Hello Happybob
I got the very first iDecco in Japan a few months ago. I use my iDecco two ways simultaneously, both with really good results. I use an iMac or iPod as source, but when guests come over they like to plug in their iPhone, and I've never seen it not fit or have any problems. Even mp3's from an iPhone sound great through that iDecco DAC.
I send output from my iMac via Toslink (optical cable), or from my iPod parked directly on top or via a VERY convenient extension cable I bought online.
My iDecco amp outputs go directly to Quad 12L bookshelves on my computer desktop, which sounds warm, clear, and detailed, and the combination images wonderfully.
But the magic happens with my floorstanders, Yamaha NS-1000X, which are set up with iDecco used as DAC only, bypassing preamp, output to a Luxman pure class A 550 from 1981. That sound is super-detailed and very sweet indeed, but totally unforgiving of sharp or harsh recordings.
I use both of these systems through the iDecco at the same time while varying the loudness balance between the Quads and the Yamahas, or one or the other set as I like. Great sound and great fun.
Kbarkamian: To me the iDecco sound is rather flat and analytical, but extremely detailed, sort of like Accuphase amps. I think flat and analytical as a source is good, because you can modify it as you wish. I modify the amplified flat, analytical iDecco output through warm and sparkly bookshelf speakers on my desktop (Quad 12L), and sweeten and warm the direct DAC output sound through my class A Luxman amp to very neutral and detailed Yamaha floorstanding speakers. I also use the bass knobs on my amp and Yamahas to improve the poor bass provided by the iDecco.
These are not perfect systems, but both sound comparable to MUCH more expensive systems I've compared them with A/B.
I got the very first iDecco in Japan a few months ago. I use my iDecco two ways simultaneously, both with really good results. I use an iMac or iPod as source, but when guests come over they like to plug in their iPhone, and I've never seen it not fit or have any problems. Even mp3's from an iPhone sound great through that iDecco DAC.
I send output from my iMac via Toslink (optical cable), or from my iPod parked directly on top or via a VERY convenient extension cable I bought online.
My iDecco amp outputs go directly to Quad 12L bookshelves on my computer desktop, which sounds warm, clear, and detailed, and the combination images wonderfully.
But the magic happens with my floorstanders, Yamaha NS-1000X, which are set up with iDecco used as DAC only, bypassing preamp, output to a Luxman pure class A 550 from 1981. That sound is super-detailed and very sweet indeed, but totally unforgiving of sharp or harsh recordings.
I use both of these systems through the iDecco at the same time while varying the loudness balance between the Quads and the Yamahas, or one or the other set as I like. Great sound and great fun.
Kbarkamian: To me the iDecco sound is rather flat and analytical, but extremely detailed, sort of like Accuphase amps. I think flat and analytical as a source is good, because you can modify it as you wish. I modify the amplified flat, analytical iDecco output through warm and sparkly bookshelf speakers on my desktop (Quad 12L), and sweeten and warm the direct DAC output sound through my class A Luxman amp to very neutral and detailed Yamaha floorstanding speakers. I also use the bass knobs on my amp and Yamahas to improve the poor bass provided by the iDecco.
These are not perfect systems, but both sound comparable to MUCH more expensive systems I've compared them with A/B.