[hamachan]

Been reading these threads more than ever since I recently broke my Nano BL.

The usb broke right off.... it was my fault as I knocked over my little set up.

It had already became loose because I have the iPurifier3 attached to it and I didn’t pay attention to the weight distribution the few times I walked around with it outside..I know

Well, guess it’s a perfect excuse to upgrade to the xDSD... or should I just go Micro BL?

I upgraded xDSD from silver nano iDSD (non-BL version) with much satisfaction. My first priority is size. micro iDSD BL is too big for portable. I mostly use the wired connection rather than bluetooth because of SQ but bluetooth is nice for casual use. If you do not need huge power for your cans, I think xDSD is the one for you. But if you do not mind the size, micro iDSD BL will be superior to xDSD I think.

 

[Luke Skywalker]

I picked up the Apple one yesterday. I’ve never had luck with non Apple cables.
I didn’t think you needed the Ifi blue cable unless you’re connecting it to your computer? I didn’t think the blue one was needed for the car

Hey, I totally agree on the Apple cables. I almost just ordered the real one from Apple's website

Here is a picture showing my iPhone 7 connected to the xDSD with the smaller Apple connector, and my Audeze balanced cable

And here is a picture using the other Apple connector with a Female USB -> Male USB cable I had lying around, and a lightning charging cable from a battery pack into the other port. It's charging my phone right now while I listen to Tidal MQA

I've thought about testing a setup where I charge the xDSD at the same time but I don't know if that's a good idea.

 

[Ficcion2]

I upgraded xDSD from silver nano iDSD (non-BL version) with much satisfaction. My first priority is size. micro iDSD BL is too big for portable. I mostly use the wired connection rather than bluetooth because of SQ but bluetooth is nice for casual use. If you do not need huge power for your cans, I think xDSD is the one for you. But if you do not mind the size, micro iDSD BL will be superior to xDSD I think.

Thanks.

Im after SQ over everything but I haven’t gone for a desktop set up cause I currently don’t have a laptop so mobile power is a must.

So I’ll probably look for a good deal on a used Micro BL.

 

[hifi80sman]

Hey, I totally agree on the Apple cables. I almost just ordered the real one from Apple's website

Here is a picture showing my iPhone 7 connected to the xDSD with the smaller Apple connector, and my Audeze balanced cable

And here is a picture using the other Apple connector with a Female USB -> Male USB cable I had lying around, and a lightning charging cable from a battery pack into the other port. It's charging my phone right now while I listen to Tidal MQA

I've thought about testing a setup where I charge the xDSD at the same time but I don't know if that's a good idea.

You need to get a new phone.

 

[Irish77]

Hey, I totally agree on the Apple cables. I almost just ordered the real one from Apple's website

Here is a picture showing my iPhone 7 connected to the xDSD with the smaller Apple connector, and my Audeze balanced cable

And here is a picture using the other Apple connector with a Female USB -> Male USB cable I had lying around, and a lightning charging cable from a battery pack into the other port. It's charging my phone right now while I listen to Tidal MQA

I've thought about testing a setup where I charge the xDSD at the same time but I don't know if that's a good idea.

Do I need a balanced cable connected to the aux cable? All I have is the aux cable to go into the xDSD

 

[mwhals]

Do I need a balanced cable connected to the aux cable? All I have is the aux cable to go into the xDSD

A single ended 3.5 mm cable works with the xDSD. The xDSD jack is designed to work with both single ended and balanced.

 

[Irish77]

A single ended 3.5 mm cable works with the xDSD. The xDSD jack is designed to work with both single ended and balanced.

Is one preferable over the other in regards to SQ?

 

[Irish77]

So, on the front of my receiver, which is a Denon AVR X3300W, I have a “set-up” mic port which is a 3.5mm, and a microphone/headphone port. The microphone/headphone port is bigger than 3.5mm.
This could be a dumb question but, when I use the microphone/headphone port, won’t that cut out sound going to the speakers? I thought the 3.5mm port was only used for the set-up mic. If I plug the xDSD into the set-up mic port, will that still work? I’ve looked in the manual and can’t find anything

 

[mwhals]

So, on the front of my receiver, which is a Denon AVR X3300W, I have a “set-up” mic port which is a 3.5mm, and a microphone/headphone port. The microphone/headphone port is bigger than 3.5mm.
This could be a dumb question but, when I use the microphone/headphone port, won’t that cut out sound going to the speakers? I thought the 3.5mm port was only used for the set-up mic. If I plug the xDSD into the set-up mic port, will that still work? I’ve looked in the manual and can’t find anything

I looked at the manual for the Denon AVR X3300W and the only way I think you can connect the xDSD to it it with a 3.5 mm to RCA adapter like the one below.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Stereo/dp/B01D5H8JW0

The front mic input is for calibration. You use the calibration mic so the receiver can adjust the settings for surround speakers and subwoofers based on the sounds the mic is picking up.

The micro iDSD Black Label would be better for your home system, because it has RCA outputs.

 

[Irish77]

I looked at the manual for the Denon AVR X3300W and the only way I think you can connect the xDSD to it it with a 3.5 mm to RCA adapter like the one below.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Stereo/dp/B01D5H8JW0

The front mic input is for calibration. You use the calibration mic so the receiver can adjust the settings for surround speakers and subwoofers based on the sounds the mic is picking up.

The micro iDSD Black Label would be better for your home system, because it has RCA outputs.

Thanks for taking a look, I’ll have to try the RCA to 3.5mm because the other one you suggested is out of my price range unfortunately.
I just tried it in my car.The DSD does make a difference with playing the MQA files, just not sure if it justifies the money spent though for me personally. I’ll have to get it hooked up to my home system first, and see how it goes.

 

[iFi audio]

Well, guess it’s a perfect excuse to upgrade to the xDSD... or should I just go Micro BL?

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you!

As for xDSD and micro iDSD BL, if your cans aren't power hungry and you fancy small enclosure plus a wireless component, then xDSD would be my pick. If your cans are demanding, you don't see yourself as a wireless person and you can handle a product more transportable than portable, then micro iDSD BL is the way to go!

I just tried it in my car.The DSD does make a difference with playing the MQA files, just not sure if it justifies the money spent though for me personally. I’ll have to get it hooked up to my home system first, and see how it goes.

The difference in MQA playback is a good start, but please share your impressions once you connect the xDSD to your home setup!

I upgraded xDSD from silver nano iDSD (non-BL version) with much satisfaction. My first priority is size. micro iDSD BL is too big for portable. I mostly use the wired connection rather than bluetooth because of SQ but bluetooth is nice for casual use. If you do not need huge power for your cans, I think xDSD is the one for you. But if you do not mind the size, micro iDSD BL will be superior to xDSD I think.

The micro iDSD Black Label would be better for your home system, because it has RCA outputs.

As a desktop/stationary product with regular RCAs, yes, I agree.

A single ended 3.5 mm cable works with the xDSD. The xDSD jack is designed to work with both single ended and balanced.

Yup!

 

[Luke Skywalker]

You need to get a new phone.

Ha yeah... I'm anxiously awaiting the new iPhone w/ 5g and wireless charging. I'd feel like a clown upgrading now when it's only a few months away. Kinda hoping they offer a 1TB version but it'll probably only have 512GB

Totally random... I was wondering yesterday what happens when SDHC cards reach 2TB and people need more space than that. Looks like SDUC is the next thing, with a max of 128TB and 985MB/sec speed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SD_card#SDUC

 

[Irish77]

Well, I have everything connected. I’ve got my MacBook connected to the xDSD via the blue USB cable on one side, and on the other I have a 3.5mm to RCA cable connected to the CD input on my AVR. I've checked the input assignment to be sure everything matches up which it does so I'm at a standstill once again.

When I’m playing MQA tracks through the tidal app on my MacBook, I'm not getting MQA quality. The light should be magenta, but I’m only getting green. I've tried it in my car and MQA plays without issue.

What am I doing wrong? Should I be connecting it to the pre-out section of the receiver? As it stands now, it sounds better when I stream Tidal from my phone to the AVR via Bluetooth w/o the xDSD!! In both cases, the xDSD is set to line out mode (white)

I've attached a pic showing how I have it connected, as well as showing where the pre-out section of the AVR is.

RED = where it's connected currently
BLUE = Pre-Out section

 

[iFi audio]

When I’m playing MQA tracks through the tidal app on my MacBook, I'm not getting MQA quality. The light should be magenta, but I’m only getting green. I've tried it in my car and MQA plays without issue.

Green LED indicates that what xDSD is getting from your MacBook isn't MQA. Quite possibly it's due to how your Tidal is set up, or what your Mac really sends out.

MQA by design has to go in its native form from an app to xDSD to engage magenta LED. Any data manipulation along the road, i.e. upsampling, filters etc. prevent this from happening. Magenta LED in your car shows that everything's in order there.

Also, please see here:

Your Denon used as an analog amp in your case has nothing to do with green LED on xDSD. As long as this amp makes sound on your speakers, you're good.

Pre out on your Denon allows you to use this amp's volume control for i.e. a separate power amp, so not useful considering what you want to do

 

[Irish77]

Green LED indicates that what xDSD is getting from your MacBook isn't MQA. Quite possibly it's due to how your Tidal is set up, or what your Mac really sends out.

MQA by design has to go in its native form from an app to xDSD to engage magenta LED. Any data manipulation along the road, i.e. upsampling, filters etc. prevent this from happening. Magenta LED in your car shows that everything's in order there.

Also, please see here:

Your Denon used as an analog amp in your case has nothing to do with green LED on xDSD. As long as this amp makes sound on your speakers, you're good.

Pre out on your Denon allows you to use this amp's volume control for i.e. a separate power amp, so not useful considering what you want to do

Well now I feel like an ass LOL - I forgot to change the pass through setting in the Tidal app itself - everything is good!