Ifi Micro IDSD Black Label

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Cellist88, Dec 6, 2016.

  1. Logan Ross

    Logan Ross New

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    Hi,
    I have been AB'ing the BL and the Mytek Brooklyn. I set them, including volume, so that I can't tell which is which. The inputs on my amp are switched periodically without me knowing which DAC is plugged into which input. Both are being driven by the same source (Raspberry Pi running Roon), and both are being filtered through an ifi iUSB 3.0. I have been repeating the exposure multiple times over the past several weeks. It is very interesting, but I have found the BL to be the better listen for me. This is a device that is cost one quarter of the price of the other. Even the few times I thought I remembered which was which and thought I was selecting the Brooklyn, it turned out to be the BL. To be clear, it is not such a difference to say "holy cow", but there is a difference nonetheless.
     
  2. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    Interesting, @Logan Ross . When comparing hifi, Although I always spend some time focusing on the specific characteristics of sound, I have found that it is mostly a academic pursuit for me. In the end, whatever device I choose to use most frequently is "better."

    Sounds like, for you, the ifi is better. Saves you some money! :)

    iDSD BL content: Roon is new to me. I've spent a lot of time over the past week streaming Tidal with Roon > HQPlayer. I really like the BL fed by DSD256 (can't do DSD512 on OS X, need to try Boot Camp), and being able to stream Tidal to HQPlayer is awesome. Sounds fantastic, and there's something really attractive about the simplicity of MBP>iDSD BL>LCDX.
     
  3. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Glad you had similar impressions to confirm that I wasn't completely off base. I had the same reaction as you....also with the reassurance that I ordered from Amazon. Hitting 100 hrs about now. I'm glad Torq has a unit now and I'm interested to see if his thoughts line up with mine on the GO v2+ which he also has now. I don't think the madness doesn't stop after 200 hrs because the balanced side also has different caps and circuitry so you need to burn those caps in once in balanced. :(. So estimated 400 hours before both outputs can be judged. I caused enough of a ruckus so I'll just stay quiet until both side are burned in nicely. Looking forward to your impressions TORQ!
     
  4. Logan Ross

    Logan Ross New

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    Yes, I should say that I mean preferable, rather than better. As I mentioned it wasn't that it was much better, it was that if a device can be close, equal, or slightly better than another device, for 1/4 the price, then it is hard to justify the price of the more expensive device. I would be happy to pay more for a substantially better device, bit I feel like there is a bit of diminishing returns.

    BTW, I listen to multiple genres, Tidal Hifi, DSD, hi res FLAC, and Redbook.

    Chris
     
  5. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    A few recent thoughts on my iDSD BL:
    ---Thought #1
    Some time ago I bought an iPurifier2 to use with my work dac/amp (Audeze Deckard). Either the power from the wall is more noisy (likely) or the Surface Pro 3 dock's USB out is more noisy than my MBP (which I use all the time at home, and sometimes at work); in this case, the iPurifier relaxed the sound somewhat, as well as adding some apparent bass impact and midrange focus. It was a win there.

    So I thought (per the suggestion somewhat above in the thread) I'd try the iPurifier2 on my iDSD BL at home. In this case, I initially heard the more-focused midrange which in this case also moved closer to the listener. No real change in bass, that I could detect. After extended listening, I started to really dislike the sound, which seemed to be hyper-focused almost to the point of being etched. It certainly was more fatiguing to me. Removing the iPurifier2 brought the sound back to a more likable balance.

    Of note, I was using an iPurifier2 Type B, and I tried it with both the adapters included in the ifi box. The dongle one actually sounded better, to my surprise, and certainly made a less fiddly mechanical connection. Also of note, this was not a perfect test, as I was of course unable to use the same USB cable for both test states; I used the stock blue ifi USB cable to go direct, and a similar-looking blue USB3 cable I purchased on amazon to try to get as close as possible.

    Taken with that grain of salt, my ears are still telling me I prefer the iDSD BL without additional USB filtering. Someday I'll try my iUSB3 nano, and see if I get different results.

    ---Thought #2
    Somewhere around the 375 hour mark (meaning 375 hours of usage/"burn in") I began noticing my iDSD BL had gained some "flesh" on its bones, or my ears had adapted to the sound such that I think it had. I tend to think the former, as I'm still listening to other amps of which my perception has not changed, but of course the latter is possible.

    This has manifested as more warmth, particularly in the sound/overtones of stringed instruments such as cello and violin. Since this observation has persisted now for over 10 days, I believe it is a permanent change. I really like how it sounds RIGHT NOW and hope it doesn't change any more ;)
     
  6. SHAWN P. WATSON

    SHAWN P. WATSON Acquaintance

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    loplop,

    I've noticed that it tends to be source dependent as far as the desirability of the iPurifier2 goes. I seem to get slightly less bass with the iPurifier2. But, I do tend to get a lot of ambient clues and the music sounds more "live" to me; more liquid. On some YouTube tracks I miss some of the richness and warmth in the male vocals with the iPurifer2. The iPurifer2 can be hit or miss, but overall, I like it with my BL.
     
  7. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I don't know about the BL, and have never heard it (had the original), but the first version included an iPurifier inside the device. With the first micro iDsd, to add the outboard iPurifier would be redundant, and would not change the sound in the slightest. I suspect that is still true with the BL and the iPurifier2. Glad you like it though.o_O
     
  8. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    The BL does include "iPurifier Lite" as did the first iDSD.

    The iPurifier2 is an iPurifier with added "reclock/regen/rebalance" so it may sound different. I think it does, although didn't like it, as I mentioned.

    @SHAWN P. WATSON I'll try my iUSB3 sometime, which may yet sound different.
     
  9. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Actually, as I recall, ifi made a point of the fact that the version of the "iPurifier" inside the micro iDSD was the same as the stand-alone version. But then, what the hell do I know.
     
  10. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    Ha, I'm in that boat. And, of course, ifi's marketing is shrouded in secrecy, sorcery, and references to cooking :)

    In any case, my point was the iPurifier2 is a different thing.
     
  11. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Ironically, I enjoyed the iDSD, but it is just too damn big (for me) to be portable, which ruined the value proposition. If it is only usable on my desktop, I far prefer the mobi/Vali2 stack, especially for less $, so I sold it.
     
  12. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Finally finished the comparison that I was teasing about.

    Well, I say "finished" ... I can already see that there are things I need to add (a proper discussion of iEMatch vs. the other units etc.)
     
  13. TjH

    TjH New

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    So...I just returned the idsd micro, got another one. Opened the box and plugged it in: rapidly blinking lights and the system does not recognise it (I'm not even sure if it is getting charge or if the light is faulty - since first charge is supposed to take some time).

    Srsly, two faulty idsd micro's in a row, geez.
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    The LED flashes while charging when turned off? It should light blue when in charging mode. Try charging it fully before connecting to your system. The blue LED will turn off when fully charged.

    If you really got 2 duds in a row, either the seller is crap or you must have done some nasty shit in a past life.
     
  15. TjH

    TjH New

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    Rapidly blinking light not even normal flashing (speed is vastly different from what my previous one did for blinking light). Different seller this time actually.

    Think it's either past life, or the universe trying to tell me to get a mojo instead. Man, I had to wait a month to return the first one, and now this, I'm growing really impatient.
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Just leave it plugged in overnight. The battery is in a deep discharge state. It's been a while so I forgot, but I've had that happen running the battery down til it was dead.

    http://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/smartpower-please-feed-the-meaty-monster-part-1/

    Unit turned off:
    Blinking Blue (very fast)

    The battery’s own protection circuitry has disconnected the battery to prevent deep discharge that may cause damage to the battery. The iDSD micro is inoperable until the battery is restored to healthy status.

    The iDSD micro will charge the battery under USB charging standard flat battery provision. Afterwards, the battery can be charged normally again the unit returns to normal charging with a steady blue LED indication. Leave the unit to charge until the blue charge indication turns off. Depending on charger and discharge state, this may be between 8 and 24 hours.
     
  17. TjH

    TjH New

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    Yea, according to that website the light should stop blinking rapidly after about 30 minutes at which point normal charge will start.

    What this does is after about 1/2 hour there are no lights at all. Then i remove the USB, plug it back in...and back to rapidly blinking lights.

    Just saw this:

    "only theoretical"..yeap sounds about right given my luck with electronic devices.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2017
  18. TjH

    TjH New

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    So I've been trying to charge it since 6AM it's now 2.30PM, definitely broken ... again.
     
  19. gldgate

    gldgate New

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    For purely non mobile use, I have read that IDAC 2 gets you essentially the same sq. Anyone here have (or have heard) IDAC2 and IDSD BL? Would love input. Yggdrasil is my primary DAC but am looking for an inexpensive alternative for when I want to screw around with stuff like upsampling.
     
  20. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I've had similar behaviour once. No lights at all. I also plugged and unplugged and eventually the blue LED came on. I think the thing to try is just leave it plugged in even after the LED turns off. Hopefully it'll start charging eventually.

    Could be your unit had been sitting around too long in deep discharge and the battery is NFG. If you want to give it another go, I'd open a ticket with iFi, explain your whole story, and get a unit directly from them that they have tested. They were pretty good about sending me an iDAC2 replacement from their HK distributor for my upside down filter problem.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2017

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