Our take
If you ask yourself, what's an overall feeling/ mood you get when listening to a DAC, are you chasing after an analytical/ detailed sound signature? Or are you looking for a more enjoyable music listening experience? At different stage of your audio journey, you'll find yourself wanting different things. If you've spent enough time listening to Topping/ SMSL/ Loxjie/ Schiit/ ... maybe it's time to try out the iFi NEO iDSD.
Product details
iFi Audio NEO iDSD Performance Edition
The NEO now comes with the iPurifier3 and S/PDIF iPurifier2 for even greater clarity
The iFi Audio NEO iDSD is a high-quality DSD-DAC with built-in preamplifier and a well-performing headphones amplifier. This NEO iDSD fills the gap between the affordable iFi Audio ZEN DAC and the highend iFi Audio Pro iDSD. Just like the ZEN DAC and the Pro iDSD this NEO iDSD is intended for in-home use. The NEO iDSD has a balanced XLR and single-ended RCA line output and can be used as a premium DAC in any Hi-Fi set or as a high-quality preamplifier with built-in DAC functionality that, for example, allows you to drive a set of active loudspeakers.
Easily connect your digital music sources through the coaxial or optical S/PDIF connection or use the USB-Audio input to benefit of the highest digital resolutions. Stream your music wirelessly with Bluetooth. Those who know the iFi Audio ZEN Blue or Aurora know how well Bluetooth can sound when implemented by iFi Audio technicians.
Premium Head-Fi
The NEO iDSD has a powerful amplifier circuit. The output power is 1000mW at 32 Ohm and handles difficult controllable headphones and ultra-sensitive in-ear monitors both very well. The NEO iDSD is fitted with a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn and a single-ended 6.3mm headphone jack. With the supplied aluminum base, the NEO iDSD can be placed vertically saving shelve space to serve as a functional headphone stand. The display recognizes how the casing is positioned and automatically rotates the information 90 degrees.
Implemented DAC
With this NEO iDSD, iFi Audio uses Burr Brown's DAC chipset, which was selected for its True Native architecture and for its incredible sound. This bit-perfect DAC supports PCM resolutions up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD to DSD512, and single and double-speed DXD. Thanks to the powerful new 16-core XMOS chip, MQA is supported with all digital inputs and even up to 384kHz through USB. Thanks to the next-level digital engine with advanced jitter correction, iFi's Global Mater Timing, its Femto precision clock, intelligent buffer memory and the Gibbs Transient Optimised digital filter, no detail is lost in the music.
Sophisticated analogue technology
In order to make the best of use of the high-grade digital engine, the analogue section has also been developed with the greatest care. iFi Audio applied a dual-mono design for an optimal channel separation and uses a R-2R resistor network with an ultra-precise electronic volume control for a full resolution at all volume levels. The total harmonic distortion is less than 0.0015% and the signal to noise ratio is over 120dB. These figures are, especially in this price range, most uncommon.
Tech Spec
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD, PCM DAC by Burr Brown |
| DSD | DSD - 512/256/128/64 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (aptx, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, atX LL, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, AAC and SBC) tot 24/96kHz |
| Inputs | USB3.0 Type B (USB2.0 compatible) S/PDIF (coaxial, TOSLINK optical) |
| Outputs | Single-Ended RCA, Balanced XLR |
| Headphone output | Single-Ended 6.3mm, Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn |
| Dimensions | 214 x 41 x 145 mm |
| Weight | 970g |
| Package contents | Neo iDSD, Stand, iPower2 5V, Remote Control, Antenna, USB Cable, RCA Audio Cable, 6.35mm Adapter, Siliconen Feet, User Manual, Warranty Card |
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