[orlando1]

I am new to this Discussion Forum, I am not sure if I am doing this right. Please let me know if not.
 
I recently purchased a iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC Headphone Amp .
However, needing  Optical capability on one connector on an Amp,
I was told to buy the $499.00 Amp from iFi.
 
When I looked iFi's on-line page by clicking under (  BRANDS ( iFi ) page ) I noticed there were quantity (2) $499.00 Amps.
 
One was Called the          iFi iDSD – Octa-Speed USB DAC Headphone Amp.
The other was Called        iFi Micro iDSD DAC- Octa-Speed DSD512, Double-Speed DXD, PCM 32 bit/768kHk USB DAC Headamp
 
Both of these were $499.00 each.
 
So my question is:
 
Are these Different Amps ?
If they are, what is different about them ?
I mostly want a Headphone Amp to listen to and amplify digital recordings on an iPad mini and a Sony PCM-D50 Digital recorder.
 
HELP  HELP  . . . 

 

[tf1216]

Do you have screenshots of what you are seeing?

Are you trying to have an optical output of your laptop.

 

[orlando1]

Yes I am .
 
But since I have not purchased one of the (two) units listed by iFi, both at $499.00
I don't know witch one to buy ? 
 
At this point I am more interested in the ( DIFFERENCES ) between them.
 
iFi iDSD – Octa-Speed USB DAC Headphone Amp   $499.00
 
                       VS
iFi Micro iDSD DAC- Octa-Speed DSD512, Double-Speed DXD, PCM 32 bit/768kHk USB DAC Headamp   $499.00
 
 
? ? ?

 

[Loquah]

Hi all, I currently have the iDAC and iCAN, but I'm keen to get an iDSD. A fellow enthusiast and Head-Fier mentioned that the soundstage from the iDSD micro wasn't as big as he expected (lacking depth), but acknowledged that it may have been the earphones he was using.
Can you please tell me if the DAC alone and DAC+amp of the iDSD create a spacious soundstage? Is the inbuilt amp a limiting factor in this?
Thanks!

 

[tf1216]

The Micro iDSD does not have an optical input.

Please attach a link so we can see what you see.

 

[SonicWarrior]

Folks,
 
My micro idsd arrived today and I am almost at the 24hour mark to complete the initial charge. I have a Macbook pro which will be my main source for listening.
 
What is the best player to get the best out of micro? Is itunes good enough for all MP3 as well as high-res files? Is there any link/support document to use this?
 
Also, I just tried connecting micro to my mac to do a quick listen. I played a 268 kbps VBR MP3/44.1 Khz song through micro and I notice the light is white and not green? Am I missing something here?
 
Also,  what is the best way to use micro when playing through Mac/desktop? I mean is it better to use power from internal battery/usb power?
 
Sorry for too many questions.
 
Thanks

 

[Edric Li]

Hi all, I currently have the iDAC and iCAN, but I'm keen to get an iDSD. A fellow enthusiast and Head-Fier mentioned that the soundstage from the iDSD micro wasn't as big as he expected (lacking depth), but acknowledged that it may have been the earphones he was using.
Can you please tell me if the DAC alone and DAC+amp of the iDSD create a spacious soundstage? Is the inbuilt amp a limiting factor in this?
Thanks!

 
I asked similar question direct to iFi, and they tell me that iDSD is an UPGRADED version of "iCAN + iDAC + Purifier". So if you want to stick with iFi products, the only thing you'll need to get is the Micro iDSD. You can also get a iUSBPower for perfection. 
 
If you do desktop listen only, I suggest you to wait for the mini iDSD. 

 

[jimmypowder]

I tried the IFi USB Power with a Benchmark Dac and it actually introduced
more noise into my system not less. Im using balanced cables to Genelec speakers.
 
I tried multiple cables and still more noise. Maybe its because this is a balanced system
 
The ifi micro idsd I would have to say has no peers in the price range it's in. A terrific dac/amp

 

[Loquah]

   
I asked similar question direct to iFi, and they tell me that iDSD is an UPGRADED version of "iCAN + iDAC + Purifier". So if you want to stick with iFi products, the only thing you'll need to get is the Micro iDSD. You can also get a iUSBPower for perfection. 
 
If you do desktop listen only, I suggest you to wait for the mini iDSD. 

 
Thanks for the response. I want the iDSD for a one-piece transportable solution when I'm working at clients' offices, but I would want something with a good soundstage size. Does the micro iDSD offer this?

 

[jexby]

   
Thanks for the response. I want the iDSD for a one-piece transportable solution when I'm working at clients' offices, but I would want something with a good soundstage size. Does the micro iDSD offer this?

 
I can think of no other one-piece solution that would "out perform" the iFi iDSD micro.
but-  soundstage of the amp is not it's strongest characteristic, until you enable the 3D switch and then the height and width opens up.
 
soundstage of your headphones likely plays the bigger factor here, as iFi iDSD micro can't make your "closed/narrow/intimate" headphones sound super open/wide by itself.
 
that being said, my 3D feature is on all the time- it even makes IEMs have an "out of ear" feeling to the music.
superb.

 

[EVOLVIST]

  I tried the IFi USB Power with a Benchmark Dac and it actually introduced
more noise into my system not less. Im using balanced cables to Genelec speakers.
 
I tried multiple cables and still more noise. Maybe its because this is a balanced system
 
The ifi micro idsd I would have to say has no peers in the price range it's in. A terrific dac/amp

 
That's strange. I doubt it's because you're running balanced. Of course I'm not an expert on iFi gear, having just got mine, but I've ran my iUSB Power between my comp, my DacMagic Plus (which has comparable specs to the Benchmark), out to my SPL Auditor, all balanced, and there was certainly a sense of space between in the instruments and vocals that had not been there before. I was actually shocked that I was able to tell a difference, having come into this purchase with much skepticism.
 
I don't know what could cause that. Then again, my study must be excellent as far as power, EMI or any other external interference judging from people I've spoken to and horror stories I've read online. Just a good Monster Power Pro 1000 surge/power conditioner solved any issues I've had, better than any high dollar PSUs.

 

[EVOLVIST]

 
soundstage of your headphones likely plays the bigger factor here, as iFi iDSD micro can't make your "closed/narrow/intimate" headphones sound super open/wide by itself.

 
Interesting thoughts. I haven't gotten my iDSD micro up and running yet, and I don't know what sort of cans you're listening out of, but my experience with the 3D effect on the iCAN - which I'm assuming is very similar, if not the exact same circuitry as the iDSD - is with my HD800s the 3D effect is almost like, "No, dude, these cans are already deep and wide, this effect just makes it sound strange." It's as if I couldn't get anymore wider or spacious. Having said that, my experience runs a bit to the contrary of how the 3D effect is advertised. To wit, they say that older recordings would benefit the most, but it's actually the newer recordings that sound like 3D effect actually does something.
 
Perhaps I need to listen to some Beatles, Elvis, Beach Boys mono recordings and try it out. I think I'll do that tonight and see what the effect is.
 
Edit: No change to mono at all! Haha!

 

[jexby]

   
Interesting thoughts. I haven't gotten my iDSD micro up and running yet, and I don't know what sort of cans you're listening out of, but my experience with the 3D effect on the iCAN - which I'm assuming is very similar, if not the exact same circuitry as the iDSD - is with my HD800s the 3D effect is almost like, "No, dude, these cans are already deep and wide, this effect just makes it sound strange." It's as if I couldn't get anymore wider or spacious. Having said that, my experience runs a bit to the contrary of how the 3D effect is advertised. To wit, they say that older recordings would benefit the most, but it's actually the newer recordings that sound like 3D effect actually does something.
 
Perhaps I need to listen to some Beatles, Elvis, Beach Boys mono recordings and try it out. I think I'll do that tonight and see what the effect is.

 
makes some sense if you have HD800 that you can't get/extract any more soundstage by enabling 3D, and it could be highly variable to headphone pairing.
 
note:  the 3D effect on iCan IS different (in some ways) than on iDSD micro.
IIRC some have said the iCAN 3D is more hm... strong?/intense/noticeable? than iDSD micro's implementation.
 
to my listening pairs (below), the 3D does help-
as normally connected to iDSD micro:  IEMs (UM3X, Heir Audio 4.AiS) and NAD HP50.  only 5% of the time with HE-560.

 

[iFi audio]

  I am new to this Discussion Forum, I am not sure if I am doing this right. Please let me know if not.
 
I recently purchased a iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC Headphone Amp .
However, needing  Optical capability on one connector on an Amp,
I was told to buy the $499.00 Amp from iFi.
 
When I looked iFi's on-line page by clicking under (  BRANDS ( iFi ) page ) I noticed there were quantity (2) $499.00 Amps.
 
One was Called the          iFi iDSD – Octa-Speed USB DAC Headphone Amp.
The other was Called        iFi Micro iDSD DAC- Octa-Speed DSD512, Double-Speed DXD, PCM 32 bit/768kHk USB DAC Headamp
 
Both of these were $499.00 each.
 
So my question is:
 
Are these Different Amps ?
If they are, what is different about them ?
I mostly want a Headphone Amp to listen to and amplify digital recordings on an iPad mini and a Sony PCM-D50 Digital recorder.
 
HELP  HELP  . . . 

 
Hi,
 
There is only one micro iDSD:
 
http://ifi-audio.com/products/micro/
 
If ever in doubt, refer to www.ifi-audio.com
 
Cheers.

 

[iFi audio]

The Micro iDSD does not have an optical input.

Please attach a link so we can see what you see.

 
Hi,
 
Small correction. The micro iDSD has an optical input.
 
There is an optical adpater inside the micro iDSD pouch (that ships with the unit).
 
If you insert this into the SPDIF port then one can send in an optical SPDIF signal, hence optical input.
 
Reference from the www.ifi-audio.com  > Specifications.
 

Inputs/Outputs
Inputs (rear)	USB 2.0 type A “OTG” Socket (with iPurifier® technology built-in)	Compatible with computers (Apple/Win/Linux), iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android Devices, camera kit or USB-OTG cable required. (Full USB3.0 port compatible)
	Intelligent SPDIF® Coaxial	3 Way combo SPDIF port (Coaxial In/Out; Optical In); Up to 192kHz PCM
	SPDIF Optical

 
For example, with A&K or HD Streamers that output an optical signal, take a look at this Connection Diagram:
 
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/astell-kern/
 
and
 
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/hd-streaming/
 
Hope this clairfies.