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amazon iFi Micro iDSD Signature reviews
iFi Micro iDSD Signature – the latest DAC/AMP model to succeed the legendary Micro iDSD Black. Chord Hugo, Micro iDSD Black was once the most trusted portable DAC/AMP model globally.
Whether the iFi Micro iDSD Signature inherits and honors the Micro iDSD line once again, we will find out through this detailed review.
BOXING AND ACCESSORIES
Appearing in a gray paper box, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature has very similar packaging to its predecessor, very simple and uncluttered. You will receive accessories in a lower compartment after removing the DAC. Included accessories include many useful things:
– 1x Single-End 6.3mm to 3.5mm output jack
– 1 x RCA. Cable
– 1 x Optical 3.5mm to Toslink adapter
– 1 x USB cable for signal connection
– 1 x USB adapter
– 1 x Type-C . Charging Cable
– 2 x Tie rubber bands
– 1x Velvet Carrying Bag
DESIGN AND FINISHING
Externally, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature has an almost identical design to the old Black version, except for the color and product Logo. Indeed, the new shell color on the iFi Micro iDSD Signature makes it extremely luxurious but still exudes the inherent boldness and stubbornness of the past.
Indeed, a lot of people love the iFi Micro iDSD Black due to its design. So it is reasonable that the iFi Micro iDSD Signature does not change too many designs. On the front, iFi Micro iDSD Signature still keeps two audio output ports and two xBass, and 3D Sound Effect adjustment switches. However, the new plug standard 4.4 Balanced has been added to replace the previous 3.5mm port. The port uses a high-end Japanese Pentaconn 4.4 Balanced jack for durability and the best signal transmission quality available today.
On the right side, we have the location of the Type-C charging port. There are three mode switches on the left side: Power Mode, Filter DAC, and IEMatch.
At the back of the machine, we have 1 SPDIF output port, 2 RCA audio output ports, and 1 USB A port to receive specialty signals. Many of you feel that this port is too bulky, but look at the overall iFi Micro iDSD Signature; it is completed like a tank.
The entire chassis of the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is made of thick, sturdy aluminum. The surface is sandblasted to resist fingerprints. The volume knob on the front is also made from monolithic aluminum for a durable feel like the Black version. In short, the perfection of the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is still excellent.
CONFIGURATION
Inside the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is equipped with a Full-Balanced decoder circuit with 2 Burr-Brown DAC chips. Each chip will take care of a separate voice channel. That means that the sound on the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is improved in terms of background noise, increased separation, and increased detail for the track.
The Burr-Brown DAC chip on the iFi Micro iDSD Signature features Burr-Brown True Native® technology that allows the signal to be 100% preserved before being decoded. Ability to decode PCM 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 and DXD completely Native from Digital to Analog signal. Not all DAC models with DSD decoding have this capability.
In addition, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature also supports the MQA format for the ability to play high-quality music from TIDAL or ROON.
iFi Micro iDSD Signature is equipped with iFi’s unique exclusive technologies, including:
S-Balanced®: Single-End headset optimization technology compatible with the Balanced standard. Allows all headphones from Single-End to Balanced to benefit from the exclusive Balanced circuit design inside the iFi Micro iDSD Signature.
3D+ Holographic® enhances the stage space, making the sound experience more expansive and impressive.
XBass+® technology enhances Bass without distorting the overall sound quality.
iEMatch ®: Technology that automatically adjusts the output power suitable for highly sensitive IEM headsets.
In addition, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is a beast when it comes to a maximum output power of up to 4100mW when Turbo Mode is on. It is 136 times more powerful than the headphone audio output of a laptop. Confirms that iFi Micro iDSD Signature will not be bored with any headset on the market from IEM to Full-size.
where can you get a iFi Micro iDSD Signature online
iFi Micro iDSD Signature Transportable DAC and Headphone Amp: Buy it now
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
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
Specs
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)
SOUND QUALITY
iFi Micro iDSD Signature for very clean sound performance, extremely quiet background sound. The sound is high-resolution, crisp, and has excellent dynamics. The characteristic sound is very natural with a slight warmth, energetic bass range, clear mid and treble.
iFi Micro iDSD Signature for crisp sound, generally linear except for a slight warmth in the mid-bass. The most impressive part is the separation and the background sound. iFi often hits hard on these two aspects on many of its products. In addition, iFi Micro iDSD Signature also has a very strong capacity for most headphones on the market today. Thus we have a high-end DAC/AMP that is comprehensive in every respect.
Bass
The bass is not too much in volume, but it is certainly emphasized the mid-bass part to help the bass have a certain warmth. The texture, resolution, and dynamics of the bass range are all very good. Bass hits decisively, firmly, without the feeling of being slow to pull the tail much.
It can be said that the bass that iFi Micro iDSD Signature reproduces is very realistic. None of the basses is overblown or overblown; it’s all controlled in a natural direction.
If you want a little more spice to this tonal range, you can turn on the xBass function. It will add a bit of warmth and bass for the sub-bass to mid-bass part. However, you will have to trade off the excellent control and tightness initially due to the slower and bulkier bass. That depends on your genre and taste in music.
Mid
The mid-range is vividly reproduced with sharpness, clarity, and clarity. The sound is very soulful, with a hint of warmth added. Overall, though, this is still a neutral tone. You still feel some warmth and emotion in the middle of a detailed track.
The mid sound of the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is not as technical as on the Hugo 2. Thanks to the clean and quiet background, the ability to separate instruments and position orientation are shown very well. For example, with the HD800S, you will get a great mid-range, especially outstanding imaging.
The midrange is airy, and the instruments sound very elegant with good clarity. The overall tone is natural, lively, and full.
In my opinion, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is one of the best mid-range DACs/AMPs currently in this price range.
Treble
The treble is shown clean, crisp without being rough. There are a lot of details that are handled delicately. That is not a flat treble sound. Instead, it has distance, space, and thickness in every note. The sound is not discolored at all; it all depends on the headphones you are using.
Technical aspect
iFi Micro iDSD Signature reproduces the stage space very well in both width and depth. Of course, this will vary depending on the headphones you pair, but for headphones like the HD800S, the iFi Micro iDSD Signature clearly shows its power.
One of the best parts about the iFi Micro iDSD Signature is the wonderfully quiet background. It helps to reproduce the image, the position of the singer and the instrument in space, and the separation is extremely good. The tonal color of the iFi Micro iDSD Signature feels very natural, like real life.
iFi Micro iDSD Signature can pull full-size headphones like HD800s thanks to its extremely powerful capacity and highly sensitive IEM headphones thanks to IEMatch technology. No matter what headset it is, plug it in with iFi Micro iDSD Signature, and it will automatically be good.
EPILOGUE
iFi Micro iDSD Signature is a special DAC/AMP. It has excellent sound performance, comes with a lot of fine-tuning and mixing capabilities. At the same time, it is carefully designed and finished from the inside out.
iFi Micro iDSD Signature is the great successor of iFi Micro iDSD Black when it is equipped with a 4.4 Balanced port to increase compatibility with modern headset models.