null Skip to main content

Ask an Expert

1-800-942-0220 Weekdays: 9am - 7pm EST
Audiophile Learning Center
Just Out! November's Top Sales Shop Now

iFi NEO iDSD 2 Desktop DAC & Amp

Click on image to enlarge.

Share
SKU: IFNEOIDSD2
WARNING: for more information go to http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
  • VGP2022 Award
  • HiFi Choice Award
  • AV Forums Award 2023

The NEO iDSD 2 is iFi Audio's versatile new 3-in-1 DAC/Amp and the first component of its kind to support the new aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec for true CD-quality streaming audio.

    Available for Preorder Today!

    $899.00
    $899.00
    Temporarily Out of Stock. Usually Ships in 5-7 Business Days.
    Have a Question? Ask Our Experts!

    The World's First Lossless Bluetooth DAC/Amp

    The NEO iDSD 2 is iFi Audio's versatile new 3-in-1 DAC/Amp. It pairs effortlessly with your headphones as a Head-Fi DAC/Amp, can be used as a pure DAC with your integrated amplifier, or serve as a DAC/Preamp for your active speakers and power amplifier.

    The NEO iDSD 2 has improved headphone and line outputs, providing ample power for your high-demanding headphones, as well as power amplifiers.

    Supports the New aptX Lossless Codec

    The NEO iDSD 2 features the latest Bluetooth 5.4 technology, supporting the new aptX Lossless codec, which provides a maximum bitrate of 1,200kbps. In comparison, aptX Adaptive has a maximum bitrate of 420kbps, while LDAC™ offers a higher bitrate of 990kbps.

    However, aptX Lossless is the first and only Bluetooth codec capable of streaming CD-quality audio without using a compression method that degrades sound quality. While other Bluetooth codecs claim to support CD-quality and even hi-res audio, they employ lossy compression during transmission, which negatively affects sound quality.

    The NEO iDSD 2 uses Qualcomm's new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip, is qualified to Bluetooth 5.4, supported all Bluetooth formats including: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDACTM, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC. (Check your device for Bluetooth codec support.)

    5x More Power Than Its Predecessor

    The headphone output power of the NEO iDSD 2 is a whopping five times more powerful than that of the first-gen NEO iDSD. With a maximum headphone output power of 5,551 mW (@ 32Ω), it outperforms even some dedicated headphone amplifiers. The headphone section has seen significant improvement, as iFi essentially integrated a Diablo headphone circuit into it.

    The It features Auto iEMatch to reduce annoying hiss from high-sensitivity headphones without losing any dynamic range and four gain settings ranging from -12dB to +16dB, making it suitable for all your IEMs and headphone types, from super-sensitive to power-hungry.

    The The NEO iDSD 2 is not only a powerhouse, but it's also tailored for your ears. The newly added analog processing modes, XSpace and XBass II, along with the four digital filters, allow you to finetune the sound. Both XSpace and XBass II are pure signal processing modes designed to adjust the soundstage and low-frequency response to match your headphones.

    Convenient Desktop Postures

    Whether you're using the NEO iDSD 2 as a Desk-Fi or Hi-Fi, you can position it horizontally or vertically. The new 2-inch color display automatically rotates to suit the orientation.

    When using it as a Desk-Fi, you can position it vertically on your desk to save space. Set it to variable output, and with its powerful 19.5V maximum balanced output, it works well with your active speakers with volume control. The volume control is analog, which is superior to most digital volume controls.

    When using the NEO iDSD 2 as a Hi-Fi, you can place it horizontally. It can serve as a pure DAC, playing all Hi-Res music files from PCM 32-bit/768kHz to DSD512 and full MQA decoding. You can also connect it directly to your power amplifier as a preamplifier, utilizing its analog volume control.

    Upgradeable GMT Femto Clock Squashes Jitter

    The internal GMT femto-precision clock, combined with a smart storage cache, forms an advanced jitter reduction system. It effectively reduces jitter in the digital signal, producing cleaner and more accurate sound.

    If you possess a more accurate external clock, or if you wish to synchronize with other devices such as CD players or network streamers that have an external clock input, you can connect both the NEO iDSD 2 and the other devices to the external clock via the 10MHz External Sync Clock input for even greater clock signal accuracy.

    It's rare to find an External Sync Clock input in this price range. Even if you don't have an external clock, the internal GMT femto-precision clock still offers excellent performance in its class.

    New iFi Nexis App

    Introducing the iFi Nexis App for your NEO iDSD 2. Simply search for "NEO iDSD 2" in the app to access a suite of features and settings. Easily perform OTA upgrades, which automatically update your device over the network.

    The app offers a convenient way to control your NEO iDSD 2, allowing you to adjust functions and settings with ease. Download the iFi Nexis App now and experience the full potential of your NEO iDSD 2.

    Enhanced Circuitry

    The NEO iDSD 2's enhanced PureWave circuit design, with its balanced dual-mono topology and short signal paths, is known for outstanding linearity and minimal noise and distortion, offering you exceptional sonic purity.

    The results are an improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of >120dB(A), Dynamic Range (DNR) of -120dB(A), and Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise (THD+N) of <0.0015%, bringing the NEO iDSD 2's performance on par with DACs at a higher price point.

    Hi-Res Audio Support

    Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art with True Native® playback. It handles PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD.

    Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip's four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways. This enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain 'bit-perfect' in its native form right through to analog conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands. Even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.

    The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or 'bit-perfect'. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded.

    Full MQA Decoding

    MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is supported through the USB with full decoding of MQA files up to 384kHz thanks to the processing power of the new 16-core XMOS chip. This means that the full 'three unfold' decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to only the final unfold in the manner of an MQA 'renderer'.

    Globally, MQA has become an important consideration for any comprehensively equipped DAC. It is available through for Tidal Masters, Audirvana and Roon.

    XMOS 16-Core Chip

    The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input. This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.

    iFi's in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimize sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

    Product Features

    Overview

    • Versatile new 3-in-1 DAC/Amp
      • Can pair effortlessly with your headphones as a Head-Fi DAC/Amp
      • Can be used as a pure DAC with your integrated amplifier
      • Can serve as a DAC/Preamp for your active speakers and power amplifier
    • Features the latest Bluetooth 5.4 technology, supporting the new aptX Lossless codec
    • Maximum headphone output power of 5,551 mW (@ 32Ω)
    • Improved headphone and line outputs
    • Burr-Brown True Native® chipset
    • Full MQA Decoding
    • Supports PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD
    • XMOS 16-Core Chip
    • Auto iEMatch reduces annoying hiss from high-sensitivity headphones without losing any dynamic range
    • Four gain settings ranging from -12dB to +16dB
    • XSpace and XBass II analog processing modes, four digital filters
    • Position it horizontally or vertically ¬– the new 2-inch color display automatically rotates to suit the orientation
    • Internal GMT femto-precision clock
    • 10MHz External Sync Clock input
    • Clock: External Sync Clock 10MHz, 1Vpp nominal, 75Ω. Sinewave or Squarewave
    • Format: PCM 768kHz; DSD 512 (22.6MHz); MQA Full Decoder
    • New iFi Nexis App

    Inputs

    • Digital: USB3.0 B (USB2.0 compatible); S/PDIF (coaxial up to 192kHz, optical up to 96kHz)
    • Bluetooth: 5.4 (aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptx, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, AAC and SBC)
    • Analog: Unbalanced 3.5mm

    Outputs

    • Balanced XLR
    • Unbalanced RCA
    • Balanced 4.4mm headphone out
    • Unbalanced 6.3mm headphone out

    Product Specs

    Line Section Outputs

    • Balanced XLR: 19.5V max. (variable) 4.4V­ fixed
    • UnBAL RCA: 10.5V max. (variable) 2.2V ­fixed
    • Output Impedance: XLR ≤100Ω; RCA ≤50Ω
    • SNR: <-120dB(A) @ 0dBFS
    • DNR: >120dB(A) @ -60dBFS
    • THD+N: <0.0015% @ 0dBFS

    Headphone Section Outputs

    • Balanced 4.4mm: 3.5V / 19.5V max. (12Ω - 600Ω Headphone)
    • Unbalanced 6.3mm: 4.5V / 9.50V max. (12Ω - 300Ω Headphone)

    Maximum Output Power

    • Balanced: >19.5V/650 mW (@ 600Ω); >13.3V/5,551 mW (@ 32Ω)
    • Unbalanced: >10.5V/184 mW (@ 600Ω); >9.5V/2,832 mW (@ 32Ω)

    RMS Output Power

    • Balanced: >19.3V/620 mW (@ 600Ω); >12.7V/2530 mW (@ 64Ω)
    • Unbalanced: >9.7V/157 mW (@ 600Ω); >9.4V/1390 mW (@ 64Ω)

    Output Impedance: <1Ω

    • B SNR: >120dB(A) (3.3V 6.3mm/6.2V 4.4mm)
    • DNR: -120dB(A)
    • THD + N: <0.0015% (125mW @ 32Ω)

    General

    • Power supply requirement: DC 9V/1.5A - 15V/0.9A
    • Power consumption: No Signal ~5W; Max Signal ~13.5W
    • Dimensions: 8.4" x 6.2" x 1.6"
    • Weight: 2.0 lb.

    Product Warranty

    1 Year Parts & Labor iFi Audio Warranty Information

    DISCOVER EXPERT TIPS

    Audio Advisor Learning Center - Level Up Your Audio Education

    Customer Reviews

    Back to Top