I'm watchinng in youtube : Waching daily Dec 29 2017

As a follow up on the iFi Nano iUSB3.0 here the review of its bigger brother, the Micro

iUSB3.0.

It's twice the price, twice the size but does it also offer twice the quality?

It might be interesting to first watch the review of the iFi Nano iUSB3.0 and 'Connecting

your DAC #2, how digital can go wrong'.

The links are in the show notes.

The Micro iUSB3.0 in essence does the same as the Nano, but than twice as good.

It cleans the signal and the power lines and reclock and reshape the output.

Furthermore an audiophile hub is integrated which is handy if you also use a hard disk

that needs to be fed from USB.

The small aluminium box measures 160 by 65 by 27 mm and has connections on both small

sides and on one long side.

On one short side you find the power inlet, the power switch, a ground lift switch and

the USB 3B socket for connection to the computer.

On the top are three smal LED's that indicate whether a computer is connected and switched

on, if the Micro is switched on and if the ground lift is activated.

The other short side holds a USB A socket that only offers power and a second one that

also carries the USB signal.

These two are doubled on the long side.

The power only socket can be used to power the DAC while the USB signal comes from the

other socket.

iFi has an optional cable to enable this.

Although the Micro iUSB3.0 is fully USB 3 compatible, I currently know of no DAC that

is.

That's no problem for the unit will work with USB 2 devices just as well.

As long as the connector fits, it will work.

The ground lift switch is self explanatory, it disconnects the ground from the source.

Simply start in the ground lift position and when hum is audible, switch over to the ground

connected position.

The power switch also has two positions: auto and on.

When in the auto position it will switch off when not in use.

The On position keeps the power on all the time, which can be handy when the DAC needs

USB power to identify itself to the source.

Talking about power, the Micro iUSB3.0 comes with a 9 volts iPower wall wart.

This is an audio grade switching mode power supply.

I have reviewed the 5 volts version to find it about as good as the Audiophonics linear

power supply.

Apart from active noise cancellation and filtering of the power supply, the USB signal is also

reclocked and regenerated.

And both are done at a higher level compared to the Nano iUSB3.0.

To test the audible result of the Micro iUSB3.0 I placed the Intel NUC6 i3 running Roon Rock

nearby my setup 1 and connected it alternatively direct to the Mytek Brooklyn DAC and via the

Micro.

I also compared it to the Nano.

It sounds cheap to say the Micro really does sound twice as good as the Nano, but it more

or less does in my setup 1.

The stereo image opens up further, the highs are more refined, there is less time smearing

and it all is more relaxed.

Although I hate being quasi precise, using exact figures for audible observations, let's

please you once more: in the Nano review I stated that if a direct connection between

the Intel NUC and the Mytek Brooklyn would offer 20% of what I know the SOtM sMS-200

Ultra offers me, the Nano would offer 40%.

Then the Micro does 70%.

In my Setup 2 it would hit 85% of what I know is possible and in my sub 1000 euro Setup

3 the difference between the Micro and Nano becomes relatively small.

Whether you would need to buy the Micro for this setup depends on future plans.

The Nano would suffice as such, only if you plan to upgrade over time, the Micro might

become interesting.

With the Micro iUSB3.0 iFi offers a more upmarket product from the Nano.

At 455 euros, 395 pounds including VAT or 399 dollar ex. sales tax it is twice the price

but it really does offer twice the quality over the Nano, if that's a fair way of putting

it.

As I said in the Nano review: If you are not a critical listener and have a setup that

is not very refined, you might even hear no difference at all.

But if you are a critical listener and have set up a well chosen 3000 euro or more stereo,

you will find it money very well spent.

A review of the SOtM tX-USBultra - that by the way again is more than twice the price

of the Micro, will follow in the near future.

So if you want to stay informed, subscribe to this channel or follow me on Twitter, Facebook

or Google+.

See the show notes for the links.

If you have a question, post it below this video but please don't ask me for buying

advise.

See my About Questions video to find out why.

If you liked this video, please consider supporting the channel through Patreon and see super

exclusive videos too.

Just one dollar a month will do.

The link is in the show notes.

And don't forget to tell your friends on the web about this channel.

I am Hans Beekhuyzen, thank you for watching and see you in the next show or on theHBproject.com.

And whatever you do, enjoy the music.

For more infomation >> iFi Micro iUSB3.0 reclocker and power cleaner - Duration: 7:10.

-------------------------------------------

Machozi Yatakutoka! Mateso Anayoyapata Mtoto Huyu Kwa Miaka 11...!! - Duration: 11:58.

For more infomation >> Machozi Yatakutoka! Mateso Anayoyapata Mtoto Huyu Kwa Miaka 11...!! - Duration: 11:58.

-------------------------------------------

Значение карты Девятка Мечей. Младшие Арканы Таро. - Duration: 2:02.

For more infomation >> Значение карты Девятка Мечей. Младшие Арканы Таро. - Duration: 2:02.

-------------------------------------------

Finger Family Song - Daddy Finger colors Nursery Rhymes and Kids Songs for Children and Babies - Duration: 1:48.