[CANiSLAYu]

I just pointed it out because I think with iFi marketing it as a desktop DAC/amp, calling the xDSD the flagship portable would still be technically accurate

To tack on a question for the spirit of the thread, there’s a massive gap in the product lineup desktop DAC/amp with balanced output and MQA support with the Zen at $129 and Pro iDSD starting at $2,500. Can we expect something in the middle for those who want a higher quality DAC/amp than the Zen and don’t need the bells and whistles of the Pro (like streaming, DSD1024, etc)?

 

[stuck limo]

Why do you continue to flirt with the idea of discontinuing the Micro iUSB 3.0? There is clearly still a demand for it and you guys haven't announced a replacement and have indicated you probably have nothing in the pipeline to replace it with.

 

[Yethal]

• Why does the iCan pro have so many different outputs? Surely a single balanced and a single trs output would've been enough.
• Why does the iCan pro not turn off preamp outs when headphones are connected?
• Why do remotes for iCan Pro and iDSD Pro control only volume and not any other function (such as inputs) ?
• Why did the company make a switch to Sabre dac chips with the Zen line?

 

[Sphere 57]

Hi Thorsten,
So you receive remuneration in gourmet food and beverages? I find that my best cognac complements my iFi gear very well, what booze are they bribing you with?

 

[RONJA MESCO]

Thorsten,

I really wanna know when you guys are going to make your own DAP? Most of your product supports the needs of on-the-go audiophiles, but at the same time, you guys dont offer one. I would really like to see you offer one....and I think you guys would do a good job. Thoughts?

 

[PureViewer4t1]

I've had close experience with two products the iFi iDSD micro BL and the ifi xCAN. Main issue with the micro BL was channel imbalance. Main issue with the xCAN was the 2.5mm balanced, 2.5mm sockets are very delicate. I see that newer products are using 4.4mm sockets and that is a huge improvement over the 2.5mm one. So some questions:

• Are there any plans of improving the volume control in the iDSD micro BL? A balanced version using a 4.4mm output + decent volume control + bluetooth would be amazing.
• Are there any plans of portable devices using 4.4mm output?
• Will you continue to use the same Burr-Brown DAC in the foreseeable future?

Thanks!

AFAIK, the channel imbalance issue of Micro BL is because of the iEMatch switch. It's simply unstable. This is my not-so-beautiful solution:

By the way, I love its analogue volume controller.

 

[flyte3333]

@iFi audio from this Q&A with Thorsten Loesch about PCM vs DSD

https://www.audiostream.com/content/qa-thorsten-loesch-amrifi-audiostream-addendum-pcm-vs-dsd

He says:

"If we convert from 24-Bit at 352.8KHz (DXD-PCM) to 1-Bit at 2.822MHz (DSD) – we need to throw away around 99.96% of the amplitude information the PCM format is capable off, while we are only having 12.5% of the time domain information that the DSD system is capable of. If we convert to DSD to DXD, that is 1-Bit at 2.822MHz to 24-Bit at 352.8kHz – we need to throw away 87.5% of the time domain information of DSD, though we can theoretically remap all of this into the amplitude domain. So in effect we get the worst of both formats, rather than the best of one."


1. Where does this throwing away 87.5% of time domain info come from? I know that 352.8/2822 = 0.125 but how does this actually result in time domain info being thrown away?

2. The quote above is obviously referring to conversion from PCM352.8 kHz to DSD64... So following on from Q1 above, do things improve with conversion (upsampling) of 352.8kHz to 11.2896 MHz (DSD256)? In terms of time domain info? Or things get worse in terms of throwing away time domain info?

3. What are technical throughts about upsampling PCM to high DSD rates (DSD256 and above).

 

[mrlobaloba]

+1 iDSD Micro BL successor, there should be 4.4 balanced and inbuilt LDAC and improved SQ.

 

[alexandros a]

just a couple of questions regarding nano iDSD BL which i am currently thinking of buying....
Can i use digital input(USB2.0 type A) of nano iDSD BL, to connect it to Hiby R3's (Dap) digital out (usb type C)??
will it work following this way of connectivity??Hiby R3 supports connectivity this way, i allready use this way iBASSO DC01 dongle this way.
in addition to this,i use with all of my iems, balanced 2.5 TRRS out cables,and for use on daps with single ended 3.5mm output i use a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor
Will this be a problem on nano iDSD BL? i mean the use of an 2.5 to 3.5 adaptor?? will this way provide a ballanced connectivity there??
Lastly......is there any real audible difference between ieMATCH and Direct inputs??i have read the specs on output impedance on both of the inputs and all of my daps obtain at most 1 Ohm output impedance
thanks in advance...

 

[finvarg]

Any chance of 4.4 mm trrs iEMatch version? Or, even better, iEMatch as 2.4, 3.5 and 4.4 mm connectors for soldering? Thank you.

 

[Satir]

+1 iDSD Micro BL successor, there should be 4.4 balanced and inbuilt LDAC and improved SQ.

Would like to see this too, but being a realist, think it's unlikely. Being a natural half-full glass person is great, but working against ones nature to be one is hard work!

 

[Mediahound]

I thought he left iFi / Abbingdon (parent company of iFi)? His LinkedIn page show it:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorsten-loesch-studio-raumklangg/

 

[iFi audio]

I thought he left iFi / Abbingdon (parent company of iFi)? His LinkedIn page show it:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorsten-loesch-studio-raumklangg/

Now you have the chance to ask him about that

 

[power]

sra1 portable direct drive raal

 

[Condocondor]

What could be done to improve the iDSD Micro BL...for $1200....for *$1800? Where would you start? Where would you put the extra money? Matched components? Better USB? Balanced?