iFi iDSD Micro DSD512 / PCM768 DAC and Headphone Amp. Impressions, Reviews and Comments.
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:10 AM Post #3,346 of 9,047
  HibyMusic and UAPP is working on my OnePlus One but Spotify is not.
 
Oneplus--OTG--IDSD


Ditto -- and the odd thing about it is this: The OPO's software was designed with external DACs in mind.  Cyanogenmod progenitor Steve Kondik is a huge supporter of external DACs and tries to ensure that his software will work -- with the widest array possible -- literally out of the box. 
 
AudioFX and the CM sound panel (AFX's precursor in previous iterations) have a USB DAC setting, but turning it on will not allow standard music apps, streams or sounds to be heard. The light on the iDSD remains purple/blue no matter what resolution is being played and the device itself remains silent no matter how high the volume knob is turned.
 
It doesn't seem right for the OPO to work only with the UAPP.  It seems as though some glitch or software tergiversation must be in the way and that it could be sorted if we made Kondik's team and iFI Audio aware of the issue.
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 3:55 AM Post #3,347 of 9,047
  What's the deal with getting the gain set properly on the itube? DIP switches drive me nuts and very cumbersome to make changes. A switch on the front face would have been much appreciated. 

 
Hi,
 
Spacing is the issue.
 
Both end plates are fully utilised.
 
Cheers.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 4:24 AM Post #3,348 of 9,047
 
Ditto -- and the odd thing about it is this: The OPO's software was designed with external DACs in mind.  Cyanogenmod progenitor Steve Kondik is a huge supporter of external DACs and tries to ensure that his software will work -- with the widest array possible -- literally out of the box. 
 
AudioFX and the CM sound panel (AFX's precursor in previous iterations) have a USB DAC setting, but turning it on will not allow standard music apps, streams or sounds to be heard. The light on the iDSD remains purple/blue no matter what resolution is being played and the device itself remains silent no matter how high the volume knob is turned.
 
It doesn't seem right for the OPO to work only with the UAPP.  It seems as though some glitch or software tergiversation must be in the way and that it could be sorted if we made Kondik's team and iFI Audio aware of the issue.

 
Hi,
 
We are aware of this limitation.
 
But, this is a fundamental USB Audio Class 2.0 issue. This fix can only come from the device manufacturer and/or software vendor.
 
It is not within the purview of the downstream DAC (be it the micro iDSD or anything else).
 
Thanks.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 4:26 AM Post #3,349 of 9,047
   
Don't you mean re-charge to 80% to get the best for max battery life?
This only happens in certain charging situations which I've now forgotten. If the 80% rule really does extend battery life by years, I request that the default should be 80% in ALL charging conditions, with the option to override to 100% for the odd occasion when a couple of extra hours really matters. The override could be set by a complex combination of existing switches and LED colour codes :wink:
 
I'll also echo the enhancement requests to show battery power status. Best done by having a second LED, as the current single LED is already heavily overused.
I realise this sort of change won't come any time soon, and may need to wait for a Mk 2 version, but I think it will really be appreciated by future owners. 

 
Hi,
 
Yes - but didnt wanna complicate matters! But as you have raised the question:
 
The iDSD micro will charge to 80% if turned on. This maximses battery life span. in stationary use. So stationary use leave the iDSD micro always on and make sure it has enough voltage and current to charge effectively.
 
But, if you want maximum playtime on battery, turn iDSD micro off during charging and it will charge to 100%.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 4:29 AM Post #3,350 of 9,047
   
Thank you for they reply!
 
I use the micro iDSD only for portable use. My normal runtimes are 9 hours in normal mode with my most used cans the Sennheiser HD800, input signal via coax or USB.

All my portable gear has battery level indicator, I don't need a rocket science with high accuracy, but to have a rough idea what battery level I have currently would be a really big big benefit.

I love the power, performance and clean sound signature from the micro iDSD and I'm very happy, but if in future this change can happen that would be awesome (not only for me - for other portable only users too).
 
Cheers
beerchug.gif

 
Hi,
 
We have passed on your and similar comments by others.
 
R&D definitely found it useful to know.
 
Thanks.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 5:58 AM Post #3,351 of 9,047
   
Hi,
 
We are aware of this limitation.
 
But, this is a fundamental USB Audio Class 2.0 issue. This fix can only come from the device manufacturer and/or software vendor.
 
It is not within the purview of the downstream DAC (be it the micro iDSD or anything else).
 
Thanks.

 
I appreciate your Hermes-swift reply!
 
As a maker of portable amp/DACs that you hope will satisfy the widest array of users possible, I'm sure you must have puzzled over the differences between DACs that can render audio from any Android device and those that are limited only to USB Audio Player Pro. Is it the versatility of the driver? Is it the implementation of the amp?  So far, the one DAC that seems to work with every Android phone is the HiFiMeDIY Sabre Android DAC, which is really just an OTG cable soldered to a PCM2706 and a Sabre ES9023.  Is it the total lack of features of that wee DAC that makes it so adaptable?
 
Surely you must have investigated or at least wondered why certain DAC/amps (cf. the Fiio E18 and E17) will work with every audio application, while many choices sound superior (such as the CEntrance DACmini and your iDSD nano) are limited to UAPP.
 
I also wonder whether DAC manufacturers like yourself have thought about working with Davy Wetzler (creator of UAPP) to create a utility or universal driver that allows other Android apps to recognize more feature-complex products, or whether such an outcome would even be possible. 
 
Apart from implementation with individual DACs, the idea might be close to what you suggest: for Wetzler to license a version of his USB driver either to every major creator of Android music software or as a built-in driver to be incorporated into stock Android.
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 7:13 AM Post #3,352 of 9,047
   
I appreciate your Hermes-swift reply!
 
As a maker of portable amp/DACs that you hope will satisfy the widest array of users possible, I'm sure you must have puzzled over the differences between DACs that can render audio from any Android device and those that are limited only to USB Audio Player Pro. Is it the versatility of its driver? Is it the implementation of the amp?  So far, the one DAC that seems to work with every Android phone is the HiFiMeDIY Sabre Android DAC, which is really just an OTG cable soldered to a PCM2706 and a Sabre ES9023.
 
Surely you must have investigated or at least wondered why certain DACs like the Fiio E18 will work with every audio application, while otherwise excellent choices like the CEntrance DACmini and your iDSD nano are limited to UAPP.
 
I also have to wonder whether DAC manufacturers like yourself have tried to work with Davy Wetzler (creator of UAPP) to create a utility or universal driver to allow other Android apps to recognize your products, or whether that outcome would even be possible. 
 
The idea might be for Wetzler to license a version of his USB driver either to every major creator of Android music software or as a built-in driver to be incorporated into stock Android.

 
Hi,
 
To answer:
 
> I appreciate your Hermes-swift reply!
 
- We dont use Hermes....a bit hit 'n miss! (read: no pickup sometimes. No joke.)
 
UPS throws things around but all the others are as safe as couriers can be.
 
 
> As a maker of portable amp/DACs that you hope will satisfy the widest array of users possible, I'm sure you must have puzzled over the differences between DACs that can render audio from any Android device and those that are limited only to USB Audio Player Pro. Is it the versatility of its driver? Is it the implementation of the amp?  So far, the one DAC that seems to work with every Android phone is the HiFiMeDIY Sabre Android DAC, which is really just an OTG cable soldered to a PCM2706 and a Sabre ES9023.
 
Sorry to be a pain but not correct:
 
http://hifimediy.com/android-dac
 
 
Not working:
  1. Galaxy S4 Mini (doesn't support USB OTG)
  2. LG Nexus 4 (doesn't support USB OTG)
 
 
Also, the HiFimeDIY DAC is USB Audio Class 1 and limited to 48kHz/16Bit, basically 1980's CD standard Digital audio. So not to be confused with USB Audio Class 2.0.
 
 
 
So all this goes back to the UAPP website for list of compatible devices with USB Host Mode.
 
Scroll down:
http://www.extreamsd.com/USBAudioRecorderPRO/
 
This is the most comprehensive list of compatible and non-compatible devices bar non.
 
 
> Surely you must have investigated or at least wondered why certain DACs like the Fiio E18 will work with every audio application, while otherwise excellent choices like the CEntrance DACmini and your iDSD nano are limited to UAPP.
 
No need to wonder, we know. 
cool.gif
The Device you mention is USB Audio Class 1 and does not support full HD Audio. USB Audio Class (UAC) 1.0 and 2.0 are different levels. They should not be confused with one another.
 
Currently there is no UAC 2.0 support in Android, despite Android being essentially Linux, which does have UAC 2.0 support. Strange yes. True, yes.
 
In essence the choice is to make a DAC crippled by UAC 1.0, which still does not work with all Android Devices and to have neither DSD or 192kHz support REGARDLESS of the Host (e.g. also nothing above 96k on Windows, OSX and iOS) or to use UAC 2.0 and to support DSD and DXD and to accept that on some Android devices there is no audio and on others that UAPP is required.
 
The micro iDSD works with ALL Andorids that handle USB Host Mode which means it can output a digital signal to feed a downstream DAC. It is UAC 2.0 compatible. This is really, the only tech spec to look for.
 
 
From UAPP website which is a neat summary:

Supported Android devices

In theory, all Android devices that meet the following requirements should work:
  1. Android 3.1 or higher (no root required!!)
  2. Device supports USB host mode
 
 
 
 
> I also have to wonder whether DAC manufacturers like yourself have tried to work with Davy Wetzler (creator of UAPP) to create a utility or universal driver to allow other Android apps to recognize your products, or whether that outcome would even be possible. 
 
- We have discussed this with Davy. There is a fundamental issue here, that the UAC 2.0 support must exist either in Android itself (Android Kernel, Sony Xperia Z2 series and later do that) or in the application, as it does in UAPP.
 
 
> The idea might be for Wetzler to license a version of his USB driver either to every major creator of Android music software or as a built-in driver to be incorporated into stock Android.
 
- This surely is something for the creators of Android Devices and/or Android Software (e.g. Spotify or Tidal) to take up with Mr. Wetzler, not for a DAC manufacturer. Sorry but this is not our beeswax!
 
 
 
 
 

In case someone asks about Tidal and Spotify with the micro iDSD....

 
Having said all this, this is why we only recommend Sony (on the Android platform). They have an interest in audio (obviously) and they have the Hi-Res Walkman app and of course UAPP.  Sony can pipe system audio through a DAC because they have done so in the kernel.
 
Apps have no system rights and cannot access system audio, so unfortunately that's not possible (otherwise UAPP would have done it a long time ago). This is WHY Spotify/Tidal is patchy - it does not work on some droids and works flawlessly on the Sonys and other droids. Again, this is not something the micro iDSD (or any other DAC for that matter) can effect.
 
By the way, the Z2 and Z3 are bang up to date and run the newer 4.4 which is higher than 4.2 on the ZX2.
eek.gif

 
 
 
For Android information, it is best if a support ticket is opened so we can email through the pdf.
 
http://support.ifi-audio.com/index.php
 
And there are FAQs there too...
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 10:57 AM Post #3,353 of 9,047
  Any solution to this device not working with the Tidal Chrome webapp?

Odd...  Mine worked.  Even on our really low-end PC too.
 
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit - Dell Inspiron 530 (old Core 2 Duo E8300 2.83GHz CPU) 4GB RAM, USB 2.0 only out of the front ports
Chrome 41.0.2272.101 m
 
No problem with my Photoshop PC Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit - Dell XPS 8500 i7-3770 3.4GHz CPU 32GB RAM, USB 3.0 out of the front ports
Chrome 41.0.2272.101 m
 
As well as Media PC
Windows 7 64-bit - HP m8120n - Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz CPU 16GB RAM USB 2.0 only out of the front ports
Chrome 41.0.2272.101 m
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:05 PM Post #3,354 of 9,047
Originally Posted by mogulmaster 
 
Any solution to this device not working with the Tidal Chrome webapp?
 
 
 
Originally Posted by knorris908 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Odd...  Mine worked.  Even on our really low-end PC too.
 

 
Hi,

 
 
Sorry we missed that question but:
 

In case someone asks about Tidal and Spotify with the micro iDSD....

 
Having said all this, this is why we only recommend Sony (on the Android platform). They have an interest in audio (obviously) and they have the Hi-Res Walkman app and of course UAPP.  Sony can pipe system audio through a DAC because they have done so in the kernel.
 
Apps have no system rights and cannot access system audio, so unfortunately that's not possible (otherwise UAPP would have done it a long time ago). This is WHY Spotify/Tidal is "patchy" - it does not work on some droids and works flawlessly on the Sonys and other droids. Again, this is not something the micro iDSD (or any other DAC for that matter) can effect.
 
 
As per above, it isnt not the Tidal app per se.
 
It is the device and whether or not is enabled.
 
Besides PCs (WIn and OS X), the iPhone 6 with Tidal app streams music to the nano/micro iDSDs for example. So does the Sony Z2+Z3 droids. This is just to cite two "known good" examples that work.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Mar 31, 2015 at 12:23 PM Post #3,355 of 9,047
This is why I am kind of glad that I picked up a Xperia Z2 last year. Another advantage is that, beside USB port, Sony also has magnetic charging port and therefore it is possible to charge the smartphone while using the USB port for USB DAC at the same time (*and if you have a self-powered USB hub between the smartphone and iDSD, you can also recharge the iDSD at the same time). The only downside is that the USB port is hidden under a flap for water resistant purpose and it is positioned on the right side, so it isn't the most convenient to use. However, the upcoming Z4 is rumored to have a water proof USB port that sits openly on the bottom. That would make it likely one of the best option for those of you who are looking for a smartphone as digital transport and streaming..
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 7:51 PM Post #3,356 of 9,047
   
Hi,
 
 
Sorry we missed that question but:
 

In case someone asks about Tidal and Spotify with the micro iDSD....

 
Having said all this, this is why we only recommend Sony (on the Android platform). They have an interest in audio (obviously) and they have the Hi-Res Walkman app and of course UAPP.  Sony can pipe system audio through a DAC because they have done so in the kernel.
 
Apps have no system rights and cannot access system audio, so unfortunately that's not possible (otherwise UAPP would have done it a long time ago). This is WHY Spotify/Tidal is "patchy" - it does not work on some droids and works flawlessly on the Sonys and other droids. Again, this is not something the micro iDSD (or any other DAC for that matter) can effect.
 
 
As per above, it isnt not the Tidal app per se.
 
It is the device and whether or not is enabled.
 
Besides PCs (WIn and OS X), the iPhone 6 with Tidal app streams music to the nano/micro iDSDs for example. So does the Sony Z2+Z3 droids. This is just to cite two "known good" examples that work.


So there's no way you guys no how to 'enable' the iFi for the Chrome webapp? Thanks
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 7:52 PM Post #3,357 of 9,047
Actually no sound comes out of Chrome in general for my iFi. I think it may have to do with some Apple and Google dispute right now... 
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 8:41 PM Post #3,358 of 9,047
  Actually no sound comes out of Chrome in general for my iFi. I think it may have to do with some Apple and Google dispute right now... 


There is nothing about Chrome or Tidal that needs any special sound setup.  It simply plays through your default / current sound device in your OS.
 
FWIW, no problem here in playing Tidal (or any other source) through iFi when set as my audio output device in OS X 10.10.x or in Windows 7.x.
 
Mar 31, 2015 at 9:24 PM Post #3,359 of 9,047
Also noted that the new iOS now allows streaming via your home network...  and some have figured out how to stream DSD on the iphone or ipad here..
http://www.head-fi.org/t/625493/ipad-iphone-bit-perfect-wi-fi-streaming-24bit-or-dsd-files-high-storage-capacity-portability/210
 
Apr 1, 2015 at 4:42 AM Post #3,360 of 9,047
  Actually no sound comes out of Chrome in general for my iFi. I think it may have to do with some Apple and Google dispute right now... 

 
Hi,
 
Need to know your PC or Andriod setup.
 
The techie guys cant do anything without this basic information.
 
You need to ask the tech guys to send the Chrome pdf/answers to you.
 
http://support.ifi-audio.com/index.php
 
And there are FAQs in there relating to general Chrome/broswer settings.
 
Cheers.
regular_smile .gif

 
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