[iFi audio]

Are you saying that i have to call up an online dealer and special order it?

Yes, he needs to know you want one.

Online stores won’t have the 4.4mm version in stock?

That's highly unlikely they'll have it but this remains to be seen. Maybe some markets will focus on 4.4mm, but - as we've explained above - the interest in this option turned out to be minimal. Maybe it'll change in the future, but for now it is what it is.

I’m a little lazy, so as long as an online store has the variant available to order, even if it’s “backorder”, i can do that. But seems like you’re saying that i have to call and specially request it.

It's just one mail, not too much of an issue these days

 

[TheoS53]

It's very simple actually. We gathered feedback from people, many asked about 4.4mm, hence we did what we always do. We looked into this matter, figured out a way to make this option possible and it is. But preorders verified this, they show us clearly where the real interest is and that's 2.5mm. At least that's what our distribution network tells us. But since we've found a way to make both options possible, there's no reason for us to not follow accordingly. And that's why both are available, though 2.5mm as a standard and 4.4mm after reaching out to a local iFi representative.



Indeed.

--------

The bottom line is this: people said they wanted 4.4mm and we enabled this feature at no extra cost. Now, when it turns out the real interest is minimal, it's still available. If that's not listening to our customers and being flexible and open to their needs, we have no idea what is.

So, essentially, the 4.4mm option would be a custom-made option...or rather "made to order".

This is great though, as most other manufacturers would just stick to either 4.4 or 2.5 without even the possibility of getting the other. So sure, getting the Pro iDSD with a 4.4mm output isn't going to be as convenient as picking it up in a store or ordering it with next day delivery, but at least it's still entirely within the realm of possibility of getting one.

 

[frogmeat69]

Heaven forbid you actually have to talk to someone for a few minutes.

 

[iFi audio]

but at least it's still entirely within the realm of possibility of getting one.

Yes, it surely is. At least we think so.

 

[Slim1970]

It's very simple actually. We gathered feedback from people, many asked about 4.4mm, hence we did what we always do. We looked into this matter, figured out a way to make this option possible and it is. But preorders verified this, they show us clearly where the real interest is and that's 2.5mm. At least that's what our distribution network tells us. But since we've found a way to make both options possible, there's no reason for us to not follow accordingly. And that's why both are available, though 2.5mm as a standard and 4.4mm after reaching out to a local iFi representative.



Indeed.

--------

The bottom line is this: people said they wanted 4.4mm and we enabled this feature at no extra cost. Now, when it turns out the real interest is minimal, it's still available. If that's not listening to our customers and being flexible and open to their needs, we have no idea what is.

Thanks for the update iFi. I have the other two pieces in the Pro line and I’m definitely getting the Pro iDSD. Be that as it may, I’ll be getting the 4.4mm version. I’d rather have it standard than to have to use an adapter. I’m glad that you’ve at least made it an option to us, thanks!

 

[Currawong]

It's weird running the Susvaras out of the 2.5mm socket, but indeed I wish there was a 4.4 and 6.3mm socket. It would make more sense.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for the update iFi. I have the other two pieces in the Pro line and I’m definitely getting the Pro iDSD. Be that as it may, I’ll be getting the 4.4mm version. I’d rather have it standard than to have to use an adapter. I’m glad that you’ve at least made it an option to us, thanks!

Our pleasure.

It's weird running the Susvaras out of the 2.5mm socket, but indeed I wish there was a 4.4 and 6.3mm socket. It would make more sense.

As we've said, it will be available.

 

[alphanumerix1]

It's weird running the Susvaras out of the 2.5mm socket, but indeed I wish there was a 4.4 and 6.3mm socket. It would make more sense.

look forward to the review amos!

 

[Esprit]

believe me! it not too much , just wait and s

First price was indicated as 2.000€: right
Now it's 3.000€: wrong.

 

[iFi audio]

iFi Audio Pro iDSD
The official Launch release



Having sparked a revolution with its low-cost DACs that offered music fans portable 256 stereo for less than £500 a few years ago, iFi has maintained its position at the vanguard of the audio world with the launch of the ground-breaking Pro iDSD. There is simply nothing like it.



We have paid great attention to every section of this DAC/headphone-amp/preamp – no stone has been left unturned. Tried and tested classic noise reduction techniques found in tube equipment have been combined with cutting-edge, 21st century technology to deliver a superlative performance.

The quad section uses a quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown in a custom “interleaved” configuration. This arrangement enables a total of eight pairs of differential signals to be used and mixed totalling four pairs of signals per channel.

In a nutshell

The iFi Pro iDSD is a revolutionary DAC that combines a number of different features to give your home audio system the best possible playback resolution and sound. It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.

Wireless Playback

With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play. This gives it the option to:

• Play direct from SD card
• Link to a router and directly stream (TIDAL/MQA, Spotify etc)
• Use DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) via music stored on HDD

It’s taken a while to come to market but, boy, has it been worth it. This innovative digital engine will shape the next generation of iFi products and they will rock the digital world.

The gang of four

A quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown work in a custom “interleaved” configuration so that up to eight pairs of differential signals can be used and mixed.

Digital Processing

The new XMOS XU216 X-Core 200 Series 16-Core processor has a maximum of 2,000 MIPS (two billion instructions per second) calculation power in dual-issue mode as a USB interface.

Crysopeia FPGA Digital Engine

The FPGA excels, by handling the up-sampling duties to attain the DSD1024 audio format. In fact, the Pro iDSD can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.

Wireless playback

With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play.

Many format options

It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters and also gives the user the option to listen to tracks via MQA.


Sample Rates:

• PCM up to 768kHz
• DSD up to 24.576MHz
• DXD and double speed DXD (2xDXD)

Inputs:

• USB (required for DSD, DXD and sample rates above 192KHz)
• AES3 (XLR - single link)
• SPDIF (RCA/Optical combo)
• BNC multifunction In (SPDIF/AES3id In, DARS In, 10MHz In, Atomic clock in)
• BNC multifunction Sync Out (DARS out, 10MHz out)

Outputs:

• Balanced XLR at 4.6V (+15.5dBu - HiFi) or 10V (+22dBu - Pro)
• Single-Ended RCA at 2.3V (HiFi) or 5V (Pro)
• Headphones 6.3mm & SE 3.5mm Jack at 0.55V/2.1V/5V
• Headphones BAL 2.5mm Jack at 1.13V/4.6V/10V
• Headphones out 1,500mW RMS X 2 @ 64 ohm, 4,000mW max. 2 X @ 16 Ohm

Volume Control:

• Balanced (quad) Alps potentiometer, motorised with IR remote control
• XLR/RCA outputs can be selected as fixed level or adjusted
• 6.3mm Headphone Jack is always adjusted

Other Functions:

• Various digital and analogue filters can be selected for DSD and PCM up to 192KHz

PCM Filters:

• Bit perfect (no digital filter, minimal analogue filter)

44.1 - 192KHz, always used for 352.8 - 768kHz

• Bit perfect II (no digital filter, analogue filter corrects HF roll-off)

44.1 - 96kHz

• Minimum Phase (Filter minimises pre- and post-ringing)

44.1 - 192KHz

• Standard FIR (Brickwall Filter)

44.1 - 192KHz

• Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz

DSD Filters:

• Four different filters (selectable) with varying bandwidth
• Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz

The retail price of the Pro iDSD is:

• US $2,499 (ex-tax)
  
• €2,749 (incl. VAT)
  
• £2,499 (incl. VAT)

And lastly, Wojciech Pacuła of Polish HighFidelity.pl reviewed Pro iDSD and awarded it his Red Fingerprint. English version of this publication is to be found here:

• http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-828&lang=en

 

[Esprit]

The retail price of the Pro iDSD is:

• US $2,499 (ex-tax)
  
• €2,749 (incl. VAT)
  
• £2,499 (incl. VAT)

I hope to find it discounted

 

[GHoldridge]

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

 

[Katie88]

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.

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

 

[tonyo442]

I seem to be in France, or there are only promises, .........

 

[Mightygrey]

iFi Audio Pro iDSD
The official Launch release



Having sparked a revolution with its low-cost DACs that offered music fans portable 256 stereo for less than £500 a few years ago, iFi has maintained its position at the vanguard of the audio world with the launch of the ground-breaking Pro iDSD. There is simply nothing like it.



We have paid great attention to every section of this DAC/headphone-amp/preamp – no stone has been left unturned. Tried and tested classic noise reduction techniques found in tube equipment have been combined with cutting-edge, 21st century technology to deliver a superlative performance.

The quad section uses a quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown in a custom “interleaved” configuration. This arrangement enables a total of eight pairs of differential signals to be used and mixed totalling four pairs of signals per channel.

In a nutshell

The iFi Pro iDSD is a revolutionary DAC that combines a number of different features to give your home audio system the best possible playback resolution and sound. It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.

Wireless Playback

With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play. This gives it the option to:

• Play direct from SD card
• Link to a router and directly stream (TIDAL/MQA, Spotify etc)
• Use DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) via music stored on HDD

It’s taken a while to come to market but, boy, has it been worth it. This innovative digital engine will shape the next generation of iFi products and they will rock the digital world.

The gang of four

A quad “stack” of Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DACs by Burr-Brown work in a custom “interleaved” configuration so that up to eight pairs of differential signals can be used and mixed.

Digital Processing

The new XMOS XU216 X-Core 200 Series 16-Core processor has a maximum of 2,000 MIPS (two billion instructions per second) calculation power in dual-issue mode as a USB interface.

Crysopeia FPGA Digital Engine

The FPGA excels, by handling the up-sampling duties to attain the DSD1024 audio format. In fact, the Pro iDSD can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters.

Wireless playback

With LINKPLAY™ WiFi/network playback, built-in Spotify and Tidal, and wide protocol support for 32-Bit/192kHz and DSD64, the Pro iDSD can directly link to a router for online music play.

Many format options

It can handle all audio formats to DSD1024 or DSD512 or PCM 768K with user-selectable digital filters and also gives the user the option to listen to tracks via MQA.


Sample Rates:

• PCM up to 768kHz
• DSD up to 24.576MHz
• DXD and double speed DXD (2xDXD)

Inputs:

• USB (required for DSD, DXD and sample rates above 192KHz)
• AES3 (XLR - single link)
• SPDIF (RCA/Optical combo)
• BNC multifunction In (SPDIF/AES3id In, DARS In, 10MHz In, Atomic clock in)
• BNC multifunction Sync Out (DARS out, 10MHz out)

Outputs:

• Balanced XLR at 4.6V (+15.5dBu - HiFi) or 10V (+22dBu - Pro)
• Single-Ended RCA at 2.3V (HiFi) or 5V (Pro)
• Headphones 6.3mm & SE 3.5mm Jack at 0.55V/2.1V/5V
• Headphones BAL 2.5mm Jack at 1.13V/4.6V/10V
• Headphones out 1,500mW RMS X 2 @ 64 ohm, 4,000mW max. 2 X @ 16 Ohm

Volume Control:

• Balanced (quad) Alps potentiometer, motorised with IR remote control
• XLR/RCA outputs can be selected as fixed level or adjusted
• 6.3mm Headphone Jack is always adjusted

Other Functions:

• Various digital and analogue filters can be selected for DSD and PCM up to 192KHz

PCM Filters:

• Bit perfect (no digital filter, minimal analogue filter)

44.1 - 192KHz, always used for 352.8 - 768kHz

• Bit perfect II (no digital filter, analogue filter corrects HF roll-off)

44.1 - 96kHz

• Minimum Phase (Filter minimises pre- and post-ringing)

44.1 - 192KHz

• Standard FIR (Brickwall Filter)

44.1 - 192KHz

• Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz

DSD Filters:

• Four different filters (selectable) with varying bandwidth
• Additional fixed second order analogue filter @ 80kHz

The retail price of the Pro iDSD is:

• US $2,499 (ex-tax)
  
• €2,749 (incl. VAT)
  
• £2,499 (incl. VAT)

And lastly, Wojciech Pacuła of Polish HighFidelity.pl reviewed Pro iDSD and awarded it his Red Fingerprint. English version of this publication is to be found here:

• http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-828&lang=en

Looks stunning. Hope to audition it one day!