IFi Micro iDSD Signature DAC/Headphone Amp: Burr-Brown Dual DAC and MQA Processing
English iFi has unveiled its next portable DAC. The Space Blue Micro iDSD Signature is a portable DAC / headphone amplifier. The presence of a built-in battery gives it the ability to work up to 12 hours, but it is equally important that such an ultra-stable power source is free from problems associated with the AC mains – dips, peaks, noise, and others.
The dual heart of the novelty is a pair of Burr-Brown DACs, which this time operate in a configurable “interleaving” configuration, providing two pairs of signals per channel. At the output, this provided improved quality – the noise level was reduced by 3 dB.
The maximum parameters of the input signals with which the Micro iDSD Signature is ready to work are PCM 768, DSD 512, and 2xDXD. MQA should be added to this. A proprietary iFi GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock generator, complemented by an intelligent memory buffer, is responsible for the absence of jitter. The system also has a proprietary filter GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimized), and a firmware change will allow you to choose options for digital filters. In the original firmware, the Micro iDSD Signature digital stage already has a decent amount of filters: Standard, Minimum Phase and Bit-Perfect for PCM files, as well as Standard Bandwidth, Extended Bandwidth and Extreme Bandwidth for DSD.
The built-in headphone amplifier is also capable of working in 3 modes: in addition to “Normal”, there is also Turbo to increase power and Eco for use with highly sensitive in-ear headphones and extend battery life. In addition, iEMatch technology, which controls the output level, is complemented by XBass + and 3D + settings. With power up to 4,100 mW, the Micro iDSD Signature is ready to work with headphones of almost any impedance. In the analog part of the device, low-impedance components are installed, assembled in a direct-coupled circuit without a feed-through capacitor.
The digital signal Micro iDSD Signature is received on the USB Type-A connectors and the 3.5 mm connector for S / PDIF, the electrical or optical signal is supplied using the supplied adapter. The analog RCA output will allow you to connect an external integrated amplifier, power amplifier or a pair of active speakers, since this line input can be regulated. For headphones, a standard 6.3 mm output or a balanced Pentaconn 4.4 mm is provided.
The DAC will go on sale this month in a limited edition, priced at 699 euro in Europe.
