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I compare the xDSD with the iFi Micro Black Label I have owned for over a year. I like the slightly dark sound of the Micro BL and the excessive power to drive any headphone. I take the Micro BL when I travel each week. I purchased the xDSD for size and weight considerations.
The xDSD can play via USB or Bluetooth. The great news: the Bluetooth sounds fantastic. For giggles, I served some music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and completed the connection to the Sony wh-1000xm2 with a wire. This arrangement sounded MUCH better to me than serving music via Bluetooth directly to the Sony using the Sony's built-in LDAC or APTX-HD. Sony has better Bluetooth specs but the xDSD provides MUCH better Bluetooth sound.
I then served music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and listening with my JH Audio Laylas. Wow! I then switch to a third party OTG (On-The-Go) cable and was rewarded with 2x to 3x the volume. The xDSD will put out more power than my Laylas will ever need so I dialed it back and continued the comparison. Bluetooth isn't as quick or detailed as OTG but I wouldn't know it if I wasn't listening critically.
I own a few headphones and chose the Mr. Speakers Ether Flow C for the remainder of my tests. I use these in the hotel or when sitting next to my wife. It is closed back so I don’t bother anyone. If I have a long flight, I use it rather than the Layla to block airplane noise and it does so better than the Sony wh-1000xm2 with noise cancellation. A direct connection to the xDSD provides more power but Bluetooth is more than sufficient to drown out the talk and crying babies.
The xDSD has many of the sound characteristics of the Micro BL. It features a full body and authoritative sound that can drive lower impedance headphones. I can listen to the xDSD or the Micro BL all day long. The xDSD is a little faster than the Micro BL. I initially thought the Micro BL might have a slightly smoother and more refined sound but I am not so sure now that the xDSD had completed some burn-in.
Included in my testing was a DSD-64 recording (Patricia Barber, 2013 Smash) from my computer with the USB cable. USB sounded great with the xDSD and the Micro BL. Bluetooth listening with the xDSD betrayed a loss of shimmer but sounded better than I expected it to. Overall, the tonal signature was about the same to my ears.
I stepped back to a regular 16bit 44.1khz FLAC recording (Till Bonner's Oceana). Again, a great performance when listened with Bluetooth but I completed my listening with USB because the vocals were slightly more open and revealing. Nonetheless, I was never disappointed when walking around the hotel using Bluetooth.
Subjectively, the xDSD appears about half the size and a third the weight of the Micro BL. The xDSD is about the size and weight of a deck of 52 playing cards. The xDSD includes Velcro steps to attach it to a phone. The xDSD package includes most of the cables you need but does not include an OTG cable. The xDSD gives me less size, less weight, and the Bluetooth inclusion requires that my only cable is connected to my headphone.
A few notes on use:
• To power on or off, push the volume button for about 2 seconds.
• To switch between USB and Bluetooth, power off and then push the volume button for about 4 seconds.
• To mute, give the volume button a quick push
• To pair, put in Bluetooth mode and push the XBass+ / 3D+ button for 2 seconds.
My preferences:
• I don’t use the XBass+ / 3D+ features. I don’t notice much of a sound difference. I find that XBass+ / 3D+ creates some fatigue for my ears and mind. I’m sure the next person will have another opinion.
• The measure / listen switch on the back side is usually in the listen position. The listen position is slightly more warm and enjoyable for my ears. Thankfully, those are all the options for the xDSD. I have a habit of accidentally pushing a button on the Micro BL and then hunting all over to restore the sound the way I want it to be.
Other thoughts:
• I must disable my computer's Bluetooth when I listen to my phone's Bluetooth (and vice versa). If I think of the xDSD as a one-to-one connected device, I manage Bluetooth connections without trouble.
• I have not tested the S/PDIF Input on the xDSD.
• I did not test the line output. Be aware of how that works so you don’t accidentally enable it and damage your ears with a 2V output! (see the manual for doing this).
• Other reviews comment on a noise when first connected and prior to music. This may be because some shielding is omitted so Bluetooth can communicate. It is noticeable and might be unacceptable to some. The noise is not present between tracks or after the music has completed. I prefer this xDSD behavior to the Micro BL which does not play the first half second of music after pressing the play button.
• The xDSD communicates “media audio” (music) and will not play “call audio” (phone calls). I use USB Audio Player Pro on my cell phone and the music pauses while the phone call is in progress and continues the music afterward. Most modern cell phones pair an additional Bluetooth device for “call audio” (phone calls). A Bluetooth earpiece like the superb Plantronics Voyager Legend can be the second “call audio” Bluetooth device.
• I also purchased a $99 Bluetooth device hoping it would be half as good as the xDSD. It included LDAC and APTX-HD and was smaller and included a microphone for phone calls. It had all the features I thought I wanted but the music was like a mouse squeaking compared to the xDSD. This is one of those times when more money got me what I want I wanted.
Nov 10, 2018 Update:
I've been using balanced cables the past few weeks for my Layla, Mr Speakers Etherflow C, and now my Fostex TH-909 headphones. (The stock Fostex cable was too long so one thing led to another.) I hear the greatest improvement with the Layla. All the headphones now provide more detail, bass extension, etc.
August 2019 update:
My iFi xDSD developed problems in July. I'm not sure the cause but iFi technical support speculated that it was power related. I shipped my xDSD to iFi, they confirmed a problem and then shipped me a new unit. The new iFi has a USB-C power connector (the old one had USB micro). I can't say for certain but it seems like the replacement iFI xDSD sounds better and might have more power for my headphones. Whatever the facts, I am amazed and very grateful for the quick in-warranty resolution!
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iFi xDSD Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier
iFi audio
From the brand
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About iFi
You love music, so that’s why we create products that improve sound quality and eradicate noise, distortion and hiss.
With our vast catalogue of devices, you can bring the live experience into your home. Or if you prefer your music on-the-go, we deliver every cymbal crash and pluck of a string in clear isolation straight to your ears.
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Product Description
Why do you need a DAC and Amp?
If you have high quality or hi-fidelity headphones you are going to need some power in the form of an amplifier to drive them to their true performance potential. You are also going to need an exceptional external HiFi Digital to Analog Converter (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 the various needs and preferences whether you are an everyday listener or an experienced audiophile.
iFi audio xDSD Portable Digital Analogue Converter and Amplifier
The xDSD is a top rated, award winning, ultra portable, lightweight Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) and amplifier. It is designed to be used with headphones and mobile digital sources such as smartphones, Digital Audio Players, as well as stationary devices or audio systems like computers, TVs, and game consoles. It delivers CD-quality Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream your favorite music from popular services, such as: iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. It is small enough to fit right in your pocket while packing big sound. Fit for any lifestyle,you will fall in love with it. Far from a basic gadget, listen at home or work, on a relaxing day out, on the commute, and anywhere you want to take your music to the next level. It is compatible with any iPhone or Android that supports audio over Bluetooth or USB. Get the best performance from your headphones and enjoy listening to your music in amazing detail. Expect nothing less than extraordinary from the iFi audio brand.
The Tech
The xDSD supports high resolution PCM 768, DSD 512 (with quick complementary firmware update), or the latest MQA (rendered) formats with PCM 384 and DSD 256. With the iFi S-Balanced 3.5mm TRRS headphone circuit, which delivers 500mW of power per channel and full analogue volume control the xDSD is a major sonic step up for your music source. It shines both inside and out from its AAC/aptX Bluetooth connectivity which will provide CD quality sound to its luxurious magnesium alloy construction. It can be operated either in wireless or wired mode via dedicated aptX/AAC Bluetooth component (wireless) or (wired) USB A connector, 3.5mm, SPDIF (Coax/Optical combo, 192kHz supported). A large 2200mAh Lithium-Polymer battery provides an average of six to eight, up to 10 hours of playing time.
The xDSD is not compatible with Bluetooth headphones.
CD-Quality Bluetooth:
Deliver CD-Quality music wirelessly to your xDSD and wired headphones from your smartphone (Apple iPhone or Android), DAP (Apple iPod and similar), laptop or smart TV.
Digital Inputs:
Wired, the USB type A OTG/CCK connector offers the ultimate High-Res audio performance for smartphones, laptops and USB enabled DAPs. The 3.5mm coaxial/TOSLINK combo S/PDIF input gives older DAPs and CD players a new lease of life as a transport to serve High-Resolution audio.
Burr-Brown Chipset:
Hear music as the artist intended. The Burr-Brown True Native chipset means file formats remain unchanged for the truest sound.
MQA Compatible:
Listen to MQA straight out of the box.
For MQA tracks, simply connect to Tidal (on your computer) and check the options to stream MQA.
Hi-Res Audio:
True Native playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD512, PCM768 and 2xDXD.
S-Balanced Technology:
The iFi exclusive S-Balanced technology delivers the maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
Reap the benefits of balanced, enjoy lower distortion and reduced crosstalk.
3D and XBass:
Our 3D+ Holographic dual-analogue matrices create a louder, deeper soundstage that puts the artist with you in the room, not just in your headphones.
And the XBass+ analogue bass correction system corrects headphone/speaker bass response to deliver a deeper tighter, rich and more prodigious bass.
Battery:
With a separate power input (USB C) to charge its own internal battery. It does not draw from your smartphone. Playback time is up to ten hours.
Plus it boasts a USB Type A connector for a stable wired connection. Just use an Apple CCK cable or Android OTG cable and away you go.
Cyber Drive Headphone Amplifier
The Cyberdrive headphone amplifier stage is one of the pivotal new circuit designs in the x-series. This new design places all parameters of the fully analogue system under digital control for a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario.The Cyberdrive design incorporates the iFi exclusive OV4627 ultra low noise FET input Op-Amp and W990VST digitally controlled stepped attenuator to deliver a new level of sound-quality.
Specifications
- USB Input: up to PCM768kHz & DSD512 (24.6/22.6MHz)
- S/PDIF Coaxial and Optical Input: up to 192kHz/24Bit
- Dynamic Range: > 113dB (A)
- Volume Control: -101dB…0dB in 1dB steps
- Output power: > 2.82V/500 mW @ 16 Ohm > 3.7V/270mW @ 50 Ohm > 3.8V/48 mW @ 300 Ohm > 3.8V/24 mW @ 600 Ohm
- Line out Level: > 2.1V @ 0dBFS (& 0dB Volume)
- THD &N (1V/16R): < 0.005%
- Output Impedance: < 1 Ohm
- Battery: 3.8V/2200mAh
- Dimensions and Weight: 95 (l) x66.5 (w) x19 (h) mm ;127g (0.28 Ibs)
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| xDSD | nano iDSD Black Label | micro iDSD Black Label | xCAN | |
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| Customer Reviews |
178
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266
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140
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| Price | $275.00 | — | — | $299.00 |
| Primary Use | Portable | Portable | Transportable | Portable Amplifier |
| iEMatch | Yes/Auto | Yes | Yes | Yes/Auto |
| 3D Matrix, XBass | On/Off | No | On/Off | On/Off |
| Max. Power | 500mW @ 16 Ohm | 285mW @ 30 Ohm | 4,000mW @ 16 Ohm | 1,000mW @ 32 Ohm |
| Battery Playback | 6-10 Hours | 6-8 Hours | 8-10 Hours | 12-18 Hours |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, USB, SPDIF, Optical | USB, SPDIF | USB, SPDIF, Optical. 3.5mm (line In) | Bluetooth, 3.5mm (TRS or TRRS S-Balanced), 2.5mm (TRRS) Bal |
| Outputs | 3.5mm, 3.5mm Fixed Line Out | 3.5mm, 3.5mm Fixed Line Out | 6.5mm (3.5mm Adaptor), RCA, SPDIF Coax | 3.5mm (TRS or TRRS S-Balanced), 2.5mm (TRRS) Bal |
| MQA Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| DAC | Burr Brown | Burr Brown | Burr Brown (Dual) | ESS Sabre |
| Formats | PCM768 / DSD512 | PCM384 / DSD256 / DXD384 | PCM768 / DSD512 | 44.1/48k 16-Bit (AAC,aptX) (on Bluetooth) |
Reviews with images
Great upgrade for my travel and home music, now with USB-C
I compare the xDSD with the iFi Micro Black Label I have owned for over a year. I like the slightly dark sound of the Micro BL and the excessive power to drive any headphone. I take the Micro BL when I travel each week. I purchased the xDSD for size and weight considerations.The xDSD can play via USB or Bluetooth. The great news: the Bluetooth sounds fantastic. For giggles, I served some music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and completed the connection to the Sony wh-1000xm2 with a wire. This arrangement sounded MUCH better to me than serving music via Bluetooth directly to the Sony using the Sony's built-in LDAC or APTX-HD. Sony has better Bluetooth specs but the xDSD provides MUCH better Bluetooth sound.I then served music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and listening with my JH Audio Laylas. Wow! I then switch to a third party OTG (On-The-Go) cable and was rewarded with 2x to 3x the volume. The xDSD will put out more power than my Laylas will ever need so I dialed it back and continued the comparison. Bluetooth isn't as quick or detailed as OTG but I wouldn't know it if I wasn't listening critically.I own a few headphones and chose the Mr. Speakers Ether Flow C for the remainder of my tests. I use these in the hotel or when sitting next to my wife. It is closed back so I don’t bother anyone. If I have a long flight, I use it rather than the Layla to block airplane noise and it does so better than the Sony wh-1000xm2 with noise cancellation. A direct connection to the xDSD provides more power but Bluetooth is more than sufficient to drown out the talk and crying babies.The xDSD has many of the sound characteristics of the Micro BL. It features a full body and authoritative sound that can drive lower impedance headphones. I can listen to the xDSD or the Micro BL all day long. The xDSD is a little faster than the Micro BL. I initially thought the Micro BL might have a slightly smoother and more refined sound but I am not so sure now that the xDSD had completed some burn-in.Included in my testing was a DSD-64 recording (Patricia Barber, 2013 Smash) from my computer with the USB cable. USB sounded great with the xDSD and the Micro BL. Bluetooth listening with the xDSD betrayed a loss of shimmer but sounded better than I expected it to. Overall, the tonal signature was about the same to my ears.I stepped back to a regular 16bit 44.1khz FLAC recording (Till Bonner's Oceana). Again, a great performance when listened with Bluetooth but I completed my listening with USB because the vocals were slightly more open and revealing. Nonetheless, I was never disappointed when walking around the hotel using Bluetooth.Subjectively, the xDSD appears about half the size and a third the weight of the Micro BL. The xDSD is about the size and weight of a deck of 52 playing cards. The xDSD includes Velcro steps to attach it to a phone. The xDSD package includes most of the cables you need but does not include an OTG cable. The xDSD gives me less size, less weight, and the Bluetooth inclusion requires that my only cable is connected to my headphone.A few notes on use:• To power on or off, push the volume button for about 2 seconds.• To switch between USB and Bluetooth, power off and then push the volume button for about 4 seconds.• To mute, give the volume button a quick push• To pair, put in Bluetooth mode and push the XBass+ / 3D+ button for 2 seconds.My preferences:• I don’t use the XBass+ / 3D+ features. I don’t notice much of a sound difference. I find that XBass+ / 3D+ creates some fatigue for my ears and mind. I’m sure the next person will have another opinion.• The measure / listen switch on the back side is usually in the listen position. The listen position is slightly more warm and enjoyable for my ears. Thankfully, those are all the options for the xDSD. I have a habit of accidentally pushing a button on the Micro BL and then hunting all over to restore the sound the way I want it to be.Other thoughts:• I must disable my computer's Bluetooth when I listen to my phone's Bluetooth (and vice versa). If I think of the xDSD as a one-to-one connected device, I manage Bluetooth connections without trouble.• I have not tested the S/PDIF Input on the xDSD.• I did not test the line output. Be aware of how that works so you don’t accidentally enable it and damage your ears with a 2V output! (see the manual for doing this).• Other reviews comment on a noise when first connected and prior to music. This may be because some shielding is omitted so Bluetooth can communicate. It is noticeable and might be unacceptable to some. The noise is not present between tracks or after the music has completed. I prefer this xDSD behavior to the Micro BL which does not play the first half second of music after pressing the play button.• The xDSD communicates “media audio” (music) and will not play “call audio” (phone calls). I use USB Audio Player Pro on my cell phone and the music pauses while the phone call is in progress and continues the music afterward. Most modern cell phones pair an additional Bluetooth device for “call audio” (phone calls). A Bluetooth earpiece like the superb Plantronics Voyager Legend can be the second “call audio” Bluetooth device.• I also purchased a $99 Bluetooth device hoping it would be half as good as the xDSD. It included LDAC and APTX-HD and was smaller and included a microphone for phone calls. It had all the features I thought I wanted but the music was like a mouse squeaking compared to the xDSD. This is one of those times when more money got me what I want I wanted.Nov 10, 2018 Update:I've been using balanced cables the past few weeks for my Layla, Mr Speakers Etherflow C, and now my Fostex TH-909 headphones. (The stock Fostex cable was too long so one thing led to another.) I hear the greatest improvement with the Layla. All the headphones now provide more detail, bass extension, etc.August 2019 update:My iFi xDSD developed problems in July. I'm not sure the cause but iFi technical support speculated that it was power related. I shipped my xDSD to iFi, they confirmed a problem and then shipped me a new unit. The new iFi has a USB-C power connector (the old one had USB micro). I can't say for certain but it seems like the replacement iFI xDSD sounds better and might have more power for my headphones. Whatever the facts, I am amazed and very grateful for the quick in-warranty resolution!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
The xDSD can play via USB or Bluetooth. The great news: the Bluetooth sounds fantastic. For giggles, I served some music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and completed the connection to the Sony wh-1000xm2 with a wire. This arrangement sounded MUCH better to me than serving music via Bluetooth directly to the Sony using the Sony's built-in LDAC or APTX-HD. Sony has better Bluetooth specs but the xDSD provides MUCH better Bluetooth sound.
I then served music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and listening with my JH Audio Laylas. Wow! I then switch to a third party OTG (On-The-Go) cable and was rewarded with 2x to 3x the volume. The xDSD will put out more power than my Laylas will ever need so I dialed it back and continued the comparison. Bluetooth isn't as quick or detailed as OTG but I wouldn't know it if I wasn't listening critically.
I own a few headphones and chose the Mr. Speakers Ether Flow C for the remainder of my tests. I use these in the hotel or when sitting next to my wife. It is closed back so I don’t bother anyone. If I have a long flight, I use it rather than the Layla to block airplane noise and it does so better than the Sony wh-1000xm2 with noise cancellation. A direct connection to the xDSD provides more power but Bluetooth is more than sufficient to drown out the talk and crying babies.
The xDSD has many of the sound characteristics of the Micro BL. It features a full body and authoritative sound that can drive lower impedance headphones. I can listen to the xDSD or the Micro BL all day long. The xDSD is a little faster than the Micro BL. I initially thought the Micro BL might have a slightly smoother and more refined sound but I am not so sure now that the xDSD had completed some burn-in.
Included in my testing was a DSD-64 recording (Patricia Barber, 2013 Smash) from my computer with the USB cable. USB sounded great with the xDSD and the Micro BL. Bluetooth listening with the xDSD betrayed a loss of shimmer but sounded better than I expected it to. Overall, the tonal signature was about the same to my ears.
I stepped back to a regular 16bit 44.1khz FLAC recording (Till Bonner's Oceana). Again, a great performance when listened with Bluetooth but I completed my listening with USB because the vocals were slightly more open and revealing. Nonetheless, I was never disappointed when walking around the hotel using Bluetooth.
Subjectively, the xDSD appears about half the size and a third the weight of the Micro BL. The xDSD is about the size and weight of a deck of 52 playing cards. The xDSD includes Velcro steps to attach it to a phone. The xDSD package includes most of the cables you need but does not include an OTG cable. The xDSD gives me less size, less weight, and the Bluetooth inclusion requires that my only cable is connected to my headphone.
A few notes on use:
• To power on or off, push the volume button for about 2 seconds.
• To switch between USB and Bluetooth, power off and then push the volume button for about 4 seconds.
• To mute, give the volume button a quick push
• To pair, put in Bluetooth mode and push the XBass+ / 3D+ button for 2 seconds.
My preferences:
• I don’t use the XBass+ / 3D+ features. I don’t notice much of a sound difference. I find that XBass+ / 3D+ creates some fatigue for my ears and mind. I’m sure the next person will have another opinion.
• The measure / listen switch on the back side is usually in the listen position. The listen position is slightly more warm and enjoyable for my ears. Thankfully, those are all the options for the xDSD. I have a habit of accidentally pushing a button on the Micro BL and then hunting all over to restore the sound the way I want it to be.
Other thoughts:
• I must disable my computer's Bluetooth when I listen to my phone's Bluetooth (and vice versa). If I think of the xDSD as a one-to-one connected device, I manage Bluetooth connections without trouble.
• I have not tested the S/PDIF Input on the xDSD.
• I did not test the line output. Be aware of how that works so you don’t accidentally enable it and damage your ears with a 2V output! (see the manual for doing this).
• Other reviews comment on a noise when first connected and prior to music. This may be because some shielding is omitted so Bluetooth can communicate. It is noticeable and might be unacceptable to some. The noise is not present between tracks or after the music has completed. I prefer this xDSD behavior to the Micro BL which does not play the first half second of music after pressing the play button.
• The xDSD communicates “media audio” (music) and will not play “call audio” (phone calls). I use USB Audio Player Pro on my cell phone and the music pauses while the phone call is in progress and continues the music afterward. Most modern cell phones pair an additional Bluetooth device for “call audio” (phone calls). A Bluetooth earpiece like the superb Plantronics Voyager Legend can be the second “call audio” Bluetooth device.
• I also purchased a $99 Bluetooth device hoping it would be half as good as the xDSD. It included LDAC and APTX-HD and was smaller and included a microphone for phone calls. It had all the features I thought I wanted but the music was like a mouse squeaking compared to the xDSD. This is one of those times when more money got me what I want I wanted.
Nov 10, 2018 Update:
I've been using balanced cables the past few weeks for my Layla, Mr Speakers Etherflow C, and now my Fostex TH-909 headphones. (The stock Fostex cable was too long so one thing led to another.) I hear the greatest improvement with the Layla. All the headphones now provide more detail, bass extension, etc.
August 2019 update:
My iFi xDSD developed problems in July. I'm not sure the cause but iFi technical support speculated that it was power related. I shipped my xDSD to iFi, they confirmed a problem and then shipped me a new unit. The new iFi has a USB-C power connector (the old one had USB micro). I can't say for certain but it seems like the replacement iFI xDSD sounds better and might have more power for my headphones. Whatever the facts, I am amazed and very grateful for the quick in-warranty resolution!
Color: Grey and BlackVerified Purchase
Great upgrade for my travel and home music, now with USB-C
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
I compare the xDSD with the iFi Micro Black Label I have owned for over a year. I like the slightly dark sound of the Micro BL and the excessive power to drive any headphone. I take the Micro BL when I travel each week. I purchased the xDSD for size and weight considerations.Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
The xDSD can play via USB or Bluetooth. The great news: the Bluetooth sounds fantastic. For giggles, I served some music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and completed the connection to the Sony wh-1000xm2 with a wire. This arrangement sounded MUCH better to me than serving music via Bluetooth directly to the Sony using the Sony's built-in LDAC or APTX-HD. Sony has better Bluetooth specs but the xDSD provides MUCH better Bluetooth sound.
I then served music via Bluetooth to the xDSD and listening with my JH Audio Laylas. Wow! I then switch to a third party OTG (On-The-Go) cable and was rewarded with 2x to 3x the volume. The xDSD will put out more power than my Laylas will ever need so I dialed it back and continued the comparison. Bluetooth isn't as quick or detailed as OTG but I wouldn't know it if I wasn't listening critically.
I own a few headphones and chose the Mr. Speakers Ether Flow C for the remainder of my tests. I use these in the hotel or when sitting next to my wife. It is closed back so I don’t bother anyone. If I have a long flight, I use it rather than the Layla to block airplane noise and it does so better than the Sony wh-1000xm2 with noise cancellation. A direct connection to the xDSD provides more power but Bluetooth is more than sufficient to drown out the talk and crying babies.
The xDSD has many of the sound characteristics of the Micro BL. It features a full body and authoritative sound that can drive lower impedance headphones. I can listen to the xDSD or the Micro BL all day long. The xDSD is a little faster than the Micro BL. I initially thought the Micro BL might have a slightly smoother and more refined sound but I am not so sure now that the xDSD had completed some burn-in.
Included in my testing was a DSD-64 recording (Patricia Barber, 2013 Smash) from my computer with the USB cable. USB sounded great with the xDSD and the Micro BL. Bluetooth listening with the xDSD betrayed a loss of shimmer but sounded better than I expected it to. Overall, the tonal signature was about the same to my ears.
I stepped back to a regular 16bit 44.1khz FLAC recording (Till Bonner's Oceana). Again, a great performance when listened with Bluetooth but I completed my listening with USB because the vocals were slightly more open and revealing. Nonetheless, I was never disappointed when walking around the hotel using Bluetooth.
Subjectively, the xDSD appears about half the size and a third the weight of the Micro BL. The xDSD is about the size and weight of a deck of 52 playing cards. The xDSD includes Velcro steps to attach it to a phone. The xDSD package includes most of the cables you need but does not include an OTG cable. The xDSD gives me less size, less weight, and the Bluetooth inclusion requires that my only cable is connected to my headphone.
A few notes on use:
• To power on or off, push the volume button for about 2 seconds.
• To switch between USB and Bluetooth, power off and then push the volume button for about 4 seconds.
• To mute, give the volume button a quick push
• To pair, put in Bluetooth mode and push the XBass+ / 3D+ button for 2 seconds.
My preferences:
• I don’t use the XBass+ / 3D+ features. I don’t notice much of a sound difference. I find that XBass+ / 3D+ creates some fatigue for my ears and mind. I’m sure the next person will have another opinion.
• The measure / listen switch on the back side is usually in the listen position. The listen position is slightly more warm and enjoyable for my ears. Thankfully, those are all the options for the xDSD. I have a habit of accidentally pushing a button on the Micro BL and then hunting all over to restore the sound the way I want it to be.
Other thoughts:
• I must disable my computer's Bluetooth when I listen to my phone's Bluetooth (and vice versa). If I think of the xDSD as a one-to-one connected device, I manage Bluetooth connections without trouble.
• I have not tested the S/PDIF Input on the xDSD.
• I did not test the line output. Be aware of how that works so you don’t accidentally enable it and damage your ears with a 2V output! (see the manual for doing this).
• Other reviews comment on a noise when first connected and prior to music. This may be because some shielding is omitted so Bluetooth can communicate. It is noticeable and might be unacceptable to some. The noise is not present between tracks or after the music has completed. I prefer this xDSD behavior to the Micro BL which does not play the first half second of music after pressing the play button.
• The xDSD communicates “media audio” (music) and will not play “call audio” (phone calls). I use USB Audio Player Pro on my cell phone and the music pauses while the phone call is in progress and continues the music afterward. Most modern cell phones pair an additional Bluetooth device for “call audio” (phone calls). A Bluetooth earpiece like the superb Plantronics Voyager Legend can be the second “call audio” Bluetooth device.
• I also purchased a $99 Bluetooth device hoping it would be half as good as the xDSD. It included LDAC and APTX-HD and was smaller and included a microphone for phone calls. It had all the features I thought I wanted but the music was like a mouse squeaking compared to the xDSD. This is one of those times when more money got me what I want I wanted.
Nov 10, 2018 Update:
I've been using balanced cables the past few weeks for my Layla, Mr Speakers Etherflow C, and now my Fostex TH-909 headphones. (The stock Fostex cable was too long so one thing led to another.) I hear the greatest improvement with the Layla. All the headphones now provide more detail, bass extension, etc.
August 2019 update:
My iFi xDSD developed problems in July. I'm not sure the cause but iFi technical support speculated that it was power related. I shipped my xDSD to iFi, they confirmed a problem and then shipped me a new unit. The new iFi has a USB-C power connector (the old one had USB micro). I can't say for certain but it seems like the replacement iFI xDSD sounds better and might have more power for my headphones. Whatever the facts, I am amazed and very grateful for the quick in-warranty resolution!
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Top reviews from other countries
Inkel Ongo
Starke Klangverbesserung
Reviewed in Germany on November 18, 2021Color: Grey and BlackVerified Purchase
Inkel Ongo
Reviewed in Germany on November 18, 2021
Beim Kauf für die Verwendung an iPhones unbedingt ein Camera Kit bestellen, ist keines mit dabei.
Die Räumlichkeit und die Wahrnehmbarkeit der einzelnen Instrumente hat deutlich zugenommen.
Man kann den Ausgang umschalten zum Line-out* (Hellbau-weiss / grün = normal ) ganz einfach und praktisch. Ebenso ist es möglich den XDSD auf bluetooth umzuschalten um ihn ohne das CameraKit zu betreiben. Klanglich muss man dann jedoch leichte Abstriche machen.
*Einen Line-out gab es beim Hip-DAC nicht.
Xbass+ ist interessant es verstärkt nur den Tiefbass im Bereich von ca. 125 Hz abwärts (Siehe Messdiagramm)
Akku:
Die Akkulaufzeit bei sind bei mir ca. 6 stunden, das Licht / die Anzeige für die Akkuladung ist sehr unscheinbar. Meistens geht er dann einfach aus nach 6 Stunden - finde ich ein wenig unpraktisch.
Insgesamt mach der XDSD einen klanglich und Baulich sehr hochwertigen Eindruck. Ich würde ihn wieder kaufen.
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Ralph
Great bluetooth quality
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2021Color: Grey and BlackVerified Purchase
Josep Vilalta Marzo
Impresionante calidad del sonido y muy buena conectividad bluetooth
Reviewed in Spain on May 31, 2020Color: Grey and BlackVerified Purchase
