[Gamerlingual]

Well, one thing I can say about iFi, at least their customer service seems solid. Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

Well, one thing I can say about iFi, at least their customer service seems solid. Cheers

Thanks! What about the rest ?

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Hi,

Im considering buying the IFI Hip Dac and was wondering if and how i can connect the FIIO BTR3 (Bluetooth dac) with the IFI Dac? Will the USB A to USB C cable, connected to BTR3's USB C port, as a source work? The IFI doesn't have a 3.5mm line so not sure how to connect the bluetooth receiver to the dac! Idea is to use the BTR3 as a input source (via bluetooth) for the IFI DAC.

Any answers much appreciated!

Sidenote- My Huawei p30 pro works really well with the BTR3 transmitting aptx/LDAC over bluetooth. Using the Audio Technica M50X or FH7's is never a problem. However, i recently got the Tin Hifi P1's and BTR3 doesn't really put out the best possible output. I travel quite a bit and was considering buying either the IFI Hip Dac or the NX4 DSD to power the P1's and maybe Hifiman Sundara's (sitting in the cart).

Well, they are both DACs, and as you noted the BTR3 type-C is an input not an output (ditto the USB port on the iFi, of course)--I would say you should simply consider a different iFi product with line in capability in addition to / in place of DAC function. Plenty to choose from right @iFi audio ?

 

[Mozbach]

I've noticed crackling sounds in my IEMs when connecting and disconnecting them from the hip-dac even when it's switched off.
I don't know if that means that the device delivers voltage to them even when it's switched off.

One of the product reviews mentioned that if you leave the iems are left plugged in (after switching off), they drain the battery out. That could probably mean that the iems receive power despite switching off. Maybe that's causing the crackling?

Have u noticed a battery drain difference with and without the iems left plugged in over a long duration? Maybe you can and inform on this?

Cheers

Well, they are both DACs, and as you noted the BTR3 type-C is an input not an output (ditto the USB port on the iFi, of course)--I would say you should simply consider a different iFi product with line in capability in addition to / in place of DAC function. Plenty to choose from right @iFi audio ?

Thanks!!

 

[iFi audio]

Plenty to choose from right @iFi audio ?

Yup! @Mozbach I encourage you to take a look at xCAN. Not only it has single-ended and balanced line inputs, but also a wireless receiver and DAC inside. If you'd like to know more, please feel free to ask!

One of the product reviews mentioned that if you leave the iems are left plugged in (after switching off), they drain the battery out. That could probably mean that the iems receive power despite switching off. Maybe that's causing the crackling?

A small part of the first batch had a defect. If one has a unit that drains battery when powered off, we replace the whole product.

 

[Mozbach]

Yup! @Mozbach I encourage you to take a look at xCAN. Not only it has single-ended and balanced line inputs, but also a wireless receiver and DAC inside. If you'd like to know more, please feel free to ask!



A small part of the first batch had a defect. If one has a unit that drains battery when powered off, we replace the whole product.

IFI Xcan is a bit off budget for me...maybe will delay the purchase for the time and buy the xcan when i can! Thanks for the tip!

 

[iFi audio]

IFI Xcan is a bit off budget for me...maybe will delay the purchase for the time and buy the xcan when i can! Thanks for the tip!

Sure, anytime!

 

[Jenerics]

A small part of the first batch had a defect. If one has a unit that drains battery when powered off, we replace the whole product.

Do you have a serial number range for this batch that may be experiencing this problem? I have an earlier unit and have not used it enough to confirm an issue, but I would hate to figure it out months from now where it may not be covered this way. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Do you have a serial number range

Not at the moment. But if you notice something wierd as described above, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[zolom]

Is it safe (for the battery) to keep the DAC connected to the computer's USB at all time? even when not playing music?

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Is it safe (for the battery) to keep the DAC connected to the computer's USB at all time? even when not playing music?

Thanks

It's unlikely that something could happen to hip-dac used like so, however it was designed to run off its internal battery, so having it constantly connected isn't ideal. ZEN DAC is our hip-dac equivalent for desktop use.

 

[Gamerlingual]

Thanks! What about the rest ?

FiiO has good service, but their installation instructions can be hard for me to understand. The people at Sony under support try to use too much marketing jargon to explain the benefits of their products which is annoying because they can't really answer the information correctly. At least you guys keep it clear and concise and know what you're talking about (well, to me at least)

 

[Gamerlingual]

Is it safe (for the battery) to keep the DAC connected to the computer's USB at all time? even when not playing music?

Thanks

I always disconnect it after each use. It helps preserve the battery. Still a nice little gem that hopefully can still benefit from a firmware update from the battery.

 

[iFi audio]

FiiO has good service, but their installation instructions can be hard for me to understand. The people at Sony under support try to use too much marketing jargon to explain the benefits of their products which is annoying because they can't really answer the information correctly. At least you guys keep it clear and concise and know what you're talking about (well, to me at least)

I'll gladly pass on to our support staff. This will make their weekend this much better, thank you!

Still a nice little gem that hopefully can still benefit from a firmware update from the battery.

If we can improve battery life via FW upgrades, we will do it

 

[Idontevenknowmyname]

Hello there, just go my hip dac and I am very happy with it so far (about two hours in).
This breathes new life to my pfe 232s and they sound very nice, especially since I installed the new firmware but maybe I will go back to the other one later and compare a bit more. In your opinion, is 5.3c the best or is it down to preference? Xbass is just amazing, with the right tracks that is.
With psytrance and other electronic music its amazing, my 232s have never had that much low end and they deliver it very crisp and clean and insanely low, its truly mind blowing what these iems are capable off.
But with some tracks its way too much and gets boomy, for most things non electronic I keep it of for the moment.


Now onto my question, I have successfully got tidal to work with mqa and its decoding and sounding great but no matter which signal I feed my unit with, the color on the front does not change at all, neither to yellow nor magenta. Is my unit defect or am I doing something wrong? I already changed the sample rate to 192 and its showing it correctly in the driver.


Edit: I just disabled passthrough mqa and now it is working as intended

Xbass is also growing more and more on me. Sounds amazing on six blade knife or down the waterline from the dire straits while still keeping almost all of the detail, quite amazing!