I have only comparative experience, using the Fiio x3v2 for DSD playback with no problems over three years. And yes, the double DSD vinyl rips that I make (on my Tascam DA3000 recorder) sound the best, even on this tiny machine. I can hear how increased resolution improves sound. Impressive! No balanced output, however. And copying of the big DSD files into it takes time of course. A friend of mine thinks that the Pono, with balanced output, sounds better, even if the file format is lower. I learned a lot from reading the debate over at headfi.org.
IFI iDSD Pro
I've been trying out this DAC/streamer in my home. The first unit completely crashed in the first few seconds and had to be replaced (it went into "protected mode" and never came out). The second one works.
Here's the lowdown - it sounds really good, particularly in certain filter modes (I prefer Gibbs-Transient, and sometimes DSD upsampling, interestingly, the tube modes don't do much for me). However, the streaming functionality is not at all ready for prime time. You can occasionally get bursts of white noise when switching program material via DLNA, or using chromecast to the optical input, and this morning it just crashed altogether in the middle of streaming. I had to reboot.
This is *after* updating the firmware as requested by IFI support. Prior to that it would switch off between tracks while streaming.
Also, the remote is absolute crap, just a sticker over two volume switches (one of them NA), and the "Muzo" app is just the worst piece of S**t I've seen. Fortunately, one doesn't have to use it.
The manual doesn't cover basics, such as how to set up wifi (Which is necessary for Muzo, even if you are wired for streaming, which I certainly am).
So it seems a bit dangerous to keep. I know it is a somewhat new product, but does anyone know if IFI firmware updates eventually even out the features in other products?
Here's the lowdown - it sounds really good, particularly in certain filter modes (I prefer Gibbs-Transient, and sometimes DSD upsampling, interestingly, the tube modes don't do much for me). However, the streaming functionality is not at all ready for prime time. You can occasionally get bursts of white noise when switching program material via DLNA, or using chromecast to the optical input, and this morning it just crashed altogether in the middle of streaming. I had to reboot.
This is *after* updating the firmware as requested by IFI support. Prior to that it would switch off between tracks while streaming.
Also, the remote is absolute crap, just a sticker over two volume switches (one of them NA), and the "Muzo" app is just the worst piece of S**t I've seen. Fortunately, one doesn't have to use it.
The manual doesn't cover basics, such as how to set up wifi (Which is necessary for Muzo, even if you are wired for streaming, which I certainly am).
So it seems a bit dangerous to keep. I know it is a somewhat new product, but does anyone know if IFI firmware updates eventually even out the features in other products?