TOPIC:

After light use, the micro USB socket of my IL-DSP failed already.



As you can see in the video, if I press on the top of the connector then the connection is established and the IL-DSP gets powered.
Then as soon as the pressure is released, the contact is lost.
I tried multiple cables and connectors with the same result.

Maybe the socket is soldered directly on the main board, and handling broke the soldering.

The only thing I could change in my usage would be to disconnect the USB cable before putting both in a bag or jacket pocket, but it is inconvenient given the small side of the items.

I'm a bit worried that the hardware design is not strong enough to handle a mobile usage.
Suggestions?

Update: miniDSP support replied quickly after I reported the issue and acknowledged a fault in an early batch (I bought mine as soon as it became available).
Quoting:

We're now doing a new manufacturing batch to solve this issue as we speak. The previous connector having an issue of tolerance. The new connector is fitted better with the board.

They just contacted me again to say they're ready to ship a replacement unit which I look forward to receive, hoping for a build more robust to real-world conditions.
I was glad to not have to send back the faulty, now entirely dead unit.

I might still be careful and disconnect the USB connector from the socket before putting them in a pocket to prevent stress however.

I bought an il-dsp last year,
It failed after plugging it in once - it was obviously a bad micro usb connection, bad design / shoddy soldering.

I returned it and waited a few months (due to corona) before deciding to take the plunge and ask for a replacement instead of money back (betting i just got a bad item).

After light usage over a few months the new il-dsp has broken again, same symptoms:
the light is present (it gets power), but it just plain doesn't work - jiggling the connector a bit makes it work again randomly and infrequently - so obviously an issue with the soldering of the data channels on the usb connector.

It is NOT made for mobile use, at least not the version i have (which is the latest version, at least minidsp and audiophonics.fr say so).

(audiophonics.fr have been great in this, and super easy to deal with)...

Any response minidsp?

Sorry you're having the same issue twice Klh.

I got my replacement a while ago but barely used it, despite significant amounts of time spent working on an Android app to control it directly.
The timing of the failure and delay to get the replacement was unfortunate and I got the habit of using Bluetooth headphones instead; Sony WF-1000XM3 (for the audio quality) and Airpods Pro (for the noise cancellation) depending on the context.


The fact that the same failure occurs again is very disappointing, and not encouraging me to spend more time on even releasing the app (despite it's very close to a releasable state)

I hope you'll get either a fixed version or your money back.

yeah super disappointing, i have a hearing loss on one ear and a portable dsp with seperation of the eq channels enables me to hear music as it is supposed to sound (eq'ing the loss away).
there aren't really any alternative to it out there...other than the ha-dsp

Yes, I'm experiencing the exact same issue (both hearing loss in one ear and dead USB-connection). I was basically very happy with my IL-DSP, I hope they solved the issue for good and I get a replacement