[Bansaku]

Firmware related. We purposely locked digital volume control.

May I ask why? In both Windows and iOS one can adjust the system balance, yet you lock this out for macOS users?

 

[iFi audio]

May I ask why? In both Windows and iOS one can adjust the system balance, yet you lock this out for macOS users?

Highly likely too much DSP involved in this case, but we'll double-check with our R&D team.

And since 2019 is here (in EU that is): https://tidal.com/playlist/aee6099a-20ba-4560-9f40-d4b595ced8a6

 

[iFi audio]

May I ask why? In both Windows and iOS one can adjust the system balance, yet you lock this out for macOS users?

To elaborate a bit more on the subject, we disabled the USB device colume control (which uses DSP in the XMOS System to control volume).

OSX "obeys" this while other operating systems have additional DSP (usually optimised for low CPU load over sound quality) that adds extra volume controls that are preferably left alone. So we have not 'locked away' anything from Mac users, instead OSX avoids an extra layer of DSP (as does Windows in exclusive mode - Wasapi).

If volume/balance is adjusted, this happens in all these operating systems and invariably causes loss of quality. Thus it's not recommended to use these functions.

Most speakers and headphones have channel matching sufficient enough to have balance adjustment not required.

If there is a balance problem, either speakers or headphones should be considered defective and repaired/exchanged. The balance control is also not a good corrector for asymmetric speaker placement.

 

[spdtdl]

The xdsd ir really.. and i mean really really noisy when connected and charging ( or not charging)on any standard mains usb. Its pretty much unuseable due to mains noise.
Using a usb battery pack instead helps immensely and all hum dissapears, i would think that ifi's own filtered 5v usb purifier may be the answer. But that works only.if you are connected to a pc/laptop. I cant see any other solution if you connect to a dap or your phone.
If anyone can qoute on this issue i would be grateful.

I want to use mine as a desktop. Using the charger that comes with an iPhone I can hear a hum, which immediately stops once I disconnect the charger.

Other option I guess is to run it all day on battery then charge it every night, but that will complete multiple discharge cycles.

Would a 5V iPower witht the micro usb adapter (£49) get rid of the hum, so I can just use it like a normal desktop?

 

[Grimbles]

I've finally completed my shoot out review... full xCan and Micro BL reviews to follow. Take a butchers here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-shootout-xdsd-xcan-nano-bl-micro-bl.896760/

 

[iFi audio]

I want to use mine as a desktop. Using the charger that comes with an iPhone I can hear a hum, which immediately stops once I disconnect the charger.

Other option I guess is to run it all day on battery then charge it every night, but that will complete multiple discharge cycles.

Would a 5V iPower witht the micro usb adapter (£49) get rid of the hum, so I can just use it like a normal desktop?

It might help. We advise to reach to your local iFi representative and give iPower a test drive. If it doesn't make this hum to go away, you'll be fully refunded.

 

[Bansaku]

If there is a balance problem, either speakers or headphones should be considered defective and repaired/exchanged. The balance control is also not a good corrector for asymmetric speaker placement.

I agree, and my gear is solid, it's just my ears that seem to be defective, and I can't really do anything in regards repair or exchange. I gladly give up MQA, 384KHz and DSD 256 in exchange for maybe 1 bit of data lost by me attenuating the right channel by 1-2dB in Audio Midi. I have added a VST plug-in in Audirvana to deal with music, but doesn't really help with movies, games, YouTube, etc. It sucks that I find this out after I sold my micro iDAC. Ah well, first world problems.

 

[ClieOS]

Streaming Sportify from FiiO M6 to xDSD. Bliss!

 

[iFi audio]

I agree, and my gear is solid, it's just my ears that seem to be defective, and I can't really do anything in regards repair or exchange. I gladly give up MQA, 384KHz and DSD 256 in exchange for maybe 1 bit of data lost by me attenuating the right channel by 1-2dB in Audio Midi. I have added a VST plug-in in Audirvana to deal with music, but doesn't really help with movies, games, YouTube, etc. It sucks that I find this out after I sold my micro iDAC. Ah well, first world problems.

We feel your pain, we really do.

 

[iFi audio]

Streaming Sportify from FiiO M6 to xDSD. Bliss!

That's truly adorable!

 

[audio123]

Review on the iFi xDSD. Enjoy!

 

[iFi audio]

Review on the iFi xDSD. Enjoy!

Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

I agree, and my gear is solid, it's just my ears that seem to be defective, and I can't really do anything in regards repair or exchange. I gladly give up MQA, 384KHz and DSD 256 in exchange for maybe 1 bit of data lost by me attenuating the right channel by 1-2dB in Audio Midi. I have added a VST plug-in in Audirvana to deal with music, but doesn't really help with movies, games, YouTube, etc. It sucks that I find this out after I sold my micro iDAC. Ah well, first world problems.

@Bansaku

Perhaps in your case a custom attenuation build into the cable(s) of the most commonly used headphones would be be a good choice?

 

[Bansaku]

@Bansaku

Perhaps in your case a custom attenuation build into the cable(s) of the most commonly used headphones would be be a good choice?

Great idea but way ahead of you; I ordered this 1K Ohm pot last week to add in-line to the right channel lead from the xDSD to iTube2. Should be a simple task, and hoping it won't add any unwanted noise into the signal.

 

[iFi audio]

Great idea but way ahead of you; I ordered this 1K Ohm pot last week to add in-line to the right channel lead from the xDSD to iTube2. Should be a simple task, and hoping it won't add any unwanted noise into the signal.

Our man!