love the switches on this device and use it daily in 2022 .....I bought it new boxed in a pawnshop in Phoenix for $100.00 bucks ..... the best money I have ever spend on audio gear .......
Thanks for the comparison to Jotunheim! That comment helped me to determine my best path forward considering I already own a Jotunheim with Multibit DAC and don’t need portable😊
The 3.5mm in unfortunately does not give one good insight into the amp section. It looks like the input was an afterthought as it induces significant distortion into the signal. As a complete package, the iFi is extremely good, it is not magical, but a very well engineered and designed package. I have yet to listen to anything in its price range that can best it.
Hello friend: I was just wondering how does the sound of ifi bl compare to RME adi-2? I am a two year owner of BL and have been seeking for a obviously superior alternative. Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m looking forward to your opinion and feedback to guide my purchase.
this review is for somewhat jaded audio people with much better gear already and not so tech savvy people i feel... i have no issue with the "sequence" required to connect it to a phone and just got my first "mid fi" headphones (hd600 used) and will this be a good dac amp combo? would need to move around the house/bring it to longer trip and work. are there any other better options out there?
That's actually a very good question. I feel like the $500-600 price point sits somewhat awkwardly between an amazing assortment of options around 300 range and 700. There just aren't that many options. The Jotunheim q/ AKM4490 (around 540) is a really good amp but only an okay DAC with a weak-sauce digital interface. The multibit DAC is a nice upgrade, but you're pushing 650, and at that point I'd rather bump up to something like Questyle CMA400i or a Marantz HD DAC1. Other than that, you got some ChiFi to look at. I've never heard it but I'd love to check out the Topping DX7S. You could do a nice Aune or SMSL stack, too. Personally if I was in the market right now for something like that I'd be looking at a used Questyle or Marantz. If not used, then probably stick with Jotunheim Multibit. The digital interface is still weak-sauce but the multibit DAC is very pleasant.
@@seltzertronics2538 Your reply is much appreciated, excellent video as well. I just bought the micro idsd and have had it for about a week now, it's a definite improvement over my micca origen. I do like the sound, just the thought crosses my mind as whether I'm paying extra for the portability features that I won't use. I think I'm going to try the DX7S and compare.
@@bmiamiwai I've never heard the AK. The Hugo 2 is certainly a much better DAC and cleaner headphone output. In those regards, there isn't much of a contest. The only things I might say in favor of the iFi is that it still has a lot of features and capabilities that the Hugo doesn't, like DDC functionality and bass boost. The iFi also seemed to have more power to drive high-impedance cans than the Hugo (which I believe specs affirm).
I just picked up a pair of Senn HD6XX and i have an Opus #1 DAP which doesnt really get the HD6XX loud enough Ive found, what would you recommend as an AMP to get the Senn HD6XX louder? Between the IFI Micro Black Label, Schiit JOTUNHEIM, Schiit VALHALLA 2 or the Bottlehead Crack with Speedball (the iFI Micro BL would be cool because it is portable which could be usefull but is not a deal breaker for me)
Congrats on the HD 6XX. Great cans. I have my HD 650s on right now. The iFi will definitely power the HD 6XXs plenty. If the mobility and utility of the iFi are important criteria for you, I'd have a difficult time recommending much else. However, if it's just going sit on your desk there are better options. What will you use for a DAC? The Valhalla 2 and Bottlehead Crack are going to love the HD 6XX, but they're obviously going to require an external DAC. You could get an external DAC for the Jotunheim , too, but to really get the most of the Jot you're going to want a balanced DAC and and a balanced cable, as that's how it's optimized. Something else to consider is what you plan on doing in the future. The OTL Crack and Valhalla 2 aren't going to like low-impedance cans as much. Tubes are kind of fun, but they're kind of picky. The same pair of tubes might sound great with one pair of cans and awful with another. Tubes are a very "bespoke" approach to audio. The nice thing about the Jot and solid state generally is that the sound is pretty reliable. Have you looked at the Lyr 3, btw?
@@seltzertronics2538 Thank you im loving the HD 6XX so far...just need to get them louder! the mobility and utility of being able to take the iFi with me and use a range of cans and iems is very enticing, I was going to use my Opus #1 as the dac and play my music feed through a AMP (not sure if this is the best way but I like how the Opus #1 sounds it just cant get my HD 6XX loud enough), If i were to get the iFi i could also play music from my laptop from spotify etc, never looked at the Lyr 3, the thing I really like about the iFi is that its a trick of all trades and essentially i dont have to have multiple units to get things playing nicely. Basically i want to be able to play music from my Opus #1 or laptop and make my Senn HD 6XX sounds great/get to decent loudness.....I have a feeling that my answer will be the iFi Micro Black Label, what are your thoughts?
@@SynerGisteX Then it sounds like the iFi might be the one for you. It's worth the retail price, and if you get a good deal on a great condition used one like I did then it's a steal!
the ifi in my opinion the most versatile, comes with all the inputs that you would need as well as rca outputs, 4 watts a channel & has a great Dac & is also portable which is insane. People will probably be like where are you even taking this wth? but you can go to living, literally anywhere in the house or outside & relax while listening to music or even if you go to your friends, there’s a lot of scenarios where the ifi will come through which makes it appealing to me but if you don’t care about that & want a headphone amp just for desktop use then the Cayin HA-6 is literally a monster, it’s built amazingly, powerful as hell & can drive anything & sounds amazing. It’s 100$ more than the ifi idsd BL but you’ll definitely be set with that amp. Z reviews reviewed it if you wanna know more about it
"Jotunheim , warmer without any colouration" - That is technically impossible. Its a much better product than Jotunheim. Jot is a poorly engineered product. This has 2 Burr brown chips, does MQA, does spdif in/out and sounds very very clean. Anyways everyone to their own.
It is powerful enough to drive power hungry full sized headphones. The 846 is not a problem at all. It's got a sensitivity switch which I always use with my IEMs.
Hi mate. I planning to buy these. I wonder if there are better sound quality desktop dac Amps in this price range. Like questlyle cm400i or chord moyo or anything ?
Hi Seban. I think it all comes down to what you're looking for. The great thing about the iFi is that it does absolutely everything. If you're just going to be sitting at your desk connected to a PC, then I'd probably go with something like the CM400i or something like it. As far as the Mojo, people tend to prefer either the iFi or the Mojo, but they're about in the same league. I personally prefer the iFi, again, because of its extraordinary utility.
I own one it’s a very nice product for mobile and being very small if you wanted at an office desk. But the selector button rubber pad switches started falling off after about four month. After a year the rechargeable battery no longer holds a long charge. It was my first DAC purchase. For the nearly $600 if I was to purchase another DAC all over again. I would’ve gotten a lot more bang for the buck in a higher end DAC that was full size. I would suggest if you don’t need portable in pocket-size function and it’s just going to sit on your desk and you have the real estate or on a shelf to buy a high-quality full-size unit to get better performanc. You were paying that extra money not for quality of sound or high-performance but for how small it is and lots of advertisement.
![Best Portable DAC/Amp For Headphones [iFi-Audio Micro iDSD Black Label Review]](/img/1.gif)
love the switches on this device and use it daily in 2022 .....I bought it new boxed in a pawnshop in Phoenix for $100.00 bucks ..... the best money I have ever spend on audio gear .......
Thanks for the comparison to Jotunheim! That comment helped me to determine my best path forward considering I already own a Jotunheim with Multibit DAC and don’t need portable😊
What are your thoughts on the iDSD vs the standard desktop Zen DAC (the iDSD is $350 more). Is the price difference worth it?
Personally, I have the non BL version and like it very much. But it's by no means a magical device, you're right about that. Very good review!
The 3.5mm in unfortunately does not give one good insight into the amp section. It looks like the input was an afterthought as it induces significant distortion into the signal. As a complete package, the iFi is extremely good, it is not magical, but a very well engineered and designed package. I have yet to listen to anything in its price range that can best it.
Hello friend: I was just wondering how does the sound of ifi bl compare to RME adi-2? I am a two year owner of BL and have been seeking for a obviously superior alternative. Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m looking forward to your opinion and feedback to guide my purchase.
this review is for somewhat jaded audio people with much better gear already and not so tech savvy people i feel... i have no issue with the "sequence" required to connect it to a phone and just got my first "mid fi" headphones (hd600 used) and will this be a good dac amp combo? would need to move around the house/bring it to longer trip and work. are there any other better options out there?
Hello,I have sennheiser Hd650 this is will goog synergii or aune s6 or chord mojo will be better? Thank you
Out of curiosity what would you recommend as a stand alone desktop dac/amp at the same price point?
That's actually a very good question. I feel like the $500-600 price point sits somewhat awkwardly between an amazing assortment of options around 300 range and 700. There just aren't that many options. The Jotunheim q/ AKM4490 (around 540) is a really good amp but only an okay DAC with a weak-sauce digital interface. The multibit DAC is a nice upgrade, but you're pushing 650, and at that point I'd rather bump up to something like Questyle CMA400i or a Marantz HD DAC1. Other than that, you got some ChiFi to look at. I've never heard it but I'd love to check out the Topping DX7S. You could do a nice Aune or SMSL stack, too. Personally if I was in the market right now for something like that I'd be looking at a used Questyle or Marantz. If not used, then probably stick with Jotunheim Multibit. The digital interface is still weak-sauce but the multibit DAC is very pleasant.
@@seltzertronics2538 Your reply is much appreciated, excellent video as well. I just bought the micro idsd and have had it for about a week now, it's a definite improvement over my micca origen. I do like the sound, just the thought crosses my mind as whether I'm paying extra for the portability features that I won't use. I think I'm going to try the DX7S and compare.
How is it on the go, compared to say Hugo 2 ? How is it compared to an AK SE1000 dap ?
@@bmiamiwai I've never heard the AK. The Hugo 2 is certainly a much better DAC and cleaner headphone output. In those regards, there isn't much of a contest. The only things I might say in favor of the iFi is that it still has a lot of features and capabilities that the Hugo doesn't, like DDC functionality and bass boost. The iFi also seemed to have more power to drive high-impedance cans than the Hugo (which I believe specs affirm).
Can this drive headphones like HEED Headphone and Hifiman Arya ?
Can you charge and use the black label at the same time?
Yes, of course! Plug into a PC and it will charge while playing.
@@Tyetheberious If you plug on a phone?
@@jimis3167 nope, not with a phone
Its a mouth wash, its a floor wax! Bahahahahaha!
I'm excited to be demoing some Audio64 IEMs soon. Can't wait to try the last feature I haven't actually used, the "IEM match" function!
I just picked up a pair of Senn HD6XX and i have an Opus #1 DAP which doesnt really get the HD6XX loud enough Ive found, what would you recommend as an AMP to get the Senn HD6XX louder? Between the IFI Micro Black Label, Schiit JOTUNHEIM, Schiit VALHALLA 2 or the Bottlehead Crack with Speedball (the iFI Micro BL would be cool because it is portable which could be usefull but is not a deal breaker for me)
Congrats on the HD 6XX. Great cans. I have my HD 650s on right now. The iFi will definitely power the HD 6XXs plenty. If the mobility and utility of the iFi are important criteria for you, I'd have a difficult time recommending much else. However, if it's just going sit on your desk there are better options. What will you use for a DAC? The Valhalla 2 and Bottlehead Crack are going to love the HD 6XX, but they're obviously going to require an external DAC. You could get an external DAC for the Jotunheim , too, but to really get the most of the Jot you're going to want a balanced DAC and and a balanced cable, as that's how it's optimized. Something else to consider is what you plan on doing in the future. The OTL Crack and Valhalla 2 aren't going to like low-impedance cans as much. Tubes are kind of fun, but they're kind of picky. The same pair of tubes might sound great with one pair of cans and awful with another. Tubes are a very "bespoke" approach to audio. The nice thing about the Jot and solid state generally is that the sound is pretty reliable. Have you looked at the Lyr 3, btw?
@@seltzertronics2538 Thank you im loving the HD 6XX so far...just need to get them louder! the mobility and utility of being able to take the iFi with me and use a range of cans and iems is very enticing, I was going to use my Opus #1 as the dac and play my music feed through a AMP (not sure if this is the best way but I like how the Opus #1 sounds it just cant get my HD 6XX loud enough), If i were to get the iFi i could also play music from my laptop from spotify etc, never looked at the Lyr 3, the thing I really like about the iFi is that its a trick of all trades and essentially i dont have to have multiple units to get things playing nicely. Basically i want to be able to play music from my Opus #1 or laptop and make my Senn HD 6XX sounds great/get to decent loudness.....I have a feeling that my answer will be the iFi Micro Black Label, what are your thoughts?
@@SynerGisteX Then it sounds like the iFi might be the one for you. It's worth the retail price, and if you get a good deal on a great condition used one like I did then it's a steal!
the ifi in my opinion the most versatile, comes with all the inputs that you would need as well as rca outputs, 4 watts a channel & has a great Dac & is also portable which is insane. People will probably be like where are you even taking this wth? but you can go to living, literally anywhere in the house or outside & relax while listening to music or even if you go to your friends, there’s a lot of scenarios where the ifi will come through which makes it appealing to me but if you don’t care about that & want a headphone amp just for desktop use then the Cayin HA-6 is literally a monster, it’s built amazingly, powerful as hell & can drive anything & sounds amazing. It’s 100$ more than the ifi idsd BL but you’ll definitely be set with that amp. Z reviews reviewed it if you wanna know more about it
@@irun2sanaxox it's amazing how versatile the iFi is. I've used it on so many random situations.
Excellent review; thank you. Subscribed.
"Jotunheim , warmer without any colouration" - That is technically impossible.
Its a much better product than Jotunheim. Jot is a poorly engineered product. This has 2 Burr brown chips, does MQA, does spdif in/out and sounds very very clean.
Anyways everyone to their own.
Would this work well with the Shure se846 ?
It is powerful enough to drive power hungry full sized headphones. The 846 is not a problem at all.
It's got a sensitivity switch which I always use with my IEMs.
Hi mate. I planning to buy these. I wonder if there are better sound quality desktop dac Amps in this price range. Like questlyle cm400i or chord moyo or anything ?
Hi Seban. I think it all comes down to what you're looking for. The great thing about the iFi is that it does absolutely everything. If you're just going to be sitting at your desk connected to a PC, then I'd probably go with something like the CM400i or something like it. As far as the Mojo, people tend to prefer either the iFi or the Mojo, but they're about in the same league. I personally prefer the iFi, again, because of its extraordinary utility.
Still banging my head as to buy it or not second hand.
L can listen to it for a while but it does not sound that good for me (yet?)
I’m excited too, can’t wait!
Finally, an honest review! 👍
I own one it’s a very nice product for mobile and being very small if you wanted at an office desk. But the selector button rubber pad switches started falling off after about four month. After a year the rechargeable battery no longer holds a long charge.
It was my first DAC purchase. For the nearly $600 if I was to purchase another DAC all over again. I would’ve gotten a lot more bang for the buck in a higher end DAC that was full size.
I would suggest if you don’t need portable in pocket-size function and it’s just going to sit on your desk and you have the real estate or on a shelf to buy a high-quality full-size unit to get better performanc. You were paying that extra money not for quality of sound or high-performance but for how small it is and lots of advertisement.