Manufacturer: iFi Audio
Model: micro iDAC2
Volume Control: Precision analogue volume control knob.
Power Connector: USB A, USB B
Battery Life: N/A
Inputs: 1x USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 Compatible)
Outputs: 1x SPDIF RCA
1x Audio RCA
1x 3.55mm Headphone Jack
Specifications:
Consult this page for detailed specifications. (
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-idac2)
Formats:
| 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/384KHz PCM
|
| | 2.8/3.1/5.6/6.2/11.2/12.4MHz DSD
|
| | 353/384KHz DXD
|
DAC:
| Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown (1-DAC Chip; 2-Channel; 4-Signals)
|
Build and Finish: Similar design to the Micro iDSD, which means quality build and the same exterior housing in metallic silver. Nothing much has changed, asides from the differences of features available on the unit.
Accessories: Same packaging as the iDSD. Opening up the iDAC2, I expected to find an interesting array of included components. However, the iDAC2 was nowhere close to the iDSD in terms of included accessories. It only came with two things. One was a RCA cable found in the iDSD and the other was a translucent ice-blue USB A to USB B cable. The latter was definitely a nice gesture.
Technology and Design:
The iDAC2 is now updated with the Burr-Brown DAC, found in the Micro iDSD. For whichever reason, iFi Audio decided to utilize the BB chip over the previous ESS Sabre chip found in the original iDAC.
Despite the iDAC2 being priced much less than the iDSD, it still retains huge playback options of Quad DSD256, PCM 384, and DXD. The iDAC2 also has the three filters (PCM, DSD, DXD) for users to adjust.
Additionally, iFi Audio has updated the iDAC2 with their new “Zero Jitter Lite” technology with dedicated power supply for the unit.
According to their website:
“AMR/iFi prides itself on the very best component quality: from Japan Elna Silmic II, TDK C0G capacitors to Vishay MELF resistors, the iDAC2 has them all.”
It seems that the iDAC2 is constructed with high quality components through and through.
Do all these technical details factor into how the iDAC 2 sounds?
Let’s see.
Sound / Comparisons:
Note: All listening done with the device in “BitPerfect Filter” setting.
The iDAC2 is one of iFi’s new products-- released as a successor to the original iDAC that utilized an ESS Sabre chip.
Coming from the iDSD, I was not expecting anything particularly impressive from the iDAC2.
It’s safe to say I was
wrong. This just goes to show that you shouldn’t have preconceived notions, even when a manufacturer designates a product in a certain competing bracket.
The iDAC2 has the same overall tonality as the iDSD, however, it takes a whole different approach in its presentation. Right off the bat, it’s not nearly as revealing or detailed as its older brother. The Micro iDSD was clearly designed to be iFi Audio’s reference unit, while the iDAC2 was designed as a fun-sounding and engaging apparatus instead. This is actually preferable for casual listening, as I found nearly all songs came across excellent sounding without harshness or sibilance.
While the iDSD is slightly more analytical and laid-back, the iDAC2 is smack-dab in your face. It retains the open and large soundstaging capabilities of the iDSD, with thumping bass and crystal clear treble. It almost seems like the iDAC2 has a slightly
V-shaped signature. For the most part, this made the iDAC2 highly enjoyable with modern music and electronica. On the downside, there was slight bass smearing when listening at higher volumes. Additionally, the iDAC2 is also nowhere near the fastest for highly complex music, but this is just a small gripe.
Bass is not as tight or detailed as the iDSD or Mojo, taking a step back in terms of overall refinement. Sub-bass is more prominent than the iDSD though.
Mids are relatively neutral compared to the rest of the spectrum. I would describe them as fluid and slightly liquid in its presentation. The iDAC2 does vocals effortlessly, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of micro-details and sophistication.
Treble is well-extended with an immediate sense of prominence. Everything just seems to sparkle and shine with the iDAC2. Personally, I didn’t find the treble fatiguing. But at times it was a tad hot with the signature iFi treble/upper mids accentuation.
Overall, the iDAC2 is an enchantress. It’s highly musical, surprisingly with better dynamics and transients than the Micro iDSD. Every instrument and sound could be clearly distinguished in the background, with good tonality and timbre.
It offers a solid improvement over the HRT Microstreamer and the Schiit Magni/Modi stack I had around for comparison purposes, while managing to sound fantastically enjoyable. For all intent and purposes, the iDAC2 is a winner in my books-- a DAC/Amp that allows you to
focus on the music, rather than
nitpick on the details.
