IFi Micro iDSD Signature Transportable DAC and Headphone Amp

KEY FEATURES

• Dual Core Burr Brown True Native chipset supports all hi-res audio formats up to PCM 32 bit / 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA
• 4000mW headphone amplifier with balanced topology and 4.4mm pentacon output
• XBass+, 3D+, and iEMatch create an immersive and personalized headphone or speaker listening experience
• USB A, S/PDIF digital and optical audio inputs; 6.3mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs, RCA line outputs
• Rechargeable battery provides 6-12 hours of listening, or play while charging

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The micro iDSD Signature is the follow-up to our most popular DAC, the micro iDSD Black Label. We have built upon everything user’s loved about the original while also improving the usability, making a better sounding and more enjoyable listening experience. The iDSD Signature’s digital engine is based on a Burr-Brown chip, selected for its natural musicality and architecture. As with the previous Black Label, two of these chips are installed in a custom interleaved configuration, enabling four pairs of differential signals (two per channel) which lowers the noise floor, improves separation and enhances the ability to resolve fine musical detail and micro-dynamics.

Extensive jitter eradication technologies are applied to the digital engine, including iFi’s Global Master Timing femto precision clock and intelligent memory buffer. It also comes with our Gibbs Transient Optimized digital filter installed; alternative filters can be loaded as firmware updates if preferred. The circuitry has been fine-tuned, delivering the same prodigious power up to 4100mW and dynamic ability, but the signal path has been refined to maximise sonic texture and detail. High-quality components are used throughout the circuitry, utilising its larger form factor in comparison to pocket-sized DAC/amps.

Custom low-distortion op-amps feature in both the digital and analogue stages, together with a hand-selected range of capacitors including the multilayer ceramic type TDK C0G, polyphenylene sulphide film type Panasonic ECPU and aluminium-polymer solid type Panasonic OS-CON. Those familiar with iFi amps will recognise the XBass+ and 3D+ settings, proprietary circuits which have been tuned for the Signature and may be switched on or off according to taste. XBass+ adjusts frequency response to enhance low frequencies. 3D+ compensates for the in-head localisation effect that often occurs when listening to music, effectively widening the soundstage to deliver a more speaker-like experience.