[iFi audio]

For pre-production models there was a darker color.

True, at shows we showcased matte black samples, but that was a no-go due to this colour reserved to the Black Label product series.

Hey do you guys think this cable (3.5 male balanced to 2.5 female balanced) would work with the xDSD? https://penonaudio.com/accessories/earphone-adapters/penon-hifi-balanced-adapter-cable.html

It should work.

 

[hifi80sman]

Hey do you guys think this cable (3.5 male balanced to 2.5 female balanced) would work with the xDSD? https://penonaudio.com/accessories/earphone-adapters/penon-hifi-balanced-adapter-cable.html

Yes, those should work just fine.

You can also look at some of these as well. I have the Geekria adapter, except I have the 3.5mm female to 2.5mm male balanced (for my FiiO unit), but it works great. I think many of these are from the same few OEMs.

https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Female-Headphone-Earphone-Adapter/dp/B0828KB38L/

https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Balanced-Adapter-Convert-Connector/dp/B07BK4BRLV/

 

[wizbore]

Alright that's fair enough



On 5.3 FW with PCM files there is no DSP, but MQA involves DSP and the change that occurs when you switch these two formats is what briefly gaps. Therefore can you please check your current FW? If it's not 5.3c (the GTO FW, with DSP in case of PCM and MQA), then I'd suggest installing it and seeing whether gaps stop.

Thanks for the suggestion. Did as you said and updated the FW to 5.3c (was previously 5.0) but the gap is still there. Do you have any further suggestions?

 

[Luke Skywalker]

Yes, those should work just fine.

You can also look at some of these as well. I have the Geekria adapter, except I have the 3.5mm female to 2.5mm male balanced (for my FiiO unit), but it works great. I think many of these are from the same few OEMs.

https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Female-Headphone-Earphone-Adapter/dp/B0828KB38L/

https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Balanced-Adapter-Convert-Connector/dp/B07BK4BRLV/

Hey thanks! I ordered that first one... Never can have too many of those tiny little adapters that seem to vanish from time to time

 

[Luke Skywalker]

True, at shows we showcased matte black samples, but that was a no-go due to this colour reserved to the Black Label product series.



It should work.

Great, thanks for the help and the info about the colors. Can't wait to listen to this thing when it gets here tomorrow

 

[iFi audio]

Great, thanks for the help and the info about the colors. Can't wait to listen to this thing when it gets here tomorrow

Sure, anytime!

 

[CL14715]

So... wondering if anyone added their own coating or vinyl to protect and avoid the inevitable finger print / grease accumulation on xDSD? If so do tell, I would like to order one and do so myself.

 

[crispezki]

I dont see the coating to be any kind of a problem. Im actually think that it looks very cool when it gets very smudged. But I get if you want to keep it exttremely shine all the time then the smudges might irritate.

 

[hifi80sman]

So... wondering if anyone added their own coating or vinyl to protect and avoid the inevitable finger print / grease accumulation on xDSD? If so do tell, I would like to order one and do so myself.

You can wipe it down with some glass wax. That will get it to a nice shine a protect it a bit, but the only way to really prevent fingerprints is to wear gloves while handling.

It looks nice, but I wish they would have designed a matte look, like brushed nickel.

 

[CL14715]

You can wipe it down with some glass wax. That will get it to a nice shine a protect it a bit, but the only way to really prevent fingerprints is to wear gloves while handling.

It looks nice, but I wish they would have designed a matte look, like brushed nickel.

I agree. I'm just wondering if anyone ever tried to paint or wrap it.

 

[iFi audio]

It looks nice, but I wish they would have designed a matte look, like brushed nickel.

We tried many different things, but this one we enjoyed the most. Plus, we had some marketing research on the subject as well

 

[CL14715]

We tried many different things, but this one we enjoyed the most. Plus, we had some marketing research on the subject as well

I like it too I just want to personalize mine. I figured a wrap would look cool while protecting it and avoiding finger prints.

 

[Irish77]

Hi all, I’m new here, and very new to the DAC world. I’ve been looking at the xDSD for the past week or so, and I’ve read so much that I think I’m just overloaded and confused now lol

For starters, I don’t use wired headphones, I use Tidal as my streaming service on my iPhone X

Here is what I’m trying to accomplish:

1. Connect the xDSD to my home theater setup. Is this done via the LINE OUT on the xDSD by using a male to male stereo cable? or by using an optical cable with the provided adapter? I want to be able to stream MQA using the Tidal app via my iPhone X or a MacBook Pro is also an option but would prefer the latter.

2. Connect the xDSD to my factory car audio system. My vehicle has a USB port along with an AUX input. I understand that MQA can’t be done via Bluetooth, but can I somehow get MQA playback in my car?

I’m not sure if the xDSD is even what I should be looking at to accomplish the above. I’m very new to this and would really appreciate some guidance. Thank you all in advance

 

[Luke Skywalker]

So my xDSD came this weekend... "Wowwwwwwwwww" is all I can say. I absolutely love this device.

I’m listening to Tidal Masters and DSD’s on my JH Lola IEM’s and the sound is unbelievable. I’m using a 2.5mm balanced male -> 3.5 balanced female adapter, which made a pretty dramatic difference versus an unbalanced.

I had hesitated a little because the thing looks much bigger in pictures. It’s actually quite tiny in my hand - the hand model must be a munchkin. Beautiful construction and intuitive controls. Love when the purple light tells me I’m listening to an MQA and the light that indicates DSD is playing. (I had to monkey around quite a bit with the Neutron iOS app to figure out how to get it to output that).

Plenty of power on the IEM’s. Will test with my Audeze LCD-2’s as soon as my 4.4mm balanced female -> 3.5 balanced male adapter arrives

Haven’t tested the Bluetooth yet...

Great job @iFi audio . Amazing product

 

[mwhals]

So my xDSD came this weekend... "Wowwwwwwwwww" is all I can say. I absolutely love this device.

I’m listening to Tidal Masters and DSD’s on my JH Lola IEM’s and the sound is unbelievable. I’m using a 2.5mm balanced male -> 3.5 balanced female adapter, which made a pretty dramatic difference versus an unbalanced.

I had hesitated a little because the thing looks much bigger in pictures. It’s actually quite tiny in my hand - the hand model must be a munchkin. Beautiful construction and intuitive controls. Love when the purple light tells me I’m listening to an MQA and the light that indicates DSD is playing. (I had to monkey around quite a bit with the Neutron iOS app to figure out how to get it to output that).

Plenty of power on the IEM’s. Will test with my Audeze LCD-2’s as soon as my 4.4mm balanced female -> 3.5 balanced male adapter arrives

Haven’t tested the Bluetooth yet...

Great job @iFi audio . Amazing product

Reviews I have read said the bluetooth is astonishingly good and sounds as good as wired. There might be a small 10% difference, but most say is sounds really good from bluetooth.