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USB audio class 2.0 drivers
iFi audio firmware downloads

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

  • micro iDAC2
  • micro iDSD (see note 5.1 in table below)
  • micro iDSD BL
  • nano iDSD BL/LE/original
  • nano iOne
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD

iFi USB Audio Class 2.0 driver installation and download

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 (see note 5.1 in table below)
  • micro iDSD BL
  • nano iDSD (and BL and LE)
  • nano iOne
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD
  • 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 http://support.ifi-audio.com/

iFi product firmware download and installation

Step 1: Important notes

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

This latest firmware v5.30 ‘Cookies & Cream’ is unified and works on the following machines:

  • micro iDAC2
  • micro iDSD
  • micro iDSD BL
  • nano iDSD BL/LE/original
  • nano iONE*
  • Retro Stereo 50
  • xDSD

Magenta is the official MQA LED colour on iFi machines. However, on legacy machines without the magenta LED option, when an MQA file is played, 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

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.
  • Do not use the following firmware on any other iFi product not listed above.
  • For earlier firmware versions v4.06 and earlier, the firmware versions are NOT unified. Please check carefully the version is suited to your model.
  • Firmware updates inherently carry 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.
  • Do NOT use 5.2A on any other products other than nano iDSD, micro iDAC2, nano iDSD LE, nano iDSD BL, nano iOne and xDSD.
  • As with all such firmware upgrade, there is a risk of bricking your iFi product if something went wrong during the upgrade. If your iFi product is bricked, you need to send it back to the dealer/distributor for repair.

We do not recommend the user to upgrade or downgrade the firmware just for fun. Only do the upgrade or downgrade when necessary.

Step 2: Download the latest firmware from below

No. Version Date Description Windows Download MAC Download
8 5.30C
‘Cookies & Cream’
(Latest version)		 10 Sept 2018 Major Optimisations

  • Minor bug fixes and optimisations
  • Adds Gibbs Transient Optimised Digital (GTO) Filter
    (This replaces the Minimum Phase Filter)
  • Do NOT use on the Pro iDSD. The Pro iDSD has this firmware inbuilt and does not need the update.
  • See notes on MQA & 5.3C below.

All PCM will be the same colour due to the GTO filter

 Coming October 2018
7 5.30
‘Cookies & Cream’		 27 March 2018 Major Optimisations

  • Full MQA (Yellow LED). See note on ‘legacy’ machines above.
  • Major code optimisation.
  • SPDIF output deleted (MQA does not do SPDIF pass through).
6 5.2 & 5.2A, 5.2B ‘Limoncello’ 13 May 2016 Minor Optimisations

  • Similar to v5.1 but with:
  • Small code optimisations.
  • Fixed issues surrounding DoP standard; including ‘clicks’ when changing tracks and sonic differences to native DSD.‘
  • A’ version* One MUST manually alter the PCM audio settings correctly (especially Mac), otherwise there will be no audio output at all. When playing PCM files, the sample rate must NOT set to be higher than 384kHz. Only set the sampling rate to 768kHz when one wants to play DSD256(DoP).
5 5.1 ‘Gelato’
Sub-version:
5.1A ‘Enables DoP256’		 18 Feb 2016 Major optimisations

  • All-new XMOS ‘deep-core processes’ software for different behaviour of SPDIF (after XMOS previously modified the USB section).
  • 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
5.1B ‘Disable Sleep’ micro iDSD only

  • This is strictly for Smartphone users ONLY, there is no other reason to use 5.1B on the micro iDSD.
  • The micro iDSD micro 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; 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.
4 5.0 ‘Vanilla’
5.0A ‘Strawberry’
5.0B ‘Choc Chip’		 19 Aug 2015 Major optimisations

  • Various code optimisations
  • For iDSD micro only v5.0A allows for SPDF signal input and USB charging simultaneously.
  • 5.0B ‘Choc Chip’ disable sleep
  • Minor updates/fixes
3 4.10 24 July 2015 Major optimisations

  • DoP playback enhancements, better XMOS ‘Star Clocking’ and core load distribution
2 4.06 Sept 2014 Major optimisations

  • Workaround for DoP playback which exhibits clicks/pops during track changes
1 4.04 July 2014 Original launch firmware for customised XMOS

MQA & 5.3C notes

The MQA Renderer on all iFi DAC’s except Pro performs unfolding to 8x rates. When using the MQA filter engine with our GTO filter coefficients, all PCM audio is oversampled to 8x Rate. Thus the sample rate indication is always for 8X, whatever the specific unit has for 8x. GTO overrides ALL PCM filters. At this point we feel that the GTO Filter is superior to all previous filter choices, including non-oversampling/Bit Perfect PCM.

However, firmware versions 5.30 and 5.2X remain available for those preferring the original behaviour and for future firmware releases we will retain the 5.X0 fork which keeps the original filters for the foreseeable future.

IMPORANT:

  • *Do NOT use 5.2A on any other products other than nano iDSD, micro iDAC2, nano iDSD LE, nano iDSD BL, nano iOne and xDSD.
  • *As with all such firmware upgrade, there is a risk of bricking your iFi product if something went wrong during the upgrade. If your iFi product is bricked, you need to send it back to the dealer/distributor for repair.

We do not recommend the user to upgrade or downgrade the firmware just for fun. Only do the upgrade or downgrade when necessary.

Step 3: Firmware installation

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 micro iDSD firmware on Windows

Preparation

  1. Ensure you have the latest iFi Windows driver (v2.20 or above)
  2. Has downloaded a good need to update the firmware
  3. Connect the device to a Windows computer

Step 1: Run the upgrade program

  1. It is NOT possible to double-click on the “idsdv406.bin” (it will NOT autorun).
  2. Locate the file: C: Program Files>iFi>USB_HD_Audio_Driver
    (C:\Program Files\iFi\USB_HD_Audio_Driver\iFiHDUSBAudio_dfuapp.exe)

Step 2: Load the firmware file

Load the firmware file “idsd_v406.bin” by pressing the “Browse…” button.

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 micro iDSD from your computer and completely power OFF the micro iDSD 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 and the firmware version should be correctly upgraded to v4.06. sometimes it just takes two attempts)

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

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