iFi audio Pro iDSD (Official) - NEW Firmware - MQA and more.
Jul 4, 2018 at 5:04 PM Post #241 of 2,185
If that's your only choice, then personally I'd just get the iDSD Pro. The DAC portion and input sources (streaming, SD card, usb thumb drive, etc.) are extremely useful that the BL can't compete. While the Amp section of the iDSD Pro is imo ~75% of ican PRO.

A spot on description of the Pro iDSD. :beerchug:
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 6, 2018 at 1:35 AM Post #243 of 2,185
You'd think I would have learnt my lesson with the Chord Poly but nope. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

Got my spanking new iFi Pro iDSD and promptly downloaded the Muzo app.

First niggle - the TIDAL browser section of Muzo shows ZILCH Masters section. Oh great.

So I fire up the PC app and create a Masters playlist of 24/96 and 24/192 files.

I go to Muzo again and play from the Masters playlist

Playing MQA 24/192 yielded 44.1kHz sample rate. What the hay? Even if it was not unfolded, I should get 24/48kHz right?

So I decided to pay for Audirvana 3 to try DLNA and TIDAL MQA.

I play a 24/192 MQA file on A+3 and it sends it as a 24/48kHz file as you'd expect. But the Pro iDSD reports 48kHz and not 192kHz.

What the hay x 2!!?? More expletives.
 
Jul 6, 2018 at 1:38 AM Post #244 of 2,185
You'd think I would have learnt my lesson with the Chord Poly but nope. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

Got my spanking new iFi Pro iDSD and promptly downloaded the Muzo app.

First niggle - the TIDAL browser section of Muzo shows ZILCH Masters section. Oh great.

So I fire up the PC app and create a Masters playlist of 24/96 and 24/192 files.

I go to Muzo again and play from the Masters playlist

Playing MQA 24/192 yielded 44.1kHz sample rate. What the hay? Even if it was not unfolded, I should get 24/48kHz right?

So I decided to pay for Audirvana 3 to try DLNA and TIDAL MQA.

I play a 24/192 MQA file on A+3 and it sends it as a 24/48kHz file as you'd expect. But the Pro iDSD reports 48kHz and not 192kHz.

What the hay x 2!!?? More expletives.

IFI mentioned last month MQA will be supported later as a firmware patch.. sucks, but yeah that's why.
 
Jul 6, 2018 at 8:53 AM Post #245 of 2,185
IFI mentioned last month MQA will be supported later as a firmware patch.. sucks, but yeah that's why.
That’s right. I’ve been communicating with the support department. They said the update will be released sometime in September (hopefully). I suggested them to clarify this issue on their website.
 
Jul 7, 2018 at 7:32 PM Post #247 of 2,185
You *should* be making it clear at purchase that MQA wont be supported initially. Not doing so puts you afoul of consumer laws in many countries.
 
Jul 8, 2018 at 12:41 AM Post #248 of 2,185
:beerchug:

Our R&D team is on the case.

I sent a support note to Audirvana and I understand from Damien there is no way to support MQA on UPNP devices.

So the only way to get MQA over network streaming today is via Roon. Or have a better native app than Muzo.

Since network MQA streaming is such a big part of why I got this Pro iDSD, I would really really really appreciate it if you could get Roon supported with MQA/DSD support.
 
Jul 10, 2018 at 4:11 PM Post #251 of 2,185
@iFi audio will you be at CamJam London...?

If so what headphones will you be bringing to the show to connect to your equipment..?

It's highly likely we'll attend. To address the headphones list during this show, we'd have to ask our buddies at iFi UK. But knowing them, Final D8000 and Meze will be showcased.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 10, 2018 at 4:35 PM Post #252 of 2,185
I got my replacement unit a few days ago. Still need to check that all features/functions are working as iFi intended on launch day (minus some known issues reported). This time instead of testing everything out first, I decided to let it run with music for a while first. At least I have not run into the issue I had before with the sound cutting out/noise in one channel (so far).

@iFi audio, D8000 is probably my favorite choice with Pro iDSD so far...good choice to show off your gear.
 
Jul 10, 2018 at 5:05 PM Post #253 of 2,185
I got my replacement unit a few days ago. Still need to check that all features/functions are working as iFi intended on launch day (minus some known issues reported). This time instead of testing everything out first, I decided to let it run with music for a while first. At least I have not run into the issue I had before with the sound cutting out/noise in one channel (so far).

It's good to know it works as intended. If you find anything disturbing, please let us know.

@iFi audio, D8000 is probably my favorite choice with Pro iDSD so far...good choice to show off your gear.

Yes, exceptionally good headphones these are.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 12, 2018 at 1:23 PM Post #254 of 2,185
Hello iFi audio,

I contacted my dealer in Netherlands Europe, they told me the 4.4mm balanced option is not available, and not able to be ordered.

Will this option come to Europe? I'm incredibly excited for this device, but reading the few negative posts I'm a bit wary of "beta testing" in this price range, especially since it's been pushed back for a September release in Japan? (or is this just speculation?)
 
Last edited:
Jul 13, 2018 at 4:07 AM Post #255 of 2,185
My review unit has been swapped out with one that has updated firmware and is better behaved. The proper 16k tap Transient Aligned filter is now present (I mistook it for another one in my pre-review) and now the Pro iDSD sounds the least like a chip-based DAC of any I can remember that isn't much more expensive.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top