[EVOLVIST]

Obviously less components in the signal path is preferred.  I have connected this way in the past without noise using a short cable length (2 feet) and the 6db level increase was not an issue, though I can see your concern with headphones. Using a shielded cable tied to pin 1 of your balanced connector will hopefully mitigate any noise issues. 

What model balanced headphone amp are you using?

I'm using an SPL Auditor amp = The best SS headphone amp I've ever heard. I've actually used some off the shelf RCA to XLR cables and I've gotten no noise/ hum/hiss, but at 0db I really have to crank the amp, as opposed to going balanced out of other DACs. The fact that so far - without trying the iDSD micro yet - the iCAN almost goes toe to toe with my Auditor (which is saying a lot) might be a good sign for the iDSD. I'm just worried about having enough juice while retaining full function of the iDSD bells and whistles, like Xbass, etc.

 

[EVOLVIST]

You may check the following:
http://www.rane.com/note110.html

You can use interconnection no: 17.

Funny that. A Rane rep talked me out of their product today because he said, "No hum, no problem." He mentioned it might color the sound in a way I might not like and a chance of getting low level phase. * shrug *

 

[earfonia]

Funny that. A Rane rep talked me out of their product today because he said, "No hum, no problem." He mentioned it might color the sound in a way I might not like and a chance of getting low level phase. * shrug *

Oops! In that case why don't you just give it a try? You can judge yourself whether you like it or not. I use to diy my cables, RCA to XLR won't cost too much. And Amazon has some cheap and good cable just for testing:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001UJH0XU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1421379608&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

If you find the sound is acceptable, you may try better cables.

Updated:
Just read your previous post, that you have tried RCA to XLR and hear some noise. Looks like a special case. In that case i will try to connect the pin 1 and 3 of the XLR to the RCA ground.

 

[Triodemode]

I'm using an SPL Auditor amp = The best SS headphone amp I've ever heard. I've actually used some off the shelf RCA to XLR cables and I've gotten no noise/ hum/hiss, but at 0db I really have to crank the amp, as opposed to going balanced out of other DACs. The fact that so far - without trying the iDSD micro yet - the iCAN almost goes toe to toe with my Auditor (which is saying a lot) might be a good sign for the iDSD. I'm just worried about having enough juice while retaining full function of the iDSD bells and whistles, like Xbass, etc.

That right, I remember now you mentioning it in your earlier post.  I am surprised as well that you are finding the Auditor and the iCAN to be so close sonically.  Regarding level matching, I am under the understanding that in ECO mode the RCA outputs deliver 0db and in NORMAL mode it is increased to +9db.  Not sure if this takes place in direct mode as well as when preamplifier mode is selected, and may alleviate any level issues when driving a balanced input.  Let us know your impressions after the iDSD micro arrives.
 
The headphone and portable segment of our hobby has been exploding with some really exceptional products over these last several years.  This coupled with the plethora of downloadable high resolution music recently, has really made listening to music on the go exciting.  I was born 20 years too soon me thinks.

 

[EVOLVIST]

Oops! In that case why don't you just give it a try? You can judge yourself whether you like it or not. I use to diy my cables, RCA to XLR won't cost too much. And Amazon has some cheap and good cable just for testing:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001UJH0XU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1421379608&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

If you find the sound is acceptable, you may try better cables.

Updated:
Just read your previous post, that you have tried RCA to XLR and hear some noise. Looks like a special case. In that case i will try to connect the pin 1 and 3 of the XLR to the RCA ground.

No, no...I'm getting NO noise from the RCA to XLR cables. Nothing, nada, ziltch. Just a black background.  My point is, I want to keep it that way, running my iDSD micro unbalanced RCA out to my balanced Auditor, via XLR, in. But there's the fear of not being able to drive the amp, and thus my HD800s, with the iDSD, alone.  That's why I called Rane, but Rane didn't think their product was for me.  Still, I guess you're right: I could try it out just to see how it sounds.

 
That right, I remember now you mentioning it in your earlier post.  I am surprised as well that you are finding the Auditor and the iCAN to be so close sonically.  Regarding level matching, I am under the understanding that in ECO mode the RCA outputs deliver 0db and in NORMAL mode it is increased to +9db.  Not sure if this takes place in direct mode as well as when preamplifier mode is selected, and may alleviate any level issues when driving a balanced input.  Let us know your impressions after the iDSD micro arrives.
 
The headphone and portable segment of our hobby has been exploding with some really exceptional products over these last several years.  This coupled with the plethora of downloadable high resolution music recently, has really made listening to music on the go exciting.  I was born 20 years too soon me thinks.

 
Yeah, the iCAN is sonically similar in quality, even though it doesn't have quite the width and depth of the Auditor. The iCAN is a very clean in-the-ear experience, which gives it a very desirable intimacy. Now, I'm using HD800s, so I'm getting  a lot of width and depth there, so I can't attest to what one might feel with other cans. What the Auditor does, however, that no other headphone amp can, is go a bit beyond the 180 degree headphone experience. The vocals breathe a bit more: they float in empty air, brass instruments and cymbals decay clearer and longer...I could go on and on about the Auditor. But, there's a certain charm to the intimacy that I really like with the iCAN. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. The iCAN is pure, beautiful amp, much larger sounding than its price point. Still, if I had to choose today, I would stick with the Auditor. The reason I'm not, of course, is because I want to hear the iDSD along with the iCAN, the iTube and the iUSB as one package before I make any big decisions. As is, I love the iTube and iUSB...and I love the iCAN, too. I'm just not sure how it will shake out.
 
I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks for the interest.

 

[EVOLVIST]

Never mind

 

[jexby]

   
One of my favorite setup with micro iDSD:

 
The 500 mW @ 16 ohms, or 300 mW @ 32 ohms of AT-HA22Tube is driving my HE5-LE orthodynamic wonderfully. I hardly figure when will we ever need 4 watt headphone amplifier 

   Probably for AKG K1000 only...

 
while I dig to find info/reviews/specs/availability of that cool AT-HA22Tube amp: a simpler question:
 
What is that slick looking 1/4" to 3.5mm headphone adapter you have plugged into the iFi iDSD micro?
I'm betting it's Asia only and never to be found in amerika ??  

 

[earfonia]

   
while I dig to find info/reviews/specs/availability of that cool AT-HA22Tube amp: a simpler question:
 
What is that slick looking 1/4" to 3.5mm headphone adapter you have plugged into the iFi iDSD micro?
I'm betting it's Asia only and never to be found in amerika ??  

 
Sharp eyes 

It is Furutech F63S-G, 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00KX1KOLG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=12YOXRDXBWTFK&coliid=I1S4QAHL987UWZ&psc=1

 

[jexby]

   
Sharp eyes 

It is Furutech F63S-G, 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00KX1KOLG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=12YOXRDXBWTFK&coliid=I1S4QAHL987UWZ&psc=1

 
 
I like!  

 
 
bought a similar Furutech adapter off ebay USA last year (from a japanese seller), but the actual 3.5mm "hole" was recessed from the outer shell.
thus, some of my IEM cables with a 3.5mm plug don't fit/seat completely within the outer ring.
 
will dig and see if I can find your Furutech adapter somehow in the usa.
cheers mate!

 

[jhwalker]

If you are buying the Micro, it comes with a nice quality adapter like this one.

 

[fleemur12]

   
 
I like!  

 
 
bought a similar Furutech adapter off ebay USA last year (from a japanese seller), but the actual 3.5mm "hole" was recessed from the outer shell.
thus, some of my IEM cables with a 3.5mm plug don't fit/seat completely within the outer ring.
 
will dig and see if I can find your Furutech adapter somehow in the usa.
cheers mate!

Like jhwalker said, the iFi iDSD micro comes with a very capable 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter. 
 
  The prone adapter on right is from iFi (came with iDSD micro) the standing adapter on left is from Sony (came with MDR-7506s). 
 
  Switched from above w/ the iFi standing on left. 
 
 
 
 
If you're heart is set on the admittedly cool-looking dual-tone Furutech, there are a couple sellers from Japan and one from China selling them on eBay for about $35   shipped to US...or you can get a gold-plated adapter that ships from US off of amazon for about $3.50. 
 
UPDATE:  The Furutech F63-S(G) has a flush port to accept the 3.5mm plug, while the F63-(G) has a recessed port (shown below). 
 

moon-audio carries them domestically. 

 

[iFi audio]

iCLUB members...

 

 
How to arrange to have your iCLUB card sent to you:
 

• Please opening a new ticket in the iFi Customer Relationship Management database here:

http://iclubcrm.ifi-audio.com/
 

• Once we have your delivery address, your concierge will then sign the card personally will be sent out to you.

 
All part and parcel of being in the iCLUB. If you have any questions, just ask your concierge!
 
We are sure you will be quite taken by the iCLUB card. It really is quite stunning.
 
Also posted here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/711217/idsd-micro-crowd-designed-iclub-memebership-card-instructions-page-133/1980#post_11229110

 

[rickyleelee]

 
As was my response to ClieOS, there are some highly regarded IC's used in high end gear that stand the test of time, though I have rarely seem the Texas Insturments 6120a2 headphone driver appear in high end heaphone amps. Usually I see them used in computer sound cards and more entry level heaphone amplifiers.
 
I completely agree with your assesment of the iDSD headphone section as it minicks my own experience as well.  It's only when I connect an external amp to the iDSD RCA outputs that I hear the full sonic beautifulness produced by that fantastic DAC section.

 
Two things. 1) I would say fair enough but neither is the Burr-Brown chipset used in other high-end DACs. So it has a less than desirable chipset too. 2) At the end of the day, it is a swiss army knife (portable/desktop) and saying it isnt a chainsaw (pure desktop that is up to full dedicated tube amps) is somewhat at odds with its remit (and price/performance). For me, when I get home, I put it in the big rig and then disconnect when I go out. To ask it do Class A or A/B switching and so on is just beyond the bounds of reality. Happy to stand (or sit) corrected.
 

 

[MunDa]

Do I need to buy anything extra in order to hook this up with my galaxy note 3 ?

 

[ImperialBlade]

Do I need to buy anything extra in order to hook this up with my galaxy note 3 ?

I am pretty sure the iFi IDSD Micro come with what you will need, meaning a included 3.5mm to 3.5mm standard jack for connection to mobile device. That you *may* want to upgrade in time but it should get you going.