Micro iDSD Signature Transportable DAC and Headphone Amplifier User Manual
- June 12, 2024
- ifi
Table of Contents
Micro iDSD Signature Transportable DAC and Headphone Amplifier
Product Information
The micro iDSD is a portable audio device designed to enhance your listening experience. It features various outputs and inputs to connect headphones, audio sources, and other devices. The device includes the following key features:
- Single-ended 6.3mm output
- S-Balanced 4.4mm analogue output
- Audio Format LED indicating the received audio format and sampling frequency
- ON/OFF and Analogue Volume Control
- S/PDIF 3.5mm Coaxial/Optical input
- RCA analogue output
- USB3.0 ‘Type A’ input port
- Power Mode with different power output levels
Product Usage Instructions
Single-ended 6.3mm output
Connect single-ended 6.3mm headphones directly to this output. If you have
single-ended 3.5mm headphones, use a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter to connect them.
For connecting single-ended 6.3mm headphones. With single-ended 3.5mm
headphones, connect with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
Tip: When using new IEMs/Headphones, start with the volume no higher than
9 o’clock and set the Power Mode to ‘Eco’.
S-Balanced 4.4mm analogue output
Connect balanced 4.4mm headphones to this output for optimal performance.
Tip: Since the micro iDSD Signature is balanced, we recommend using the
4.4mm output.
XBass+®
XBass+® (On/Off ) was uniquely designed to extend bass response to suit
different headphones. It is a pure analogue signal circuit.
3D+®
The 3D+® (on/off ) recreates a holographic sound field. It is a pure analogue
signal processing circuit designed for listening to headphones as if one was
listening to speakers. This addresses the ‘music inside the head’ sensation,
which makes for unsettling listening.
Tip: Sonically-hindering DSP is NOT used in our XBass+ or 3D+
technologies. They use the highest-quality discrete components and operate
purely in the analogue domain. This means all the clarity and resolution of
the original music is retained.
Audio Format LED (kHz) **
**
The LED color scheme indicates the audio format and sampling frequency received by the micro iDSD Signature:
- Green: PCM 44/48/88/96kHz
- Yellow: PCM 176/192/352/384kHz
- White: PCM 768kHz
- Cyan: DSD64/DSD128
- Blue: DSD256
- Red: DSD512
- Magenta: MQA
The LED colour scheme indicates the audio format and sampling frequency
received by the micro iDSD Signature from the music source.
ON/OFF and Analogue Volume Control
The analogue volume control provides superior control over the audio
output. Start at a low volume level to prevent damage to headphones or
hearing. The analogue volume control in the micro iDSD Signature is superior
to any digital volume control
Warning: Due to the high power of the micro iDSD Signature, always start
at a low volume level to avoid any risk of damage. iFi audio is not
responsible for any hearing or equipment damage resulting from misuse.
Tip: For Apple iOS and
Android devices, please use battery power, otherwise you may receive error
messages from your device.
- For connection to Apple devices, an Apple Lightning to a USB Camera Adapter isrequired. For connection to Android devices, a USB On-The-Go (OTG) cable and appropriate OS support are required.
For more information, please refer to www.ifi-audio.com.
S/PDIF 3.5mm
Coaxial/Optical input
If not using USB, connect a Coaxial/Optical cable (using a Toslink Mini-
Plug) to this input. When USB is not used, connect to a Coaxial/Optical cable
(through a Toslink Mini-Plug).
Tip: The S/PDIF standard supports PCM only up to 192kHz.
- a Toslink Mini-Plug to Toslink adaptor is included for connecting a Toslink optical cable.
- The S/PDIF standard supports PCM only up to 192kHz.
RCA analogue output
This is an analogue output. Use it to connect to other audio devices or
amplifiers.
USB3.0 ‘Type A’ input port **
**
Use this port for data transfer. Connect your phone to the micro iDSD
Signature using a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (for Apple devices) or a USB
On-The-Go (OTG) cable (for Android devices). For other audio sources, use a
USB cable to connect.
Tip: It is preferable to use a USB 3.0 port instead of a USB 2.0 port on
the PC.
- The micro iDSD Signature comes with a pre-installed firmware optimized for MQA. This version also handles up to PCM384/DSD256.
- For firmware optimized to run PCM768/DSD5 12(non-MQA) please install corresponding firmware.
- For all latest firmware updates please refer to our website here: www.ifi-audio.com/downloads/
Power Mode
The micro iDSD Signature offers 3 power output levels to drive different
types of headphones, from ultra-sensitive in-ear monitors to demanding over-
ear headphones. The approximate listening time in Battery mode with typical
headphones is around 6 hours for the most demanding headphones.
Tip: For Apple iOS and Android devices, it is recommended to use battery
power to avoid error messages from the device.
For more detailed information and firmware updates, please refer to the
official website: www.ifi-audio.com.
Digital Filter
DSD: Extreme/Extended/
Standard Range (analogue) filters
PCM: Bit-Perfect/Minimum-Phase/Standard (digital) filters
DXD: Bit-Perfect Processing (fixed) analogue filter
Tip: For PCM we recommend ‘Bit-Perfect’ for listening and ‘Standard’ for
measurements. For DSD, select Extreme/Extended/Standard to find the one that
sounds best for listening and ‘Standard Range’ for measurements.
iEMatch® switch
With the iEMatch®, even the most sensitive In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs) can be
matched to the micro iDSD Signature.
USB-C (5V) battery charge
input
For charging only. Due to the very high powered nature of the micro iDSD
Signature, a full recharge with a high-powered or standard charger would take
~ 3 hours and ~ 12 hours respectively.
LED for Battery Status
- Battery LED will flash when it is charging.
Technologies
- Octa-DSD512/PCM768 and 2X DXD.
- Dual-Core Native DSD/PCM Burr-Brown® chipset.
- S-Balanced 4.4mm output with (4,100mW).
- Performance boosting Direct-Drive® and Headamp Turbo®.
- Zero Jitter/Femto clock system upgraded for lower phase-noise/jitter.
- Digital engine upgraded with iFi custom ultra-low noise Op-Amp Ov2028.
- Analogue section upgraded with iFi custom ultra-low noise Op-Amp Ov2627.
- Ultra-low impedance OS-CON polymer capacitors and Panasonic audio- grade ECPU film capactiors.
- Performance-tuned 3D+® and XBass+®.
Turbo/Normal/Eco modes.
Specifications
- Digital Inputs: USB 3.0 type A “OTG” Socket (USB2.0 compatible/ with iPurifier technology built-in )/ S-PDIF (3.5mm coaxial/optical)
- Output:
S-Balanced 4.4mm
S-E: 6.3mm/RCA
DAC section
- DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD, PCM DAC by Dual-core Burr Brown
- Clock: Ultra low jitter GMT Femtosecond Clock
- Formats: DSD 512 / 22.6MHz PCM 768kHz MQA Full Decoder
- Filters:
DSD Extreme/Extended/Standard Bandwidth
PCM Bit-Perfect/Minimum-Phase/Standard
DXD Bit-Perfect Processing
Line Output
- DNR: >117db(A)
- THD + N: <0.003% @ 0dBFS
- Output Voltage: >2V
- Output Impedance: <240Ω
- Jitter (correlated): Below AP2 test set limit
Headamp Section
- Headphone Power Output
- Turbo mode
- Power (max) 10.0V/4,100 mW
- Power (continuous) >1,560 mW @ 64Ω >166 mW @ 600Ω
Normal mode
- Power (max) 5.5V/1,900 mW
- Power (continuous) >100 mW @ 300Ω >950 mW @ 32Ω
Eco mode
- Power (max) 2.0V/500 mW @ 8Ω
- Power (continuous) >250 mW @ 16Ω
- DNR: >115dB(A) (Eco Mode, 2V Out)
- THD + N: < 0.008% @ 500mW/16Ω
- Output Voltage: >10V (Turbo Mode)
- Output Impedance: <1Ω (iEMatch not engaged)
- Maximum Output Power: 4,100 mW @ 16Ω Load
- Continuous Output Power: 1,000 mW @ 64Ω Load
- Battery: Lithium-polymer 4800mAh
- Power System: Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1500mA charging current
- Dimensions: 172 x 65 x 27 mm (6.8″ x 2.6″ x 1.1″)
- Net weights: 295 g (0.65 Ibs)
- Limited Warranty: 24 months*
- 24 months typical or as permitted/required by local reseller laws.
- Specifications are subject to change without notice.