need a wired connection directly from a router or Network Attached Storage (NAS) source, RJ-45 Ethernet input has got you covered.

2. USB 'Type A’ source host
This input enables you to play music files from an external HDD or a USB drive (the former type should be self-powered from an external power supply). Once either external drive is connected to Pro iDSD, you can use the Muzo app to navigate and play them.

3. USB 'Type B’ DAC input
This USB3.0 input is backwards-compatible with the USB2.0 standard and galvanically-isolated. It is meant to be used with PCs, laptops and music servers.

4. S/PDIF Coaxial/Toslink combo digital input
If you are the happy owner of let’s say a high-end CD transport, this combo S/PDIF input is there just waiting for you to use it.

5. Micro SDHC card slot
Yes! Now you don’t even have to have a laptop or a PC to use Pro iDSD. An SD card with MP3, FLAC or even DSD files can be used directly with Pro iDSD via the MUZO app.

6. AES/EBU XLR digital input
This input is yet another alternative for users already equipped with high-end CD transports.

7. WiFi antenna
Our WiFi infrastructure gives you a wide open door for streaming. Use the iFi streamer app, connect your Pro iDSD to a local WiFi network and ‘Boom!’ – Apple Music, Audible, Spotify, TIDAL, Napster, Spotify Connect, QQPlay and many more streaming services are there to use.

· It is also possible to enjoy Airplay network audio playback from iPhone, iPad and Mac computers.

Wirelessly, just about every music format up to 32 bit/192kHz can be streamed. However, the formats must be PCM-based. DSD is not supported.



8. BNC digital input
Let’s say that you own a high-end transport, but its BNC output is audibly better than everything else. Luckily Pro iDSD has got you covered as it has a BNC input. What’s more it’s multifunctional. Read on for further details…

Clock system
You might have noticed that Pro iDSD’s rear panel is equipped with not one but two BNC connectors and a small selector in-between. Let’s explain why.

The BNC connector on the left is multifunctional. While it can be a classic BNC digital input, it can also be used to sync to an external Atomic Clock (Stanford Research’s PRS-10, for example), a Digital Audio Reference Signal (DARS) according to AES-11 standard and the iDSD Pro clock link (10MHz).

Using the clock out a Pro iDSD can act as DARS or 10MHz clock master while, using the clock input, an iDSD Pro can be slaved to a standalone clock or another iDSD Pro. If using the iDSD Pro 10MHz clock link, all iDSD Pro in the system should be connected in a ring; this will not only synchronize all units, but it will also lower clock jitter further.

Once both products are connected, all digital data will be based on the clock inside the clock source and not the one inside Pro iDSD. In order for this feature to work, both machines are synchronized via two BNC connections; BNC Sync In (clock input) and BNC Sync Out (clock output).



There are two reasons why we’ve implemented this unique functionality in the Pro iDSD:

· All digital equipment in many recording studios is oftentimes synchronized with one standalone master clock device. We’re confident that Pro iDSD can be used in such an environment but in order to do so, it has to have the option to be connected to a separate master clocking deck.

· Internal space limitation of Pro iDSD allowed us to equip it with the best clock and tech we could fit inside, but there’s room to maneuver still. If one has a really good (we mean REALLY good – Stanford Research Systems PERF10 or better) external clock, iFi audio has provided the option to try it out with Pro iDSD and go with what sounds best.

A small dial found in-between the BNC connectors allows you to choose one of four clock synchronization modes: Atomic, DARS, IOMHz and standalone.



DC-Loop-Out and power supply connection
The two small connections just above the external clocking dial of Pro iDSD will be familiar to iESL and Pro iDAC owners. The one on the left is a DC-Loop Out and its purpose is to feed another Pro range device from the Pro iDSD.



This means that one external PSU can handle both Pro iDSD and Pro iCAN. You can even throw Pro iESL to the mix (connected via the HDMI interface found on the latter) and have three iFi Pro range decks operational via only one external PSU.

The input to the right of DC-Loop Out is a regular 15V/4A DC power input.

· Tip: Any 9v to 18v DC power source with a minimum of 60VA rating can be used with the Pro iDSD (including vehicular, RV and boat-based 12V DC power). We strongly recommend the use of the included iPower Plus 15v. It offers the latest in power supply technology and is better and cleaner than any battery or aftermarket linear power supply.

For more information, please click on the link below:

· https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-the-official-thread.869144/

This is the place we’ve posted every piece of information about Pro iDSD so far.

That’s it for now but stay tuned, Pro iDSD inside coming up next!

 

[bluesaint]

7. WiFi antenna
Our WiFi infrastructure gives you a wide open door for streaming. Use the iFi streamer app, connect your Pro iDSD to a local WiFi network and ‘Boom!’ – Apple Music, Audible, Spotify, TIDAL, Napster, Spotify Connect, QQPlay and many more streaming services are there to use.

While you can't input DSD, the Pro iDSD can still upsample any WiFI input to DSD correct?

 

[Khragon]

What can I do with the Ethernet? is there driver available so I can send audio signal there from JRiver?

 

[iFi audio]

While you can't input DSD, the Pro iDSD can still upsample any WiFI input to DSD correct?

We have to double-check this, but in 99.99% that's how it works.