iFi Audio Appreciation Thread

[wensan]

Hi! Need some help guys.

i received the micro idsd as a xmas gift from my wife and im planning to use my iphone6 as a source. Which cable do i need? Is it the camera connection kit or the lightin to usb camera? I visiited the Nubox store in Westgate but they wont open the box for me as it is sealed and for me to make a confirmation. Better if someone can post a pic of the cable or the box.
Thanks in advance and happy new year

Hi, bro. You can refer to the post #496 on this thread just few post above yours , the HiFi Guy 528 Unboxing Video, time: 6.09min onwards.

Cheers!

 

[StereoLoft]

Hi, I'm about to get a Schiit Lyr + PYST interconnect cables and would like to know if the iFi Nano iDSD work nicely with it. I assume the interconnect cable can be used with the Nano iDSD, will the Nano iDSD act as a preamp as well? Sorry for the newb questions, want to up my audio setup...also, I'd like to know which output method to the Lyr two would be best, the coax or analog outputs at the front.

Hi Gaminator

The IDSD nano will work nicely, if you are getting the PYST just make sure to get the RCA version, connect iDSD nano RCA output (the analog out in front) to the RCA input of Lyr 2 via the PYST

The iDSD nano RCA output is variable (pre-amp function) this means the volume control can adjust the output volume of the RCA, it is recommended that iDSD nano volume control is set between 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock for the best sound

 

[StereoLoft]

Hi! Need some help guys.

i received the micro idsd as a xmas gift from my wife and im planning to use my iphone6 as a source. Which cable do i need? Is it the camera connection kit or the lightin to usb camera? I visiited the Nubox store in Westgate but they wont open the box for me as it is sealed and for me to make a confirmation. Better if someone can post a pic of the cable or the box.
Thanks in advance and happy new year

Hi Jack

You will require the Apple Camera Connection Kit (sometimes called lightning to USB camera adapter), its the lightning to female USB cable, make sure to get them from an authorized Apple retail store

 

[Gaminator]

Hi Gaminator

The IDSD nano will work nicely, if you are getting the PYST just make sure to get the RCA version, connect iDSD nano RCA output (the analog out in front) to the RCA input of Lyr 2 via the PYST

The iDSD nano RCA output is variable (pre-amp function) this means the volume control can adjust the output volume of the RCA, it is recommended that iDSD nano volume control is set between 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock for the best sound

Thanks for clearing that up, awesome support from Stereo as expected. I'm looking forward to getting the Lyr + Nano iDSD to use as my main audio station.

 

[jack ryan09]

StereoLoft/wensan/Yureak,

Thanks for all the replies. Bought the Apple Ligting to sub camera as per all your advice and now happily burning in my HD600 and MicroDSD.

More power to this thread. Learning a lot being this is my first foray to head fi.

Jack

 

[StereoLoft]

StereoLoft/wensan/Yureak,

Thanks for all the replies. Bought the Apple Ligting to sub camera as per all your advice and now happily burning in my HD600 and MicroDSD.

More power to this thread. Learning a lot being this is my first foray to head fi.

Jack

Glad that you are enjoying them!!

 

[StereoLoft]

Thanks for clearing that up, awesome support from Stereo as expected. I'm looking forward to getting the Lyr + Nano iDSD to use as my main audio station.

We hope to see you soon as well!

 

[Zantesuken]

Can anyone confirm iPhone 4 camera kit can digital to micro idsd?

 

[StereoLoft]

Can anyone confirm iPhone 4 camera kit can digital to micro idsd?

Hi Zentesuken

iPhone 4 with iOS 7 and above will work with the matching Apple 30pin CCK, sending the digital signal to iDSD micro however if you do not have the Apple 30pin CCK they are really hard to find nowadays as the new CCK comes with lightning connector instead of the 30pin connector.

 

[TeamStereo]

Proof is in the pudding say’s Solarrdadd of Blu-ray.com about the iDSD nano & iUSBPower!​

We received some kind comments from Archie aka Solarrdadd and we thought to share!

“i was looking for a good DAC, for not a lot of money and one that didn’t take up a lot of desk space….i purchased the iFi nano iDSD DAC & a companion product, the iFi micro iUSB Power….the ultimate proof was in the pudding. once i played that first song on the new setup in my office, i was sold….i have a wide variety of music on my system, everything from classic rock, big band, old world jazz, modern rock, R&B, classical music, i have everything. the DAC makes everything sound their best….when i’m at work, the good music helps me think and gets me through my day and get complicated projects done. i’m blessed to be able to have this kind of system in my office and listen to it without having to use headphones. i am able to have the same music i love and listen to at home, but, now, at work and it sounds good too.”

Thanks Archie!
Thor & Duke Nukem agrees too!

Proof is in the pudding say’s Solarrdadd of Blu-ray.com about the iDSD nano & iUSBPower!

 

[TeamStereo]

iDSD Micro is highly recommended by Mono and Stereo!​

“How all this can be packed into this tinny, semi shinny now already highly recognised aluminium chassis?…. this baby is future packed and future ready!….There is something un-denyingly simple and right about music coming out of iDSD Micro….iFi iDSD Micro is a clear sign of new era where performance can take place at impressive level even without being prejudiced about the price….Talking about sci-fi, high-tech, high-performance utilisation in the smallest foot print? You’ve got it….iFi Audio micro iDSD can literary crush some of the giants, that costed 10k and more up in the past. In the era where everybody talks about resolution, dynamics, speed, transparency iDSD micro brings all that plus musicality. Enriched by the wide array features, this is really a no brainer for wider parties of interest. Geeks, music lovers, audiophiles and gadget enthusiasts can all get their urge fulfilled under one package…. iFi products continuously impress me and you can call me their avid fan.”

Thanks Matej Isak of Mono and Stereo!
Mono and Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: iFi Audio micro iDSD review

 

[TeamStereo]

Lee Scoggins of Headphone Guru awards the iDSD Micro Product of the year 2014!​

“My choice for Product of the Year is the iFi iDSD Micro. At $499 I expected a nice little compact DAC with decent sound and to be honest some fairly basic features. What I got was entirely different. I heard detail and musicality far beyond its price. I found a feature set that was surprisingly comprehensive with a terrific headphone amp. But the sound is just sublime and it keeps this puppy in constant use whenever I work from the home office. Well done iFi. Well done indeed.”

Product of the Year 2014: Writers’ Awards | Headphone.Guru | Page 3

 

[Gaminator]

Hi, just providing some feedback on the Micro iDSD, I switched to preamp mode since I wanted to use it as a DAC for my Lyr. Siao liao, the Micro iDSD went nuts, connect and disconnect repeatedly, then Windows informed me that driver had failed to install. Odd thing was, it was working issue free as a DAC/amp combo. All this from simply switching mode? Even when I got it working, the LED indicator is a constant yellow despite playing WAV/MP3's, should be green. I have a feeling I'd have to reinstall the driver again. One question, how to uninstall the iFi iDSD driver, I don't see it in Start -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program. I'm now leery of buying a Nano iDSD due to the problem I'd faced with the Micro iDSD. Can someone explain why simply switching to preamp mode would result in such a mess?

In contrast, in my other system, I have a Fostex HPA4, I simply switched it to RCA output with my Lyr connected to it, no issue at all! It's only with the HPA4 + Lyr combo that I can now appreciate my DSD64 songs, sounds absolutely fabulous.

 

[essentiale]

The USB input on the micro IDSD is male or female? Has anyone tested the possibility of using android phone (lollipop 5) > micro USB OTG > micro idsd > Headphone? I'm using a nexus 6 and wonder if this is possible without the use of UAPP

Sent from Motorola NEXUS 6 using GAGT

 

[rickysio]

Recessed male header.

 

[TeamStereo]

Hi, just providing some feedback on the Micro iDSD, I switched to preamp mode since I wanted to use it as a DAC for my Lyr. Siao liao, the Micro iDSD went nuts, connect and disconnect repeatedly, then Windows informed me that driver had failed to install. Odd thing was, it was working issue free as a DAC/amp combo. All this from simply switching mode? Even when I got it working, the LED indicator is a constant yellow despite playing WAV/MP3's, should be green. I have a feeling I'd have to reinstall the driver again. One question, how to uninstall the iFi iDSD driver, I don't see it in Start -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program. I'm now leery of buying a Nano iDSD due to the problem I'd faced with the Micro iDSD. Can someone explain why simply switching to preamp mode would result in such a mess?

In contrast, in my other system, I have a Fostex HPA4, I simply switched it to RCA output with my Lyr connected to it, no issue at all! It's only with the HPA4 + Lyr combo that I can now appreciate my DSD64 songs, sounds absolutely fabulous.

Hi Gaminator! May we ask your connection to Micro iDSD to Lyr?

Also, kindly uninstall and reinstall first your driver so we can check, including the LED issue. Go to Control Panel - Device Manager Setting - iFi (by AMR) right click then uninstall. I’ve attached an image for your reference. Do let us know.

 

[TeamStereo]

HiFi.nl/FWD Home Entertainment awards the micro iDSD "2014 DAC of the Year!"​

We are absolutely overjoyed to have won the prestigious DAC of the Year by HiFi.nl/FWD Home Entertainment magazine. To say this category was hotly contested would be an understatement as the leading DACs ranged from Euro199 > Euro19,000 (no, not a typo).
HiFi.nl/FWD is the Netherlands most widely-read online/printed audio magazine so this is a very large feather in our cap.

“The micro iDSD is not a gadget but serious “meisterstuck” with progressive technology from the stable of head designer Thorsten Loesch. You can use it as an advanced DAC or directly out to loudspeakers but best of all, it is the world’s first DAC capable of native Octa-DSD.”

HiFi.nl/FWD Home Entertainment awards the micro iDSD “2014 DAC of the Year!”

 

[Gaminator]

Hi TS, just a short post to say that I'd done what you'd suggested and I assume everything copacetic since playing MP3/WAV, I see the green LED, thanks. I might change course and get the iDSD Nano to stack with the Lyr....since confidence is back.

 

[TeamStereo]

Hi TS, just a short post to say that I'd done what you'd suggested and I assume everything copacetic since playing MP3/WAV, I see the green LED, thanks. I might change course and get the iDSD Nano to stack with the Lyr....since confidence is back.

Good to know

 

[TeamStereo]

iDSD Nano receives Editor’s Choice Award from thepcenthusiast!​

“The iFi Nano iDSD is not a new product and it has been on the market for quite some time now. But it’s probably, one of the best (if not the best) DAC/AMP you can get for under $200 USD… It looks so clean and really nice, not to mention the body is really solid as well….Using the iFi Nano iDSD is very easy….I have been using the Nano iDSD for around 3 months now, and it’s really a nice well-rounded device. Generally the sound that it produces is very clean and full of energy….My experience was simply great, every instrument and every detail of the music was there. I also love rock and heavy metal and definitely the Nano iDSD didn’t back down to whatever genre I throw at it. I find myself listening to soothing music from Billy Joel, Eric Clampton, to the loud and electrifying music of Metallica….it offered a (slightly) better audio experience compared to the current DAC/AMPs I have with me as of today….To sum it all up, I’m impressed with the performance and sound quality of the iDSD."

Thanks The PC Enthusiast!
iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC with Headphone Amp Review - An Affordable High Resolution Audio Solution