[Tobias89]

   
Normal and turbo modes only affect the volume of the amplifier output in iDSD, they have nothing to do with bypassing the battery. Turbo mode will deplete the internal battery faster than normal or eco modes. To power the iDSD from the internal battery - simply turn on the iDSD then plug in the USB cable. This way the battery can be 'bypassed', however, it is still needed somehow for iDSD to work. Completely or almost completely discharged battery prevents iDSD from even powering on with the USB cable connected or not. Hope that helps.

 

  I edited my previous post, the correct way to say should really be:
 
"To power the iDSD from the internal battery - simply turn on the iDSD then plug in the USB cable."

 
So to use USB power, I'd have to switch off the iDSD, plug in the USB cable, then switch on?
 
To use battery power, I'd have to switch on the iDSD first, then plug in the USB cable?
 

 

[gr8soundz]

   
 
So to use USB power, I'd have to switch off the iDSD, plug in the USB cable, then switch on?
 
To use battery power, I'd have to switch on the iDSD first, then plug in the USB cable?
 

 
Correct.

 

[lucidreamer]

   
 
So to use USB power, I'd have to switch off the iDSD, plug in the USB cable, then switch on?
 
To use battery power, I'd have to switch on the iDSD first, then plug in the USB cable?
 

Correct. Here is a link to the manual in PDF (on Part 8): http://www.wodaudio.de/Downloads/Micro-iDSD-Manual.pdf

 

[Tobias89]

   
Correct.

 

 
Correct. Here is a link to the manual in PDF (on Part 8): http://www.wodaudio.de/Downloads/Micro-iDSD-Manual.pdf

Thanks. Time to decide my purchase!

 

[Bigbwb]

Hi Brandon

I doubt if anyone can yet say whether the pro version will be worth the extra cost over the micro iDSD, but it certainly looks promising. If you can spare the cash, my guess is it would be worth waiting for. However, as it's mains-only desktop, it's a very diffrent target usage to the portable micro iDSD.

Back to the iDSD, it handles redbook FLAC files really, really well if you're prepared to do some updsampling/conversion. ALL my computer music files are CD-ripped-to-FLAC so far (so I can't comment on how it handles hi rez files).

If you want to get the best out of the iDSD, I recommend you look at the more specialised playback software: HQPlayer, JPlay, Fizelizer, AO and Bug Head Emperor (or something like that). As you come from computeraudio, you probably know more about these than I do, but if not, my thoughts on the first 3 are on the JPlay 6 thread (I haven't tried the last 2).

The combination of HQP, JPlay and Fidelizer (all working in unison) simply transforms the sound of redbook through the iDSD, Particularly when using HQP to convert on the fly to DSD (others prefer sticking with PCM, so YMMV).

I haven't tried any other comparable DACs. I did my research and went straight for the iDSD and have found no reason to look for anything else in that price range (my TOTL desktop search is an altogether different matter).

Thank you for the feedback! I'm glad to hear it does well with red book material being that's what I listen to most. I'm sure high res and dsd p,aback will be even better. I do use jriver and fidelizer pro already, so no worries there

I'm going to grab a micro Idsd, see what I think, and go from there. I can always return it and/or try the pro when the time comes.

 

[Triodemode]

   
Just curious.... Is that in the manual? I understand that it draws the power from the USB port when turned on AFTER plugged it into the USB port. When turned on BEFORE plugging into the port, it runs on internal battery instead of using the power from the USB 5V current.
 
I do not know if ECO/Normal/Turbo switch has anything to do with the power mode, it only affects the wattage from the headphone amplifier. My understanding is when the micro when the iDSD micro is turned on first then plugged into a USB in ECO mode the  In Normal mode the micro pulls power from both the USB and battery which

My understanding is the mode switch affects both the power output and how the unit is charged when turned on.  When plugged into a USB port first then powered up, ECO mode allows the unit to run off USB power and be continously charged.  NORMAL mode uses power from the USB and battery simultaneously, so if the battery was completely drained, ECO is the only mode that can be used if the iDSD's battery is dead.  This was the case with happybuyer's unit.
 
So, unless one wanted to keep the micro off for 24 hours while the battery is charged, this is the only mode that would allow the unit to be used while the battery is being charged.

 

[happybuyer]

  My understanding is the mode switch affects both the power output and how the unit is charged when turned on.  When plugged into a USB port first then powered up, ECO mode allows the unit to run off USB power and be continously charged.  NORMAL mode uses power from the USB and battery simultaneously, so if the battery was completely drained, ECO is the only mode that can be used if the iDSD's battery is dead.  This was the case with happybuyer's unit.
 
So, unless one wanted to keep the micro off for 24 hours while the battery is charged, this is the only mode that would allow the unit to be used while the battery is being charged.

 
Makes sense.
 
Is the idea behind running off battery that it produces cleaner power? If so, it sounds like NORMAL mixes battery and USB power, so whatever improvements could be had from just battery are forfeited anyway.
 
Regarding the iUSB power supply, I didn't see anything on iFi's site that showed any improvement in specs when using the iUSB compared to just using USB power from a computer.

 

[ClieOS]

  My understanding is the mode switch affects both the power output and how the unit is charged when turned on.  When plugged into a USB port first then powered up, ECO mode allows the unit to run off USB power and be continously charged.  NORMAL mode uses power from the USB and battery simultaneously, so if the battery was completely drained, ECO is the only mode that can be used if the iDSD's battery is dead.  This was the case with happybuyer's unit.
 
So, unless one wanted to keep the micro off for 24 hours while the battery is charged, this is the only mode that would allow the unit to be used while the battery is being charged.

 
Actually all three modes drain battery when connected to normal (= low power) USB port. The difference is just how fast the battery is discharged, with Eco mode being slowest while Turbo mode being fastest. That being said, leaving micro iDSD turned on in Eco mode will still eventually drain the battery, given enough time. You will have to turn iDSD off to make sure it can be properly charged.
 
The solution is to use a BC1.2 supported USB hub, which will provide much higher charging power than normal USB port and will allow charging even with Turbo mode.

 

[Triodemode]

   
Makes sense.
 
Is the idea behind running off battery that it produces cleaner power? If so, it sounds like NORMAL mixes battery and USB power, so whatever improvements could be had from just battery are forfeited anyway.
 
Regarding the iUSB power supply, I didn't see anything on iFi's site that showed any improvement in specs when using the iUSB compared to just using USB power from a computer.

I notice a quieter background when the micro is turned on before the USB is connected (running off battery)  Not sure if iFi agrees with this though.  Yes NORMAL draws from both USB and battery IF the USB is connected before the micro is turned on. 
 
As long as the USB is continuously supplying power from the computer and the micro is set to ECO mode, it can be left on 24/7.  The smart charging circutry will automatically charge it's battery.  This is how I use my micro BTW.

 

[Triodemode]

   
Actually all three modes drain battery when connected to normal USB port. The difference is just how fast the battery is discharged, with Eco mode being slowest while Turbo mode being fastest. That being said, leaving micro iDSD turned on in Eco mode will still eventually drain the battery, given enough time. You will have to turn iDSD off to make sure it can be properly charged.
 
The solution is to use a BC1.2 supported USB hub, which will provide much higher charging power than normal USB port and will allow charging even with Turbo mode.

Interesting...  I was able to use my micro in ECO mode with the battery completely drained, as long as it was connected to my computer's USB before the micro was turned on.

 

[diamondears]

Interesting...  I was able to use my micro in ECO mode with the battery completely drained, as long as it was connected to my computer's USB before the micro was turned on.

I think ClieOS is saying what happens when you run the micro iDSD on battery (you turn it in before plugging into a USB port)? You're right, if you plug the micro iDSD into an operational USB port before you turn on the micro iDSD, it gets power from the USB to operate, not to charge.

 

[Triodemode]

I think ClieOS is saying what happens when you run the micro iDSD on battery (you turn it in before plugging into a USB port)? You're right, if you plug the micro iDSD into an operational USB port before you turn on the micro iDSD, it gets power from the USB to operate, not to charge.

I have had no issue in keeping the battery charged since owning the micro using it under the following conditions connected to my computer...
 
1. With the battery charged, turn the micro on
2. Connect it to a continously powered USB computer port (even when the computer is turned off)
3. Keep the unit mode switch in ECO position.
 
I only use the micro as a DAC with fixed RCA oputput selected.  Never had the battery go dead even when listening through it all day.  After the absence of sound from my computer for several minutes, the micro LED would eithr flash green indicating a stanby condition, or if the battery was low it would turn blue.  Never had the micro's battery go dead using it under these conditions.  I run UBS 3.0 which delivers more output power, so maybe this is why I am not running into charging issues.

 

[ClieOS]

I think ClieOS is saying what happens when you run the micro iDSD on battery (you turn it in before plugging into a USB port)? You're right, if you plug the micro iDSD into an operational USB port before you turn on the micro iDSD, it gets power from the USB to operate, not to charge.

 
No, what I have said applies when you turn the micro iDSD after connecting it to USB port (a.k.a. USB charging mode / USB power mode). If you turn the micro iDSD on before connection, it will run in battery mode and will not charge before the battery is fully depleted (*then it shuts itself down, recharge to a safe level before allowed to be turned back on). However with one exception:
 

   
Eco mode, can charge battery from normal USB port at a rate of maybe 100mA, so around 48 Hours needed of Charge & Play to bring a flat battery back. Sleep mode allows 300mA charging, so 16 Hours in sleep mode come back from a flat battery.
 
Normal mode, no charging current available, audio peaks may eat into the battery so it may eventually go flat. Sleep mode allows 300mA charging, so 16 Hours in sleep mode come back from a flat battery.
 
Turbo Mode, battery is always drawn on, it is depleted at a rate of around 350mA without signal, more with. So the battery will be depleted in around 12-15 Hours of playback or less if playing loud.  Sleep mode allows 300mA charging, so 16 Hours in sleep mode come back from a flat battery.

Recommended workaround, purchase a Hub which is BC1.2 Battery charging compatible, it will allow charging even in turbo mode.

 
Now what I haven't mentioned clearly in my previous comment is sleep mode - in USB power mode, micro iDSD will automatically go into sleep mode if there is no signal for 15 minutes (or in 3 minutes in battery mode), allowing it to lower its power consumption and therefore allows for battery recharging, but at a very slow pace. That is the reason why you didn't see battery runs flat all the time, as it goes into sleep mode and recharge itself, regardless what gain mode you are in, as long as you leave your iDSD alone for long enough time. But if you are using it all the time, then it will still drain the battery.

 

[ClieOS]

 
... I run UBS 3.0 which delivers more output power, so maybe this is why I am not running into charging issues.

 
Yes, many newer USB implementations do begin to support BC1.2, though you don't need USB3.0 to support it as BC1.2 is USB2.0 compatible. Unfortunately  it really depends on the PC (or USB port) manufacturer's implementation

 

[Triodemode]

   
No, what I have said applies when you turn the micro iDSD after connecting it to USB port (a.k.a. USB charging mode / USB power mode). If you turn the micro iDSD on before connection, it will run in battery mode and will not charge before the battery is fully depleted (*then it shuts itself down, recharge to a safe level before allowed to be turned back on). However with one exception:
 
 
Now what I haven't mentioned clearly in my previous comment is sleep mode - in USB power mode, micro iDSD will automatically go into sleep mode if there is no signal for 15 minutes (or in 3 minutes in battery mode), allowing it to lower its power consumption and therefore allows for battery recharging, but at a very slow pace. That is the reason why you didn't see battery runs flat all the time, as it goes into sleep mode and recharge itself, regardless what gain mode you are in, as long as you leave your iDSD alone for long enough time. But if you are using it all the time, then it will still drain the battery.

This is my underestanding also ClieOS...  Maybe I am just lucky that my USB port is able to charging my unit at a rate that supplies enough chrging curent to prevent the battery from dischrging completely throughout the day.  I do notice the next morning that it sometimes will still be in charge mode from the previous days listening session. 
 
But like I said, never had it shut off from a complete discharge before having finised using it all day.