[ReaperZzZ]

So my xDSD arrived... From my quick 5 minute demo at work... Bloody hell this is GOOD!

Can't wait to finish work and have a proper listen

 

[iFi audio]

So my xDSD arrived... From my quick 5 minute demo at work... Bloody hell this is GOOD!

Can't wait to finish work and have a proper listen

Cool! Do let us know your impressions once you can have a little time with it!

 

[ReaperZzZ]

Initial comparisons to the Oppo HA-2 with the xDSD

Source : Tidal Hifi via Android
Interface : Bluetooth from Samsung S8+
Headphones tested : Campfire Audio Atlas

Sound
This section is brief as I've only listened (with interruptions at work) for approximately one hour. I will come back and update this. The xDSD is definitely a step up in overall clarity, highs are cleaner, midrange seems a little less compacted, and low-end is punchier (Without Bass+ enabled on HA-2 anyway)

Modes
XBass+ - adds a slight bit of mid-bass punch, without muddying anything. I think the general listener might appreciate this, but coming from the significant bass-boost offered on the Oppo HA-2, it feels very tame. I am a basshead personally, so I'll need to find a way to EQ in additional sub-bass (80hz and below) to make up for this.

3D+ - Doesn't appear to do much, if anything.. perhaps this is more noticeable with a wired connection. I know this mode is very apparent on my iFi micro Black Label.

Physicality
Pros :
- The size is perfect for what I purchased it for. Lightweight, it appears to be durable which is daily "out and about" to and from work. I no longer have to have a device strapped to my smartphone - YAY
- The volume knob is easy to operate, well defined movement, and restrictive enough that its not going to accidentally go from a normal listening volume to deafening by mistake.
- The chassis itself is beautiful. A fingerprint magnet for sure but that's okay with me
- The color scheme for volume control is easy to understand - it reminds me of my Chord Mojo's.

Cons :
- It would have been nice if this device had USB-C fast charging capability, especially as it was released in 2018 - a relatively new product. Its good to see iFi implemented this on the xCAN.
- Less bass boost than the Oppo HA-2, however I imagine this can be resolved by EQ'ing, and this is a personal preference. I imagine for non bass-heads this will not be an issue whatsoever.

Overall
- This is a wonderful all rounded unit, which I'm looking forward to putting many many hours into. It will replace my Oppo HA-2 as a daily driver when out and about. Great job @iFi audio !!

Help needed!?!!?
Actions needed from me : I need to figure out an EQ program I can use on Android to bump up the low-end frequencies to fulfil my basshead desires. Unfortunately as UAPP doesn't interface with Tidal Offline (that im aware of), i'll need to find something that interfaces with the OS itself - Any advice people?

 

[iFi audio]

Initial comparisons to the Oppo HA-2 with the xDSD

Source : Tidal Hifi via Android
Interface : Bluetooth from Samsung S8+
Headphones tested : Campfire Audio Atlas

Sound
This section is brief as I've only listened (with interruptions at work) for approximately one hour. I will come back and update this. The xDSD is definitely a step up in overall clarity, highs are cleaner, midrange seems a little less compacted, and low-end is punchier (Without Bass+ enabled on HA-2 anyway)

Modes
XBass+ - adds a slight bit of mid-bass punch, without muddying anything. I think the general listener might appreciate this, but coming from the significant bass-boost offered on the Oppo HA-2, it feels very tame. I am a basshead personally, so I'll need to find a way to EQ in additional sub-bass (80hz and below) to make up for this.

3D+ - Doesn't appear to do much, if anything.. perhaps this is more noticeable with a wired connection. I know this mode is very apparent on my iFi micro Black Label.

Physicality
Pros :
- The size is perfect for what I purchased it for. Lightweight, it appears to be durable which is daily "out and about" to and from work. I no longer have to have a device strapped to my smartphone - YAY
- The volume knob is easy to operate, well defined movement, and restrictive enough that its not going to accidentally go from a normal listening volume to deafening by mistake.
- The chassis itself is beautiful. A fingerprint magnet for sure but that's okay with me
- The color scheme for volume control is easy to understand - it reminds me of my Chord Mojo's.

Cons :
- It would have been nice if this device had USB-C fast charging capability, especially as it was released in 2018 - a relatively new product. Its good to see iFi implemented this on the xCAN.
- Less bass boost than the Oppo HA-2, however I imagine this can be resolved by EQ'ing, and this is a personal preference. I imagine for non bass-heads this will not be an issue whatsoever.

Overall
- This is a wonderful all rounded unit, which I'm looking forward to putting many many hours into. It will replace my Oppo HA-2 as a daily driver when out and about. Great job @iFi audio !!

Help needed!?!!?
Actions needed from me : I need to figure out an EQ program I can use on Android to bump up the low-end frequencies to fulfil my basshead desires. Unfortunately as UAPP doesn't interface with Tidal Offline (that im aware of), i'll need to find something that interfaces with the OS itself - Any advice people?

Many thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

No time for rest at iFi if we want to bring close to you the latest in high quality audio gear!

This weekend you’ll be able to see us at the HXOS audio show in Athens, Greece! So make sure to drop on by and listen to all the iFi audio gear on display.

 

[iFi audio]

Yup, HXOS and Athens are awesome!

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, below you'll find some feedback we got from visitors during the AVS show, enjoy!

 

[ReaperZzZ]

@iFi audio can you offer some advice please.

After using my iFi xDSD for a few days, it went flat which is as expected. I charged it overnight with a Samsung 5v charger... Now I get no sound out of it at all!

It pairs to my smartphone via Bluetooth, the input light on the device is blue, and the kHz light switches to green when I press play, but there is no sound whatsoever. I've ensured the phone volume is set to max, and I've turned the volume knob on the xDSD past green into yellow which should be deafening with my IEMs

I've tried pairing it to a friend's Smartphone with the same issue, and I've tried multiple headphones, all which work via my smartphones 3.5mm port. Both phones also work paired to my friends Bose Qc35ii via Bluetooth.

The power indicator on the xDSD is white, filter is set to listen, and in using the jack next to the kHz/input LEDs. I tried toggling the 3d/xbass on/off to see if that makes a difference but unfortunately not.

I've tried rebooting the xDSD a few times too.

Edit : I've tried unpairing and repairing, with rebooting the phone inbetween.

Should I try reflashing the firmware? Is there a way to hard reset the device?

Let me know if I should raise a support ticket on your site.

Thanks!

 

[sbtourist]

@iFi audio can you offer some advice please.

After using my iFi xDSD for a few days, it went flat which is as expected. I charged it overnight with a Samsung 5v charger... Now I get no sound out of it at all!

It pairs to my smartphone via Bluetooth, the input light on the device is blue, and the kHz light switches to green when I press play, but there is no sound whatsoever. I've ensured the phone volume is set to max, and I've turned the volume knob on the xDSD past green into yellow which should be deafening with my IEMs

I've tried pairing it to a friend's Smartphone with the same issue, and I've tried multiple headphones, all which work via my smartphones 3.5mm port. Both phones also work paired to my friends Bose Qc35ii via Bluetooth.

The power indicator on the xDSD is white, filter is set to listen, and in using the jack next to the kHz/input LEDs. I tried toggling the 3d/xbass on/off to see if that makes a difference but unfortunately not.

Should I try reflashing the firmware? Is there a way to hard reset the device?

Did you try forgetting it on your phone and pairing again?

 

[ReaperZzZ]

Did you try forgetting it on your phone and pairing again?

I did, I also tried pairing to a friend's phone and the same issue occurs, which is the first time its paired to his phone.

 

[sbtourist]

I did, I also tried pairing to a friend's phone and the same issue occurs, which is the first time its paired to his phone.

Sorry to hear that. I have a similar issue in which there's no BT audio after charging _while_ playing via USB, but it's fixed by re-pairing.

 

[RockStar2005]

Folks, below you'll find some feedback we got from visitors during the AVS show, enjoy!

I don't notice ANY difference b/t wired and the xDSD in BT, except that the xDSD sounded BETTER than my LG V30 with Quad DAC (aka Sabre DAC). So I don't know what that last guy was talking about.

 

[ReaperZzZ]

Hmm after a few more reboots of the iFi xDSD it all seems to be working okay now. hopefully it's not this buggy in future :/

Perhaps it got scared sitting next to the Micro BL while charging

 

[baseonmars]

Has anyone had a chance to pair this with the CA Andromeda or Solaris? I’m really tempted to up my IEM game but wondering if the xDSD has enough resolution to being the best out of TOTL offerings.

I’m happy with the way itnoairs with ibasso IT03S but I just want something that’s more detailed, with greater layering and separation.

 

[ReaperZzZ]

Has anyone had a chance to pair this with the CA Andromeda or Solaris? I’m really tempted to up my IEM game but wondering if the xDSD has enough resolution to being the best out of TOTL offerings.

I’m happy with the way itnoairs with ibasso IT03S but I just want something that’s more detailed, with greater layering and separation.

Not sure if it's relevant to you, but I've been using the xDSD with CA Atlas and find it to have wonderful separation and great detail. I can compare to my iFi micro Black Label tonight if that helps. Please keep in mind I've only had it for less than a week.