[iFi audio]

Hi iFi, I know you mentioned non-Pro iDSD firmware there but just a friendly request to please leave non-Pro iDSD related announcements to other threads, just to avoid the confusion that the 5.3C firmware announcement caused earlier in this same thread.

Noted, but still we'll allow ourselves to propagate the iFi word where we can.

 

[lichie]

Unfortunately I am having a lot of issues with this DAC. I just created an account here in hope that I can receive some support, seeing that ifi looks to be very active in this thread. Please excuse me if there is a firmware fix for these problems out there already! I looked around and couldn't find any on the ifi website but I could be looking in the wrong places. Also apologies if this has been reported in this thread already, but I could not feasibly check all pages of the thread.

First, and the more minor issue, is that often when switching to a new song, the pro idsd takes a second or two to start playing and I miss the first couple seconds of the song. I find that this only happens with high res files, almost always only 24/192. Pressing play again usually works. This could be an issue with Roon but I haven't experienced it with any of my other dacs. This is a problem I can probably live with considering it never happens when letting playback naturally move to the next track, and only when explicitly pressing play to start a new song.

The next issue is a deal breaker and I will be returning the DAC if it can't be resolved with some kind of firmware fix very soon.

When playing ANY file with lower sampling rate, I am getting very audible random popping noises. I am able to reproduce this with both 16 and 24 bit, 44.1khz and 48khz. I have not been able to reproduce the popping with files of higher sampling rate. No matter which file I play, I will get 5-10 loud pops throughout the song at seemingly random points. I have been able to reproduce this on all digital filter and DSD upsampling combinations, including with no upsampling. I've reproduced the issue with 4 different headphones and 3 different amps. Switching out the Pro iDSD with my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and keeping everything else the exact same (except usb2 vs usb3 cable) makes the problem go away.

Is anyone else able to reproduce this issue?

 

[Currawong]

More details about your set-up would help, such as how it is connected and what settings you've changed in Roon, if any.

If you're having delays with a DAC when switching between songs of different bit rates, you could try setting the re-sync delay in the Device Settings for the iDSD in Roon.

Popping would be the result of whatever computer or transport you're using having issues sending data to the DAC.

 

[youurayy]

often when switching to a new song, the pro idsd takes a second or two to start playing
very audible random popping noises

just a few suggestions:

- try to remove other USB devices (mainly USB hubs), to see if the problems go away
- as an example, when I had problems pushing DSD512 from my PC (popping), i discovered it was the Razer sofware/devices, and the problem went away when I disabled lighting effects on those devices
- i also had some problems with Roon and i believe it was their problem (so Roon isn't perfect IMO), so try other players
- try to adjust the buffer settings in the iFi driver app (sits in the task bar icon)

 

[iFi audio]

Unfortunately I am having a lot of issues with this DAC. I just created an account here in hope that I can receive some support, seeing that ifi looks to be very active in this thread. Please excuse me if there is a firmware fix for these problems out there already! I looked around and couldn't find any on the ifi website but I could be looking in the wrong places. Also apologies if this has been reported in this thread already, but I could not feasibly check all pages of the thread.

First, and the more minor issue, is that often when switching to a new song, the pro idsd takes a second or two to start playing and I miss the first couple seconds of the song. I find that this only happens with high res files, almost always only 24/192. Pressing play again usually works. This could be an issue with Roon but I haven't experienced it with any of my other dacs. This is a problem I can probably live with considering it never happens when letting playback naturally move to the next track, and only when explicitly pressing play to start a new song.

The next issue is a deal breaker and I will be returning the DAC if it can't be resolved with some kind of firmware fix very soon.

When playing ANY file with lower sampling rate, I am getting very audible random popping noises. I am able to reproduce this with both 16 and 24 bit, 44.1khz and 48khz. I have not been able to reproduce the popping with files of higher sampling rate. No matter which file I play, I will get 5-10 loud pops throughout the song at seemingly random points. I have been able to reproduce this on all digital filter and DSD upsampling combinations, including with no upsampling. I've reproduced the issue with 4 different headphones and 3 different amps. Switching out the Pro iDSD with my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and keeping everything else the exact same (except usb2 vs usb3 cable) makes the problem go away.

Is anyone else able to reproduce this issue?

You can also shoot us a message here: http://support.ifi-audio.com/index.php

We're sure that our tech staff will help you out!

 

[flyte3333]

When playing ANY file with lower sampling rate, I am getting very audible random popping noises. I am able to reproduce this with both 16 and 24 bit, 44.1khz and 48khz. I have not been able to reproduce the popping with files of higher sampling rate. No matter which file I play, I will get 5-10 loud pops throughout the song at seemingly random points. I have been able to reproduce this on all digital filter and DSD upsampling combinations, including with no upsampling. I've reproduced the issue with 4 different headphones and 3 different amps. Switching out the Pro iDSD with my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and keeping everything else the exact same (except usb2 vs usb3 cable) makes the problem go away.

Is anyone else able to reproduce this issue?

Yes I've heard these same pops too with Roon playing bit perfectly. The exact same chain (cables and USB source) for me has no issues with Roon + HQPlayer DSD512...

And Roon playing bit perfectly with other DACs have no issues.

Somebody else earlier in this thread reported pops also.

I use HQPlayer with DSD512 almost exclusively now so I don't hear the issue anymore but the issue was there with CD quality Roon bit perfect playback for me.

 

[lichie]

Yes I've heard these same pops too with Roon playing bit perfectly. The exact same chain (cables and USB source) for me has no issues with Roon + HQPlayer DSD512...

And Roon playing bit perfectly with other DACs have no issues.

Somebody else earlier in this thread reported pops also.

I use HQPlayer with DSD512 almost exclusively now so I don't hear the issue anymore but the issue was there with CD quality Roon bit perfect playback for me.

I forgot to mention in my first post that I experience the popping with any music player i've tried, including Roon (wasapi and asio), foobar2k (wasapi), VLC, and even the default groove music player in windows 10. I've uninstalled all other USB drivers for my other DACs, reinstalled the ifi driver, rebooted my computer and the Pro iDSD multiple times, unplugged all other USB devices, and yet the problem still persists. 48khz and lower PCM files are still the only ones affected. It does sound like it could be a buffering problem so I will continue playing with the buffering settings in the driver options and see if I have any luck...

 

[flyte3333]

It does sound like it could be a buffering problem so I will continue playing with the buffering settings in the driver options and see if I have any luck...

Possible but for me, the EXACT same chain (cables and source) handles DSD512 without issues... if it was a buffering issue at my end, you would think it would reveal itself with DSD512...

 

[gordec]

Is there anyway to force internet connection to Ethernet and turn off wifi?

 

[gordec]

Yep. That is still USB by the way.

I'm using HQPayer Embedded up-sampling to DSD512. Really enjoying it.

Do you hear any difference with PC-> USB to Pro iDSD compared to ultrarendu to Pro iDSD? I wonder if it’s worth the change. I have a Paul Pang USB card and a Jitterbug in the chain, so the signal is pretty clean. It’s I can hear a difference even small, I would be happy to go the Rendu route.

 

[flyte3333]

Do you hear any difference with PC-> USB to Pro iDSD compared to ultrarendu to Pro iDSD? I wonder if it’s worth the change. I have a Paul Pang USB card and a Jitterbug in the chain, so the signal is pretty clean. It’s I can hear a difference even small, I would be happy to go the Rendu route.

I use the Rendu because my HQP Embedded (Linux) server is now far away. So I haven’t compared the direct connection to the server. The Rendu is probably up there as one of the best USB sources (signal integrity) but having said that I’m sure the Pro iDSD’s USB input is well sorted.

 

[GHoldridge]

Man I want the idsd pro bad it would be nice to consolidate my stuff into the 2 units.

 

[KotBegemot]

Noted, but still we'll allow ourselves to propagate the iFi word where we can.

Dear Sir, Just bought the unit from IFI shop at the amazon. There are issues with remote control of the volume... Takes a while to change it when pressing even when in direct line of sight. Sometimes pressing the "-" button INCREASES the volume ....

When I turn off the display, the remote control no longer works... When I press to turn the dispaly back on then the volume goes higher, as thou to compensate for the previous command... Also: Unable to use DSD up-scaling , or use any other filters... when using the USB input. Using the filter change knob gives "DSD Remaster OFF " message, and unable to turn it on!...and is only stays at the BIT -Perfect mode at PCM 32-768.. nothing else.. . Tried pressing and various sequences... Those other filters appear when in the XLR mode. I do however see the new GTO filter mentined here, but unable to set it ...The firmware is 1.60..... The unit sounds great. Please advise, I ve set up a request help number on your support web, but its been 3 days and gotten no replies. Thanks so much

 

[iFi audio]

Dear Sir, Just bought the unit from IFI shop at the amazon. There are issues with remote control of the volume... Takes a while to change it when pressing even when in direct line of sight. Sometimes pressing the "-" button INCREASES the volume ....

When I turn off the display, the remote control no longer works... When I press to turn the dispaly back on then the volume goes higher, as thou to compensate for the previous command... Also: Unable to use DSD up-scaling , or use any other filters... when using the USB input. Using the filter change knob gives "DSD Remaster OFF " message, and unable to turn it on!...and is only stays at the BIT -Perfect mode at PCM 32-768.. nothing else.. . Tried pressing and various sequences... Those other filters appear when in the XLR mode. I do however see the new GTO filter mentined here, but unable to set it ...The firmware is 1.60..... The unit sounds great. Please advise, I ve set up a request help number on your support web, but its been 3 days and gotten no replies. Thanks so much

Thank you for bringing this up. We'll check your case and will get back to you shortly.

 

[iFi audio]

Man I want the idsd pro bad it would be nice to consolidate my stuff into the 2 units.

We feel your pain. We really do.