[JoshK]

The guys at iFi REALLY know what they are doing.  They are basically taking very high end performance and deliberately making it very inexpensive in order to capture market share.  Plus they understand that of all the components in the audio chain, the digital side is the most likely to become obsolete the quickest.  So aggressive pricing and going after volume, plus going after the headphone crowd (which is much younger than us old fogies), and showing them what real high end can sound like is a very smart way to build out the brand and also cultivate the next generation of audiophiles/customers.

I completely agree with their strategy then.  I often tire of the old audiophile brand strategy to just gouge most to cater to the most affluent. 

[usp1]

Based on my experience with 846s, I wouldn't pair these with the 535s.

You really need the micro iDSD to match to those Shure's.

Edit: both in power/gain terms and in sonic terms. Even then you could add a better amp like the micro iCAN and the Shure's would step up. if you buy a used micro iCAN, be sure to get the later one with variable gain switches on the underside.

Thanks for the input Roscoe and Technobear.
My only concern with the ifi micro is the size. I use the 535s primarily for air travel and would like something compact but not very expensive. The nano seemed to fit those criteria. Would the Geek out 100 ( or 450 which is $100 cheaper) work? Any other suggestions? Sorry if this is going off topic.

[roscoeiii]

Geek 450 was a better match with my Shure 846 than the iDSD, and considerably smaller.

[roscoeiii]

I'm also not sure if technobear is referring to Shure IEMs or the Shure cans someone mentioned earlier. But yes, the gain settings do make the Micro a better option for IEMs.

[lcrim]

I have several iFi nano IDSD and an iFi micro IDSD and a Korg DS-DAC 100. The two nanos are probably most suitable for driving IEM's  but the micro
will drive any kind of cans nomatter the load. 
I use the micro in the living room system powered by the iFi micro iUSBpower and the iFi Gemini usb cable.  The tiny WIN8.1 pc is running JRMC v20 and is connected to the iUSB power by a cheap but very short (20") Belkin usb cable.  All of my ripped and downloaded music files are on a small NAS elsewhere.  The micro iDSD functions as one of the finest headphone amps available, being adjustable for the cans its driving.  I use the analog outs to an AudioEngine N22  and then to  Louis' compact hemps and a sub.  There is also a turntable and phono pre that are getting used less and less because of the quality that DSD provdes.
My bedroom system has the Korg DAC and Audiogate software which allows one to upconvert flac to DSD128 and  there is an older Decware Zen amp and the Parker95 mkII speakers which are terrific w/ this low impedance amp.  I also use the iFi iUSB power  unit and Gemini usb cable w/ the Korg DAC.  This a wonderful, sweet sounding system that is difficult to shut off and go to sleep.
Larry

[usp1]

Geek 450 was a better match with my Shure 846 than the iDSD, and considerably smaller.

Roscoe, in what way was the 846 iDSD pairing a problem? Was it the lack of power;  too much gain; or something else?

[roscoeiii]

Roscoe, in what way was the 846 iDSD pairing a problem? Was it the lack of power;  too much gain; or something else?

The 846 are quite a sensitive IEM, so I was battling noise floor and a limited range on the volume control. They introduced an attenuator cord at some point to address the issue. But I had returned my unit to Music Direct before this was released. 

[usp1]

The 846 are quite a sensitive IEM, so I was battling noise floor and a limited range on the volume control. They introduced an attenuator cord at some point to address the issue. But I had returned my unit to Music Direct before this was released.

Thanks. I have an attenuator cord for the 535 (very handy if I plug into airline sound systems which run ridiculously hot). I might try out the iDSD first since I get a decent trial period from some of the online retailers. Otherwise I may get the geek out 100/450 or the jds labs c5d.

[roscoeiii]

Thanks. I have an attenuator cord for the 535 (very handy if I plug into airline sound systems which run ridiculously hot). I might try out the iDSD first since I get a decent trial period from some of the online retailers. Otherwise I may get the geek out 100/450 or the jds labs c5d.

Yeah the iFi attenuator is not adjustable like the Shure one, but instead gives a fixed level of attenuation.

And like you said, you can get these from retailers who have audition or return policies, so pretty low risk.

(p.s. lemme know if you are interested in a Geek Out 450. I have 2, thanks to Christmas).

[OzarkTom]

The very latest TAS has voted the Micro IDSD as the best value at the CES show this year.

[roscoeiii]

The very latest TAS has voted the Micro IDSD as the best value at the CES show this year.

From what I can tell,  the Micro iDSD addresses all the issues I had with  the nano. And not everyone will have such issues.