Description
iFi NEO iDSD 2 Bluetooth DAC/Amp (Open Box)
The world’s first lossless Bluetooth DAC/Amp
Supports new aptX Lossless – the only Bluetooth codec capable of streaming lossless CD-quality audio, AND boasts a powerful 5551mW output that outshines many headphone amps.
It’s head-fi. It’s desk-fi. And it’s hi-fi.
The NEO iDSD 2 is our versatile new 3-in-1 DAC/Amp, designed specifically for CAS audiophiles. 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.
It features the latest Bluetooth 5.4, supporting the new aptX Lossless, the only Bluetooth codec capable of streaming lossless CD-quality audio without sacrificing audio quality.
The NEO iDSD 2 has improved headphone and line outputs, providing ample power for your high-demanding headphones, as well as power amplifiers.
My Blue isn’t your blue. It’s new and Lossless.
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 used Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip, is qualified to Bluetooth 5.4, supported all* Bluetooth formats including: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.
*As of 22 Sep 2023. Check your device for Bluetooth codec support.
Bluetooth codec maximum bitrates compared
5x more headphone output power than its predecessor.
You heard me correctly – the headphone output power of the NEO iDSD 2 is a whopping 5 times more powerful than that of the 1st-gen NEO iDSD. With a maximum headphone output power of 5,551 mW (@ 32Ω), it outperforms even some dedicated headphone amplifiers, making them sweat. The headphone section has seen significant improvement, as we’ve essentially integrated a Diablo headphone circuit into it.
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 NEO iDSD 2 is not only a powerhouse, but it’s also tailored for your ears. The newly added analogue 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 analogue signal processing modes designed to adjust the soundstage and low-frequency response to match your headphones.
Stand by you. No matter up or down.
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 colour 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 analogue, which is superior to any digital volume control.
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, utilising its analogue volume control.
GMT Femto-Precision Clock. Upgradable.
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.
More than new features. 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.
Introducing the 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.
Features
- 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.
- The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB* digital input.
- 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.
- 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.
- We use Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth processing IC in combination with proprietary circuits to create an audibly superior ‘Bluetooth engine’.
- Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and intelligent memory buffer.
- Balanced, differential analogue circuit design has long been championed for its ability to reduce noise and cross-talk within the signal path by fully separating the left and right channels.
- As with many other iFi audio products, we’ve incorporated a custom OV Series operational-amplifier.
- Switching between settings has been engineered to ensure sonic transparency with advanced trench technology MOSFET is used as a muting switch.
- TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications.
- Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer.
- muRata control-type, low-ESR high-Q multi-layer capacitors. The ‘ESR control’ aspect of the Murata is something special. Their noise suppression abilities are impressive.
- Texas Instruments low-noise ICs offer great unity-gain bandwidth, very low noise and distortion, high output drive capability, Common-mode and Power Supply Rejection Ratios of over 100 dB, wide maximum-output-swing bandwidths and high slew rates.
SPECIFICATIONS
Digital Stage
- Hi-Res Support: 768kHz PCM | DSD512 (22.6MHz) | full MQA decoding
- Bluetooth Formats: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC
- Digital Inputs: Bluetooth 5.4, USB-B, S/PDIF Coaxial, S/PDIF Optical
Line Stage
- Analog Input: 3.5mm SE
- Analog Outputs: RCA (L/R), XLR BAL (L/R)
- Line Out XLR: 19.5V max. (variable) | 4.4V (fixed)
- Line Out RCA: 10.5V max. (variable) | 2.2V (fixed)
- Output Impedance: XLR ≤ 100Ω | RCA ≤ 50Ω
- SNR: < -120dB(A) @ 0dB FS
- DNR: > 120dB(A) @ -60dB FS
- THD+N: <0.0015% @ 0dB FS
Headphone Stage
- Headphone Out 4.4mm: 3.5V/19.5V max. (12Ω – 600Ω HPs)
- Headphone Out 6.3mm: 4.5V/9.5V max. (12Ω – 300Ω HPs)
- Output Power 4.4mm: > 19.5V/650mW @ 600Ω | > 13.3V/5551mW @ 32Ω
- Output power 6.3mm: > 10.5V/184mW @ 600Ω | > 9.5V/2832mW @ 32Ω
- Output Impedance: < 1Ω
- SNR: > 120dB(A) (3.3V 6.3mm/6.2V 4.4mm)
- DNR: -120dB(A)
- THD+N: < 0.0015% (125mW @ 32Ω)
General
- Power Supply: DC 9V/1.5A – 15V/0.9A (center +ve)
- Power Consumption: No signal ~5W | Max signal ~13.5W
- Dimensions: 8.4″ x 6.2″ x 1.6″
- Weight: 2 lbs
