[Koolpep]

   
What?  The iDSD Micro powers active speakers just fine in preamp mode.  I do this every day with my unit.

 
Indeed, from the manual:
 
12. Line Direct/Preamplifier Mode
Direct: fixed RCA output (bypass, FULL volume)
Preamplifier: the iDSD functions as a DAC/preamplifier. The volume control is now enabled for the RCA line output and when used in conjunction with the Power Mode offers gain of:

Eco = 0 dB Normal/Turbo = 9dB
Tip: Only make the selection with the unit powered off. 



 
It has a dedicated switch close to the RCA output to switch between direct/pre-amp.
 
EDIT: it even changes the XBass and 3D effect patterns when used as pre-amp as it uses a different set for speakers than for headphones. So clearly it was designed both ways.
 
Cheers,
K

 

[Brooko]

Like I posted previously - brilliant with the JBL LSR 305's. And the 3D is definitely different (tuned for speakers) and does add a very different ambience.

 

[Maxpain]

Thank you all for your feedback on the subject! I was reffering to the use of micro only as a dac with powered (active) speakers. I know that it is possible but because the micro seems to have been desighned for headphones and because I intend to spend a good amound of money on this I was asking if I could get the same level quality from speakers and headphones at this price (around 1000 euros).
 

 

[sandalaudio]

  Thank you all for your feedback on the subject! I was reffering to the use of micro only as a dac with powered (active) speakers. I know that it is possible but because the micro seems to have been desighned for headphones and because I intend to spend a good amound of money on this I was asking if I could get the same level quality from speakers and headphones at this price (around 1000 euros).
 

 
I use it exactly for this purpose, and they both sound great. I have my headphones connected to the front headphone jack, and a big power amp for speakers connected to the rear RCA out. They both sound amazing and the arrangement is practical. It's a great piece of kit to have around because you can use it for all sort of applications.

 

[hennezzy]

just upgraded my mac to 10.11 el capitan, My micro idsd is not working anymore. Is there a fix?

 

[JootecFromMars]

  just upgraded my mac to 10.11 el capitan, My micro idsd is not working anymore. Is there a fix?

I had no problem. Are you sure you have it selected in the sound preferences?

 

[BrainFood]

  Do you think that the micro would play well with active speakers? 
 

 
 
Quote:

 
Actually I would suggest the micro iDAC2 instead

 
For cheapish speakers, perhaps, but for better gear the 3.5mm output isn't that ideal.  Not sure the IDAC2 is designed to be used other than as a pure dac via its RCA output, with its volume control for headphones plugged in.
 
I've yet to audition it though, so feel free to correct.

 

 

[ClieOS]

   
For cheapish speakers, perhaps, but for better gear the 3.5mm output isn't that ideal.  Not sure the IDAC2 is designed to be used other than as a pure dac via its RCA output, with its volume control for headphones plugged in.
 
I've yet to audition it though, so feel free to correct.

 

 
First of, there is no electrical difference between RCA connector and 3.5mm stereo jack, so whether the speaker is cheap or not has nothing to do with which connector it uses.
 
Secondly, most active speaker have their own volume control - which is what you should use for volume control for best SQ and therefore the fixed line-out on iDAC2's RCA is just fine and in fact perfect for that purpose. You only want to use micro iDSD in preamp mode when it is connected to a power amp (and then to a passive speaker) that doesn't have its own volume control. If you have an active speaker with volume control and still use iDSD as preamp, then dynamic range will likely suffer. This is why there are both line-out and preamp-out on iDSD, so the formal can be used with active speaker while the later can be used with power amp. With iDAC2, the preamp is left out because it is mainly designed to be used in a PC rig where active speaker is most likely what people will be using.

 

[Dixter]

didn't know the idsd micro would drive out the front and back at the same time....  I allways thought it might be interesting to listen to headphones with a nice subwoofer ..

 

[BrainFood]

   
First of, there is no electrical difference between RCA connector and 3.5mm stereo jack, so whether the speaker is cheap or not has nothing to do with which connector it uses.
 
Secondly, most active speaker have their own volume control - which is what you should use for volume control for best SQ and therefore the fixed line-out on iDAC2's RCA is just fine and in fact perfect for that purpose.

 
Ahh, actives with their own volume control.   Many, such as my JBL LSR6328P's, don't have it.
 
Would have thought the 3.5mm Zout might differ a bit but anyway,

 

[iFi audio]

  I had no problem. Are you sure you have it selected in the sound preferences?

 
Hi,
 
Yes we run El Capitan on MBP.  No issues but 'Sound Preferences' does keep defaulting back to the MBP itself.
 
If this does not solve the 'no sound' issue, then you may need to roll back to Yosemite. Or open an iFi Support Ticket and ask the techies.
 
Cheers.

 

[iFi audio]

  Like I posted previously - brilliant with the JBL LSR 305's. And the 3D is definitely different (tuned for speakers) and does add a very different ambience.

 
Correct.
 
There is 3D for Headphones and 3D for Speakers. The micro iDSD automatically defaults depending upon which is connected.
 
Google 'Alan Blumlein' fascinating piece of history.

 

[DougD]

   
Ahh, actives with their own volume control.   Many, such as my JBL LSR6328P's, don't have it.
 

 
The Schiit SYS for $49 is designed to fill this need .... it's a passive preamp with a volume control and the ability to switch between two sets of inputs. I use one to between my Micro iDSD and my active speakers, works brilliantly. Emotiva also has a product in this niche.

 

[ClieOS]

... Would have thought the 3.5mm Zout might differ a bit but anyway,

 
Typically you will want the output impedance to be 10 times smaller than the input impedance - consider that active speaker usually has input impedance that is at least a few thousands ohm, the difference between line-out (which is usually a few hundreds ohm) and the 3.5mm jack (which is a few ohm for most portable source, or under 1 ohm for most iFi's gear) shouldn't really make any difference to the speaker as they both will act as like pure voltage source.

 

[goodyfresh]

So, question guys.  What's with the weird USB input that isn't USB B, Micro, or anything else standard like that on the iDSD?  It's not even COMPATIBLE WITH iFi'S OWN CABLES like the Gemini and Mercury!  So how the heck is one supposed to get an aftermarket cable that is compatible?????  Is it a ploy to make people buy the iPurifier2?