IFI NEO IDSD 2 ULTRA HI RES DAC/HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER LAUNCHED

The new iFi NEO iDSD 2 ultra-res DAC/headphone amp claims to be the first to feature lossless Bluetooth.

IFI NEO IDSD 2

British HiFi brand iFi Audio has announced the launch of their second-generation NEO iDSD, dubbed NEO iDSD 2. Building upon the success of its predecessor, this new DAC and headphone amplifier is packed with upgrades and features that aim to enhance the listening experience for music enthusiasts.

LOSSLESS BLUETOOTH

One of the standout features of the NEO iDSD 2 is the inclusion of aptX Lossless, a groundbreaking Bluetooth format that allows for lossless CD-quality streaming. This innovation means the NEO iDSD 2 becomes (claim iFi) the world’s first DAC capable of processing aptX Lossless, further improving the quality of iFi’s Bluetooth technology. This represents a significant improvement in Bluetooth audio quality, offering bitrates of up to 1.2Mbps at CD-quality.

The NEO iDSD 2 also incorporates Bluetooth version 5.4, the newest standard, ensuring the best wireless range, stability, speed, and low latency. It can store up to eight paired Bluetooth source devices in its memory for easy switching.

In addition to Bluetooth, the device offers USB, optical, and coaxial digital cable inputs.

COLOUR DISPLAY

The NEO iDSD 2 features various upgrades in its design, including a new colour display and an array of tuning options to enhance sound quality. Notably, its redesigned headphone amplifier can deliver over 5,550mW into 32 ohms through its balanced 4.4mm output, making it one of the most powerful headphone amplifiers in its category.

COMPACT SIZE

The device is designed with versatility in mind, with its compact size and the option to place it horizontally or vertically. The two-inch retina-grade TFT colour display adjusts automatically to match the user’s preferred orientation, and a user-friendly rotary control simplifies operation.

OPERATIONAL MODES

The NEO iDSD 2 offers three operational modes to cater to various applications. It can function as a pure DAC with a fixed-level analogue output for integration into an existing audio system. Alternatively, it can serve as a DAC/preamp with variable output, suitable for direct connection to a power amplifier or active speakers. For headphone and in-ear monitor users, the device provides an amplifier stage, creating a high-quality ‘head-fi’ setup.

BURR-BROWN DAC

One of the key components of the NEO iDSD 2 is its DAC stage, which features a Burr-Brown chip known for its native sound architecture. The device incorporates a 32-bit, 16-core XMOS Cortex microcontroller to process audio data received over digital inputs, ensuring optimized sound quality. Advanced jitter-eradication technologies, including iFi’s GMT femtosecond-precision clock and smart storage cache, contribute to a proprietary ‘digital engine’ unique to iFi.

DSD AND MQA

In terms of audio format support, the NEO iDSD 2 handles PCM data up to 32-bit/768kHz and all levels of DSD up to 22.5792MHz. It also comprehensively supports MQA and is capable of decoding and upsampling MQA files to the highest 384kHz specification.

IFI NEO IDSD 2 BALANCED CIRCUIT DESIGN

Balanced circuit design is a highlight of the NEO iDSD 2, with its fully balanced PureWave analogue circuits reducing noise and crosstalk in the signal path. High-quality components are used throughout, delivering exceptional sound quality and power to drive various headphones and in-ear monitors. The device maintains THD of <0.0015 per cent and SNR of >120dB, resulting in improved clarity and a more dynamic listening experience.

TUNING

The NEO iDSD 2 offers a range of tuning options, including user-selectable digital reconstruction filters and gain settings for headphones or IEMs. Additional features include XBass II, which enhances low frequencies, and XSpace, which widens the headphone soundstage. These analogue processing modes can be toggled on or off to customize the audio experience.

The device comes with a new aluminium remote handset for convenient control, and users can also opt to use the iFi Nexis app for further control and firmware updates.

Connectivity options include asynchronous USB-B, optical, and coaxial digital inputs, as well as a 3.5mm analogue input. Balanced analogue outputs, alongside single-ended headphone and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, provide flexibility for various setups.

IFI NEO IDSD 2 SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum file resolution 32-bit/768kHz PCM; native DSD512; full MQA decoding to 384kHz

Bluetooth format support aptX Lossless; aptX Adaptive (aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL); LDAC; HWA/LHDC; AAC; SBC

Cable inputs USB 3.0 Type B; optical S/PDIF; coaxial S/PDIF; 3.5mm analogue; external clock

Line outputs (fixed/variable) Balanced XLR stereo; RCA stereo

Headphone outputs 4.4mm balanced; 6.3mm

Digital filter settings Standard; Bit Perfect; Minimum Phase; Gibbs Transient Optimised

Headphone gain settings 0dB; +8dB; +16dB; -12dB (IEMatch)

Headphone analogue processing modes XSpace; XBass II (Bass, Presence, Bass + Presence)

Headphone output power – 4.4mm >19.5V/650mW (@600Ω); >13.3V/5551mW (@32Ω)

Headphone output power – 6.3mm >10.5V/184mW (@600Ω); >9.5V/2832mW (@32Ω)

Included cables and connectors USB 3.0 Type A to Type B cable; stereo RCA cable; 3.5mm to 6.3mm headphone adapter

Other included accessories iPower 2 PSU, aluminium stand for vertical placement, aluminium remote control

Dimensions 214x41x158mm

IFI NEO IDSD 2 PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

With an RRP of £899, the iFi NEO iDSD 2 is available from October.

HiFi PiG Says: The new iFi NEO iDSD 2 may be small but it is packed with new features.