iFi iDSD Micro DSD512 / PCM768 DAC and Headphone Amp. Impressions, Reviews and Comments.
Jul 28, 2016 at 5:30 PM Post #6,616 of 9,047
Personally I will stay with my iDSD + HD800 (+ Forza Noir Hybrid HPC) for a while, very satisfied with for now
smily_headphones1.gif

But once I will be enough bored, I think I will get iTube. I don't think iCan SE should brings any benefits with the HD800 anyway which will stay my can for many years to come.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 6:03 PM Post #6,617 of 9,047
How do you configure just iDSD and iTube for listening through headphones? Is it even possible? If it requires both iCan and iTube, there are a lot of tremendous amp options at the price.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 8:36 PM Post #6,618 of 9,047
  How do you configure just iDSD and iTube for listening through headphones? Is it even possible? If it requires both iCan and iTube, there are a lot of tremendous amp options at the price.

 
I don't think you can - not without having another amp - as the iTube is effectively a tube buffer.  I borrowed one off the agent in NZ for a couple of weeks, and the iTube is really for a speaker system rather than headphones.  And at some stage I may get one for my small desktop set-up - it was really good.
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 9:02 PM Post #6,619 of 9,047
  I am at a loss to figure out if the iTube can be used with the Micro to introduce some tube goodness into the sound signature for when I want that.

 
Imo, it definitely does. I used the micro with an external amp for months before adding the iTube. The sound was great before but, combined with the iTube, the combo is among the fullest, least fatiguing sound I've yet heard. Now I have a hard time listening to solid-state only.
 
  How do you configure just iDSD and iTube for listening through headphones? Is it even possible? If it requires both iCan and iTube, there are a lot of tremendous amp options at the price.

 
There's no headphone out on the iTube so you'll need an external amp (like the iCan) after it. I use the Micro's rca out to the iTube then connect it's output to my amp. The Micro can be set to direct out or preamp. I use preamp so I can take advantage of the xbass (it, along with 3d, are disabled on direct output).
 
Jul 28, 2016 at 10:46 PM Post #6,620 of 9,047
  How do you configure just iDSD and iTube for listening through headphones? Is it even possible? If it requires both iCan and iTube, there are a lot of tremendous amp options at the price.

@iFi audio
Is this possible to do this: connect the RCA out from iDSD Micro to iTube, then connect iTube's RCA out to iDSD Micro's headphone in? That would drastically reduce the price for someone who already has the iDSD and would like to enjoy the iTube first without spending extra for the iCAN SE (even though it's totally worth it IMO)
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 3:30 AM Post #6,621 of 9,047
 
How do you configure just iDSD and iTube for listening through headphones? Is it even possible? If it requires both iCan and iTube, there are a lot of tremendous amp options at the price.

@iFi audio

Is this possible to do this: connect the RCA out from iDSD Micro to iTube, then connect iTube's RCA out to iDSD Micro's headphone in? That would drastically reduce the price for someone who already has the iDSD and would like to enjoy the iTube first without spending extra for the iCAN SE (even though it's totally worth it IMO)


No that definitely isn't possible. We had a conversation a page or so back about the 3.5mm input. Anything that goes in there comes out the RCA's. You might damage your iTUBE trying that.

Some folks say that iTUBE makes a huge difference. Others, like me, say they can't hear a difference between iCAN and iTUBE+iCAN. Try to get an audition to see if it works for you. The iCAN is a very good amp.

The micro iCAN is an overachiever at the price. The iTUBE costs more and does less. I sold mine.
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 4:20 AM Post #6,622 of 9,047
  @iFi audio
Is this possible to do this: connect the RCA out from iDSD Micro to iTube, then connect iTube's RCA out to iDSD Micro's headphone in? That would drastically reduce the price for someone who already has the iDSD and would like to enjoy the iTube first without spending extra for the iCAN SE (even though it's totally worth it IMO)

 
Hi,
 
As Techno said, asked by someone else before and no, not possible. But nice try - we like your thinking.
 
The micro iDSD + iCAN SE for desktop listening is our recommendation. We exhibit with the iTUBE because we want a 'money no object' setup but as always, try for yourself as some like tubes, some dont. It's a subjective thing.
 
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Jul 29, 2016 at 5:18 AM Post #6,623 of 9,047
Thanks for all the answers. It's a little bit of a waste for me, as I think the amplifier section in the iDSD Micro is way too powerful for an unit that is practically "a DAC, that also has an amp".
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 5:54 AM Post #6,624 of 9,047
  Thanks for all the answers. It's a little bit of a waste for me, as I think the amplifier section in the iDSD Micro is way too powerful for an unit that is practically "a DAC, that also has an amp".

 
Hi,
 
Normally people say DAC amps do not have 'enough power' so we take it as a compliment for the micro iDSD in case anyone doubted the output! 
 
Though having said this you can set 250mW > 4,000mW because:
 
Eco = 250mW
Normal = 750mW
Turbo = 4,000mW
 
You make the power selection and then use iEMatch to suit.
 
So IE-800 > HE-6 are usable.
 
Thanks.
 
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Jul 29, 2016 at 6:32 AM Post #6,625 of 9,047
That was definitely a compliment! I went to a meet and to everyone 's surprise my iDsd Mic could drive the he6 while a lot of other DESKTOP amp couldn't. For all of my headphones I used eco mode, though I preferred to use the idsd as a dac to feed my LD I+ and my speaker system
 
Jul 29, 2016 at 8:12 AM Post #6,626 of 9,047
That was definitely a compliment! I went to a meet and to everyone 's surprise my iDsd Mic could drive the he6 while a lot of other DESKTOP amp couldn't. For all of my headphones I used eco mode, though I preferred to use the idsd as a dac to feed my LD I+ and my speaker system

 
Hi,
 
Thanks for that. We do really appreciate your comments and those by others. Sometimes our sensitive-soul R&D engineers need to break out the Kleenex (they dont get out much) - when the micro iDSD first came out were challenged on DSD512 and the 4,000mW both being 'fake.'
 
Customers who have known us longer from the expensive AMR stuff dont doubt. They just know! 
biggrin.gif
 
 
So thanks for the comment and will goes down well on a Friday at the boozer.
 
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Jul 29, 2016 at 10:06 AM Post #6,628 of 9,047
  With my combo which includes the iTube, I find it quite hot .... I imagine that the equipment is designed for it, but still I'm on the edge of not being able to touch

 
Hi,
 
Tubes run hot, they are Class A.
 
And the chassis is used as a heatsink to dissipate.
 
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Jul 29, 2016 at 4:51 PM Post #6,629 of 9,047
   
Hi,
 
As Techno said, asked by someone else before and no, not possible. But nice try - we like your thinking.
 
The micro iDSD + iCAN SE for desktop listening is our recommendation. We exhibit with the iTUBE because we want a 'money no object' setup but as always, try for yourself as some like tubes, some dont. It's a subjective thing.


How much of an improvement is there when you bypass the iDSD amp and use the iCAN SE stacked with the iDSD?
 

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