iFi Audio Appreciation Thread

[exclusiv3]

Hi exclusiv3

Have you tried on other PC and still able to duplicate the distortion you described?

i do not have any other pc to try. after playing around with the ifi control panel i found out that under the buffer setting; usb streaming mode i used relaxed and 8192 asio buffer size. this setting is much better, though there will still be some distortion once a while surfing web, it is not as bad as the others setting

i think if asio buffer size is even higher it will not have the distortion.

anw, what's the disadvantge of increasing asio buffer size?

 

[StereoLoft]

Hi Stereo, can the tube in iTube be replaced easily?

Hi Crazypaladin

The iTube's NOS GE5670 tube inside is mounted with a socket, not soldered, so it can be replaced

However you do not have to worry too much about the tube's longevity, the NOS GE5670 tube is military grade and rated at 100,000 hours , the iTube also runs the tube very conservatively so you can switch it on 24/7 and it will last a few years.

The iTube warms up quickly (< 1 Minute) and sounds best at after the 15 min mark

 

[StereoLoft]

i do not have any other pc to try. after playing around with the ifi control panel i found out that under the buffer setting; usb streaming mode i used relaxed and 8192 asio buffer size. this setting is much better, though there will still be some distortion once a while surfing web, it is not as bad as the others setting

i think if asio buffer size is even higher it will not have the distortion.

anw, what's the disadvantge of increasing asio buffer size?

Hi Exclusiv3

The buffer serves as a temporary storage for the audio data before transmitted to the DAC

in a computer audio playback system the computer is required to send a continuous stream of audio data to the DAC, however a computer is constantly multitasking displaying graphics/ processing commands/ playing audio and many more in turns because it cannot do all things at once, so to maintain a continuous stream of audio data a small amount of RAM (the buffers) is used to store a chunk of audio data for the DAC to access while the CPU handles other task

If the CPU didn't return in time to refill the buffer with the next chunk of audio data there will be a gap in the audio streams that is heard as pop/ clicks etc

so if the buffer is too small and runs dry faster there is a higher chance to hear clicks and pops, increasing the buffer size will eliminate this issue

However if the buffer size is too large then you will realize the audio will take a while longer to load after being selected before playing, but this will only pose an issue in pro audio industries or live performance, shouldn't be an issue for music listening

there is no universal setting for buffer, a setting that works well with a program and CPU might not work for another

 

[exclusiv3]

What about the usb streaming mode?

 

[exclusiv3]

tried open a ticket with ifi and the response was SUPER efficient!!!

this is to answer to my ques and those who is facing problem of having distortion while surfing web, especially using chrome. this is their ans and i have tried it out, it works!!!

"There has been a recent problem with audio playback via internet usage. Mainly occurring using Google Chrome.

This is due to a Adobe Flash Player plug-in.

Can you please complete the following;

chrome://plugins/ Type into your Chrome search bar.
Expand the details tab - Top right corner.
Navigate to Adobe Flash Player - There should be 2 files.
Disable the first.
Try and see if this is working after browser relaunch.
If not disable the second and try again.
Try this and see if it helps. If it happens while surfing the web it might be related to this.

Thanks."

hope that this will help those who are facing the same problem.

 

[StereoLoft]

tried open a ticket with ifi and the response was SUPER efficient!!!

this is to answer to my ques and those who is facing problem of having distortion while surfing web, especially using chrome. this is their ans and i have tried it out, it works!!!

"There has been a recent problem with audio playback via internet usage. Mainly occurring using Google Chrome.

This is due to a Adobe Flash Player plug-in.

Can you please complete the following;

chrome://plugins/ Type into your Chrome search bar.
Expand the details tab - Top right corner.
Navigate to Adobe Flash Player - There should be 2 files.
Disable the first.
Try and see if this is working after browser relaunch.
If not disable the second and try again.
Try this and see if it helps. If it happens while surfing the web it might be related to this.

Thanks."

hope that this will help those who are facing the same problem.

Hi Exclusiv3

Thanks for sharing !

 

[TeamStereo]

Japan: Phile-Web’s Audio Excellence Award 2015​

Japan’s hugely popular and well-regarded PhileWeb awarded only 3 DACs “DAC of the year”.
Yes, you guessed it, the micro iDSD was one of them.
As one can imagine, the competition is intense in this sector in Japan.
We are absolutely over the moon.
The other two being the Accuphase DC-37 (US$4,300) and the Marantz HD-DAC1 (US$930).
- DA converter iFI-Audio micro iDSD
- DA converter ACCUPHASE DC-37
- DA converter MARANTZ HD-DAC1

We would like to really thank Phile-Web and iFi-audio Japan. Yoroshiku!

Read More: Japan: Audio Excellence Award 2015
Phile-Web's Audio Excellence Award 2015

 

[exclusiv3]

i notice 1 thing now is that when playing through jriver not doing any encoding to dsd, playing its original format, i.e 44khz, the 3D doesn not work.

 

[StereoLoft]

i notice 1 thing now is that when playing through jriver not doing any encoding to dsd, playing its original format, i.e 44khz, the 3D doesn not work.

Hi Exclusiv3

The 3D will work with any format, However the effect of 3D might not be obvious on certain tracks, music or recording although the effect is actually there

are you using iDSD's headphone out or RCA out to another amplifier?

 

[exclusiv3]

using rca out

 

[TeamStereo]

Kind words from Eddy an iDSD Micro owner!​

"I have been a serious fan of good hifi for all my adult life, listening mostly to classical, jazz and occasionally pop and rock. With the resurgence of high definition audio in the last few years, I was looking for good and cost effective way of enjoying the sonic benefits of high bit-rate sound, and stumbled upon iFi products by accident. I read all the reviews and decided to buy. I am truly astounded by the difference the iDSD micro has made particularly to listening on headphones (HD650's). The dac in this tiny box is streets ahead of main stream offerings from the likes of Sony, NAD, Cyrus, Arcam...etc. It's like the thin veil of electronics between me and the music has finally been lifted! Well done all of you! I've been using it as a pre-amp today on main speakers (Epos ES22's, biamped with Cyrus Xpowers) - just brilliant!!"
Thanks Eddy! Keep on enjoying the iDSD Micro!

https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/posts/814142418621502

 

[Lucifel]

Hi, have an enquiry for the ifi nano. My current sample stays as 44100 Hz independent of the audio files (eg. mp3, flac, cd) I have tried playing on my com. The led also stays green. Anyone have any idea why that might be happening?

Thanks

 

[StereoLoft]

Hi, have an enquiry for the ifi nano. My current sample stays as 44100 Hz independent of the audio files (eg. mp3, flac, cd) I have tried playing on my com. The led also stays green. Anyone have any idea why that might be happening?

Thanks

Hi Lucifel

What is the sample rate of the files being played? and what is the software used for playback?

Do take note CD is indeed a carrier of 16Bit/ 44.100KHz music files

 

[Lucifel]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Found the solution to the issue. Seems that the sample rate has to be set under 'speakers properties' to match the file played.

 

[w3ird0lol]

need some help here,

recently my ifi set up got a bit of issue. Very randomly, it will have some static noise (buzzing sound) when I am using my ifi DAC. Then the buzz will stay for a long while, before it got'shut off'. after which my comp will prompt me that the USB device is not recognized.

anyone faced the similar issue?

my set up is as followed
imercury - iusb (default cable) - idac

 

[TeamStereo]

need some help here,

recently my ifi set up got a bit of issue. Very randomly, it will have some static noise (buzzing sound) when I am using my ifi DAC. Then the buzz will stay for a long while, before it got'shut off'. after which my comp will prompt me that the USB device is not recognized.

anyone faced the similar issue?

my set up is as followed
imercury - iusb (default cable) - idac

Hi bro!

Just some questions for us to further help you:

Have you tried changing to another USB cable to check if the problem still persists?

Does the buzzing sound still continues if you connect just the Mercury Cable to iDAC without iUSB?

For iUSB, is isoearth function switched on?

Perhaps you can try using different cable first and/ or uninstalling-installing the driver and see if the problem still persists. We recommend using Mercury Cable after iUSB and connecting to iDAC instead of the current connection.

Hope this helps. Do let us know.

 

[w3ird0lol]

Hi bro!

Just some questions for us to further help you:

Have you tried changing to another USB cable to check if the problem still persists?

Does the buzzing sound still continues if you connect just the Mercury Cable to iDAC without iUSB?

For iUSB, is isoearth function switched on?

Perhaps you can try using different cable first and/ or uninstalling-installing the driver and see if the problem still persists. We recommend using Mercury Cable after iUSB and connecting to iDAC instead of the current connection.

Hope this helps. Do let us know.

Hi there,

1. nope, i dont have any other USB cable to try less the deafult cable they give us.

2. Will try the configuration later

3. Yes, is switched on

4. Will change the configuration.

 

[TeamStereo]

Nano iDSD – one of the Top 3 “2014 Greatest Bits”​

We would like to thank Mr Lavorgna and the AudioStream team for making the nano iDSD one of the 2014 Greatest Bits dacs. Mr Lavorgna had this to say, “The iFi nano iDSD DAC supports up to 32/384, DXD, as well as single, double, and quad rate DSD. While that’s all well and good on paper, I’d rather have a 24/96 DAC that sounds good and avoid the numbers race. The thing is the iDSD DAC sounds good. Really good, exhibiting a natural smoothness and a lovely dimensional quality that belies its price. About the size of a deck of cards, the iFi also doubles as a headphone amp and throws in an analog volume control. I’d say if you’re looking for a DSD-capable DAC in the $1,000 range, check out the iFi iDSD DAC.”
Thank you AudioStream very much indeed!

Nano iDSD

 

[Gaghiel]

just got a 2nd hand iDAC, just want to clarify:

1. Any difference if connect iDAC to amp via rca-rca vs rca-3.5mm in? The amp to drive passive speaker

2. for line out, should i set iDAC volume to the lowest? can i keep my headphone plugged or need to remove?

3. when listening with headphone, only need to adjust the iDAC volume and lower amp volume to 0?

windows volume set to 100.

sorry for noob questions, my very first DAC.

 

[StereoLoft]

just got a 2nd hand iDAC, just want to clarify:

1. Any difference if connect iDAC to amp via rca-rca vs rca-3.5mm in? The amp to drive passive speaker

2. for line out, should i set iDAC volume to the lowest? can i keep my headphone plugged or need to remove?

3. when listening with headphone, only need to adjust the iDAC volume and lower amp volume to 0?

windows volume set to 100.

sorry for noob questions, my very first DAC.

Hi Gaghiel

If your amplifier has an RCA and 3.5mm input, we would pick the RCA input due to multiple reasons for example better and more stable connection of the connector and many other

The tricky part is some amplifier might show varying sonic qualities between different input and cable used due to their circuit design, we would encourage you to try both and see which one sounds better on your system

if you are using the Micro iDAC (not iDSD) you don't have to worry about the volume control position as the RCA line out volume are fixed, if you are not using the headphone just turn the volume control to the minimal position

hope this helps