iFi Audio Appreciation Thread

[shadow84]

Is there a difference between TeamStereo and StereoLoft?

 

[Gaminator]

I decided to hook up my Micro iDSD to my Lyr, installed driver again since I was using the Geek Pulse, everything seemed to be fine. I got the green LED and my systems recognises the Micro iDSD.....but no sound! I tried running the Windows sound test and got zip, I keep getting 'Failed to play test tone' error message, what am I doing wrong?

edit - I set to preamp mode before installing driver...

 

[Gaminator]

To TS, I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver ver2.20.0 for the Micro iDSD in Direct mode and it worked flawlessly. I power off both the iDSD Micro and Lyr, switched it to preamp mode and haywire again. For the Fostex HPA4, simply switching mode on the front panel is easy as pie, no issue whatsoever. Why does switching to preamp mode cause so much problem? Now, when I switch back to Direct mode, LED stays in magenta color....is there a simple and elegant way to get it to function as a DAC and preamp without it totally fubar?

 

[Gaminator]

Another issue, I tried re-installing the driver ver2.20.0 again after uninstalling it, gave me a fright cause when I rebooted after uninstalling, my rig was running but the screen went off. I was forced to to hot the 'Power' buttong to force a hard restart. When I got into desktop, I tried twice and both times the driver doesn't install.....it seems the system still sees the driver though I'd uninstalled it as per your previous instruction. Had no choice but to try installing ver2.23.0 and this time it installed because, as I'd suspected, it would remove the previous driver first. Again, with my Micro iDSD set in Direct mode before installing the driver, I had no issue whatsoever with the Micro iDSD now.

Seriously, why is it that the Fostex HPA4 can switch between modes (Direct or Preamp mode) without any issue (simply by pressing a button in the front panel), yet your superior (that is, more ex) Micro iDSD can't do it?

 

[TeamStereo]

USB is extremely(electrically)noisy, especially if your usb dac is drawing power off the PC's usb port. It won't change the sound signature of your dac but it will help to reduce noise thus improving the background sound stage(more quieter, darker) and allow you to hear more of the micro details that you don't notice before. It all depends on how resolving your headphones is in order to hear the difference.

Speaking of which... any offers for Ifi Itube? thinking of hooting one to try.

iTube alone is currently not in our official list of promotion, but you can always head down in our stores to check for discounts.

 

[Gaminator]

Can someone help me out with the issue I'm having with the iDSD Micro? Simply connecting RCA cables to the back of it causes it to go haywire.....

 

[StereoLoft]

Can someone help me out with the issue I'm having with the iDSD Micro? Simply connecting RCA cables to the back of it causes it to go haywire.....

Hi Gaminator

I've read all your above post

The iDSD micro's preamp/ direct switch and volume control happens at the analog domain after the DAC output, so should not have a effect on the PC connection

We have tested playing music with iDSD micro > RCA > iCan connected to various Mac and Windows PC and we were able to switch between preamp/ direct without the need of switching iDSD micro off, the preamp/ direct switch simply engages or disengages the volume control, just make sure to turn the volume down when switching preamp/ direct mode to prevent volume surge

if you are using iDSD micro > RCA > Lyr, you should be using Direct mode on iDSD as you do not need the volume control of iDSD, the Lyr amplifier will do the volume control task

we would also like to remind you that when iDSD micro Preamp mode is activated (volume control utilized) the output of the RCA is controlled by the volume control, in order to roughly match the output volume of Direct mode the volume control should be around 2pm position or above

the Ifi driver installation is a one time thing (unless there is a newer version of the driver or the driver is not installed properly and corrupted) you don't need to uninstall/ install the driver every time you change to other DAC and back to iDSD, hope this clarifies

may we also know what do you meant by go haywire?, disconnect or no sound or intermittent sound?

may we also know the music software that your are using so we can assist you further?

if simply switching from preamp/ direct mode or connecting the RCA cable causes the iDSD to disconnect from the PC or intermittent sound etc, we would recommend you to bring the unit down for us to take a look, bring along the USB cable that you are using so we can isolate the problem

we really hope that the issue you are facing are solved so you can continue to enjoy the music

 

[Gaminator]

By 'haywire', I mean that simply connecting the Micro iDSD to the Lyr using PYST RCA cables causes it to immediately stop functioning, and Windows doesn't 'see' the driver present anymore. I'd tried this, while the iDSD was playing a DSD64 track using Foobar2k, I took the RCA connectors (which were NOT connected to anything) and tried to plug them in, immediately noticed the sound started to turn 'watery' and I stopped immediately, unplugged the RCA connectors and it was fine again. This is the 2nd time I've tried using the Micro iDSD as dac/preamp for the Lyr, both times I've encountered this issue.

I'm beginning to think I'd gotten a lemon of a Micro iDSD since it CANNOT function as a preamp.....

 

[exclusiv3]

i will like to ask what is the benefit of using single or dual usb cable from the output of the Iusb?

from what i read, the power is already filtered through the use of dedicated ULN power supply and through the circuit inside the Iusb.

 

[w3ird0lol]

? iUSB is not a device... that will be detected ....

is just a power supply

ermmm, sorry, didn't stated clearly, i mean my idac

 

[StereoLoft]

By 'haywire', I mean that simply connecting the Micro iDSD to the Lyr using PYST RCA cables causes it to immediately stop functioning, and Windows doesn't 'see' the driver present anymore. I'd tried this, while the iDSD was playing a DSD64 track using Foobar2k, I took the RCA connectors (which were NOT connected to anything) and tried to plug them in, immediately noticed the sound started to turn 'watery' and I stopped immediately, unplugged the RCA connectors and it was fine again. This is the 2nd time I've tried using the Micro iDSD as dac/preamp for the Lyr, both times I've encountered this issue.

I'm beginning to think I'd gotten a lemon of a Micro iDSD since it CANNOT function as a preamp.....

Hi

In this case we would recommend you bring down the iDSD micro, the cables used and the purchase receipt to Stereo ION for us to take a look.

 

[StereoLoft]

i will like to ask what is the benefit of using single or dual usb cable from the output of the Iusb?

from what i read, the power is already filtered through the use of dedicated ULN power supply and through the circuit inside the Iusb.

Hi exclusiv3

By using a dual headed USB cable like the Ifi Gemini USB cable (separate power and audio lines) you will prevent the power line from interfering the data lines within the USB cables, just like you would't lay power cord side by side audio interconnects which will otherwise add noise in to the signal

 

[exclusiv3]

Hi exclusiv3

By using a dual headed USB cable like the Ifi Gemini USB cable (separate power and audio lines) you will prevent the power line from interfering the data lines within the USB cables, just like you would't lay power cord side by side audio interconnects which will otherwise add noise in to the signal

Thanks for the info. How about the 90ohm thingy used by Gemini? is it because of impedance matching with the iusbpower? Does the iusbpower have to use 90ohm usb cable to get better quality?

 

[LemonT]

My iTube seems to be faulty. The red LED on the i is not lit and no sound.

It's >1yrs old, can I send it via Stereo to iFi for diagnostic and repair?

 

[StereoLoft]

Thanks for the info. How about the 90ohm thingy used by Gemini? is it because of impedance matching with the iusbpower? Does the iusbpower have to use 90ohm usb cable to get better quality?

Hi exclusiv3

The 90 ohm specifications (for the USB data lines) is in fact a requirement for all USB cables for optimal signal transmission, this is often over looked with other USB cables, just like Spdif coaxial digital cables requires 75 ohm

you can read more about it on the official USB website USB.org - Welcome

the Ifi Gemini and Mercury USB cables adheres to this specification and others

 

[StereoLoft]

My iTube seems to be faulty. The red LED on the i is not lit and no sound.

It's >1yrs old, can I send it via Stereo to iFi for diagnostic and repair?

Hi LemonT

The red glowing light in the "i" is indeed produced by the NOS GE5670 tube inside, so if there is no light and no sound, this could mean a number of things, example a faulty tube or power adapter, did you purchase the iTube from us? if yes may we ask you to bring the iTube and it's power adapter plus the purchase receipt to Stereo ION for us to rectify the fault

 

[StereoLoft]

ermmm, sorry, didn't stated clearly, i mean my idac

Hi w3ird0lol

This could be caused by a number of things, could be due to the computer or iDAC

how long did it take for iDAC to be detected after PC reboot? have you tried iDAC with other computers?

What USB cable are you using?

 

[crazypaladin]

I just got the iDSD Micro today. I already owned the iDSD. Now I am tempted to get the iUSB and iPurifier along with Gemini cable and iRack. Any special promotional price to get these items at one go?

 

[TeamStereo]

I just got the iDSD Micro today. I already owned the iDSD. Now I am tempted to get the iUSB and iPurifier along with Gemini cable and iRack. Any special promotional price to get these items at one go?

You got PM

 

[Murcielago]

when will the Stereo 50 be released in SG? any promo?