@iFi audio
I just received two iDSD Pro units a couple of weeks ago. Frankly, I am highly disappointed with the considerable amount of noise/hash/hiss that both units exhibit. After extensively analyzing every piece of my setup and researching the two Head-Fi forums, It is obvious to me that this noise emanates from within both of the iDSD Pros and is most likely due to a poor implementation of the WiFi subsystem.
I have never experienced any noise or interference with any of my other iFI products (iCan Pro, micro iDSD BL, Mercury 3.0 USB cable, iPurifier 2, iPurifier 3). I deliberately waited before purchasing my iDSD Pro to get a unit with the 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output AND in hopes that all of the bugs that had been reported by early adopters were resolved.
This noise is quite significant. I hear it from both the iDSD Pro’s headphone outputs when used standalone, as well as the iCan Pro’s headphone outs when fed by the iDSD Pro as a DAC. The noise is best described as an amalgamation of noise, hum, and hiss — whose character changes and is modulated when digital filters, DSD remastering, and input settings are adjusted. It also appears related to the OLED display, as the spectral content of the noise changes with graphical changes in the display while some of the noise disappears when the display is fully shut off. Regardless of what I do, there is always noticeable background noise even when both iDSD Pro units are just “idling” (i.e., no music is being played) and is present across all three (SS, Tube, Tube+) operational modes. The noise is present with multiple headphones, none of which are highly sensitive IEMs.
Ultimately, the situation is particularly disturbing — and ironic — given the years of development work and focus on noise reduction put forth by iFi on this TOTL product.
Do you have any suggestions for eliminating the noise? Is there more noise exhibited by the newer, 4.4mm units, versus the older 2.5mm units? I have really loved my iFI products up to this point and greatly appreciate your contribution toward elevating the head-fi experience over these past several years.