I think I made a bad purchase ifi nano

[Jamesroy]

When I listen using Pure Music on my main Mac thru a MOTU interface which I use mixing with my guitar, Pure Music is really defined and is so much better than when I go thru my MacBook 2013, ifi nano into a B&K pre amp and B&K power amp. I experimented with: Audirvana Plus, Jriver Media Center, Amarra Symphony and just can't hear any difference and non of them come close to my MOTU interface. I max out volume on iTunes and have the volume on ifi nano almost Max. One person suggested I down load new driver for it but I'm on a Mac and ifi page says no need for mac's.

[qdwieertteyrujpo]

Maybe a question of expectations?

 

Right now I am going through my main system: MBP>Audirvana 2.2>Devialet 200>Focal Aries 926.

When in my study, I now do: MBP>Audirvana 2.2>iFi Nano (bought recently)>Focal XS.

 

Would I expect the two to sound the same? No, also because that would render all the effort that went into my main system obsolete.

 

Today, Qobuz announced Hi-Res streaming. I am very keen to test this with my new Nano (which I bought a few days ago, so please see this partly as a justification:-)). I am leaving for NYC tomorrow, so I will give this a test.

[Jamesroy]

I expected all of them to sound much better than just iTunes Alone.

[qdwieertteyrujpo]

Sorry, main speaker of course should be Focal Aria 926 (not Aries).

[qdwieertteyrujpo]

I expected all of them to sound much better than just iTunes Alone.

 

Yes, but don't they all?

[YashN]

One person suggested I down load new driver for it but I'm on a Mac and ifi page says no need for mac's.

 

You're confused: you don't need drivers on a Mac, but you do need to use a Win machine to update the firmware.

[Paul R]

I expected all of them to sound much better than just iTunes Alone.

 

They are not going to. Not unless you are playing high-res music, DSD, or up sampling/transcoding. (shrug)

 

iTunes probably is the reference sound at Redbook. I doubt you would be able to hear any difference between iTunes, Pure Music, Audirvana+, JRMC, Amarra, or any other player unless you engage some of their processing capabilities.

 

Just my $0.02. But you might want to try something like using JRMC and transcode your rebook and output DSD to the iFi. That can make a *world* of difference in the sound.

 

-Paul

[MG32]

When I listen using Pure Music on my main Mac thru a MOTU interface which I use mixing with my guitar, Pure Music is really defined and is so much better than when I go thru my MacBook 2013, ifi nano into a B&K pre amp and B&K power amp. I experimented with: Audirvana Plus, Jriver Media Center, Amarra Symphony and just can't hear any difference and non of them come close to my MOTU interface. I max out volume on iTunes and have the volume on ifi nano almost Max. One person suggested I down load new driver for it but I'm on a Mac and ifi page says no need for mac's.

 

 

The MOTU interface has no battery (for portable use) and costs 250 USD streetprice:

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/MOTU-8432-MicroBook-II/dp/B007X0CJBS

 

Never mind the retail of $300 check your settings, for example max out the volume on iDSD nano is recommended for line out. iTunes, better get the Midi settings right. Mac has built in driver. Welcome to the world of computer audio. Lots to learn and have lots of fun

[Jamesroy]

Could you pleas tell me how to do that? " transcode your rebook and output DSD" I have JRMC. FUNNY When this all started for me months ago I posted my hardware macBook Pro going into B&K Pre amp and B&K power amp and some one advised me to try the audio packages and if nano ( couldn't afford anything much higher) unless I got some more graphic design work. I ask the obvious that give my low end or medium end hardware would I hear a difference and the answer was yes.

[Paul R]

Could you pleas tell me how to do that? "transcode your rebook and output DSD" I have JRMC. FUNNY When this all started for me months ago I posted my hardware macBook Pro going into B&K Pre amp and B&K power amp and some one advised me to try the audio packages and if nano ( couldn't afford anything much higher) unless I got some more graphic design work. I ask the obvious that give my low end or medium end hardware would I hear a difference and the answer was yes.

 

Oh, of course! Man, you should have hollered louder for help!

 

Basically, it is one of the easiest things you can do.

 

1. Start JRMC.

2. From the TOOLS menu, select OPTIONS.

3. On the Options window, select AUDIO

4. In Audio select DSP & Output Format

5. Then select the format you want.

Done.

 

It step 5 pick either DSD or 2XDSD.

 

[Abee_V]

Basic question - are you using RCA output to your preamp or using headphone out to your preamp? As you talk about adjusting volume on the Nano.

[Jamesroy]

RCA no headphones. If I decided on a different DAC than the wifi nano what would be the next step up? Budget is an issue. Thanks

[ccklone]

Hey Now,

 

Woot has the Sony UDA-1 for sale today for 200 bucks and it does DSD. I picked one up to compare with my iFI Nano.

 

--

Finest kind,

Chris

[Jamesroy]

And how did it compare? 700 bucks Amazon too high for me.

[YashN]

No reason you can't find happiness with the Nano.

 

Try to get your firmware updated on a Win Machine and see if the issue persists.

 

If it does, open a Ticket at iFi and the Technical Team will gladly help you out. They're very cool and extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

[Rexp]

When I listen using Pure Music on my main Mac thru a MOTU interface which I use mixing with my guitar, Pure Music is really defined and is so much better than when I go thru my MacBook 2013, ifi nano into a B&K pre amp and B&K power amp. I experimented with: Audirvana Plus, Jriver Media Center, Amarra Symphony and just can't hear any difference and non of them come close to my MOTU interface. I max out volume on iTunes and have the volume on ifi nano almost Max. One person suggested I down load new driver for it but I'm on a Mac and ifi page says no need for mac's.

Your MOTU (which model is it?) is clearly better than the IFI nano, it's as simple as that. The IFI Micro DSD is better than the nano and the Sony mentioned above but you better try it to see if it beats your MOTU.

[Jamesroy]

My MOTU is just for my Guitar it's Ultra lite mk3