[TheoS53]

I wonder if @iFi-Audio would be able to retune the 3D+ function to not accentuate the upper frequencies as much

 

[BillsonChang007]

I wonder if @iFi-Audio
 would be able to retune the 3D+ function to not accentuate the upper frequencies as much

To a certain extend, boosting the treble boost Soundstage too!

 

[TheoS53]

Has anyone else noticed a change in sound depending on the position of the gain switch on the BL?

With my Pinnacle P1, Eco can drive it perfectly fine. But if I switch over to Normal, at the same volume level things just sound fuller (not warmer or more bass heavy), more dynamic. Normal and Turbo seem to sound the same. 

 

[proedros]

any comparisons available between BL and sony wm1a ?

 

[Aegruin]

  Has anyone else noticed a change in sound depending on the position of the gain switch on the BL?

With my Pinnacle P1, Eco can drive it perfectly fine. But if I switch over to Normal, at the same volume level things just sound fuller (not warmer or more bass heavy), more dynamic. Normal and Turbo seem to sound the same. 

I noticed it on non-BL. When I asked, they said "It's Placebo", "Gain switch won't change anything but volume". But I get it. Definitely like that. 

 
 
edit: It's like more punchier, dynamic but with the same FR.

 

[TheoS53]

   
 
edit: It's like more punchier, dynamic but with the same FR.

Exactly. In Eco it just sounds thinner. 

I don't think it's placebo, as I wasn't "expecting" a change. I simply tried a different gain setting to compare the positions of the volume knob to get the same volume level for each gain setting. So it caught me a bit off guard. I get why they would say it's a placebo, as the gain *shouldn't* affect the sound like that. But yet, somehow it does.

 

[hemipowered007]

I agree with this, I can use eco on my 1more triple drivers, but to me, from the beginning it sounded like something was missing.

 

[gr8soundz]

  Exactly. In Eco it just sounds thinner. 

I don't think it's placebo, as I wasn't "expecting" a change. I simply tried a different gain setting to compare the positions of the volume knob to get the same volume level for each gain setting. So it caught me a bit off guard. I get why they would say it's a placebo, as the gain *shouldn't* affect the sound like that. But yet, somehow it does.

 
Imo, its due to damping factor. The additional power at higher gain can make some headphones sound more effortless (best word I can think of).
 
Similar to a car with more torque, it becomes easier to get things moving.
 
Its also the same reason many headphones sound better with much larger, more powerful amps. They don't have to work as hard as smaller amps at similar volume levels.
 
More knowledgeable head-fiers can probably explain it better though.
 

 

[gixxerwimp]

I've had the original micro iDSD for coming on 2 years. The iEMatch switch started getting wonky recently. There's often channel imbalance and I have to jiggle it until it centers again. I usually leave it on High and while jiggling, one channel will sometimes such to Off intermittently. I've removed the plastic button from the switch so it doesn't get bumped after fiddling it into the right position, but the channel balance often goes out the next time I use it.

Anyone else have this issue?

I live in Asia so sending it back for repair would be a hassle. Other than this issue, I've been happy with the iDSD.

 

[TheoS53]

Gents, my apologies if this is a bit of a noob question, but I'm trying to do a bit of reading about the various filters. Would I be correct in saying that the standard filter is a linear filter? In which case, what kind of filter would the bit-perfect filter be? or if the bit-perfect filter is a linear one, what is the standard one?

I've had a lengthy Google session, but this bit-perfect filter constantly brings up results for the IFI, which doesn't really help to get comparisons for other devices (in terms of what type of filter it is and how it has been implemented on other devices, etc).

Perhaps @iFi could be of help.
 
Thanks in advance 

 

[technobear]

Gents, my apologies if this is a bit of a noob question, but I'm trying to do a bit of reading about the various filters. Would I be correct in saying that the standard filter is a linear filter? In which case, what kind of filter would the bit-perfect filter be? or if the bit-perfect filter is a linear one, what is the standard one?


I've had a lengthy Google session, but this bit-perfect filter constantly brings up results for the IFI, which doesn't really help to get comparisons for other devices (in terms of what type of filter it is and how it has been implemented on other devices, etc).


Perhaps @iFi
 could be of help.

Thanks in advance 

Bit-perfect mode means no upsampling and no digital filtering and a perfect transient response without ringing.

 

[apaar123]

Anyone tried them for gaming?

 

[iFi audio]

 
Imo, its due to damping factor. The additional power at higher gain can make some headphones sound more effortless (best word I can think of).

 
 
For the iDSD micro, the different power modes do not change either output impedance / damping factor (damping factor is load impedance divided by output impedance).  Neither does the current limit of the circuit change. 
 
The output impedance / damping factor and current limit change only if iEMatch is engaged.
 
The lower power is simply due to reducing the power supply voltage and the circuit gain, thus making the amplifier clip earlier but also consuming much less idle power.
 
The largest objective change we observe is that the higher gain / power modes have marginally higher distortion levels into low impedance headphones (< 50 Ohm) and absolute background noise is raised in line with gain. 
 
So, objectively the higher gain/power modes produce more background noise, a smidgen more distortion and the amplifier clips at higher output voltage levels. 
 
What this means is that the higher gain/power are matched to higher impedance, lower sensitivity headphones. In this case the distortion remains low and the noise at the actual headphone accoustic output also remains low and the added output voltage compensates the lower sensitivity.
 
We would not wish to venture speculations as to why some iDSD micro users perceive large sonic differences with power mode. 
 
However our own listening panels (using multiple iDSD micro accurately level matched) did not pick up on these differences and which show no evidence in measured performance. 
 
It is essential to make sure to adjust the volume setting using a test signal and a suitable signal meter to compensate gain changes, rather than attempting to level match "by ear". 
 
As little as an 0.5dB higher level (and 0.5dB are near impossible to set accurately and repeatedly by ear) will give a sound that is subjectively perceived as more dynamic and possibly with more bass, but is not perceived as louder. 
 
It takes around 3dB level difference before the louder source is identified as louder using music, so it is relatively easy to be fooled by small but significant level differences into "hearing things" that in reality do not exist.

 

[iFi audio]

I've had the original micro iDSD for coming on 2 years. The iEMatch switch started getting wonky recently. There's often channel imbalance and I have to jiggle it until it centers again. I usually leave it on High and while jiggling, one channel will sometimes such to Off intermittently. I've removed the plastic button from the switch so it doesn't get bumped after fiddling it into the right position, but the channel balance often goes out the next time I use it.

Anyone else have this issue?

I live in Asia so sending it back for repair would be a hassle. Other than this issue, I've been happy with the iDSD.

 
Please open a ticket within our Support Ticket System: http://support.ifi-audio.com/
 
Our support staff will try to help you.

 

[gixxerwimp]

It occurred to me to try some contact cleaner. Using an extension tube, I sprayed it into the small gap that's visible in the iEMatch switch in the Off and Ultra positions. Problem seems to have gone away.