Ifi Pro IDSD device setup

[xxx (Banned - toxicity)]

Apparently, the DSP options apply not only to USB inputs but also to S/PIDF, which is very nice, although the highest input sample rates remain limited to USB. I take it that is an engineering constraint of S/PIDF, not an iFi cost-cutting measure.

Not completely true. I connect from the XLR output of my Mutec to the XLR input of the iFi and upsample to DSD 512/1024 or PCM 702/768k.

The remote control is a joke.

Couldn’t agree more. Not only is it lacking in functions, but the beam is so narrow one must point dead on to get any response.

Somewhere on the package or in the manual indicated that it would handle MQA “out of the box”. It only worked for me after downloading a firmware upgrade

I bought my unit over a year and a half ago and MQA was advertised but not present or even coded yet. I see little has changed.

They use a USB 3.0 connection, which is new to me but seems to be a good thing (apparently it better separates the data path from the power path)

Hmm, I don’t believe this is true or that there is any SQ benefit to USB 3.0.

They also have a clever port that accommodates either coax or mini Toslink connections.

Couldn’t understand what the associated little do-hickey was. It sat in my spare parts box for a year, until I contacted iFi to ask about the weird back panel port that was labeled optical.

I haven’t messed much with the tube function.

My tubes went south after about 2 months of use. I don’t miss them. They didn’t do much.

Still after all of the above, I dig this unit. The sound for the money, or for any money close, can’t be beat.

[Tom_K (Tom Keenan)]

I connect from the XLR output of my Mutec to the XLR input of the iFi and upsample to DSD 512/1024 or PCM 702/768k.

Interesting. My only experience with XLR (or the like) is with the Neutrik/Speakon cable that goes to my subwoofer. I don’t understand how the Mutec works with the upsampling/filtering process, but you must like what it does.

Anyway, I’d be interested in any technologies other than S/PDIF and USB than can carry high res music signals better. USB can be a PITA. One of my biggest problems in connecting up the ultraRendu, iDSD and amp was getting them to do their USB handshakes reliably.

I can understand why someone would send one of these back. OTOH, the sound and in some ways the features are so nice, for the price point, that I expect to keep it.

[Tom_K (Tom Keenan)]

I’m getting loud pops/clicks when turning knobs on the iFi iDSD. Normal? I never get this with my integrated amp.

[OneEyedHito]

I will concur with most everything you say on the packaging, setup, remote control (I threw it in drawer and manually turn knobs for now until I can get my harmony remote to control the iDSD), and the MQA difficulty. I am using this as a DAC to the iCan for headphones at the desktop and currently a set of Dynaudio LYD5. It is good as a DAC but I am looking for a unit that will take ethernet to Roon as an endpoint to go a bit further with my system.