[lightning3777]

Hi. My Micro iDSD BL suddenly produce sound on left channel only and sometime right channel only. Could anyone advice on what to do to solve the problem. Thanks

 

[Womaz]

This

 

[iFi audio]

Hi. My Micro iDSD BL suddenly produce sound on left channel only and sometime right channel only. Could anyone advice on what to do to solve the problem. Thanks

If you've tried a different output device and symptoms remain, I'd politely ask you to open up a ticket here: http://support.ifi-audio.com/

Our support staff will do their best to help you out!

 

[bzippy]

Just got a Micro BL, primarily for desktop-amp-like performance when I'm away from my desktop rig. Haven't had a chance to directly A/B against my Schiit / JDS Labs rig yet, but from what I've heard so far I think it's going to fare pretty well.

Regarding firmware though, I got a little overwhelmed reading about all the different releases, but ultimately came away from it thinking I don't need to flash any if them as I don't do DSD or MQA. That is, until the other night when I fell asleep while streaming Spotify in Battery Mode using my phone. When I woke up a couple hours later I was very surprised to find my phone drained. So I need to flash FW5.2b to avoid this, right? But if the Micro's sleep mode is disabled by FW5.2b, will it's (the Micro's) battery continue to be drawn down at the same rate even after the input signal stops (i.e. after the source device reaches the end of the album or playlist)?

I frequently listen to music over headphones to fall asleep and I need some help understanding my options vis-a-vis FW if I'm going to use the Micro BL as part of my routine.

Worth also mentioning that my nighttime cans are the Meze 99 Classics. And I was very surprised to discover that to achieve the low volumes I prefer for sleep require not only Eco mode, but also the High Sensitivity setting on the IEMatch switch. Otherwise I am below 9:00 on the volume knob and start to get channel imbalance issues. (I mean, this thing might just be too powerful for nighttime use for me, but that's off topic for now.)

Any thoughts, tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

So I need to flash FW5.2b to avoid this, right?

Yes, FW5.2b is the one to disable sleep mode. And yes, as long as the product is physically turned on, it will drain its battery. Sadly we don't have a firmware which would turn the machine off after a time period, this has to be done manually.

 

[bzippy]

Yes, FW5.2b is the one to disable sleep mode. And yes, as long as the product is physically turned on, it will drain its battery. Sadly we don't have a firmware which would turn the machine off after a time period, this has to be done manually.

Thank you. I did not expect that FW5.2b included auto shutoff in any way. But if you guys could start work on a BL v2.0 in which a sensor could tell when I fall sleep (via, say, a snore detector) and then a little mechanical arm would come out and switch off the unit, well needlessly to say that's an upgrade I'd be very interested in.

Seriously though, i guess my question was a very clunky way of asking about a basic aspect of amplifiers in general, i.e. do amps use less power when there is no input signal or is it about the same? (I'm sorry, I'm sure this is a very basic tech question)

Last thing: somewhere in all these pages I sorta remember reading that the iDSD at one time could distinguish between a power source and a phone, such that it would not draw power from a phone in sleep mode. But there is something about modern phones that makes this distinction no longer possible. Did I understand this correctly?

 

[iFi audio]

But there is something about modern phones that makes this distinction no longer possible. Did I understand this correctly?

Well, as long as micro iDSD BL is powered on first prior to connecting it to a smartphone, it shouldn't drain your smartphone's battery. It's fair to ask whether you know that this is possible, but most likely you are!

do amps use less power when there is no input signal or is it about the same? (I'm sorry, I'm sure this is a very basic tech question)

I hear you, an 'eco' mode when a power amp goes into minimal power draw if no signal is detected. I'm not sure whether this could be done in a portable product without impacting its sound quality, but you have a point there. I'll ask our R&D about that.

then a little mechanical arm would come out and switch off the unit,

Not sure if we can integrate a mechanical slapping arm in a product itself, but we could add it as i.e. an inflatable accessory or something

 

[Womaz]

OK I am not good with technology but I am keen to explore something.

I have the HD800S cans and I love what the bass boost does to them . With my main rig I rarely use the HD800s and the Hifiman HEK are always preferred.

However when using the Micro BL I now prefer the HD800s , but only with the bass boost.

Now is the challenge -) I use Roon with my main rig and it has a DSP feature which I currently don’t use, but I may try and do something with this so when I use the HD800S with it, I get the same results.

Anyone have any idea what sort of bass boost is given and how would I go about using the DSP feature within Roon to try and get similar results?

Any guidance appreciated

 

[Baten]

OK I am not good with technology but I am keen to explore something.

I have the HD800S cans and I love what the bass boost does to them . With my main rig I rarely use the HD800s and the Hifiman HEK are always preferred.

However when using the Micro BL I now prefer the HD800s , but only with the bass boost.

Now is the challenge -) I use Roon with my main rig and it has a DSP feature which I currently don’t use, but I may try and do something with this so when I use the HD800S with it, I get the same results.

Anyone have any idea what sort of bass boost is given and how would I go about using the DSP feature within Roon to try and get similar results?

Any guidance appreciated

Same question was asked here. You could mimic the effect via digital EQ
https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones...source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=post_title

 

[Womaz]

I can’t seem to adjust the 11hz as suggested . I am a total novice so not even sure this is how I should go about this.

 

[Baten]

I can’t seem to adjust the 11hz as suggested . I am a total novice so not even sure this is how I should go about this.

It would be easiest to change 'type' to Low Shelf. 54 Hz. +10 dB. Q 0.5

 

[Womaz]

It would be easiest to change 'type' to Low Shelf. 54 Hz. +10 dB. Q 0.5

i am a total novice, but think I have done it . I can listen later and make adjustments if I feel they are necessary. Thanks for the help

 

[iFi audio]

i am a total novice, but think I have done it . I can listen later and make adjustments if I feel they are necessary. Thanks for the help

Once you have a listen, can you share some impressions how this EQ worked for you?

 

[Womaz]

Once you have a listen, can you share some impressions how this EQ worked for you?

I am not good at describing what I hear , it boosted the bass too much on my Taurus so for now I have reduced this to 6db and so far I think this sounds more to my liking .

 

[Baten]

I am not good at describing what I hear , it boosted the bass too much on my Taurus so for now I have reduced this to 6db and so far I think this sounds more to my liking .

I think it's because iFi's boost is analog, while the EQ is digital domain. to me, it also sounded subtly different.
good thinking to fine tune it by ear.