[TjPhysicist]

For those using the iDSD with a dap/smartphone here's something you can read up to;
http://ifi-audio.com/micro-idsd-ifi-xmos-firmware/

Quoted from the page
"and sub-version 5.2B:

2) This is strictly for Smartphone users ONLY, there is no other reason to use 5.2B on the micro iDSD BL & micro iDSD.
• The micro iDSD BL & micro iDSD will try to recharge while in Sleep Mode (e.g. when connected to a PC). If connected to a Smartphone which is ‘seen’ as a computer, it will recharge via the Smartphone.
• 5.2B disables the Sleep Mode within the micro iDSD BL & micro iDSD; hence it will no longer try to recharge during Sleep Mode and flatten the Smartphone’s battery."

Hope it helps
Bilson

Oh I totally forgot about that. SInce I no longer use it with smartphone, you think it's possible to DOWNgrade back to 5.2 regular?

 

[technobear]

For those using the iDSD with a dap/smartphone here's something you can read up to;
http://ifi-audio.com/micro-idsd-ifi-xmos-firmware/


Quoted from the page

"and sub-version 5.2B:


2) This is strictly for Smartphone users ONLY, there is no other reason to use 5.2B on the micro iDSD BL hence it will no longer try to recharge during Sleep Mode and flatten the Smartphone’s battery."


Hope it helps

Bilson

Oh I totally forgot about that. SInce I no longer use it with smartphone, you think it's possible to DOWNgrade back to 5.2 regular?

Any of the applicable firmware versions can be installed at any time. They are each complete in of themselves and totally replace whatever is already there.

 

[Maxpain]

Hello,
 
I want to use the idsd micro with the jbl lsr 305. Has anyone tried this combination? Is it a good pairing?
 
Would I be able to use micro's analogue volume control if I switch to the pre amp section?
 
Cheers

 

[sandalaudio]

  Hello,
 
I want to use the idsd micro with the jbl lsr 305. Has anyone tried this combination? Is it a good pairing?
 
Would I be able to use micro's analogue volume control if I switch to the pre amp section?

 
There is a little switch on the bottom to change the RCA output between fixed and variable volume, so that should work for you.
 
One thing you should worry about a bit is how long RCA cables you would run from the micro IDSD to the JBLs.
1-2m would probably be OK, but anything longer and you can get a bit of interference depending on the cable construction and quality.
 
I had this issue on my KRK and Genelec monitors if I used RCA instead of XLR cables. Long RCA cables picked up noise from nearby electronics and fluorescent lights. It even picked up AM radio signals in some venues.

 

[Aegruin]

  Hello,
 
I want to use the idsd micro with the jbl lsr 305. Has anyone tried this combination? Is it a good pairing?
 
Would I be able to use micro's analogue volume control if I switch to the pre amp section?
 
Cheers

I did. In Direct mode, the sound became kinda more mid-oriented than my other sources specially. Pre-amplifier mode made it a little warmer. And yes you can use the volume knob. iDSD is compatible if you like mid oriented sound than a boomy bass.

 

[TheoS53]

Got this sucker in for review today. 

Initial thoughts: is it even possible for portable audio to sound this good? Or perhaps more importantly, can portable audio get any significantly better than this?

 

[Maxpain]

  I did. In Direct mode, the sound became kinda more mid-oriented than my other sources specially. Pre-amplifier mode made it a little warmer. And yes you can use the volume knob. iDSD is compatible if you like mid oriented sound than a boomy bass.

What do you mean when you say mid oriented? Like...light sounded? Too thin? You mean that I would have better sound quality using the idsd without the pre amp feature? Only as a dac?

 

[iFi audio]

  What do you mean when you say mid oriented? Like...light sounded? Too thin? You mean that I would have better sound quality using the idsd without the pre amp feature? Only as a dac?

 
What he meant presumably is the midrange emphasis.

 

[Aegruin]

   
What he meant presumably is the midrange emphasis.

Yes. Exactly. 

 

[Aegruin]

  What do you mean when you say mid oriented? Like...light sounded? Too thin? You mean that I would have better sound quality using the idsd without the pre amp feature? Only as a dac?

 
There wasn't any problem about the sound quality between modes. Just the sound signature changes a little.

 

[Maxpain]

Oh i see, I am still debating with my self if I would use the jbl's with the micro. I've been using headphones for over a year now but I would like to see how will the micro play with speakers too...

 

[bms44974]

@Maxpain: I have used and thoroughly enjoyed the original iDAC (v1) with the JBL 305s for a few years now. I can only imagine that the added versatility and performance of the iDSD will pair just as well (or better).
 
Cheers... Brian

 

[Maxpain]

  @Maxpain: I have used and thoroughly enjoyed the original iDAC (v1) with the JBL 305s for a few years now. I can only imagine that the added versatility and performance of the iDSD will pair just as well (or better).
 
Cheers... Brian

Thanks man,
 
I have listened to a lot of montiros and hifi speakers at that price range and those jbl's are in the middle of the two sides imho,
 
Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

  Oh i see, I am still debating with my self if I would use the jbl's with the micro. I've been using headphones for over a year now but I would like to see how will the micro play with speakers too...

 
Others have posted on their practical experiences, for example here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/728236/ifi-idsd-micro-dsd512-pcm768-dac-and-headphone-amp-impressions-reviews-and-comments/4845#post_12100613
 
You can use the search function to find more.
 
The difference between "direct" mode and "preamp" mode is precisely what it says.
 
That is, in direct mode the signal on the RCA's comes directly from the DAC's analogue stage, like it would if you had dedicated DAC with line-outs.
 
In preamp mode the signal on the RCA's additionally adds a volume control and a buffer/preamplifier section, like you would have if you combined a traditional line output DAC with an external preamplifier.
 
You can see the signal flow on the block diagram for the iDSD micro (black & silver) here:
 

 
The preamp in the iDSD micro uses a very high quality J-Fet input integrated amplifier circuit (OV2627 made for iFi) designed to drive 600 ohm loads with very low distortion (< 0.00005% THD & N with a 600 ohm Load). 
 
What's added is a very good sounding pot in front of this amplifier. This is designed and made for iFi by factory founded by people that worked for Noble (still considered the best high end potentiomenter by many) when Noble closed down. It was selected for it's superior sound quality over similar items from other sources.
 
Arguably the same linestage is shared with the headphone section, it drives the headphone buffer which is needed to provide extra current for the headphones and if preamp mode is selected, it also drives the RCA iutputs.
 
You can find dedicated "line stage" preamplifiers and "line controllers" costing serious amounts using the same circuitry and often not even as high grade op-amp's. 
 
For example, a German made $13,800 line preamplifier uses exactly the same kind of circuit, but with amplifier IC's that have more than 10 times the distortion compared to the one in the iDSD micro. 
 
We simply didn't skimp. You really do get a high end linestage integrated in the iDSD micro and you save the money and sonic impact of one RCA interconnect cable.
 
In order to maximize performance it is best to set the gain on the active monitors to the lowest possible and use the gain trim (if present) to set elevated normal listening levels to happen when the iDSD micro is in normal mode and the volume control is around 12 o'clock.
 

 
For a more "scientific" approach you can use a 440Hz/-20dB FS tone, set iDSD micro volume control to 3 o'clock and set the SPL at the listening position using a SPL meter to 82dB for one speaker using the trim on the monitor.
 
The result will then approximate studio condition and THX recommendations for playback.

 

[sandalaudio]

 
That is, in direct mode the signal on the RCA's comes directly from the DAC's analogue stage, like it would if you had dedicated DAC with line-outs.
 
In preamp mode the signal on the RCA's additionally adds a volume control and a buffer/preamplifier section, like you would have if you combined a traditional line output DAC with an external preamplifier.

 
I was using the silver micro iDSD in direct RCA line out mode onto my main audio system, but I personally preferred the sound of micro iDAC2 so I decided to buy that in place of the micro iDSD.
I thought the micro iDAC2 felt a bit more gentler and transparent without having a very direct analytical edge that I felt with the micro iDSD.
 
What do you think is the main design element that contributes to the sound signature difference between the micro iDSD and iDAC2, and would the micro iDSD BL be different once again? (I haven't listened to that yet).