[Emerpus]

  Is the iDAC2 a battery powered unit that gets it's charge from USB similar to the iDSD micro also?  And if so, I thought iFi indicated they would not implement Class A into a battery powered device?

 
I believed iFi mentioned that iDAC2 has no built-in battery. Can't recall if it's USB powered or via wall-walt.

 

[ClieOS]

  Is the iDAC2 a battery powered unit that gets it's charge from USB similar to the iDSD micro also?  And if so, I thought iFi indicated they would not implement Class A into a battery powered device?

 
 
Like the original iDAC, iDAC2 is fully USB powered, not meant to be portable at all.

 

[leafs]

I've been using ifi idsd micro with HE-560 at home when I want to move around, or when I need portability. I really like the design and the sound. Ifi has strong base and warmish tones and a bit more relaxed sound signature compared to burson conductor. There is plenty of power to drive HE-560, no problems there. I also enjoy AT-3000anv with idsd, as a closed headphone setup at work, really happy with that. Conductor is superior in accuracy, soundstage and rhythm, so for more analytic experience I prefer conductor. I think idsd is a great option if you want warmish, darker sound signature to complement more neutral HE-560. idsd is not warm like a tube amp, but definitely tad warmer than neutral imo.

Hi there,
 
I notice you use Burson Conductor. I wonder have you tried using iDSD as DAC for Conductor and what is your opinion. I'm using Soloist and deciding iDSD to replace my ODAC. I also waiting for the review of iDAC2 before making further decision.
 
Thanks in advance. Cheers

 

[ppolonen]

I wonder have you tried using iDSD as DAC for Conductor and what is your opinion

Matter of fact I did quite extensive testing between conductor dac, idsd, musical fidelity VDAC II and audiolab MDAC. I used 24-96 files (black messiah-d'angelo and fleetwood mac) to do the test and used conductor amp for each dac. I could do on the fly switch between dac, using multi output from my Mac. Main finding was that the differences are subtle, but recognizable. I actually preferred conductor dac to idsd and MDAC. mdac was really close to conductor dac and filters are a nice bonus. I appreciated good resolution and rhythm of the conductor. Conductor good performance could be a synergy thing, I should test with other amp also. Surprising result was that idsd dac volume was lower, any idea why is that? This can bias the result a bit when changing dac, louder sounds generally better. Idsd outperformed VDAC, which was not that impressive compared to others.

I could easily recommend idsd, MDAC and conductor with soloist, I don't think you would be disappointed as differences between them are subtle. I should also test with other high res files with idsd in the future.

 

[iFi audio]

  Ah, I apologize, Google found it and I didn't even check if it's already published or not.
 
Would the iDAC2 be preferable to iDSD Micro or Nano for use in a desktop system: computer's USB3 > iDSD2 > integrated amplifier > speakers or rec out to Bottlehead Crack amplifier > Beyerdynamic T1?

I will not use the DAC on the go, so I'm not interested in battery power. I know the iDSD uses 2 DAC chips, supports higher formats (which I don't intend to use for quite some time) and battery only power should be cleaner than USB one... But is the difference in sound quality high enough to justify the price difference?

 
Hi,
 
Hey, no apology needed. Nice catch. The iDAC2 webpage needs to be ready to go for mid-June when it is launched.
 
For a desktop system, given you have no need whatsoever for a portable system, then the iDAC2 is the better way to go.
 
 
 
Think of it as:
 
micro iDSD = BMW X5 SUV (Costs £££££): can do anything, go anywhere. Yet carries 7 people and a load of shopping.
 
micro iDAC2 = BMW 530D (Costs £££): saloon, plenty of space for 5 people, motorway cruiser all day long.
 
 
So if you say I sit on the motorway all day long or in this case, dont leave the house, then we recommend the iDAC2 as it is best suited to your requirements.
 
We'll update the iDAC2 thread in the next day or so with more technical information. But below is a little tech info.
 
 
Technical Info
Where the iDSD micro was targeted (and primarily crowd-designed here on Head-Fi) as portable and headphone centric product, the iDAC2 is targeted as stationary use.
 
The iDAC2's line out quality matches the iDSD micro, but due to the Class A buffer it offers better compatibility with difficult cables or low impedance loads (it can drive 600 Ohm pro-audio loads without problems).
 
 
 
Cetris paribus, in terms of ultimate SQ, there is not much between them. Same will say iDAC2 is better, some will say micro iDSD is better....but for a pure desktop rig, just like at Munich, we did iDAC2, iTUBE + iCAN.
 
But we also had micro iDSD available for instant demo and people brought their own IEMs and plugged in their phone.

 

[Androb]

Jumping off the convo you guys having as I got a bit of an issue (maybe?)
 
When I listen to the headphone out on the idsd micro, it sounds good until I crank up the volume to like 3/4th. Then the sound starts to crack and sound awful. I am recharging it now in case the battery is starting to run low. But even if battery is low should the sound become like this?

 

[Brooko]

@iFi audio
 
I was a winner in the competition earlier this year - I have the Micro iDSD - and love it.  But essentially I'm looking for a desktop solution as well - mainly headphones, but also needs to be able to drive my Celestion F10 passive monitors:
 

1. Amplifier requirements 70W
2. Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 88dB
3. Impedance 8Ω 

 
I currently use an NFB-12 which works well - and now I'm looking for the most effective way of either using the iDSD as central point in an iFi desktop system, or am I better looking at an alternative?  I've heard your iTube and really enjoyed that too.  I'd like to keep the F10's, but slowly realising I may have no choice but to sell them and buy some decent actives.
 
Thoughts?

 

[leafs]

Matter of fact I did quite extensive testing between conductor dac, idsd, musical fidelity VDAC II and audiolab MDAC. I used 24-96 files (black messiah-d'angelo and fleetwood mac) to do the test and used conductor amp for each dac. I could do on the fly switch between dac, using multi output from my Mac. Main finding was that the differences are subtle, but recognizable. I actually preferred conductor dac to idsd and MDAC. mdac was really close to conductor dac and filters are a nice bonus. I appreciated good resolution and rhythm of the conductor. Conductor good performance could be a synergy thing, I should test with other amp also. Surprising result was that idsd dac volume was lower, any idea why is that? This can bias the result a bit when changing dac, louder sounds generally better. Idsd outperformed VDAC, which was not that impressive compared to others.

I could easily recommend idsd, MDAC and conductor with soloist, I don't think you would be disappointed as differences between them are subtle. I should also test with other high res files with idsd in the future.

Thanks for your sharing. It helps. Sorry but I am not sure why iDSD dac volume was lower. I will keep this question in mind.
 
I think I can find a used MDAC. Though it doesn't allow 192 via usb, it provides XLR for balanced amp in which I can use for Liquid Carbon. I will too check out both iDSD and iDAC2 from my local dealer. 
 
Thanks once again.

 

[iFi audio]

  Jumping off the convo you guys having as I got a bit of an issue (maybe?)
 
When I listen to the headphone out on the idsd micro, it sounds good until I crank up the volume to like 3/4th. Then the sound starts to crack and sound awful. I am recharging it now in case the battery is starting to run low. But even if battery is low should the sound become like this?

 
Hi,
 
Short answer - yes. When the battery is close to flat, all battery-powered devices will distort.
 
Open a support ticket and the guys there will look through your setup and try to diagnose.
 
And please fully-charge the micro iDSD as certain like settings Turbo drain the battery faster than others.
 
Cheers.

 

[Androb]

   
Hi,
 
Short answer - yes. When the battery is close to flat, all battery-powered devices will distort.
 
Open a support ticket and the guys there will look through your setup and try to diagnose.
 
And please fully-charge the micro iDSD as certain like settings Turbo drain the battery faster than others.
 
Cheers.

Thanks, i'll have a listen tonight and see

 

[iFi audio]

  Thanks, i'll have a listen tonight and see

 
Also,
 
The volume control is in the analogue domain and there is a small amount of extra gain. Depending on precise power setings, headphone load, iEMatch etc. it is possible to 'overdrive' the Amplifier. In this case simply reduce volume.
 
If you have iEMatch on and don't get enough volume, reduce or turn off the iEMatch setting. Note iEMatch is only meant for use in normal mode, if even normal mode produces too much gain (which it does for many IEM).
 
If you do not get enough Volume and iEMatch is not enabled, use the next higher power setting.
 
If you are on Turbo mode already and you still have to turn the Volume up past 3/4 etc, you use AKG K-1000 (to our best knowledge no other headphones need so much output from the Amp, not even HE-6 or Abyss) you are likely to be overloading the Amplifier (for what it's worth, AKG K-1000 are only suited to civilised listening levels and no higher).

 

[iFi audio]

  @iFi audio
 
I was a winner in the competition earlier this year - I have the Micro iDSD - and love it.  But essentially I'm looking for a desktop solution as well - mainly headphones, but also needs to be able to drive my Celestion F10 passive monitors:
 

1. Amplifier requirements 70W
2. Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 88dB
3. Impedance 8Ω 

 
I currently use an NFB-12 which works well - and now I'm looking for the most effective way of either using the iDSD as central point in an iFi desktop system, or am I better looking at an alternative?  I've heard your iTube and really enjoyed that too.  I'd like to keep the F10's, but slowly realising I may have no choice but to sell them and buy some decent actives.
 
Thoughts?

 
 
Hi,
 
The NFB looks like a pretty nice piece of Kit. But it does not look like it can drive speakers? How do you drive them at the moment?
 
The iDSD micro can be used in "Preamp Mode" but we would probably be the first to agree that it would be better with an iTUBE, but for starters the iDSD micro will certainly do the job of the NFB-12, if as good, you decide..
 
To keep your speakers you need some form of power amplifier. Maybe look for a nice used unit from the 90's Japanese manufacturer, 50 - 100W per channel?
 
A totally different angle might be to try the Retro Stereo 50, but looking at the Celestion Speakers, nice as they may be, you might enjoy the Retro LS-3.5 even more, they really complete the system. And as others have commented, the Retro also makes a swell Headphone Amp.
 
Really depends which way you wish to go. Try both and see what you think. We think you are in touch with iFi New Zealand? Feedback Audio.

 

[Music Path]

Got the iDSD finally and with my first imprensions, i do have to agree that its slightly bright sounding, but very detailed and strong. If you want it make a little warmer you might try with ifi s audio driver, set it to 192k hz 32 bit + 300hz 3db bass boost + extra bass on + 3d off + negative polaristation. It indeed made it warmer but without compromising mutch detai. But still i'm considering the ican, which is told to be warmer.
Though since the Idac 2 is out, will be there an ican2 soon?

 

[KritiKal]

Got the iDSD finally and with my first imprensions, i do have to agree that its slightly bright sounding, but very detailed and strong. If you want it make a little warmer you might try with ifi s audio driver, set it to 192k hz 32 bit + 300hz 3db bass boost + extra bass on + 3d off + negative polaristation. It indeed made it warmer but without compromising mutch detai. But still i'm considering the ican, which is told to be warmer.
Though since the Idac 2 is out, will be there an ican2 soon?

I've been listening a bit now amd with the 3D turned off, I don't find it bright at all, in fact I find it somewhat dark. With the 3D on though, I find it perceptibly bright, but I can't be certain yet if that's due to the crossfeed, etc..., an actual increase in treble, or both. Either way, it feels natural after a short session and something I adapted to relatively quickly.

I do find it a little warm either way though, something I'm still getting used to as it seems to be hampering vocal clarity at the moment.

 

[Brooko]

  Hi,
 
The NFB looks like a pretty nice piece of Kit. But it does not look like it can drive speakers? How do you drive them at the moment?
 
The iDSD micro can be used in "Preamp Mode" but we would probably be the first to agree that it would be better with an iTUBE, but for starters the iDSD micro will certainly do the job of the NFB-12, if as good, you decide..
 
To keep your speakers you need some form of power amplifier. Maybe look for a nice used unit from the 90's Japanese manufacturer, 50 - 100W per channel?
 
A totally different angle might be to try the Retro Stereo 50, but looking at the Celestion Speakers, nice as they may be, you might enjoy the Retro LS-3.5 even more, they really complete the system. And as others have commented, the Retro also makes a swell Headphone Amp.
 
Really depends which way you wish to go. Try both and see what you think. We think you are in touch with iFi New Zealand? Feedback Audio.

 
Thanks for the feedback.  Yes - I've also been conversing with Chris.  He's been fantastic.  I touched base with you in case you had any other ideas.  The NFB-12 on high gain is actually reasonably capable of putting enough current into the Celestions in a desktop/nearfield situation.  But I was hoping for an integrated solution with the iFi products (with the iDSD Micro as the central point).  I also tried the iTube - however, neither has the same level of power that the NFB-12 has.
 
The goal has been to have a much smaller desktop footprint - which is why the iFi combos are so appealing.  It's looking more and more that I'll have to sell the passives and switch to actives. Then I can go iDSD + iTube, and probably add an iUSB to the mix as it will be largely desktop use.
 
The Retro looks like an amazing unit - but both cost, and overall footprint are a little more than I was considering.
 
I'm pretty sure I know what I need to do now - so first order of the day will be getting the right active speakers.