ifi iDSD-BL USB DAC and Headphone Amp for Home Instruction Manual

ifi iDSD-BL USB DAC and Headphone Amp for Home

Input. USB2.0 type A ‘OTG’ socket (with iPurifier® technology built-in)
Connect the USB cable from the host (PC, iPhone/iPad or Android etc). We recommend the enclosed USB3.0. For mobile devices, you must separately purchase the correct respective Apple (Camera Connection Kit) or Android (USB On- The-Go) cable to connect directly to the nano iDSD Black Label. Ordinary ‘charging’ cables cannot be used for connection. This USB input is also used for battery-charging. See later for more details.

Output. 3.5mm Line Out
For line out to connect to line input devices with their own volume control (e.g. Active Speaker, HiFi System, Aux Input, Headphone Amplifier).

Digital Filter
Different digital filters are available for PCM & DSD. For listening enjoyment we recommend the transient optimized minimum phase ‘Listen’ filter, but feel free to choose the frequency response optimized ‘Measure’ filter instead.

Output. 3.5mm headphone jack

For connection to Headphones/In-Ear-Monitors. The nano iDSD Black Label is equipped with a Headphone Amplifier that is approx. ten times more powerful than a common Smartphone. It can drive most headphones that are poorly-driven directly from Smartphones and similar devices. In order to maximize compatibility with headphones and IMs optimised for low output sources, we have integrated the iF ground-breaking iEMatch® system. Direct – for regular- sensitivity headphones. iEMatch -matches high-sensitivity lEMs/head phones for reduced back ground noise and matched gain.
Tip: Try both headphone outputs and see which is preferred. We normally recommend starting with the iEMatch® output as most modern Headphones/EMs are very sensitive (go very loud with very little input). If the Match® connection does not allow satisfactory volume levels simply switch to the Direct output. The correct choice will maximize dynamic range and sound quality and provide a comfortable adjustment range on the volume control.
Note: Only ONE headphone should be connected at any one time.

LED for audio format/battery status

The LED colour scheme indicates the sampling frequency received by the nano iDSD Black Label from the source. When the BL is switched off and a 5v USB power supply is detected, the LED will turn blue to show it is charging. With IMs, a fully-charged battery offers approx. 10 hours of music enjoyment.

Power ON

• LED colour: Mode
• Blue: DSD 256
• Cyan: DSD 128/DSD 64
• White: DXD PCM 352.6/384kHz
• Yellow: PCM 176.4/192kHz
• Green: PCM 44.11/48/88.2/96kHz
• Magenta: MQA (all sample rates)
• Green (flashing): Waiting for USB connection
• Red alternating with: Battery is fully discharged, USB power any of the above is being used to play music but battery is NOT being charged
• Red: Battery is < 10% and requires charge
• No LED: Battery empty

Power OFF

• Blue: Charging

ON/OFF & Analogue Volume Control

USB power
On/Off  and Analogue Volume Control

Battery Power
Turn ON the power first, then connect to the computer.

Tip: In Battery Power mode, the nano iDSD Black Label will continue to use battery power even if the USB cable is connected afterwards. For Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, Android devices, please use Battery Power, otherwise you may receive error messages from your device. For more information, please refer to www.ift-audio.com.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file isfully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information

Features/Specifications

General

• Input (rear): USB2.0 type A “OTG”Socket (with Purifier® technology built-in)
• Output (rear): 1 x Audio fixed line out L+R 3.5 mm
• Digital Filter: 2 positions, 2 filters
• Outputs (front): 2x Headphone Audio 3.5mm one direct and one with iFi iEMatch® integrated

DAC

• DAC: DSD, DXD, PCM DAC by Burr Brown Bit- Perfect DSD processing, Bit-Perfect DD processing

• Clock: Low-jitter crystal clock

• Audio Formats: DSD256/128/64/12.4/11.2/6.2/5.6/3.1/2.8 DXD 384/352.8kHz
  PCM 384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48 /44.1kHz
  MQA 88.2/96/176.4/192kHz filters

• Filter – PCM: Listen (transient optimized minimum Measure (frequency response optimized) phase)

  • DSD; Listen (extended bandwidth transient optimized) Measure narrow bandwidth, low output band noise optimized)
  • DXD: Fixed Bit-Perfect Processing
  • MOA: Fixed MQA Filter

Note: for Windows drivers download: ifi-audio.com/downloads/
MOA: (Master Quality Authenticated) : nano IDSD Black Label includes MQA rendering technology, which enables you to play back MOA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The LED glows magenta to indicate that the unit is rendering an MQA stream or file. This delivers the final unfold  of the MOA file.

Headphone Amplifier

• Amplifier: Dual Mono 2 x 285mW Direct Drive, coupling capacitor free circuit for highest fidelity

• Volume Control: Analog 2 – Track Potentiometer w. power switch, < 2dB tracking error- 4005…0db Attenuation

• Headphone Connection: 3.5mm TRRS with Balanced compatible wiring

• Dynamic Range: > 109dB(A) @ 3v (Direct)
  (including DAC) > 107dB(A) @ 0.5V (¡EMatch*)

• THD &N (@ 125mW/30R): <0.005%

• Max. Output ( <10% THD): > 3.5V @ 60052 Load (Direct)
  (20mW/6000)

  2.9V @ 300 Load (Direct)
  (285mW/3052)
  1.7V @ 150 Load (Direct)
  (200mW/150)

• Output Impedance: < = 10 (Direct) < = 40 (iEMatch®)

• Channel Separation: > 79dB @ 6000 Load (Direct) > 79dB @ 150 Load (Direct) (1kHz, TRRS plug Balanced wiring)

Line Output

• Dynamic Range (Line): >109 dB (A)
• THD & N (OdBFS Line): <0.004%
• Output Voltage (Line): 2.15V (+/-0.05V)
• Output Impedance: < 2400
• Channel Separation: > 99dB (@ 1kHz)
• Jitter (correlated): Below test set limit
• Dimensions: 96 (I) x64 (w) ×25.5 (h) mm
• Weight: 139g (0.31 Ibs)
• Warranty period: 12months

Terms & Conditions

iFi guarantees that this iFi product shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 1 year for parts and labour. The warranty period begins at the date of retail sale by an authorized iFi distributor/dealer and is subject to the following requirements and understandings:

• It is the responsibility of the buyer within 30 days from the original sale, to register and activate the product warranty with the iF website.
• The original invoice must be produced for authentication prior to any warranty claim.
• The iFi product must not have been modified in any manner whatsoever, or the warranty will immediately become void.
• The iFi warranty is only valid in the country of original sale.
• The product must not have been stored in a humid environment; nor subjected to weather, water, or saltwater spray.
• iFi shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from the loss of property or other damage or losses due to the failure of an iFi product. iFi is not liable for loss of use or inconvenience caused by the failure of an iFi product. iFi is not liable for damage caused to other audio components because of the failure of an iFi product. During the warranty period, iFi will repair the product to working order, or, at iF’s discretion, replace the defective module with a similar available product.
• During the warranty period, iFi will repair the product to working order, or, at iF’s discretion, replace the defective module with a similar available product.
• All repairs performed after expiry of the warranty period will be charged to the owner and will carry a 180-day warranty on parts and labour. The customer is responsible for shipping the unit to the iFi distributor in the original packaging. This includes the payment of any shipping charges and related taxes.
• Should any warranty issues arise, iFi’s decision is full and final.

ifi-audio.com

warranty
In order to activate the warranty for this iFi product, you must register with the iFi website.
Component:
Serial no:

Documents / Resources

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