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Important…

Please read ALL release notes before downloading firmware.

Thanks, iFi audio.

This page contains information and software downloads including USB drivers and firmware for the following iFi products:

  • micro iDAC2
  • micro iDSD and BL (see note 5.1 in table below)
  • nano iDSD original, BL and LE
  • nano iOne
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD
  • Pro iDSD
  • ZEN DAC

USB audio class 2.0 drivers

iFi USB Audio Class 2.0 driver download and installation

Apple macOS and Linux support USB audio class 2 natively, hence no driver is needed.

  

Windows 7/8/8.1/10 driver installation process:

Please manually uninstall all previous XMOS related drivers (XMOS, AMR, iFi or from other vendors) and reboot the computer before installing this latest driver. Depending on the computer hardware, you may have to reinstall the driver again if the USB port to which the iFi USB Audio device is attached is changed.

  1. Download the driver file: iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio Driver 3.2.exe
    (In some instances it may be necessary to disable the antivirus software to install this driver.)
  2. Run the “iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio Driver 3.2.exe” file you downloaded.
  3. Follow the on screen instructions and ensure the iFi equipment is plugged in.

Tips:

  1. To use the newly installed driver, under “Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound”, select “iFi (by AMR) HD + USB Audio”.
  2. For software players that support ASIO and/or WASAPI interfaces, we recommend using those interfaces for the best sound. Please refer to each individual player’s instructions for details.

This V3.2 driver update contains improvements and bug fixes, including, improvements:

  1. New ‘automatic’ buffer setting that ensures the buffer is always correct (important for high sample rates). Optimal buffer size is no longer set by ‘trial and error’ and the sound is always the best.
    Further, the maximum buffer setting was previously 8192 but now can go as high as 32,768 samples (0.74 sec ASIO Buffer @ 44.1kHz). This can help reduce disk activity and can making audio streaming more resilient if the PC has multiple uses.
  2. Fixed: Implemented larger number of Buffers to resolve ‘not enough buffers for this sample rate Error’.
  3. Fixed: ASIO DSD Driver behaviour adjusted to improve compatibility with DAW Software.

This driver update contains new features, improvements and bug fixes, including the following fix: Improve Windows 8/8.1/10 compatibility. Note: Windows XP is no longer supported.

Supported products:

  • micro iDAC2
  • micro iDSD and BL (see note 5.1 in table)
  • nano iDSD, BL and LE
  • nano iOne
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD
  • ZEN DAC
  • micro iDAC (discontinued)
  • micro iLINK (discontinued)
  • (and AMR DP-777: www.amr-audio.co.uk)

Before proceeding, a user note:

In the event that any incompatibility issues arise with v3.2, then please download and use v2.26 (iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio Driver 2.26.exe).

For further technical queries, please open a support ticket at https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Pro iDSD firmware

Pro iDSD firmware download and installation

Important notes

Fi XMOS firmware Pro iDSD v2.08, dated 10 October 2019, is ready for public download.

This latest firmware v2.08 is unified and is suitable for ONLY the Pro iDSD.

Please read before upgrading firmware:

  • MAC USERS: USB C will not work for firmwares, you must use a USB A port
  • Do not use the following firmware on any other iFi product. Use only on the Pro iDSD.
  • Firmware updates inherently carry the risk of damage to the unit and of voiding your warranty.
  • As the iFi XMOS firmware is heavily customised by iFi in-house, under NO circumstances attempt to use this firmware on any other non-iFi XMOS platform.
  • As with all such firmware upgrades, there is a risk of bricking your iFi product if something goes wrong during the upgrade. If your iFi product is bricked, you need to send it back to the dealer/distributor for re-flash.

Step 2: Download the latest firmware from below:

NoVersionDateDescriptionMacWindows
22.0811 Oct 2019Minor Bug Fixes and Optimisations

  • Optimised transistor/tube settings to improve operational parameters as measured and calibrated on Audio Precision

  • Fixed the invert of the ‘Pro’ and ‘HiFi’ settings

  • Other minor optimisations and bug fixes
12.0127 Feb 2019Major Optimisations

  • Adds MQA Decoding and Rendering

  • Modifies the invalid problem of USB feedback

  • Adds DARS and WLCK clock synchronisation

  • Resolved some previously identified bugs


Notes/Considerations:

  • Playing MQA songs needs to be adjusted to the maximum volume to recognise MQA.

  • In MQA, filters and DSD do not work.

  • External time synchronisation is only possible with USB input


Clock synchronisation rules:

PCM:

  • Frequency range of 44.1/48kHz+4K

  • Frequency offset range of 88/96 kHz+2K

  • Frequency range of 176/192kHz+1K

  • Frequency offset range of 352/384 kHz+500 Hz
• Frequency offset range of 768 kHz + 250 Hz


DSD: Clock synchronisation is not supported.

Other iFi firmware

iFi product firmware download and installation

Step 1: Important notes

iFi XMOS firmware version 5.30 ‘Cookies & Cream’ is ready for public download.

It is unified and works on the following machines:

  • micro iDAC2
  • micro iDSD and BL
  • nano iDSD original, BL and LE
  • nano iONE*
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD
  • ZEN DAC

Magenta is the official MQA LED colour on iFi machines. When MQA is being played on legacy machines without the magenta LED option, the LED colour will be white/yellow corresponding to the 384kHz file being played.

The actual LED colour is cosmetic – once firmware v5.30 is installed, the correct MQA filter is activated during MQA playback.

micro iDAC2 White
micro iDSD Yellow
micro iDSD BL Yellow
nano iDSD White
nano iDSD BL Magenta
nano iDSD LE White
nano iONE*
RETRO Stereo 50 Magenta
xDSD Magenta
ZEN DAC Magenta

PLEASE READ BEFORE UPGRADING FIRMWARE:

  • iFi XMOS Firmware versions 5.30/5.20 are NOT suitable for: iDAC, iLINK and AMR DP-777. Please do NOT FLASH these machines.
  • Only use the following firmware on those products listed above.
  • Only use sub version 5.2A on the micro iDAC2, nano iDSD, iDSD LE, iDSD BL,  iOne and xDSD.
  • For firmware versions v4.06 and earlier, the above firmware versions are NOT unified. Please check carefully that the version is suited to your model.

IMPORTANT

  • The iFi XMOS firmware is heavily customised by iFi in-house. Under NO circumstances use this firmware on any other non-iFi XMOS platform.
  • Firmware updates inherently carry risk of damage to the unit and of voiding your warranty.
  • As with all firmware upgrades, there is a risk of bricking your product if something goes wrong during the upgrade process. If your iFi product is bricked, please send it back to the dealer/distributor for repair.

We do not recommend upgrading or downgrading the firmware just for ‘fun’, only when necessary.

Newest firmware

Version 5.3c (sub-version)
Version 5.3 ‘Cookies & Cream’
Version 5.2 ‘Limoncello’ 5.2a & 5.2b (sub-versions)
Version 5.3c (sub-version)

Release date: 10 Sept 2018

Gibbs Transient Optimised Digital (GTO) Filter implemented – This replaces the Minimum Phase Filter.

Important

  • All PCM LED colours will be the same colour due to GTO filter
  • MAC:
    • USB C connections will not work for firmware updates, please use USB A
    • Mac firmware has been updated to work with Catalina OS onwards

Pros

Cons

  • SPDIF output disabled (on USB to SPDIF capable units
  • No GTO for SPDIF signal
  • No DSD512
  • No 768kHz

Windows

Mac

Version 5.3 ‘Cookies & Cream’

Release date: 27 March 2018

Full MQA Major code optimisation

Important

  • MAC:
    • USB C connections will not work for firmware updates, please use USB A
    • Mac firmware has been updated to work with Catalina OS onwards
  • SPDIF output disabled (on USB to SPDIF capable units)

Pros

  • MQA DSD256 (Windows)
  • DSD128 (Mac)
  • 384kHz

Cons

  • SPDIF output disabled (on USB to SPDIF capable units)
  • No DSD512
  • No 768kHz

Windows

Mac

Version 5.2 ‘Limoncello’ 5.2a & 5.2b (sub-versions)

Release date: 13 May 2016

All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behaviour of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section).

Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD.

Small code optimisations from previous firmwares.

Important

  • MAC:
    • USB C connections will not work for firmware updates, please use USB A
    • Mac firmware has been updated to work with Catalina OS onwards
  • Sub-version (A) – The PCM audio settings must be correctly altered manually (especially for MAC), otherwise, there will be no audio output at all.
  • When playing PCM files, the sample rate must NOT be set higher than 384kHz. Only set the sampling rate to 768kHz when you want to play DSD256(DoP).

Pros

  • DSD512 (Windows), DSD256 (Mac)
  • 768kHz (on capable machines)
  • SPDIF output activated (on capable machines)
  • Sub-version (A) – Allows for SPDIF signals and USB charging simultaneously for the iDSD micro / iDSD micro BL ONLY.
  • Sub-version (B) – Disables sleep mode for the iDSD micro / iDSD micro BL ONLY.

Cons

  • No MQA

Windows

Mac

Legacy firmware

Version 5.1 ‘Gelato’ 5.1a (sub-version)
Version 5.1b (sub-version)
Version 5.0 ‘Vanilla’ 5.0a ‘Strawberry’ / 5.0b ‘Choc Chip’
Version 4.10
Version 4.06
Version 4.04
Version 5.1 ‘Gelato’ 5.1a (sub-version)

Release date: 18 Feb 2016

Major optimisations 

  • All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behaviour of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section).
  • Version 5.1a enables DSD256 for 48kHz based sample rates up-conversion when using DSD256 in DoP mode. Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD and other minor bug fixes.
  • Minor updates/fixes.

Windows

Mac

Version 5.1b (sub-version)

Release date: 18 Feb 2016

Minor optimisations – micro iDSD and BL only

  • This is for smartphone users ONLY. Do NOT to use 5.1b on the micro iDSD and BL unless you use a smartphone.
  • The micro iDSD and BL will try to recharge while in Sleep Mode (e.g. when connected to a PC). If connected to a smartphone which is ‘seen’ as a computer, it will recharge via the smartphone.
  • 5.1b disables the Sleep Mode within the micro iDSD and BL; hence it will no longer try to recharge during Sleep Mode and flatten the smartphone’s battery.
  • Do NOT use 5.1b on any other products other than micro iDSD and BL.

Windows

Mac

Version 5.0 ‘Vanilla’ 5.0a ‘Strawberry’ / 5.0b ‘Choc Chip’

Release date: 19 Aug 2015

Major optimisations

  • Various code optimisations.
  • For micro iDSD only v5.0a allows for SPDF signal input and USB charging simultaneously.
  • 5.0b ‘Choc Chip’ disable sleep.
  • Minor updates/fixes.

Windows

Mac

Version 4.10

Release date: 24 July 2015

Major optimisations

  • DoP playback enhancements, better XMOS ‘Star Clocking’ and core load distribution

Windows

Version 4.06

Release date: Sept 2014

Major optimisations

  • Workaround for DoP playback which exhibits clicks/pops during track changes

Windows

Version 4.04

Release date: July 2014

Original launch firmware for customised XMOS

Windows

Installation Instructions

Firmware installation instructions

Instructions to update firmware on Mac OSX
  1. Download the macOS firmware update program/s
  2. Double click on the disk image to mount it
  3. Double click on the firmware updater program
  4. If you receive a message that the program is blocked from running, please use option or alt + click on the program to get the menu and select ‘Open’, you can then choose to unblock the program
  5. Please do not shut down your Mac or disconnect the iFi device from your Mac while the firmware update program is running. Depending on your system speed it should complete within a few minutes at most.
  6. Once your iFi device has been successfully updated, you will see the following message on screen:
  7. If for whatever reason the Firmware update is not successful, you will see:

    In this case, please check all connections, make sure your iFi USB audio device is connected to your Mac and recognised as sound device. Make sure you are not currently playing music or other sounds via your iFi USB audio device. Please try again. If the error persists, contact support.

Addendum

How to check firmware version of iFi products on Mac OSX?

  1. Click on the apple icon on the system bar
  2. Select “About this Mac”
  3. Click the “System Report” button
  4. Find “USB” under “Hardware” and select it
  5. Find “iFi (by AMR) HD USB Audio” and select it
  6. Look at “Version:”
Instructions to update firmware on Windows

Preparation

  1. Ensure you have the latest iFi Windows driver (v2.20 or above)
  2. Connect the device to a Windows computer

Step 1: Run the upgrade program

  • It is NOT possible to double-click on the “xxxxx.bin” (it will NOT autorun).
  • Locate the file: C: Program Files>iFi>USB_HD_Audio_Driver
    (C:Program FilesiFiUSB_HD_Audio_DriveriFiHDUSBAudio_dfuapp.exe)

Step 2: Load the firmware file

Load the firmware file by pressing the “Browse…” button and locating the ‘xxx.bin’ file.

Step 3: Upgrading the firmware

Upgrade the firmware by clicking “Start”.

When it is done, it will say “Firmware upgrade finished successfully.”

After the upgrade, please unplug the iFi device from your computer and completely power it OFF before first use.

Note: On some computers, one needs to perform the upgrade process twice for the upgrade to be successful. After the first go, the firmware version may still report it has the original version, in which case, press “Start” again to perform another upgrade (sometimes it just takes two attempts).

If you have any further questions, please open a support ticket here: https://support.ifi-audio.com/.

MQA

Please note, MQA is subject to change on different operating systems and devices, the videos are a guideline – if you have any questions please open a support ticket: support.ifi-audio.com

Desktop

Android

iOS (iPhone / iPad)

ROON

Please note this is for Windows only.

We are currently unable to offer a solution for Mac or Linux users.

Also we have created this with our own findings. If you have any problems, please report them to us, however, we will try our best to resolve any issues but can not guarantee due to many combinations/variations of customers computer setups etc.

Please contact us on: [email protected]

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