iFi Nano iDSD (Headphone amp too! Works with Android & iPhone!)

roscoeiii · « **on:** 4 Dec 2013, 11:42 pm »

Whoa. This device does amazing things for only $189!

iPhone and Android Compatible? Yup (with the appropriate adaptor)
Battery powered? Yup (can also use USB power, USB charges battery)
Long battery life? Yup (~10 hrs)
3.5 mm headphone output? Yup
Coax Digital Output? Yup (PCM)
Analog volume control? Yup
Low output impedance? Yup (<1 ohm)
Beefy output voltage? Yup (>3.3V)
Sold places with great return policies? Yup (both Music Direct and Tweek Geek, both of whom I love as online retailers)

For the DAC heads:

• PCM from 16/44kHz all the way up to 32/384kHz.
• DSD all the way up to 6.2MHz.
• DXD up to 384kHz.

ksbruce · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Dec 2013, 01:17 am »

Yeah I'm looking forward to trying it out! It's supposed to ship on the 15th. My Hifi Man He-400's should be here early next week.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Dec 2013, 01:20 am »

Quote from: ksbruce on 5 Dec 2013, 01:17 am

Yeah I'm looking forward to trying it out! It's supposed to ship on the 15th. My Hifi Man He-400's should be here early next week.

Please do report back. Probably not enough power for my HiFiMan HE5LEs, but may work great with the other headphones in my stable.

ksbruce · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Dec 2013, 01:38 am »

Definitely.

raysracing · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Dec 2013, 01:26 pm »

Any updates on the nano? Also how is it's performance on redbook CD and other lossless formats?

ksbruce · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Dec 2013, 04:59 pm »

I just called my dealer... they still haven't received it yet.

DZetye · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Dec 2013, 05:46 pm »

My Dealer said IFI is supposed to ship out this Friday the 20th of Dec.

ksbruce · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Dec 2013, 10:11 pm »

Just in time for Christmas!

krikor · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2013, 02:45 pm »

Funny, I got the 2014 Music Direct print catalog a couple weeks ago and they list the iDSD as a "Music Direct best seller." Must be based on pre-orders or just looking into their crystal ball for the new year

Of course, they also list it as the only DSD-capable DAC under $500 which is not the case.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Mar 2014, 04:11 pm »

Happened to be checking out the Music Direct closeouts at the end of the workday yesterday, and WOW! There is a demo iDSD. Jumped in the car and sped down to get it before they closed at 6. So far really liking it, even doing far less than it is capable. Very nice piece of gear in terms of BOTH the DAC and the headphone amp (with Shure 846 IEMs). And this is with less than audiophile digital. Streaming from Spotify at 320 kbps.

Now I need to dip into the DSD world, and dig out the hard drive with all my FLACs on it (been primarily spinning vinyl of late).

Tyson · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Mar 2014, 06:58 pm »

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.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Mar 2014, 07:53 pm »

So far I am really impressed. Once it is broken in, I will compare it to the DSPeaker Dual Core. Both are easy to level match.

Lots of cool little design features, such as the way they implement the volume control. Solid DAC and headphone amp.

Now I just need to get some DSD to see what that buzz is about...

raysracing · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Mar 2014, 09:43 pm »

I've had my used one for a few nights of listening. I already have a super detailed system so it is revealing of everything. No complaints so far if that is a compliment. My whole system needs a hit of warmth I suppose so that is my next goal. I love the micro detail, but sometimes want it to just hummmm along, not be so surgically precise. But I suppose if I got that I'd called it compressed and unlistenable.

lmartu · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jan 2015, 09:44 am »

Hello Everyone,

I just ordered an iDSD nano today, can't wait to try it out! Does anyone here have experience using it with Shure 1540 cans?
I listen to my music quite loudly.. so I may have to consider adding another amp.

Bye!

Luigi.

ltr317 · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 03:01 am »

I wrote a formal review, as part of a three-part review of several iFi components.

Cheers,
Paul Mah

roscoeiii · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 03:08 am »

Quote from: lmartu on 19 Jan 2015, 09:44 am

Hello Everyone,

I just ordered an iDSD nano today, can't wait to try it out! Does anyone here have experience using it with Shure 1540 cans?
I listen to my music quite loudly.. so I may have to consider adding another amp.
I
Bye!

Luigi.

I think the power of the nano iDSD should be fine with those cans. Only concern would be very power hungry cans. The bigger issue is very sensitive IEMs.

usp1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 05:31 am »

I am considering getting the nano to go with Shure 535s. I wonder if they would work well together.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 05:36 am »

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

technobear · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 07:49 am »

Quote from: usp1 on 24 Jan 2015, 05:31 am

I am considering getting the nano to go with Shure 535s. I wonder if they would work well together.

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.

JLM · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Jan 2015, 11:24 am »

Yes, iFi Audio is on a streak, especially with the micro series (all well reviewed, small, affordable, and has their own tiny iRack available):

iTube: tubed pre-amp with 3D enhancer and digital "filter"

iDSD: DAC (32/768 PCM, 4xDSD, 2xDXD) and headphone amp (250mw continuous to 10w peak @ 16 ohms)

iUSB power: clean power from USB inputs, separates power and signal into separate outputs

Gemini: dual power/signal USB cabling