Unified Firmware 5.1 'Gelato'

AMR/iFi audio · February 18, 2016

Unified Firmware 5.1

Gelato and then some

Southport, UK – 18^th February 2016

Latest Unified Firmware v5.1 ‘Gelato’ (for Stereo 50 /micro iDSD / micro iDAC2 / nano iDSD)

The very latest in-house firmware[1] version 5.1 for ALL iFi products[2] is available:

All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behaviour of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section).
Enables DSD256 for 48kHz based sample rates up-conversion when using DSD256 in DoP mode.
Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD and other minor bug fixes.

For customers with particular requirements, there are two firmware sub-versions (PLEASE read carefully):

2) For nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 v5.1A - Enables DOP256 operation

This enables DSD256(DoP) operation, which requires 768kHz PCM at the USB interface level.
Nano iDSD and micro iDAC2 CANNOT decode 768kHz at the DAC level, but they can all be programmed to receive 768kHz PCM at the USB interface level hence enable DSD256(DoP).
With 5.1A, the user MUST make sure to manually alter the PCM audio settings correctly (especially Mac), otherwise there will be no audio output at all.
In other words, when playing PCM files, the sample rate must NOT set to be higher than 384kHz. Only set the sampling rate to 768kHz when one wants to play DSD256(DoP).
There is no need to use this firmware if one uses ‘native mode’ (not DoP) to play DSD or DSD files are not played at all.
Do NOT use 5.1A on any other products other than nano iDSD and micro iDAC2.

3) For iDSD micro Firmware v5.1B - Disable Sleep Mode (Smartphone users ONLY)

This is strictly for Smartphone users ONLY, there is no other reason to use 5.1B on the micro iDSD.
The micro iDSD micro will try to recharge while in Sleep Mode (e.g. when connected to a PC). If connected to a Smartphone which is ‘seen’ as a computer, it will recharge via the Smartphone.
5.1B disables the Sleep Mode within the micro iDSD; hence it will no longer try to recharge during Sleep Mode and flatten the Smartphone’s battery.
Do NOT use 5.1B on any other products other than micro iDSD.

For detailed instructions and the download files, please follow this link:

or on the website, select 'Support' > 'Download'

[1] WARNING: Do NOT flash non-iFi products on the XMOS platform with iFi firmware!

[2] iFi Native DSD-capable DACs so original iDAC excluded so do NOT update using v5.10.

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