[Gus141]

Not really if done right each time.



It was a pre-production sample. Everything's in check since then, no worries.

Thanks iFi!

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks iFi!

You're welcome.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

How long is the USB Charging and Connection Cable?

 

[Bansaku]

After I had my xDSD (set to headphone mode) unplugged for 2-3 weeks and not see any battery drain, I decided to leave my unit set to Bluetooth unplugged for 2 weeks. As of this post, no loss of charge.

 

[Gus141]

I wanted to post my recent/updated experience with 5.3c firmware. I previously reported that i would get stuttering with MQA tracks on 5.3c but not 5.3 so I was sticking with the older 5.3 firmware. Well, this weekend I got some stuttering with 5.3, but after restarting the DAC I couldn’t duplicate the problem. So, I decided to try 5.3c again to see if I would experience stuttering in MQA tracks or not. After an hour I had no issues but then I got a repeatable stutter on one song (I could restart the song and it would stutter in the same spot). I restarted the DAC and I could no longer duplicate the issue; the song played without any stutters.

So I decided to stick with 5.3c for a while and see if the problem occurred again. It did, but only once. A reboot of the DAC fixed it.

In summary, I don’t think 5.3c caused any issues that were not already present in 5.3, but with respect to the stuttering issue, with either firmware, a reboot of the DAC (holding the volume button down, etc.,) fixed it.

Edit: I’m back to 5.3. I’m just more confident in the stock Listen (Minimum Phase) and Measure (Linear Phase) filters. The GTO filter is too exotic for me I guess. It’s bad enough we don’t completely know what the proprietary MQA filters do with MQA music, never mind now using that engine for all non-MQA music just with different parameters (if I understand what the GTO filter is doing). Plus, the LED light is now useful again.

Cheers,
Gus

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Any battery life improvement in the latest official firmware?

Should I update?

 

[flyte3333]

I have exactly the same problem with the new device. The old one charges but not holding charge as it gets warm and the led lights up during charging. This is a very difficult device in charging alone.

@Joseph Lin @steppenwolf2010 did you get an update from iFi Support about USB-C charging issues?

Any updates on what it is/could be?

 

[Joseph Lin]

@Joseph Lin @steppenwolf2010 did you get an update from iFi Support about USB-C charging issues?

Any updates on what it is/could be?

Since I just got it and it did not work so I returned it the next day.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Do I need to do anything Speical for the xDSD to enter Desktop Mode?

E.g Turn the xDSD completely OFF than Plug in the Charging cable to Charge, then Plug the USB into Computer ?

 

[Tenashus1]

Once the xDSD is charged to 75%, then you can keep it charged through the USB port on your laptop. That's the way it works for me.

 

[qsk78]

Made some experiments/comparisons yesterday:

- wireless connection: xDSD vs xCAN
- wired connection: xDSD + xCAN (fully balanced) vs micro iDSD BL.

IEM: Earsonics S-EM6 V2 (2.5 mm balanced), Etymotic ER4SR (3.5 mm SE), q-JAYs (3.5 mm TRRS S-balanced)...



To me the absolute winner (SQ wise) is the micro iDSD BL: more neutral, faster and harder hitting bass.
BUT the combo of xDSD + xCAN was very close though.

My subjective conclusion:

• xCAN can replace xDSD wirelessly in my scenario but cannot when wired; comparable sound quality + way more power
• micro iDSD BL can replace both when wired but cannot do it wirelessly
• ideal situation when you have all 3 for different applications/occasions
• if not then one of these two + micro iDSD BL
• xCAN only if there is no need in wired connection (no mqa, no hires files)
• xDSD only if you are happy with it)

 

[flyte3333]

o me the absolute winner (SQ wise) is the micro iDSD BL: more neutral, faster and harder hitting bass.

If micro iDSD BL is more neutral how would you describe xDSD? Too bright? Too warm/dark?

 

[qsk78]

If micro iDSD BL is more neutral how would you describe xDSD? Too bright? Too warm/dark?

I would describe it as neutral-warmish with a higher level of "musicality" with more intimate and engaging sound whilst the micro BL is more on the reference / analytical side (but not too much and it is not "cold sounding").

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Made some experiments/comparisons yesterday:

- wireless connection: xDSD vs xCAN
- wired connection: xDSD + xCAN (fully balanced) vs micro iDSD BL.

IEM: Earsonics S-EM6 V2 (2.5 mm balanced), Etymotic ER4SR (3.5 mm SE), q-JAYs (3.5 mm TRRS S-balanced)...



To me the absolute winner (SQ wise) is the micro iDSD BL: more neutral, faster and harder hitting bass.
BUT the combo of xDSD + xCAN was very close though.

My subjective conclusion:

• xCAN can replace xDSD wirelessly in my scenario but cannot when wired; comparable sound quality + way more power
• micro iDSD BL can replace both when wired but cannot do it wirelessly
• ideal situation when you have all 3 for different applications/occasions
• if not then one of these two + micro iDSD BL
• xCAN only if there is no need in wired connection (no mqa, no hires files)
• xDSD only if you are happy with it)

So...

• xCAN + xDSD's DAC is better than the xDSD alone?
• xCAN + Other DAC vs. xDSD?

Have you try hooking up the xCAN to Desktop DAC and see how it perform vs the xDSD alone? I plan to do that when I'm sitting at home, If I'm on the go I could just grab the xCAN.

 

[qsk78]

• xCAN + xDSD's DAC is better than the xDSD alone?

In case your cans / IEM need more power to perform.

Did not try any other DAC, but use the xDSD with O2 - very nice sounding pair.

My plan is to switch from the xDSD to xCAN on the go, I need more power to drive my 6BA IEM.