iFi iDSD Micro DSD512 / PCM768 DAC and Headphone Amp. Impressions, Reviews and Comments.
Jan 27, 2016 at 6:58 PM Post #5,191 of 9,047
  The Sennheisers HD 800S need a lot of power will they come to there  full potential in turbo mode the sound is more dynamic and full. `i have IEmatch not enabled . the volume pot never needs to go over 10 o clock
 



   
Hi,
 
The HD650 is a very easy to drive headphone. Hence, we recommend Eco or Normal power mode.
 
You may wish also to use iEMatch set to Off or High-Sensitivity.
 
Certainly not Turbo.
 
 
We like car analogies. 
beerchug.gif

 
Pairing the headphone with the correct amp setting is quite essential otherwise the headphone itself is not used at it optimium setting - so it will not sound its best.
 
 
Turbo + HD650 = Ferrari and towing a trailer.
 
Eco + HE-6 = Ford Fiesta towing a caravan.
 
 
Both are extreme and unlikely cases and are not recommended - we hope you get a sense of what we are trying to suggest.
 
 
ps: PC volume should always be 100% so it is not truncated at the source.
 


 
Curious why it's recommended to not drive headphones with ample power to spare provided you keep the volume low.  I wouldn't use a Ferrari to tow anything, but given the choice, I'd tow a trailer with a 400HP V8 truck rather than a 200HP V4 crossover, even if the 200HP V4 was strong enough to adequately power and control the trailer.
 
Jan 27, 2016 at 7:07 PM Post #5,192 of 9,047
wink_face.gif
Quote:
   
 
Curious why it's recommended to not drive headphones with ample power to spare provided you keep the volume low.  I wouldn't use a Ferrari to tow anything, but given the choice, I'd tow a trailer with a 400HP V8 truck rather than a 200HP V4 crossover, even if the 200HP V4 was strong enough to adequately power and control the trailer.


Power is not everything 
wink_face.gif

 
Jan 28, 2016 at 4:07 AM Post #5,195 of 9,047
   
This subject was discussed already earlier in this thread. iFi Audio suggested to set system so, that amplification volume-pot is set to somewhere between 12 and 3 'a clock'.

 
Hi,
 
Correct - because the micro has an analogue volume control, so best to 'open it up.'
 
Cheers.
 
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Jan 28, 2016 at 7:13 AM Post #5,196 of 9,047
  The Sennheisers HD 800S need a lot of power will they come to there  full potential in turbo mode the sound is more dynamic and full. `i have IEmatch not enabled . the volume pot never needs to go over 10 o clock

 
Sorry but it seems we both have different hearing. In Normal mode the HD800 S is quite easy very loud on Turbo mode it kill my hearing because it's too loud with the same volume level setting.

More "dynamic" for human hearing are = louder listening levels, which feels = "better" but it's not better, it only "feels" more dynamic, but it isn't. It's only louder.
 
 
Jan 28, 2016 at 8:53 AM Post #5,197 of 9,047
  Curious why it's recommended to not drive headphones with ample power to spare provided you keep the volume low.  I wouldn't use a Ferrari to tow anything, but given the choice, I'd tow a trailer with a 400HP V8 truck rather than a 200HP V4 crossover, even if the 200HP V4 was strong enough to adequately power and control the trailer.

 
Hi,
 
The "Ferrari towing a Trailer" analogy was meant to illustrate that in this case you may have huge horsepower, but you cannot open up the throttle and let rip, as the trailer will simply go off the rails.
 
Same with a high sensitivity headphone and Turbo. Sure you have tons of power but nothing you can do with it as it is not an ideal pairing.
 
So replace the Ferrari with a 200HP V4 Truck (Normal mode or even Eco) and then turn up the Volume more for more Torque and more actual useable power on the point where the rubber meets the road, despite the Ferrari having ever so much more BHP under the bonnet.
 
 
Incidentally, HD-650 is not that easy to drive. 104dB/1V, so we like to get at least 3-4V - which puts it firmly at 'Normal' not Eco.
 
Cheers.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Jan 28, 2016 at 2:29 PM Post #5,198 of 9,047
Today I just got a pair of Sennheiser IE80 in ear headphones. I took the micro iDSD out of its rack switched to eco mode and ultra low sensitivity and bang, loads of movement on the volume dial from 10-1 o clock. I love the sound. I will write some more impressions soon. 
 
Jan 28, 2016 at 3:00 PM Post #5,199 of 9,047

   
Hi,
 
The HD650 is a very easy to drive headphone. Hence, we recommend Eco or Normal power mode.
 
You may wish also to use iEMatch set to Off or High-Sensitivity.
 
Certainly not Turbo.
 
 
...
 

 
Originally Posted by iFi audio /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
...
 
Incidentally, HD-650 is not that easy to drive. 104dB/1V, so we like to get at least 3-4V - which puts it firmly at 'Normal' not Eco.
 
Cheers.
 

 
Now I'm confused.  One iFi post says the "HD650 is a very easy to drive headphone. Hence, we recommend Eco or Normal power mode."  A later iFi post says "HD-650 is not that easy to drive... which puts it firmly at 'Normal' not Eco."  I do agree that the HD650 "is not that easy to drive" (though that's somewhat relative), but am confused by the contradictory statements.
 
Jan 28, 2016 at 3:19 PM Post #5,200 of 9,047
Now I'm confused.  One iFi post says the "HD650 is a very easy to drive headphone. Hence, we recommend Eco or Normal power mode."  A later iFi post says "HD-650 is not that easy to drive... which puts it firmly at 'Normal' not Eco."  I do agree that the HD650 "is not that easy to drive" (though that's somewhat relative), but am confused by the contradictory statements.


Just use normal and then eco and see what you like best lol
 
Jan 29, 2016 at 3:58 AM Post #5,201 of 9,047
Just use normal and then eco and see what you like best lol

 
Hi,
 
As above, try both but we recommend Normal. Absolutely fine to use Eco if you like it. These are just a recommendation.
 
Heck, we cant agree in the marketing office between the girls and the boys - as we all have our own preferences - so try for yourself.
 
Cheers.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jan 29, 2016 at 4:36 AM Post #5,202 of 9,047
Any oppo pm-3 owners here? How does it sound with the idsd ?

 
Perfectly fine. As good as connected to the iBasso Dzero mk2. Easy to drive headphone.  
 
Jan 29, 2016 at 3:34 PM Post #5,203 of 9,047
Guys:

I've NEVER considered my iFi iDSD Micro (DAC or as DAC/AMP) to be "too bright" or "too harsh". I had that complaint with GRADOs I had for a while about a year ago, but I felt that way about them no matter what they were plugged up to... Anyway, I just tried the iTube with my iDSD through the Sennheisers and the Beyerdynamics. REALLY nice! Not a big difference in sound quality - like harsh v.s. soft, but like the same detail and emphasis, but "polished smooth". Taking longer than I would like to A/B because I have to completely remove the iTube from the audio chain to hear the difference, as opposed to just "turning it off", (I still hear a difference as long as it's (the iTube) connected, even if I unplug it!) but I at least wanted to share my initial thoughts. I also need to let it burn in before I do any critical listening, but just plugging it in to get it started burning has made a very positive impression on me. I'm really looking forward to hearing it with all my amps now!

Ken N.
 
Jan 30, 2016 at 8:57 AM Post #5,204 of 9,047
Guys:

I've NEVER considered my iFi iDSD Micro (DAC or as DAC/AMP) to be "too bright" or "too harsh". I had that complaint with GRADOs I had for a while about a year ago, but I felt that way about them no matter what they were plugged up to... Anyway, I just tried the iTube with my iDSD through the Sennheisers and the Beyerdynamics. REALLY nice! Not a big difference in sound quality - like harsh v.s. soft, but like the same detail and emphasis, but "polished smooth". Taking longer than I would like to A/B because I have to completely remove the iTube from the audio chain to hear the difference, as opposed to just "turning it off", (I still hear a difference as long as it's (the iTube) connected, even if I unplug it!) but I at least wanted to share my initial thoughts. I also need to let it burn in before I do any critical listening, but just plugging it in to get it started burning has made a very positive impression on me. I'm really looking forward to hearing it with all my amps now!

Ken N.

I agree, I dont think this is a bright DAC/AMP at all. It may seem that way with certain headphones that are considered bright. I will be buying some HD600 soon and can not wait to see the synergy between these, although the Dharmas that were borrowed to me have been sounding outstanding with this. I really am not wanting to spend that kind of money on headphones though. The Dharmas to me are not that comfortable either, I wish they were self adjusting so that I could put them where I want them.
 
Jan 30, 2016 at 2:51 PM Post #5,205 of 9,047
Hi 
Any one try this amp with 1964 U8 or U6 IEM? and also HE-500 cause im planning to buy this amp soon.
 
Thx 
 

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