miniDSP IL-DSP User manual

IL-DSP
USB headphone amplifier/DAC

2
CONTENTS
Overview..................................................................................................... 3
Connect to Android phone or tablet........................................................... 4
Connect to computer.................................................................................. 5
Install software ........................................................................................... 6
Download software ................................................................................ 6
Install driver (Windows only).................................................................. 6
Install plugin - Windows ......................................................................... 7
Install plugin - Mac ................................................................................. 7
Windows Audio........................................................................................... 8
Windows default audio device ............................................................... 8
ASIO ................................................................................................... 8
Mac Audio................................................................................................... 9
Connect with the plugin............................................................................ 10
Adjust parametric EQ................................................................................ 11
Advanced mode ........................................................................................ 13
Biquad sample rate............................................................................... 14
Biquad calculation spreadsheet............................................................ 14
Room EQ Wizard (REW)........................................................................ 14
Saving and loading the configuration ....................................................... 15
Save the configuration.......................................................................... 15
Load the configuration ......................................................................... 15
Restoring to default.............................................................................. 15
Specifications ............................................................................................ 16
Important Information.............................................................................. 17
Disclaimer/Warning.............................................................................. 17
Warranty Terms.................................................................................... 17
FCC Class B Statement .......................................................................... 17
CE Mark Statement............................................................................... 18
Revision history .................................................................................... 18

3
OVERVIEW
The IL-DSP is a tiny USB-powered portable headphone amplifier and DAC
(digital-to-analog convertor). It provides high-fidelity playback of all audio and
music sources from phones, tablets and computers.
Technical performance of the IL-DSP is exemplary, with PCM digital audio
playback up to 24-bit 192 kHz
1
, 0.0007% THD and 120 dBA signal-to-noise
ratio.
30 mW power output per channel is ample for IEMs and most portable
headphones. High-resolution PCM and DSD formats are both supported1.
The ten bands of parametric EQ are configured with miniDSP's easy-to-use
computer interface. The fully adjustable peaking and shelving filters allow
adjustment of the audio band from the narrowest to the broadest control
ranges, with up to 16 dB boost or cut in each band. This combination of DSP
power, careful selection of high-quality components and a 32-bit audiophile
DAC combine to create an unparalleled portable headphone experience.
1
DSP parametric EQ operates for PCM input sample rates up to 96 kHz. DSP paramet-
ric EQ does not operate for PCM input sample rates of 176.4 and 192 kHz, or for DSD
input.

4
CONNECT TO ANDROID PHONE OR TABLET
1. Use one of the supplied OTG cables to connect your phone or tablet,
depending on whether your Android device has a USB-C or Micro USB B
socket.
2. Connect your headphones to the 3.5mm Headphone out on the front of
the IL-DSP.
3. Play any audio-related app on your phone/tablet. Use the up and down
buttons to adjust volume for a comfortable listening level.
4. The inbuilt microphone can be used for phone calls or voice recording.
5. To adjust the EQ settings, you will need to connect the IL-DSP to your
computer and install the miniDSP plugin software. See pages 6 and 7.

5
CONNECT TO COMPUTER
1. Connect the USB cable supplied with the IL-DSP to a USB port on your
computer.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the Micro USB-B on the IL-DSP.
3. Select the IL-DSP as the audio output device on your computer (see
pages 8 and 9).
4. Run any software program that produces audio on the computer. Use
the volume up and down buttons on the IL-DSP to adjust volume for a
comfortable listening level.
5. To adjust the EQ settings, you will need to install the miniDSP plugin
software. See pages 6 and 7.

6
INSTALL SOFTWARE
To adjust the parametric EQ in the IL-DSP, you will need to install the miniDSP
software on your computer (Windows and Mac supported).
DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
Log into your account on miniDSP.com. Click on your name at the top right of
the window and select User Downloads:
Click through to the IL-DSP section and download the IL-DSP package. After
downloading, unzip it (on Windows, right-click and select “Extract All...”; on
Mac, double-click).
INSTALL DRIVER (WINDOWS ONLY)
1. Connect the IL-DSP to the computer with the USB cable.
2. Go to the WinDrivers folder of the software download and double-click
on the appropriate installer:
•miniDSP_UAC2_v2.29.3_ForWinXP_Vista.exe for Windows XP and
Vista
•miniDSP_UAC2_v4.47.0_ForWin7_8_10.exe for Windows 7, 8, and
10
The version number embedded in the filename may be different. We
recommend accepting the default installation location.

7
INSTALL PLUGIN -WINDOWS
1. Go to the Plugins folder of the software download and then to the
Windows folder.
2. Double-click on the IL-DSP.exe installer program to run it. We
recommend that you accept the default installation settings.
INSTALL PLUGIN -MAC
1. Go to the Plugins folder of the software download and then to the Mac
folder.
2. Right-click on the IL-DSP.pkg installer program. Move the mouse over
the “Open With” item and then click on “Installer (default).”
3. If the following window appears, click on “Open.” We recommend that
you accept the default installation settings.

8
WINDOWS AUDIO
Note: playing USB audio from Windows requires that the UAC driver package
be installed first (page 6).
WINDOWS DEFAULT AUDIO DEVICE
Set the IL-DSP as the default audio output device. Open the Windows Control
Panel and navigate to the Audio Devices section. On the Playback tab, select
“IL-DSP” and click on the “Set Default” button.
ASIO
If your audio application program supports ASIO audio drivers, we
recommend selecting the miniDSP ASIO Driver in the settings of that
program. This typically allows the program to automatically change sample
rate. For example, in JRiver Media Center:

9
MAC AUDIO
Set the IL-DSP as the default audio output device. Open System Preferences
and on the Sound page, select the IL-DSP as the Output device.
Individual audio playback programs may allow the IL-DSP to be selected for
audio output independently of the system default.
To select the sample rate that the computer uses to send audio to the IL-DSP,
open the Audio MIDI Setup program and click on Format.

10
CONNECT WITH THE PLUGIN
With the IL-DSP connected to your computer, start the plugin:
•On Windows, locate the plugin in the Start menu. To make it easier to run
in future, right-click on its icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar.”
•On MacOS, locate the plugin in the Applications -> miniDSP folder. To make
it easier to run in future, right-click on its dock icon and select Options ->
Keep in Dock.
Click on the Connect button:
Click on Synchronize Config: