iFi Micro iDSD DAC / Headphone Amplifier Review

iFi Micro-iDSD Portable Headphone Amplifier, Octa-Speed DSD 512, Double-Speed DXD, PCM 32bit/768kHz USB DAC

There is nothing like the micro iDSD. It is literally, out of this world. It is the only DAC in the world (at any price) to play True Native Octa-DSD512/PCM768/Double DXD. Its Perfect-Match means it can be fine-tuned to any headgear from IEMs all the way through to large headphones. Its 8v/4000mW output makes it one of the most powerful headamps to drive even the most hungry of headphones with ease. iFi has forged an enviable reputation for being at the forefront of computer audio technology. The micro iDSD has just made another leap, an Octa-Leap to be precise. With its special Dual-Core Burr-Brown native DSD/PCM chipset at the heart, the micro iDSD is capable of True Native PCM768, Octa-Speed DSD512 and 2x DXD; it is simply out of this world.

The micro iDSD has 3 different power modes Eco, Normal and Turbo. Capable of 4000mW, 1000mW or 250mW, the micro iDSD is able to drive the full gamut of headphone and amplifiers alike. With iEMatch there to dial to suit any IEM, the micro iDSD has redefined the headphone amplifier class. Used along with the analogue volume control, the diminutive size of the micro iDSD belies its uncanny ability to drive virtually anything and everything! SmartPower is the micro iDSD's onboard recharging feature for Smartdevices. Its 4800mAH battery is able to fully recharge an iPhone two-times. Compatible with Apple and Android, phones and tablets, it is another example of iFi's commitment to customer needs - enjoy high-end audio on the go without worrying about the phone going flat.



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To write a review of the TEAC UD-H01 DAC, we would purchase the iFi Micro iDSD DAC / Headphone Amplifier ($ USD). It includes an iPhone USB charger / input, so we can use our iPhone as source material, and a SPDIF output, to hook-up to the UD-H01 DAC for output.






It's 117 dB Dynamic Range (line) is very nice, and suitable for 16-bit (20-bit) audio.

This is technology, circs 2000.

This is 2000 technology.

In 2001: A Space Odyseey
A Space Oddity by David Bowie
Urkel in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air was often fond of wearing bow ties.

In Season Episode of Dragon's Den, ... is appointed and receives funding for his Bow Tie venture.

Specifications:

Inputs (rear)
USB 2.0 type A "OTG" Socket (with iPurifier technology built-in)
Intelligent SPDIF Coaxial: 3 Way combo SPDIF port (Coaxial In/Out; Optical In); Up to 192kHz PCM
SPDIF Optical
Outputs (rear)
Audio RCA L+R
Intelligent SPDIF Coaxial (Up to 192kHz PCM)
Output (right side)
SmartPower Socket
Controls: Front
HP Output: Audio 6.3mm Headphone Jack
Volume with Power On/Off switch: Precision analogue volume control
3.5mm Input
X-Bass: On/Off
3D Holographic Sound: On/Off
Controls: Left side
Power Mode: Turbo, Normal, Eco
Polarity: Normal/Inverted
Filter: 3 positions, 6 filters
Controls: Bottom
Line Direct/Preamplifier: Preamplifier function Enable/Disable, 0/9dB gain selectable
iEMatch: Perfect-matching circuit for IEMs (eliminate hiss)
DAC
Dual-core DSD, DXD, PCM DAC by Burr Brown (2-DAC Chip; 4-Channel; 8-Signals, custom interleaving for maximum SNR)
Bit-Perfect DSD processing, Bit-Perfect PCM processing
DAC: Clock
Ultra low jitter GMT computer controlled Femto Clock (RMS jitter 12kHz - 1MHz < 280 Femtoseconds)
DAC: Audio Formats
DSD 512/256/128/64/24.6/22.6/12.4/11.2/6.2/5.6/3.1/2.8
DXD 2x/1x/768/705.6/384/352.8kHz
PCM 768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz
Filters
PCM: Bit-Perfect Processing/Minimum Phase/Standard (Digital filters selectable)
DSD: Extreme/Extended/Standard Range (Analogue filters selectable)
DXD: Bit-Perfect Processing (Fixed analogue filter)
DAC: Dynamic Range (Line)
>117db(A)
DAC: THD & N (0dBFS Line)
<0.003%
DAC: Output Voltage (Line)
>2V
DAC: Output Impedance (Zout)
< 240O
DAC: Jitter (correlated)
Below AP2 test set limit
Headphone Power Output
Turbo mode: 10.0V/4000mW at 16Ohms (max), >1560mW at 64Ohms (Continuous.)
Normal mode: 5.5V/1900mW at 16Ohms (max), >950mW at 32Ohms (Continuous.)
Eco mode: 2.0V/500mW at 8Ohms (max), >250mW at 16Ohms
Headamp: Dynamic Range (HP)
>115dB(A) (Eco Mode, 2V Out)
Headamp: THD &N (HP 500mW/16R)
< 0.008%
Headamp: Output Voltage (HP)
>8V (Turbo Mode)
Headamp: Output Impedance (Zout)
<1Ohms (iEMatch not engaged)
Headamp: Maximum Output Power
4000mW at 16Ohms Load
Headamp: Continuous Output Power
1000mW at 64Ohms Load
Battery
Lithium-polymer 4800mAh
Power System
USB BCP V1.2 compliant up to 1500mA charging current
Power (max)
<2W idle, 4W max
Dimensions (L x W x H)
177 x 67 x 28mm / 6.97 x 2.64 x 1.10"
Weight
310g / 10.93oz



JP 2017/02/20
www.hifiart.ca