Why do you need a DAC and Amp?

If you have high end or hi fidelity headphones you are going to need a suitable amplifier to drive them to their true performance potential as well as an exceptional external HiFi Digital Analog Converter or DAC to process your music files in high resolution to enhance your experience even further. The DACs in a smartphone, computer, tablet or audio player on the market are not designed for processing high quality sound. iFi audio has developed top of the line products to meet your various needs and preferences whether you are an everyday listener or an experienced audiophile.

iFi audio micro iDSD Signature

The micro iDSD Signature is iFi’s transportable DAC and Amp. It is awesome at home on a desktop or in a setup as a pre-amp, but it’s even cooler when you’re out and about. And with up to twelve hours of battery life, you can show off your musical chops – with enough power left over to charge your mobile phone. It is loaded with the latest technology, including: X-Bass+ – To clean up and restore a rich, deeper bass line, and 3D+ – To recreate live stage atmosphere.

The Tech

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 with the supplied adapter.

It also houses a pair of RCA analogue outputs to connect to a pair of powered speakers or a power amp and passive speakers, to act as a DAC and preamplifier.

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 different from the Black Label the Signature now features a 4.4mm Pentaconn output for headphones offering a balanced connection.

Both headphone outputs utilise the ‘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 micro iDSD Signature is a portable DAC and headphone amp intended for use at home, in the office, in a professional system, casual settings, or on the go. It features a specially selected Burr Brown chipset in a Dual Core configuration with PCM384, DSD256 and MQA, or playback up to DSD512 and double speed DXD 705.6/768kHz with a quick complimentary firmware update. With customizable features, turned on/off with the flick of a switch, 3D+, X Bass+, iEMatch, positive or negative polarity, power mode, filter, and direct/preamp, the micro BL handles ultra sensitive In Ear Monitors as well as demanding Over Ear headphones, or speakers with ease. Designed with a femto clock system and a digital engine using custom OV2028 and OV2627 op amps. The analogue section benefits from OS CONs and Panasonic ECPU capacitors. Inputs include digital high speed asynchronous USB 2.0 A male (32bit/768khz), SPDIF Coaxial + Optical, and 3.5mm line in while featuring a digital coax output, 6.3mm jack (1/4 inch adapter included) and RCA line out (2V fixed, 2V-5V variable).