The iFi NEO iDSD 2 review sample was loaned to me for one month. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The retail price is $899 and you can buy it from all authorized dealers around the world.
iFi NEO iDSD 2 Review
The iFi NEO iDSD 2 is the second generation of the much acclaimed NEO iDSD, a popular DAC/amp that won critical acclaim but was not without a couple of minor issues. The NEO iDSD 2 includes many new features and updates over the previous model.
The NEO iDSD 2 is a versatile 3-in-1 DAC/Amp that pairs effortlessly with headphones as a Head-Fi DAC/Amp, it can be used as a pure DAC with integrated amplifiers or serve as a DAC/Preamp for your active speakers and power amplifiers.
The Burr-Brown DAC chip is implemented in a four-channel True Native design where PCM and DSD take separate paths so they remain ‘bit-perfect’ in their native form right through to the analogue conversion.
The XMOS 16-Core chip handles PCM data up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512, single and double speed DXD and MQA full decoding.
The iFi NEO iDSD 2 incorporates extensive jitter-eradication technologies that are applied to the digital stage, including iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer. The low-jitter crystal clock has also been updated to provide >20dB better performance.
More technical information is to be found here.
aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec
This is the first DAC in the world with the latest Bluetooth 5.4 chip, supporting the new aptX Lossless codec, the only Bluetooth codec capable of streaming lossless CD-quality audio without sacrificing audio quality. It features the Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip that is qualified to Bluetooth 5.4 and supports all Bluetooth formats including, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.
Unfortunately there are only a few phones (as for now) to support the new aptX Lossless codec so this is a feature pretty useless for the majority of the potential buyers.
Anyway, I wouldn’t count that as a real drawback because the iFi NEO iDSD 2 boasts excellent Bluetooth reception (LDAC and aptX HD codecs) with a sound quality that is just slightly inferior to the wired connection.
New features
What is included for the first time in the iFi NEO iDSD 2, is a single ended, 3.5mm line input so you can use it as a pure headphone amplifier with an external analogue source, like a phono.
New feature is also the external clock support via the 10MHz BNC input for even greater clock signal accuracy. The LCD screen is a new, 2-inch color display that automatically rotates to suit the orientation of the unit while the iFi NEO iDSD 2 comes with a new and more stylish remote control which is made from aluminum.
The brand new headphone amplifier
The weakest part of the original iFi NEO iDSD was the headphone amplifier that was rather underpowered and not that suitable for driving demanding loads. In the iFi NEO iDSD 2, the headphone section has been significantly improved by essentially integrating the Diablo headphone circuit into it.
The result is that the headphone output power of the NEO iDSD 2 is a whopping 5 times more powerful than that of the NEO iDSD. With a maximum headphone output power of 5,5W/32Ω, from its balanced output, it can now effortlessly drive a great variety of headphones minus some really difficult ones like the HIFIMAN Susvara.
With various headphones that I have used, like the Focal Clear Mg, HIFIMAN Ananda Nano, Sennheiser HD660S2 and iBasso SR3, the iFi NEO iDSD 2 did a spectacular job driving them with plenty of headroom and excellent control.
Furthermore, the iFi NEO iDSD 2 features Auto iEMatch to reduce annoying hiss from high-sensitivity earphones, without losing any dynamic range, and four gain settings, ranging from -12dB to +16dB, for better adaptability to different headphone loads. I have tested the background noise with the Soundz Avant to discover that the device is dead silent and absolutely noise free.
As per usual practice the iFi NEO iDSD 2 was left playing music for about 100 hours before listening evaluation. All headphone cables used are from pure silver and made by Lavricables.
Fine tuning
The newly added analogue processing modes, XSpace and XBass II, along with the four digital filters, allow the user to fine-tune 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. Both these processing modes are pretty effective and they offer a welcomed variety without degrading the quality or clouding the sound.
I/O and interface
The front panel of the iFi NEO iDSD 2 houses the LCD display, the multifunction volume control, four buttons (that are used for input selection, gain settings and enabling XSpace/XBass II), the power button and the two headphone outputs (4.4mm and 6.35mm).
At the back side there are located the XLR and RCA stereo analogue outputs, the 3.5mm line input along with coaxial, optical and USB digital inputs, the external clock and the DC inputs. The iFi NEO iDSD 2 is powered by a 9V iFi iPower2 power adapter but it can also accept up to 15V of input voltage.
Appearance and build quality
The external appearance of the iFi NEO iDSD 2 is almost identical to the original NEO iDSD, the chassis is just a few centimeters longer and wider. The only notable difference is the semi- transparent plastic window at the upper left corner which houses the concealed Bluetooth antenna.
This is a well made device with the usual iFi appearance that is a little ordinary and kind of boring without much of a premium feeling.
App connectivity and controls
The iFi Nexis application (available for Android and iOS) was specifically designed for the NEO iDSD 2 and offers a convenient way to control the device, allowing you to adjust functions and settings or perform OTA upgrades.
If you are not that well acquainted with modern technology you can always use the buttons or the handy remote control for controlling the NEO iDSD 2.
Accessories
The retail package includes plenty of accessories. A high quality USB cable, RCA stereo interconnect, the remote control, the vertical stand, the iFi power adapter and a 6.35 headphone adapter.
Listening impressions
When I reviewed the original NEO iDSD I thought that it was the most transparent and neutral sounding DAC ever made by iFi, with a rather lean and dry texture and a surprisingly bright treble for an iFi DAC. The iFi NEO iDSD 2 marks the return back to the roots and the usual iFi sound signature that is slightly warmer and more organic without sacrificing that much in technicalities and transparency.
The sound of the iFi NEO iDSD 2 is relatively smoother and more polite but still exhibiting great fidelity, crystalline clarity and excellent extension to both ends of the frequency spectrum. Technicalities and neutrality are just slightly pushed back to allow for a more analogue and organic timbre to emerge, full of colorful harmonies and overtones.
The presentation is very realistic and lifelike, the sound of the NEO iDSD 2 is full bodied and visceral with excellent tonal accuracy and absent of any digital artificiality. The treble has a natural feeling without sharpness or any kind of brightness but at the same time it is luminous, energetic and honest. Detail retrieval is great but the new version doesn’t sound as analytical or magnifying like the original.
The new amplifier section is very effective in making the bass shine by imbuing it with great physical impact and punchy dynamics. The bass has speed and attack, it is controlled and well defined with excellent layering.
The mid-range has fluidity and musicality, it is engaging, exciting and communicative. Voices and instruments are reproduced in a lifelike manner, they sound alive, articulate and refined with a weighty texture and plenty of resolution. This is the classic iFi sound that we all love for its human-like tone and the organic nature.
The already expansive and extended soundstage of the previous model is further improved in the NEO iDSD 2 by gaining in depth layering and holography. The original might be a touch more precise when it comes to imaging but the new one has the tendency to position the performers in a more spherical and vertical way.
It’s Christmas time and I couldn’t resist listening to yet another superb recording of Handel’s Messiah. The iFi NEO iDSD 2 made a match made in heaven with the Meze Empyrean.
In the end
The iFi NEO iDSD 2 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a superior headphone amplifier stage and a range of new features. In addition to its enhanced technical capabilities, this DAC also delivers a more mature and musical sound.
It is an outstanding all-in-one solution for those seeking an affordable option with exceptional sound quality and numerous features. Furthermore, it serves as a worthwhile upgrade for previous model owners, unless they prefer a more technical sound or have particularly dark headphones.
With no notable drawbacks to mention, the iFi NEO iDSD 2 easily stands out as one of the top and most cost-effective, all-in-one DAC/amps in the sub $1K category.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.
+ Excellent sound quality + Musical and engaging + Natural and organic timbre + No digital glare or artificiality + Great technicalities + Powerful headphone amplifier + Many features and I/O + aptX Lossless + App connectivity and remote control + Well made + Compact size + Plenty of accessories + Value for money - Uninspiring appearance - Not many phones yet to support aptX Lossless
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