incredible sound for cheap

[CoenP]

Hi,

I just wanted to share my enthusiasm for my new IFI iDSD nano DAC/Headphone thingy gadget. (google for details)

I bought this device to have better sound when on the move like during office hours at work whilst using quality headphones (AKG-701).
One of the nice things is that it plays about every conceivable format including HD to 384k and DXD384 if you care for such stuff, has an exterior volume control and RCA and SPDIF outputs. It also features a battery so you can operate it with devices that have to little power on their own bus to supply it (like ipad or iphone). According to the source (AMR) PCM and DSD are both played 'natively' no idea how, but the statement is that it is not converted to dsd or PCM before play respectively. 

Now this magic little box goes for EUR 189 which I think is absolutely amazing.

Well it turned out even better than anticipated. I've been playing mp3, Spotify and rebook (16/44.1). SQ is simply amazing on the difficult AKG headphones, a few years this kind of sound was inconceivable for normal mortal's purses. Its lightyears ahead of my ole M-audio Audiophile of 'yore.
As intended the source has been the ipad with camera connection kit sofar.
 
Of course there is the complementary annoyance. My laptop has an USB3 interworking issue that needs resolve from the suppliers (laptop OS and/or IFI). Both are in progress but not released yet.

Before you start to ask about my NOS1: No the IFI is not that good, but it ís in the context of my purpose. I have no intention to mess with my grand setup. Well I have to run it once (at least) with my audio computer and XXHE  .

Anyway I can imagine if you don't have the budget to go wild or need a small quality job on the go, this is a fantastic solution.

regards, Coen

[AlainGr]

Hi Coen,

I got myself a M2tech HiFace dac some months ago. My intention was (and still is) to have something small enough to bring with my laptop whenever I feel it would be fun to play some music (on vacation, somewhere around)... I have tried it on my all purpose PC and the results are quite interesting, but had I read what you wrote, I think I would have gone with your dac also... I still don't have a DSD dac, but for the moment it does not really bug me...

iFi really have interesting stuff, with prices that do not break the bank... I once asked them if they had the intention of making a power supply with a different voltage then the one with the iUSB and the answer was positive.

Thanks for taking the time to report about this product

Alain