iFi's xDSD (official) - Award winning.

[AMR/iFi audio]

iFi audio's xDSD - The Official Thread
iFi's latest portable beauty
 
Yup, this space is devoted to our upcoming xDSD model. Every piece of nfo regarding this one we'll post in this thread.

Stay tuned!

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks, it's that time of a year, you know... eggs and all that jazz. Hence please allow us to leave our critter here:

 

 

... aaaaand that's it! Right? RIGHT?!?

 

Well, nope.

 

We have something very special to share with you tomorrow. Very, very special.

 

Stay tuned!

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Extra Ordinary MQA Easter Egg

Introduction

With Easter just around the corner, iFi audio has delivered an eagerly anticipated upgrade option as a very special Easter gift.

iFi first introduced MQA into its product mix with the nano iDSD Black Label in November 2017. Since then, iFi customers across the globe have been asking when this option would be available in other iFi products. The good news is that the latest improvements to the nano Black Label firmware version 5.30, ‘Cookies & Cream’, does just that.

Mqa for all

This latest firmware flavour not only adds the latest scoop to the nano iDSD Black Label sundae but it also dishes out MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio to the full range* of iFi audio products going back to 2013!



This ‘legacy’ update means that you can now download the MQA upgrade (PC and Mac) straight from the Support section of iFi’s website at no extra cost.

Mqa optimised

Firmware version 5.30 will optimise your device for MQA and can handle up to DSD256 and PCM384. Enjoy the MQA magic like never before.



And Finally…

None of the above would have been possible without the MQA software engineers who worked tirelessly alongside the iFi software team to make this unique opportunity happen. Thank you.

Go to https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/mqa-firmware/ to enjoy your upgrade.

This firmware provides MQA rendering as this is the ideal solution for portable products and those with power considerations. This means the workload is shared between the host (the computer) and the client (the DAC). The listener will still enjoy full MQA experience.

For more information on MQA, go to http://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/how-it-works

Legacy

*The only exception is the original iDAC.

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks, regarding MQA in our products, we suggest to move this discussion here:

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Easter ‘Bug Bounty’ Hunt

Hunt 'em, wherever they are...

 

 

Introduction

Our just announced firmware v5.30 is MQA capable and in one fell swoop, elevates legacy iFi products* with MQA capability for even more sonic enjoyment.

 

The MQA integration was a little difficult. It involved:

• Totally replacing the customised core code
• Re-apply tuning/core loading and
• Further fine tuning the firmware for even more precise allocated resource use in order to allow us to support MQA and384kHz.

 

To bring all this to fruition required the combined efforts of the MQA and iFi software developers or a total of +1,000 programming hours to deliver firmware v5.30 (excluding testing on all iFi legacy units).

 

Notwithstanding, there may still be one or two software bugs we have not quashed – hence we would like to involveyou, the customer – in the Easter Bug Hunt.

 

More details are to be found in this thread:

[AMR/iFi audio]

The NeXt Generation of Portable Audio

iFi Audio xDSD - The Official Launch

Introduction

When iFi audio launched its original micro iDSD headphone amp, preamp, and DAC back in 2014, it raised the bar for small, portable, high-performing DACs. It’s been lifting it higher ever since. Last November saw the introduction of the nano iDSD Black Label, with a host of new features including support for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. Now, iFi has excelled itself again with the launch of xDSD – the first in the company’s next generation of portable DACs.

 

A sonic step up

With a pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels, the xDSD is a major sonic step up for all smartphones, digital audio players and computers. Its selectable 3D+ and XBass+ functions bring both sensitivity and power to the careful listener. The artist appears in the room with music and lyrics flowing all around.

 

The xDSD has pulled off the task of being ultra-portable and wireless while supporting high-resolution formats, including MQA, and delivering 500mW of power per channel. By means of aptX HD and AAC, it brings hi-res streaming to Bluetooth.

 

Feature laden

In terms of attributes, the xDSD is similar to the micro iDSD, though it’s more advanced:

• Burr-Brown Hi-Res True Native DSD DAC chipset for discerning listeners
• Dual-mono headphone amplifier with 500mW of power per channel, which can unleash the full potential of both 32ohm and 600ohm headphones
• High-resolution audio up to PCM768kHz and DSD512
• MQA ready for playing back all high-res MQA encoded files
• Wireless Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) for CD-quality wireless sound
• S-Balanced compatible 3.5mm headphone output brings the benefits of the balanced connection to single-ended headphones
• Advanced Analogue Signal Process (ASP), 3D+® and XBass+® headphone optimisation circuits
• Pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels
• Audiophile Digital Filter 'Measure/Listen' selectable
• Large 2200mAh Lithium-Polymer battery providing six-to-eight hours of playing time

Small is beautiful

All these features have been packed into a rugged magnesium-aluminium body measuring just 95x66.5x19mm and weighing 127g.  Though it has some similarities with the micro iDSD, it’s control layout is very different because of its Bluetooth wireless capability.

 

Take a look at the front panel controls (left to right) below:

1. 3.5mm HP Jack (TRRS balanced compatible, no microphone support, switchable to line out).
2. Right of the jack, two separate RGB LEDs indicate sample rate and input selection.
3. Volume (Rotary with ‘push’ button) with translucent centre and volume indication backlight.
4. Right of the 3D+/XBass+ button are two separate white LEDs to indicate 3D+ and XBass+.
5. The 3D+/XBass+ button push button cycles between all off, 3D+, XBass+ and both.

Rear panel controls (left to right)

1. 3.5mm SPDIF (Coax/Optical combo, 192kHz supported).
2. USB A-type OTG Input mounted centrally.
3. Filter switch that slides between ‘measure’ and ‘listen’.
4. Micro USB connection for charging (power input only, full charger detection for fast charge).
5. Below the micro USB port, an RGB LED indicates battery status.

 

Time flies by when the listener is immersed in the music played by the xDSD. Guitars sound real and a Steinway piano sounds ‘woody’ instead of ‘glassy’ like an electronic keyboard. Musicality overflows.

 

The retail price of the xDSD is US$399 (ex-tax) or €449/£399 (incl VAT).

[AMR/iFi audio]

5 hours ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

Hello @AMR/iFi audio

 

Can you tell us about DoP support for this unit?  Since it's capable of 768kHz, DoP256 should be supported, yes?

 

Thanks in advance

 

It is, yes. xDSD handles DSD up to 512 if firmware 5.2 (non-MQA) is loaded. 

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 18.04.2018 at 6:08 PM, Samuel T Cogley said:

@AMR/iFi audio, I found 5.2A firmware on the xDSD download page.  It's missing from the iDAC2 download page.

 

We are working on 5.2 firmware at the moment, it should be online soon.

[AMR/iFi audio]

xDSD – Premium. Pocket-portable. Perfection.

 

 

We are buzzed about the xDSD and our customers will be too. The xDSD is a ultra portable solution for everyday music lovers and high-end connoisseurs alike, and the wild child of the flagship Pro iDSD and high-end micro iDSD Black Label.

 

The xDSD shines both inside and out – from its AAC/aptX Bluetooth connectivity to its luxurious magnesium-alloy construction. From Spotify to MQA/DSD512, everyone will enjoy rediscovering their favorite playlists.

 

NeXt Gen Premium Portable Audio

So, what is the xDSD? It is an ultra-portable product designed to be used with headphones/IEMs/CIEMs and mobile digital sources such as smartphones and DAPs as well as stationary devices like computers, TVs and game consoles.

 

The xDSD can be operated either in wireless or wired mode via aptX/AAC Bluetooth (wireless) or USB and S/PDIF inputs (wired). It supports high-resolution formats (MQA and DSD) and includes the iFi S-Balanced 3.5mm TRRS headphone circuit, which delivers 500mW of power per chachannel. In short, the xDSD is a major game-changer for portable high-fidelity.

 

Part 1 – The Guided Tour

 

Hi-Res Wireless On-The-Go

 

 

High-quality wireless is a major tool in its armoury. With Bluetooth, the xDSD can be wirelessly paired with smartphones or DAPs, so there’s no longer any need to stack several units together.

 

Picture this: Your xDSD stays in your pocket driving your headphones whilst the phone is in your hand, texting or browsing the web.

 

This ease of use transforms the user experience both on-the-go and at home.

 

New Aesthetics

When you first set your eyes on the xDSD, it is instantly obvious that it does not resemble any other portable audio product on the market.

 

The xDSD exudes luxury and style. The enclosure is tactile, compact and made of rugged, ridged magnesium-aluminium alloy. The moulded plastic means unrestricted BT transmission.

 

All the switches and connections previously seen on iFi products have been optimised to match the new chassis, yet they still provide easy access to all the xDSD’s standout features. This product is a stunning object in its own right with its visuals and user interface merely part of a far grander design.

 

 

 

At the front of the machine, from left to right:

 

-          the 3.5mm input.

-          LEDs for kHz and input

-          Centre rotary for on/off, volume control (mute) and input selection

-          LEDs for 3D⁺ and XBass⁺ (user-selectable)

-          Settings button 

 

 

At the rear:

 

-          S/PDIF input (for DAPs)

-          USB type ‘A’ male (perfect for CCK/OTG)

-          Listen/Measure filter switch

-          Micro USB charging port (with status LED)

 

Stay tuned, there's more!

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

xDSD – Premium. Pocket-portable. Perfection.

 

Part 2 – Loaded with Technology

 

We are our own sternest critics when we develop new products. Partly because of customer input and sometimes just because we can, for the sheer heck of it, we like to see how far we can push the technology envelope.

 

The xDSD epitomises this. This section provides an in-depth explanation of its technology and features – and why we’ve done what we’ve done so that it is both easy to use AND sonically stunning, as is the AMR/iFi way.

 

Multibit Digital Engine with Amr Global Master Timing

 

 

The xDSD is very much akin to the micro iDSD Black Label for a perfectly valid reason. Both products are based on the Burr-Brown DSD1793 D/A converter chip and share extremely similar digital and analogue stages.

 

The digital section of the xDSD is drawn from the micro iDSD Black Label with DSD512/PCM 768 compatibility with DSD via DoP, native DSD playback, USB type A and S/PDIF inputs, XMOS-based USB circuitry and clocks derived from the micro iDSD Black Label with zero-jitter operation courtesy of the AMR Global Master Timing (GMT) clock, re-clocking and data management.

 

The Bluetooth section inside xDSD is derived from our Retro Stereo50 and is also subject to the AMR GMT clock system that operates with femto precision. In the xDSD, the clock domain not only covers USB, S/PDIF and Bluetooth, but also synchronises the MCU (Master Control Unit) – effectively, the entire digital functionality of xDSD is slaved to the GMT clock system. It is global by name and by nature.

 

Remap – Optimise for Mqa or Non-Mqa Formats

We do not do things by halves. We write our own software code so the xDSD will launch with two specialised XMOS firmware versions.

 

• v5.30 – pre-installed and optimised for MQA
• v5.20 – is optimised for music file formats up to DSD512/PCM768 (non-MQA)

 

Each firmware version squeezes that last ounce of performance from the xDSD to suit each customer.

 

 

Just as car enthusiasts load different ‘remaps’ into the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for their preferred driving experience, we let our customers load their preferred ‘file format remap’ for their own music torque curve.

 

S-Balanced Optimised for Balanced IEMs

 

Our exclusive S-Balanced technology extracts the maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike:

 

1. With TRRS, the benefit is full dual-mono with grounds separated all the way to amplifiers. Just like audiophile hi-fi systems.
2. With TRS, you lose the full separation of the grounds, however, by having two contacts on the ground crosstalk is reduced by 50% over a standard single contact socket.

 

With S-Balanced, a dedicated negative wire per channel all the way to the star-ground of each channel’s amplifier to ensure there is no crosstalk between the channels.

 

Plugging in unbalanced headphones with a TRS connector instead of TRRS will cause zero issues and, in fact, there is only upside as crosstalk is cut by 50%, compared to using a TRS socket.

All the benefits of balanced, with none of the drawbacks.

 

And for those who wish to connect the xDSD to a home system, the xDSD can be set to line out mode. Its 3.5mm headphone jack is converted into a fixed 2V level 3.5mm line output. Needless to say, the xDSD remembers its settings as you left them so you can turn it on and pick up from where you left off.

 

Stay tuned, there's more!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 1.05.2018 at 1:33 AM, Em2016 said:

Hi @AMR/iFi audio

 

I read something interesting about the bluetooth transmission with the xDSD.

 

So only the data streams from the bluetooth source to the xDSD?

 

So Hi-Res is supported with no compression?

 

Is the bluetooth input limited to PCM192kHz and DSD64 (DoP) sample rates?

 

I haven't seen this implementation of bluetooth for lossless audio streaming before, not between mobile devices for real time streaming.

 

And regarding clocking - does it work like SPDIF so the blueooth source is the master clock? Or works like iso/asynch USB ?

 

Can you share more info on this

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

It's interesting that you ask about Bluetooth. Here goes then...

[AMR/iFi audio]

Let's talk Bluetooth!

Some comments on X-Series Bluetooth. First, Bluetooth implementations vary widely. Just looking at BT revision level or codec support is not useful to understand sound quality potential of a given Bluetooth device.

Yes, Sub Band Codec (SBC) is seriously hobbled and should not be used for music. A very extensive comparison of Bluetooth codecs (sadly excluding AAC) is found here:

 

• http://www.sereneaudio.com/blog/how-good-is-bluetooth-audio-at-its-best
  

With aptX/aptX HD and AAC, optional codecs are available that perform better than SBC, however codec support is a fairly small issue.

By default, most certified Bluetooth modules only offer analogue outputs, directly from the System On a Chip aka. SOC (CSR/Qualcomm in the upper end devices, others in the rest). To get a digital output for SOCs with that option available, a firmware needs to be changed (which is not trivial) and - because is changed in the process - any agency certification needs to be applied yet again, which costs a nice stack of cash.

So most Bluetooth products rely on a DAC in a chip, to:

• save money for an extra DAC
• save money for firmware changes
• save money for recertification process

The problem is that a DAC/headphone amplifier inside Bluetooth chipsets is usually worse than DAC/headphone amps used in most headphones. For example, let's compare top rated CSR chipset's specs to audio test results of last iPhone with a headphone jack or Apple's lightning to 3.5mm adapter.

With only 96dB dynamic range, aptX HD is wasted in such devices as these only support 16 bit audio on a DAC level and both objective and subjective audio performance from the SOC DAC/headphone amplifier is poor.

 

To move on, in order to have higher quality Bluetooth audio, we need to bite the bullet and pay developers to enable digital outputs and THEN pay for the recertification of the module according to CE/EMC (European Union) FCC (USA), Giteki (JP) and KCC (Korea) etc. Now we can add an external DAC chip of higher grade.

But hold it, we have another problem. Clocks. The typical Bluetooth SOC chip creates all clocks (those for audio as well) from a single 26MHz crystal via multiple PLLs of 'adequate' quality. The datasheet for the current 'Top of the Line' CSR chip (the only one that supports aptX HD) lists audio clock jitter as a maximum of 21,000pS in 'high quality' mode (more in power saving)!

In order to deliver 16 bit audio without degradation, jitter must be below 243pS!

So the jitter in the audio clocks actually precludes even 16 bit performance by being almost 100 times as large as the 16 bit limit as long as an external DAC (not the one in a Bluetooth chipset) includes means to clean up this jitter. The real performance will be degraded to only around 10 bit worth of actual audio performance.

If a 'high end' version of a given system produces 100x the jitter permissible for 16 bit audio, effectively limits audio to 10 bit and barely manages 16 bit equivalent SNR with volume control maxed out (even where external higher grade DAC's are used, then Bluetooth associated with poor audio quality is a reputation well deserved.

Noise and jitter levels in standard Bluetooth SOCs are comparable to the worst and darkest day of early digital audio, time when the understanding of what caused 'digital/artificial sound' was poor. The best external DAC will not solve this without extra effort spent on clocks.

Let's get real now: the extra bits from aptX HD over aptX are not going help here, even aptX and AAC are probably mostly a wasted effort.

In the xDSD we have the ultimate jitter fighting weapon on-board, in addition to our high quality DAC and a headphone amp, a super precise clock and memory buffer already applied to wired connections.

 

All in all, squeezing the last drop of quality out of Bluetooth is not hard. After dealing with the wireless side, we simply take digital data from a system associated with it in the same way we treat USB and S/PDIF. And finally we get to a point where we can tell the different codecs apart (and aptX wins).

 

In the xCAN it was more challenging to get a subsystem to get excellent sound from Bluetooth. We naturally can't fit a full xDSD level circuitry and that's why we cherry-picked ESS Sabre instead of Burr-Brown.

We feel that using the ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to kill the jitter from the Bluetooth SOC is decisive in getting excellent sound quality. The reference clock for the ESS DAC is produced from a discrete oscillator with its own low noise power regulator.

 

Swap in Burr-Brown (as excellent as it is in our xDSD), run it on Bluetooth clocks and the sound quality suffers severely.

The result of these efforts is a level of sound quality from Bluetooth for both xDSD and xCAN that is not comparable to the majority of Bluetooth products.

And yes, adding aptX HD and even LDAC more than aptX HD (as the extra bits of aptX HD are not very useful whereas the 96kHz maximum supported sample rate of LDAC is) would make sense for xDSD and xCAN. However, it requires a substantial R&D time and was not possible for this year's release cycle.

And lastly, slides used in this post were extracted from the Tokyo Headphone Festival presentation by iFi audio, already published by headpie.net at:

• https://www.headpie.net/2018/04/ifi-xdsd-and-xcan-full-specs-and.html

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 1.05.2018 at 1:33 AM, Em2016 said:

So Hi-Res is supported with no compression?

 

Currently Blutooth only supports 48kHz maximum sample rate. With aptX HD the wordlength is 24bit, with standard aptX  it is 16Bit. 

Sony's LDAC system uses 990k stream bandwidth and supports 24bit/96kHz, however it is still a bit from being widely supported in smartphones and even LDAC compresses.

 

On 1.05.2018 at 1:33 AM, Em2016 said:

Is the bluetooth input limited to PCM192kHz and DSD64 (DoP) sample rates?

 

Bluetooth on the xDSD is limited to 48kHz/16Bit. High res can still be played, via a software player with high grade sample rate conversion the result is quite good. For example, playing a 44.1kHz Flac version of a 352.8kHz recording and the full version leaves audible differences.

 

On 1.05.2018 at 1:33 AM, Em2016 said:

And regarding clocking - does it work like SPDIF so the blueooth source is the master clock? Or works like iso/asynch USB ?

 

It works like our S/PDIF implementation, namely audio data is sent into a memory buffer, clocked out and re-clocked by a separate adjustable clock (aka. GMT Clock system) which is synchronized to the long term average of the source clock, be it S/PDIF or BT.

 

In effect the results for S/PDIF and BT are the same as for USB, even though technically speaking S/PDIF and BT are clock masters. Jitter from either source does not transfer to the DAC.

 

You can find more on this in the Bluetooth discussion as well in the thread for the iPurifier S/PDIF, including measured results, as the tech inside the xDSD is exactly that of the iPurifier S/PDIF, but obviously with I2S out and I2S in for the BT system.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Hot damn! According to Kakaku.com, our xDSD sits on the very top in Japan in two rankings, portable amps and amplifiers in general:

• http://kakaku.com/kaden/headphone-amp/ranking_2073/
• http://kakaku.com/kaden/p-headphone-amp/ranking_V011/
   

[AMR/iFi audio]

xDSD – Premium. Pocket-portable. Perfection.

 

Part 3 – Headphone amplifier... and then some!

 

The ‘Cyberdrive’ headphone amplifier stage is one of the pivotal new circuit designs in the xDSD. This new design places all parameters of the fully analogue system under digital control for a ‘best of both worlds scenario’.

 

 

The key components are:

 

i.                     A digitally-controlled stepped attenuator IC

ii.                   iFi proprietary operational amplifiers (W990VST and the high-performance, low-noise, quad J-Fet OV4627A)

iii.                  Dual-mono power amp IC headphone drivers.

 

The xDSD draws upon the existing iFi headphone platform but with the circuitry ratcheted up several notches. Performance is increased, both noise and distortion are lowered and the XBass⁺ and 3D-Matrix⁺ modules gain electronic switching.

 

 

 

The ‘Cyberdrive’ headphone amplifier provides up to 3.6V output to easily drive high-impedance headphones while offering a low-noise performance that parallels the micro iDSD Black Label’s ‘Eco’ mode with high-sensitivity headphones/IEMs/CIEMs minus the need to switch anything! Simply set volume control as needed and let the ‘Cyberdrive’ circuitry do the rest.

 

Got Sennheiser HD800s or Focal Utopias? No sweat. The xDSD will drive them to eardrum splitting levels (not recommended!) so, short of the most-demanding HE-6, just connect any pair of headphones.

 

New volume control system behind the ‘Cyberdrive’

In short, we developed a new ‘the best of both worlds’ solution - a completely digitally controlled process merged with attenuation itself done in the analogue domain. Both power mode switching and volume level are combined in one rotary control, which means the xDSD transparently and evenly adapts power modes as the volume setting is adjusted.

 

This means that while the volume control operates like a digital control system, every ‘Bit’ of resolution is retained like an analogue volume control. (Digital volume controls built-into DAC chips lose resolution at lower listening levels).

 

New ‘Cyberdrive’ battery system with extended playback time

We gathered extensive feedback regarding battery-powered products and this aspect of the xDSD has been re-designed from the ground-up.

 

A dedicated USB micro connector at the rear serves as a charging port. Power is never drawn via its USB type A audio connection. This is reserved for audio only.

 

In addition, a new 3.8V/2,200mAh LiPo battery (of the same size as its 3.7V equivalent) offers +/- 12% greater capacity, which extends the playback time away from power outlets.

 

The entire battery circuitry in the xDSD is also subject to the full ‘Cyberdrive’ system, which not only monitors its state and constantly monitors an attached charger, but also manages the way xDSD is used. Depending on the connected load and real usage, to either maximise playback time on battery mode or battery longevity, one of two modes (‘desktop’ or ‘portable’) is automatically selected.

 

These features were already implemented in the micro iDSD Black Label yet had to be set manually whereas on the xDSD, it is fully automatic and optimised far more extensively by comparison. Finally, in the event of a depleted battery, the xDSD automatically switches over to external USB power and will carry on as if nothing has changed.

 

On-the-go, depending upon the headphones, the typical listening time is 6-8 hours.

 

Latest 3D⁺ and XBass ⁺ for Headphones

 

The 3D-Matrix⁺ and XBass⁺ are also under ‘Cyberdrive’ control, hence a simple single multifunction button enables one to cycle through all input options and on/off.

 

With a pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels, its selectable 3D⁺ and XBass⁺ functions offer both great sensitivity and power performance for the ultimate in headphone enjoyment.

 

When used in Line Out mode, both are bypassed and a straight 2v signal is sent to the output.

 

And Finally

With one eye on the future as to how we all enjoy music and one eye on our portable/transportable line-up, it has been a long road to bring the X-series to market.

 

Though we are satisfied that this new model encapsulates our very best and latest portable audio know-how.

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

8 hours ago, Em2016 said:

Hi @AMR/iFi audio

 

Does the xDSD perform (measure) better than the iDSD Black Label at DSD512?

 

As a DAC?

 

As a DAC + headphone amp?

 

In terms of lower distortion (IMD) and output distortion and better transparency etc ?

 

Or is the Black Label still king?

 

Assume physical size and weight and battery life etc are not factors, in the above questions.

 

Cheers!

 

 

xDSD is placed in-between nano iDSD and micro iDSD and as such it performs accordingly. We pay the same attention to products regardless of their price and we show every detail on our website. If you want to know sheer numbers, please look there. And if you want to know how our products compare one to another, to give them a test drive via your local iFi representative sounds like a solid plan. Thanks!

[AMR/iFi audio]

9 hours ago, Em2016 said:

Also, I've seen pics of 2 different finishes/colours. These look like more of a matte finish than the glossy/shiny I've seen.

 

In the attached pics, there's 2 different faceplate finishes while the main body is matte.

 

Are there 2 options currently available?

 

 

 

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-xdsd-the-official-thread.873787/page-2#post-14095416

 

 

Beta units. We tried different things to gather feedback from users. xDSD is available in one version only, the glossy titanium one.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 6/6/2018 at 11:52 AM, Em2016 said:

@AMR/iFi audio an update: my PSU is much cooler now, so I assume it was initially powering both the DAC AND charging the DAC's battery at the same time, causing the PSU to get very warm.

 

Still, would appreciate if R&D can confirm the maximum current draw when charging battery and using the DAC simultaneously.

 

With a 1.1A PSU does the xDSD draw full 1.1A or is it 1.0A draw? Or limited to 0.9A?

 

Cheers

 

 

The xDSD will draw the maximum safe current from any PSU, using the standard id methods (Apple, Samsung, USB standard). Any standard compliant PSU should signal its current limit and the xDSD will then use this current limit. We do not recommend the use of non-standard compliant PSUs.

 

The xDSD will charge at up to 1.1A and will in addition draw around 300mA to operate if the power supply is capable of providing this current level.

 

If the PSU cannot be identified using standard methods, then the xDSD will test the maximum current a supply can provide without dropping the output voltage below set thresholds and then operate at this current limit.

 

As an absolute maximum around 1.4A may be expected if playing and charging a fully depleted battery.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 6/11/2018 at 3:19 AM, rickca said:

I have found iFi tech support disappointing.  Perhaps you will have a better experience.

 

If we weren't able to solve issues not related to our products (your HQplayer related case specifically) then yes, you can feel dissapointed indeed. We'll take such an unjustified bashing of our service all day long ?  

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 6/13/2018 at 3:19 PM, rickca said:

You are confusing me with another CA member.  My case was about the the iGalvanic3.0.  

 

Apologies then.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 6/23/2018 at 7:27 PM, jhwalker said:

I got mine in the a few days back and was initially disappointed when I realized the device MUST be charged separately via the USB-C port - it cannot / does not draw power from the USB-A (i.e., audio) port.  In this sense, it is different from the Nano and Micro lines.

 

That said, WOW.  When fully charged via USB-C, then disconnected to run in battery mode, the sound on this thing is wonderful   I've thrown my MrSpeakers Aeon Closed at it (using a new balanced cable I procured for the purpose) and am now listening via Audeze iSine20 (single-ended) - really magical.  Better (I think) than my original Micro iDSD and better than I remember the Black Label Micro I heard a few months back on the tour.

 

Ticks a lot of boxes for me, and VERY portable, to boot.  Very impressive.

 

Many thanks for your impressions!

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks, watch this space. Something big happened and we'll reveal it VERY shortly...

[AMR/iFi audio]

 

xDSD

EISA Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier.
Sounds great!

 

The award winner.

iFi’s new portable DAC and headphone amplifier, the xDSD, has won what’s sure to be the first of many awards.

 

EISA, the European Sound and Imaging Association, has awarded the xDSD Best Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier for 2018-2019.

 

Victoria Pickles from iFi said:

“The release of the xDSD had us excited for a long time, so winning the EISA award for Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier is the icing on the cake.

The xDSD packs a punch and revitalizes the way people listen to music. The award is testament to the hard work of everyone at iFi in striving to create the best audio products possible for our customers.”

  

Praise for the iFi xDSD.

EISA was not only impressed by the xDSD’s ten-hour battery life and sleek, super-light magnesium case, but they also loved its flexibility:

 

“The DAC Headphone Amplifier turns smartphones, laptops and portable players into great sounding music centres. It exudes quality and is perfect for indulging in music on the move.”

 

They also loved its S/PDIF and USB inputs as well as switchable, digital filtering to allow the flow of unbeatable frequency balance.

 

With praise like this, it’s easy to see why the xDSD deserves its place on the winner’s podium.

  

The tech spec.

The award-winning xDSD is perfect for home or portable use. But don’t let its compact size fool you, because it’s packed with some big components:

• Wireless Bluetooth - Delivers CD-Quality music wirelessly to your headphones from your smartphone, DAP, laptop or smart TV.
   
• S/PDIF and USB inputs - Wired, the USB type A OTG/CCK connector offers the ultimate High-Res audio performance for smartphones, laptops and USB enabled DAPs. The 3.5mm coaxial/TOSLINK combo S/PDIF input gives older DAPs and CD players a new lease of life as a transport to serve High-Resolution audio.
   
• Burr-Brown TrueNative - Hear music as the artist intended. The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged for the purest sound.
   
• MQA - For MQA tracks, simply connect to Tidal (on your computer) and check the options to stream MQA.
   
• S-Balanced Performance - The iFi exclusive S-Balanced technology delivers the maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
   
• 3D+ & XBass+ - 3D+® creates a louder, deeper soundstage that puts the artist with you in the room with you. XBass+® corrects headphone/speaker bass response to deliver a more profound, tighter, richer bass.
   
• Cyberdrive - The Cyberdrive headphone amplifier stage is one of the pivotal new circuit designs in the x-series. This new design places all parameters of the analogue system under digital control for a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario.
   

It’s no wonder EISA was quick to award the xDSD the Best Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier for 2018/19.

 

The xDSD, there’s simply nothing like it.

 

The retail price of the xDSD is US$399 (ex-tax) or €449 /£399 (incl. VAT).

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks...

 

IFA 2018 
...it's almost here!

 

 

When?

• The 31st Aug - 5 Sept 2018!

The place?

• Berlin!

Where exactly?

• Hall 1.2, stand 206, WOD Audio (iFi's German distributor)

 

You'll have a chance to preview our EISA award winner - xDSD! Our two lovely girls - Victoria and Sarah - will be there supported by Thorsten Loesch himself.

 

If you'll attend, please visit us!

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

12 hours ago, Banray said:

Nevermind, I found it! Just selebt input *before* switching on. I propose to add this info to the 'input'-section, even though it is mentioned under 'power' which is the first paragraph...

 

Thanks for your input.