iFi audio iDSD Signature - The saga continues!

iFi audio · Dec 8, 2020

jexby said: ↑

Well, thanks again to an iFi Club rep, having a good time with iFi micro iDSD Signature recently.

Sources: MacBook pro USB, and iPad Pro with dongle to USB out. playing Tidal lossless files.
headphones: ZMF Blackwood Auteur and Campfire Audio Solaris 2020. a few hours with Focal Clear. planars not owned any more.

Previously around July 2019, had a good experience with nano iDSD Black Label and also owning the iFi xDSD, both which were/are only used for IEM listening.

Feature quick takes:
Build quality of this dark blue iDSD Sig is superb. switches all on side a bonus from previous models where IEMatch switch was on bottom.
this newest micro iDSD Signature always runs off battery power now (no USB power as mains), so to keep online in desktop usage, keep the side USB-C cable plugged in I guess.
The iDSD Sig when idle seems to have a reduced draw from the battery compared to the first model of iDSD way back when? I left the iDSD Sig disconnected from sources and left on over a couple nights, and the LED battery indicator never dropped lower than the “white / 75%” charge level.

I don’t use Xbass or 3D switches, IMO it forces transducers into differing spacial queues and image or vocal placement gets wonky.

With headphones and IEMs:
In both cases, easily prefer both the ZMF Auteur and Solaris 2020 when connected to the 4.4 Bal jack on the micro iDSD Sig compared to the 1/4” SE jack. benefits include tad more clarity and definition. precision. no huge deltas in tonality or imaging as most of the headstage is L to R without a lot of depth or middle (center) presentation.
ZMF Auteur more lively via moar power from the iDSD Sig compared to iFi Neo iDSD, and of course the xDSD just doesn’t deliver enough except to IEMs or super sensitive cans which I don’t own.
the micro iDSD Sig does present an over-all “up front” and L-to-R soundstage that reminds me of SS amp presentations by schiit.

IEMs compared to xDSD:
using Solaris 2020 with the micro iDSD Sig means turning on the built in IEMatch (Ultra Sensitive) to reduce air (not a loud hiss) and set the amp power on Eco or even Normal. since the knob controls power on and volume, “zero” volume is around 9am on the dial.
in Eco and Normal mode, I could detect NO channel imbalance at low listening levels. very cool.
with the Solaris 2020 and 4.4 Bal, the micro iDSD Sig is a legit big brother upgrade to the xDSD for certain.
the xDSD has softer and looser bass presentation, that can bleed into the mids at times and overlap the presentation. None of that occurs with iDSD Sig where the air is more expansive, instruments have their location, and bass has tighter lines. if using sensitive Campfire Audio IEMs the xDSD does NOT have IEMatch built-in, so use the external dongle to remove that bit of air which is noticeable in between music or quiet tracks.
of course the xDSD does offer bluetooth connection option to your phone/tablet, etc, a feature that does not exist on micro iDSD Signature.

quick note comparing iDSD Sig to Neo iDSD with Solaris 2020:
in comparing connections between 4.4 Bal Sig and Neo (SE + external IEMatch) with the Solaris 2020, there is one good difference the Neo delivers- improved layering and depth, providing a cohesive sound. the Neo is not as up front, less audio right at your nose with better imaging in between the left and right stereo.
that being said, the Neo iDSD outputs are just too noisy for sensitive IEMs, the 4.4 has not only hiss + air, but also a low squelch static in the background. clearly a no go. with no 4.4 IEMatch, back to the Neo SE output requires the 3.5mm IEMatch and adapter to 1/4”.

As a transportable All In One:
the micro iDSD Sig is a superb piece to relocate around the house (or travel in future covid-reduced days) with either full sized headphones or IEMs. having tried all in ones way back to the original CEntrance HiFi-M8, the only other AIO that consistently delivered a high quality experience was the Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse (sold off to facilitate OneWheel XR).
the WA8 had tube glory without being too soft or bloomy, delivering a black background no matter the headphone.
One aspect where the micro iDSD Sig lacks is a “front / middle” presentation with depth, the WA8 has better depth as does the Neo iDSD.
WA8 and Neo iDSD presentation is a few steps back from the stage, which sounds more realistic than the micro iDSD Sig more pronounced Left to Right flatness, with a bit of a hole in the middle.

Lastly for IEM use, in my case CampFire Audio products, the iFi micro iDSD Signature is a superior choice for a transportable rig. given available budgets, I personally would choose it’s features + quality over a small schiit solid state stack and other iFi products such nano, HipDac, xDSD and Neo - unless having a sensitive and well matched headphone with Neo 4.4 bal delivers it’s synergy of depth and layering.

the iDSD Sig flexibility, built-in IEMatch even on 4.4 bal jack and a precise, slightly warm of neutral, not brittle nor bright delivery makes it a versatile and stellar sounding unit.
Not having heard amps like 789 or xDuoo XD-5 with Solaris 2020, sorry I can’t compare to the micro iDSD Signature, but if one has a 4.4 bal IEM cable at the ready, would recommend trying the micro iDSD Signature as a one-stop DAC/Amp.
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iFi audio iDSD Signature - The saga continues!

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