DACs convert digital information, stored or streamed by computers, into the music we can hear through speakers or headphones.
Every device that’s a source of digital sound has a built-in DAC (TVs, games consoles, CD players, phones, portable music players etc). Dedicated external DACs sound much better than standard DACs used in digital devices such as phones.
MP3 – this is the most popular format, every device in the world can use it.
At the opposite end, DSD – Direct Stream Digital is a very high-quality audio format, better than CD quality. The higher the number (sample rate), the better the recording – DSD64, 128, 256, 512 and 1024.
PCM – Pulse Code Modulation is the most common format for CDs and DVDs.
DXD – Digital eXtreme Definition is a very high-quality PCM format. It was developed to edit hi-res (high quality) recordings recorded in DSD.
MQA is a very high-quality streaming technology. It’s a compressed digital-audio format that doesn’t lose the audio quality of the original performance recording.
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) is a type of interference caused by errant and unwanted electromagnetic waves that are received and amplified by an audio system.
RFI (Radio-frequency interference) is very similar to electromagnetic interference (EMI) but is found in the radio frequency spectrum. It is another source of irritating, unwanted noise often talked about as an ‘audio gremlin’.
If a file is ‘Bit Perfect’ it means it has stayed the same. For example, if a PCM file is played through a DAC to improve the sound quality and the DAC does not change the file format. The file is ‘Bit Perfect’.
Our top-of-the-range desktop/transportable DAC and headphone amp will supercharge your tunes.
Sporting a Space Blue finish and powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, the micro iDSD Signature is a transportable DAC/headphone amp that’s ready for anything that the universe throws at it.
Battery power means it’s ultra-clean with ultra-stable DC power and avoids the pitfalls of AC mains – dips, spike and noise-inducing RFI/EMI pollution.
And with up to 12 hours playing time, depending on the headphones and performance mode engaged, it feels like you could take it to the moon and back.
Based around two Burr-Brown DAC chips in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration, the digital engine has four pairs of differential signals – two pairs per channel. This means
The micro iDSD Signature handles up to PCM 768, DSD 512, 2xDXD and MQA. All this is done natively. Both PCM and DSD remain ‘bit-perfect’.
Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital engine, including iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer.
The micro iDSD Signature also comes with iFi’s GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimized) digital filter installed. And exclusive firmware available on our website means you can change digital filters as you wish.
With up to 4100mW of power the micro iDSD Signature can drive all manner of headphones with aplomb, from highly sensitive in-ear monitors to current hungry planar headphones.
The signal path has been refined to maximise sonic texture. High spec components featuring class-leading qualities such as low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance), high stability and low distortion mean top-notch sound quality and maximum musical enjoyment.
Add in the direct-coupled nature of the circuit – no coupling capacitor is present – and the micro iDSD Signature definitely runs rings around the competition.
One size no longer fits all when it comes to quality listening.
The digital stage of the micro iDSD Signature features a variety of filter settings:
The amp stage also has three settings to adjust power and gain. As well as ‘Normal’, you get
Complete this with our iEMatch technology that adjusts output level and our XBass+ and 3D+ signature sonic tweaks, and the micro iDSD Signature is flexible to the max.
The micro iDSD Signature features two digital audio inputs – USB Type-A and an S/PDIF socket that accepts both electrical, via a 3.5mm connector, and optical signals – adapter supplied.
It also houses a pair of RCA analogue outputs to connect to a pair of powered speakers or a power amp to act as a DAC.
There is a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector (headphones with a 3.5mm jack can be connected using an adapter) and a 4.4mm Balanced output for headphones offering our S-Balanced connection.
Both headphone outputs utilise our ‘S-Balanced’ output circuitry. This delivers the sonic benefits of balanced connections with all headphone/earphone types – even those with single-ended connectors – cutting crosstalk and associated distortion in half.
The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded.
At iFi we use Burr Brown extensively in our products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Our experience with this IC means we know how to make the most of it.
Doubling the DAC chips results in 3dB lower noise floor and better channel separation. Together with power supply advancements and advanced channel interleaving, the noise floor has been halved.
All of this equals stellar sonic performance.
Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art with True Native® playback. It handles PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD.
Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form right through to analogue conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands – even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.
Listen to Master Quality Authenticated audio straight out of the box. Connect to Tidal Masters and check the option to stream MQA.
MQA is an award-winning audio technology that enables music fans to stream the original master recording into their home, car or on their mobile. In the words of Gilbert O’Sullivan, iconic Irish-born singer-songwriter, “The great thing about MQA is that it delivers the finesse that was there in the desk sound. It’s tremendous, it sounds really good.”
Our video tutorials on You Tube show you how.
As with many other iFi audio products, we’ve incorporated a custom OV Series operational-amplifier. This top-notch component contributes to the extremely low noise, low distortion (0.0001%) and wide bandwidth.
With output power up to 4,100mW, this headphone amplifier drives all headphones with ease. It has 3 power modes – Eco, Normal and Turbo. Power and gain can be dialled-in perfectly to suit ALL headphones.
iFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
See our Tech Note to dig deeper.
Texas Instruments low-noise ICs offer great unity-gain bandwidth, very low noise and distortion, high output drive capability, Common-mode and Power Supply Rejection Ratios of over 100 dB, wide maximum-output-swing bandwidths and high slew rates.
Panasonic OS-CON caps totaling 5,410uF give very-low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), excellent noise reduction capability and frequency response characteristics. In addition, OS-CONs have a long-life span and its ESR changes little even at low temperatures since the electrolyte is solid.
They are not often found in products costing <US$1000.
An important aspect of the circuit design is its direct-coupled nature (no coupling capacitor is present), achieved without a conventionally applied DC servo.
DirectDrive® equals a direct signal path which means less signal degradation. This direct signal path is unequalled in audio and is the reason why the sound is so ‘true’.
In/Out | ||
| Digital Inputs | USB 3.0 type A “OTG” Socket (USB2.0 compatible/with iPurifier® technology built-in) S/PDIF (3.5m coaxial/optical) |
|
| Output | S-Balanced: 4.4mm SE: 6.3mm/RCA |
|
DAC | ||
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD, PCM DAC by Dual-core Burr Brown | |
| Clock | Ultra low jitter GMT Femtosecond Clock | |
| Formats | DSD512/256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single-Speed DSD, DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz), Double/Single-Speed DXD PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) MQA |
|
Filters | ||
| DSD | Extreme/Extended/Standard Bandwidth | |
| PCM | Bit-Perfect/Minimum-Phase/Standard | |
| DXD | Bit-Perfect Processing | |
Line Output | ||
| Dynamic Range (Line) | >117db(A) | |
| THD & N (0dBFS Line) | <0.003% | |
| Output Voltage (Line) | >2V | |
| Output Impedance | <240Ω | |
| Jitter (correlated) | Below AP2 test set limit | |
Headphone Power Output | ||
| Turbo Mode | Power (max) | 10.0V/4,100 mW |
| Power (continuous) | >1,560 mW @ 64 Ohm >166 mW @ 600 Ohm |
|
| Normal mode | Power (max) | 5.5V/1,900 mW |
| Power (continuous) | >100 mW @ 300 Ohm >950 mW @ 32 Ohm |
|
| Eco mode | Power (max) | 2.0V/500 mW @ 8 Ohm |
| Power (continuous) | >250 mW @ 16 Ohm | |
| Dynamic Range (HP) | >115dB(A) (Eco Mode, 2V Out) | |
| THD &N (HP 500mW/16R) | < 0.008% | |
| Output Voltage (HP) | >10V (Turbo Mode) | |
| Output Impedance | <1Ω (iEMatch not engaged) |
|
| Maximum Output Power | 4,100 mW @ 16 Ohm Load | |
| Continuous Output Power | 1,000 mW @ 64 Ohm Load | |
Spec | ||
| Battery | Lithium-polymer 4800mAh | |
| Power System | Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to1500mA charging current | |
| Dimensions | 172 x 67 x 27 mm 6.8" x 2.6" x 1.1" |
|
| Weight | 295 g (0.65 Ibs) |
Thank you for this micro iDSD Signature review!
“Up to now, the most ‘WOW!’ product I’ve heard from from iFi is the iDSD Micro BL… The sound is refined with a little bit of mids accentuation that makes bass sound slightly more distant and gives the impression of a deeper stage. This iFi iDSD Signature is dynamite in a teeny tiny package.”
Read the full review here…
“The iFi Micro iDSD Signature is a truly impressive device. For something so small to have such a rich feature set, such power and audio quality is really something to behold. The build quality looks and feels premium. The internal components are extremely high-quality which is reflected in the essence of the audio that comes out of this thing.
Perhaps what’s most impressive about the Signature is its versatility. From the most sensitive in-ear monitors to full-size power-hungry headphones to powered speakers it’s got you covered. And to top it all off, you can pick it up and put it in your pocket to use on the go thanks to its built-in battery. This is one heck of a device and in fact, it’s the first product to receive our new recommended award. Kudos to the iDSD Signature!”
Read the full review here…
“Is it worth it?
Well, evaluating it in terms of a truly mobile (if not pocketable) device, not relying on host batteries, offering top class DAC competence, and truly capable to optimally bias anything, from the “easiest” IEM up to the “nastiest” planar overear well… Micro iDSD Signature is an easy win.”
Read the full review here…
