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iFi serves up Micro iDSD Signature dish

Sporting a host of enhancements both inside and out, one of the most highly acclaimed hi-res DAC/headphone amps on the planet just got even better – meet the Micro iDSD Signature
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​iFi Audio the acclaimed maker of audio devices for home and portable use, has redesigned one of its most popular products to create the Micro iDSD Signature, delivering a host of improvements to enhance performance and usability.

Since launching in 2017 as an upgraded version of the original Micro iDSD, the Micro iDSD Black Label has been iFi’s top-of-the-range battery-powered DAC/headphone amp. The new Signature edition builds on its predecessor’s reputation for exceptional sound quality and versatility with enhanced circuitry in critical areas and a new 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output, among other upgrades.

The new model is housed in the same 177x67x28mm extruded aluminium enclosure as the Black Label version, as all products in iFi’s longstanding ‘Micro’ range have been. But, rather than black, the Micro iDSD Signature sports a Space Blue finish – a new colour reserved for ‘Signature’ versions of some of iFi’s most popular products, of which there will be more in the months to come.
​Although powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, the Micro iDSD Signature is more of a desktop sized device than pocket-sized one – a transportable DAC/headphone amp that can easily be moved around without requiring a mains socket. Being battery-powered also gives it a performance advantage over mains-powered products, with ultra-clean and stable DC power avoiding the issues that can be introduced by mains electricity with its dips, spikes and noise-inducing RFI/EMI pollution.

The battery delivers 6-12 hours of playing time, depending on the type of headphones connected and the performance mode engaged. If the battery runs low whilst in use, it can be plugged into a power source to charge and play at the same time.
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Digital engine

The Micro iDSD Signature’s ‘digital engine’ is based around a Burr-Brown DAC chip that iFi uses extensively, selected for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Here, as with the previous Black Label version, two of these DAC chips are installed in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration. This enables four pairs of differential signals – two pairs per channel – which lowers the noise floor, improves channel separation and enhances the DAC’s ability to resolve fine musical detail and micro-dynamics.

Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art, handling PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, all levels of DSD up to DSD512, and single- and double-speed DXD. MQA – the hi-res streaming codec, as used by Tidal’s ‘Masters’ tier – is also supported. Thanks to the Burr-Brown chip’s True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form right through to analogue conversion. This is often not the case with DAC devices from other brands. Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital engine, including iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and intelligent memory buffer. The Micro iDSD Signature also comes with iFi’s GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimized) digital filter installed; alternative digital filters can be loaded as firmware updates if preferred.
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​Circuit training

The outgoing Micro iDSD Black Label’s amp stage remains widely recognised as the finest available in any battery-powered portable DAC/headphone amp, able to drive all manner of headphones with aplomb, from highly sensitive in-ear monitors to current-hungry planar headphones. For the new Signature version, the circuitry has been fine-tuned – it still delivers the same prodigious power (up to 4100mW) and dynamic ability, but the signal path has been refined to maximise sonic texture and detail.

High-quality components are used throughout the Micro iDSD Signature’s circuitry, utilising its larger form factor in comparison to pocket-sized DAC/amps. Custom ultra-low-distortion op-amps feature in both the digital and analogue stages (part numbers OV2028 and OV2627 respectively), together with a hand-selected range of capacitors including the multilayer ceramic type TDK C0G, polyphenylene sulphide film type Panasonic ECPU and aluminium-polymer solid type Panasonic OS-CON. MELF thinfilm resistors and inductors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata also feature in the circuit design.

These are all more costly than commonly used circuit components, but class-leading qualities such as low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance), high stability and low distortion pay great dividends in terms of sound quality. Many hours of listening tests, alongside rigorous analysis in the lab, has determined the optimum circuit design to deliver maximum musical enjoyment.  An important aspect of the circuit design is its direct-coupled nature – no coupling capacitor is present.
This is achieved without a conventionally applied DC servo; iFi calls this design Direct Drive Servoless.
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​Versatile sonic tailoring

With the huge variety of headphones and digital music platforms available, all with different technical characteristics, the ‘one size fits all’ approach offered by many DAC/headphone amp manufacturers fails to deliver the versatility many users require to make the most of their music. iFi designs its products to be more flexible, delivering precision sonic tailoring via switchable settings to match any headphone setup, the variation in quality of digital audio files and, of course, personal taste – the Micro iDSD Signature offers this versatility in spades.

The digital stage benefits from a variety of filter settings: ‘Standard’, ‘Minimum Phase’ and ‘Bit-Perfect’ for PCM files, and ‘Standard Bandwidth’, ‘Extended Bandwidth’ and ‘Extreme Bandwidth’ for DSD. The amp stage also has three settings to adjust power and gain: ‘Normal’, ‘Turbo’ (ramps up the level of drive for current-hungry headphones) and ‘Eco’ (dials down the power to suit high-sensitivity in-ear monitors and/or extend battery life).

Further optimisation for sensitive in-ear monitors – an area of weakness for many DAC/amps – is supplied via iFi’s IEMatch technology, which adjusts the output level to suit. Once engaged, two levels of IEMatch are available – ‘High Sensitivity’ and ‘Ultra Sensitivity’.

Those familiar with iFi headphone amps will recognise the company’s XBass+ and 3D+ settings. These proprietary circuits have been performance-tuned for the Micro iDSD Signature and may be switched in or out according taste, fine-tuning the sound in the analogue domain to maintain sonic purity. XBass+ adjusts frequency response to enhance low frequencies – useful with ‘bass-light’ headphones, such as some open-back designs. 3D+ compensates for the ‘in-head localisation’ effect that often occurs when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers, effectively widening the headphone soundstage to deliver a more speaker-like experience.
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​Get connected

At the back of the chassis lie two digital audio inputs: USB Type A and an S/PDIF socket that accepts both electrical and optical signals, the former via a 3.5mm connector and the latter via a supplied adapter.  Unusually, the Type A USB input features a ‘male’ connector, rather than a typical ‘female’ port. This arrangement provides greater mechanical integrity than the USB/Micro USB ports commonly found on DAC/headphone amps from other manufacturers. It also offers an advantage to users of iPhones and iPads with Lightning ports, because it accepts Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter directly without requiring an additional female-to-male USB adaptor.

Between the digital inputs reside a pair of RCA analogue outputs – the Micro iDSD Signature can be connected to a pair of powered speakers, or a power amp and passive speakers, to act as a DAC and preamplifier. When used in this mode, a different version of iFi’s 3D+ analogue signal processing may be engaged if desired, specifically designed to create a more spacious soundstage with speakers rather than headphones. Whether in preamp mode or driving a pair of headphones, volume is controlled by a precision analogue potentiometer delivering the quality expected of full-size hi-fi equipment.

On the front panel, beside the volume knob and XBass+ and 3D+ switches, are a pair of headphone outputs – a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector (headphones with a 3.5mm jack can be connected using an adapter) and a 4.4mm Pentaconn output for headphones offering balanced connection. An increasing number of high-quality headphones and in-ear monitors either come so equipped or give the option of detaching the cable and upgrading to a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector – this output makes the most of them.

Both headphone outputs utilise iFi’s ‘S-Balanced’ output circuitry, delivering the sonic benefits associated with balanced connections with all headphone/earphone types – even those with single-ended connectors – cutting crosstalk and associated distortion in half
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Ch-ch-changes

While the most obvious changes from the previous Black Label version of the Micro iDSD are the finetuned audio circuitry, the 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output and the new Space Blue finish, numerous other enhancements have been applied to the new Signature edition.

The faceplates at the front and rear have been trimmed for a sleeker look, with a redesigned volume knob and new switches for XBass+/3D+. A multi-coloured LED to indicate the sampling frequency of the music being played is now also sited on the front panel, while the IEMatch control has been moved from underneath the unit to the side.

A USB-C charging port now resides on the righthand side, next to a new battery status indicator. Damping feet now adorn the underside of the unit, too – it all adds up to a range of improvements that make this the best-ever version of iFi’s much-lauded Micro iDSD.

The iFi Micro iDSD Signature is available later this month from selected retailers, at an RRP of £649. Only a limited number will be made, so those wishing to get hold of the Signature edition of iFi’s landmark transportable DAC/headphone amp should act fast to avoid disappointment

Contact Us - terryellis@pursuitperfectsystem.com

Copyright Pursuit Perfect System © 2017

  • Home
  • ARTICLES
    • Why bother recording the sound from a HiFi System?
    • FREE Dirac Live Calibration with an AVR30
    • How much bass do I need? More than you think
    • Building the Ultimate Audio Music Server.. Again !!
    • Are you DIAMOND WIRING your Speakers??
    • The Importance of Leading Edge Clarity
    • Full system to Review has got me thinking
    • Best Products of 2018 AWARDS
    • Widescreen Weekend – Bradford’s Not-So-Little Secret
    • Festival of Sound Audio and Music Show 2018 Review
    • A week of High End Audio
    • A Special Guest and A/B Listening Session with Tellurium Q
    • Munich High End Show 2018 Review
    • Visit to Henley Audio
    • Building the Ultimate Music Server - Hardware
    • Isolation is a Powerful thing
    • Oppo says Goodbye - Time to Upgrade
    • Does Software Affect Sound Quality
    • Special Listening Session
    • The Dolby Atmos Project
    • Bristol Sound and Vision 2018
    • The Hi-Fi Show Live 2017
    • Indulgence Show 2017
  • EQUIPMENT REVIEWS
    • 432 EVO >
      • 432 EVO Standard Server REVIEW
    • ARCAM >
      • Arcam AVR 850 Review
      • Arcam P49 Review
    • Audio Analogue >
      • Maestro Anniversary Integrated Amplifier REVIEW
    • AUDIOQUEST >
      • Audioquest NightOwl Carbon Review
      • Niagara 7000 & Thunder Power Cable Review
      • Oak & Coffee Cables Review
    • Audiolab >
      • Audiolab M-DAC nano REVIEW - One for the Commuters
      • Audiolab 6000A & 6000N PLAY REVIEW
    • Blue Aura >
      • Blue Aura V40 Hybrid Amplifier REVIEW
    • Boenicke Audio >
      • Boenicke Audio W5 Speakers REVIEW
    • BOWERS & WILKINS >
      • Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Review
      • Bowers & Wilkins 603 Speakers REVIEW
    • Canor Audio >
      • Canor Audio AI 1.10 Tube Amplifier REVIEW
    • CHORD ELECTRONICS >
      • Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler REVIEW
      • Chord Electronics Hugo TT2
      • Chord Electronics DAVE Review
      • Chord Qutest Review
      • Chord Hugo 2 Review
      • Chord Hugo TT Review
      • Chord 2Qute Review
      • Chord SPM 1050 Amplifier Review
    • Cyrus >
      • Cyrus ONE CAST Streaming Amplifier REVIEW
    • Eclipse >
      • Eclipse TD510z MK2 Speakers REVIEW
    • FOCAL >
      • Focal Utopia & Elear Headphones Review
    • FURUTECH >
      • Furutech NCF Booster & Signal Booster Review
      • Furutech FI50 (R) NCF IEC Review
    • German Physiks >
      • German Physiks Unlimited Ultimate REVIEW
    • Gryphon Audio Designs >
      • Gryphon Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier & DAC REVIEW
    • iFI Audio >
      • iFi Audio ZEN DAC REVIEW
      • Ifi Micro iDSD Black Label Review
      • iFi Audio xCAN Headphone Amplifier DAC REVIEW
    • JCAT >
      • JCAT USB CARD XE REVIEW
      • JCAT Net Card FEMTO Review
      • JCAT Signature USB Cable & USB + Lan Grounding Cable REVIEW
    • IsoAcoustics >
      • IsoAcoustics GAIA II Speaker Isolators
    • KEF >
      • KEF R7 Speakers REVIEW
      • KEF Reference 3 Speakers Review
      • KEF Muo Stereo Pair Review
      • KEF M500 Headphones Review
    • Leema Acoustics >
      • Leema Elements Integrated Amplifier
    • LUXMAN >
      • Luxman L509X Review
      • Luxman L505UX II Review
      • Luxman C-700u & M-700u Pre & Power Review
      • Luxman M700 Ultimate Review
    • Mark Levinson >
      • Mark Levinson No.585 Review
    • Melco >
      • Melco N100 REVIEW
    • MCINTOSH >
      • McIntosh MC275 VI Review
      • McIntosh MC152 Stereo Amplifier Review
    • Monitor Audio >
      • Platinum PL100 mkII
    • MUSICAL FIDELITY >
      • Musical Fidelity Nuvista 800 Review
    • NAGRA >
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    • NAIM >
      • Naim Uniti Atom - Hands On demo
    • OPPO >
      • Oppo 203 Oppo Mod Upgrades
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      • PS Audio Directstream Dac Review
    • Quadraspire >
      • Quadraspire QPLUS HiFi Supports Case REVIEW
    • REL Acoustics >
      • REL HT/1508 Predator Subwoofer REVIEW
    • Tellurium Q >
      • Tellurium Q Statement Cables
      • Tellurium Q Black II Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Black Diamond Speaker Cable Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver / Silver Diamond Cables
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond Cables Review
      • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond SPDIF Cable Review
    • Tungsten Grooves
    • Wave High Fildelity >
      • Storm Reference Digital Cable your Chord DAVE will love it
    • Wharfedale
    • Wilson Audio >
      • Wilson Audio TuneTot Speakers REVIEW
    • YBA >
      • YBA Passion Pre 500 & Power 650 Review
      • YBA IA350A Integrated Amp / Dac Review
    • UNISON RESEARCH >
      • Unison Research Unico 150 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier Review
  • Dirac Live Home Calibration Service
    • Dirac Live Calibrations 2019
  • YOU TUBE CHANNEL
  • About Us
  • Freelance Video Production
    • PMC Miles Davis Dolby Atmos Remix Video
    • Photo shoot for UK fastest growing hard surface repair specialist Fixation