iFi Neo iDSD2 Review – A Proper Upgrade

Pros — Sleek design
– Has all of the connectivity choices one can ask for
– Exceptional efficiency over LDAC
– Engaging sound with upgraded amp part
– Remote management is helpful

Cons — Neo iDSD2’s Amp part just isn’t highly effective sufficient to drive inefficient headphones
– aptX Adaptive efficiency will be machine dependent
– iPower X could possibly be included within the packaging given the asking worth
– Background hiss on the highest acquire setting

INTRODUCTION

It is replace season once more, with iFi overhauling elements of its lineup. First up was the hip-dac 3, then the Diablo2 and Neo iDSD2 arrived in tandem.

I reviewed the unique Neo iDSD nearly 3 years in the past, and located it to be missing within the amp part. The DAC efficiency was glorious, however the meek amp output held it again from being a common suggestion. iFi has taken the candy time to refine all “controversial” facets of the unique.

The amp part is noticeably improved with higher energy supply into excessive impedance masses. Meanwhile, the noise difficulty with delicate masses has been taken care of by the inclusion of IEMatch. Moreover, the overall construct and end has turn out to be additional refined, with a brand new UI and show, further buttons on the entrance for simpler management, and exterior app help for OTA updates and extra.

Sounds like a winner thus far, however you then take a look at the… upgraded price ticket, which is nearly $150 further over the OG model, inserting the Neo iDSD2 close to the kilobuck vary. In the times of measurement-topping price range gear, the Neo iDSD2 must have a couple of distinctive trick up its sleeve to justify the additional dough.

Note: the scores given shall be subjective to the worth tier. IFi Audio was variety sufficient to ship the Neo iDSD2 for analysis.

IEMs and headphones used: Symphonium Crimson, Campfire Holocene, Sennheiser IE 900, Sennheiser HD 800, Hifiman HE-6se V2
Price, whereas reviewed: $900. Can be purchased from Amazon.

PHYSICAL THINGS AND USABILITY

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES

iFi Audio bundles virtually every part you will have to get the Neo iDSD2 up and working. Aside from a 12V iPower V2 energy adapter, you get a pair of RCA Cables, a USB cable, a helpful distant management, and a stand to vertically orient the Neo IDSD2.

ifi Audio iPower & iPower X Review – Noise Annoys

The Neo IDSD2 sounds higher with the iPower X adapter.

The solely factor I’d change in regards to the packaging is the provided energy adapter. The iPower X is noticeably “quieter” than the entry-level iPower adapter that’s bundled with the Neo iDSD2, and given the premium pricing, I’d have most popular the extra “upscale” adapter.

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The provided distant appears to be like smooth and works effectively.

BUILD QUALITY

The primary design language is just like the OG Neo iDSD, with a smooth, sandblasted aluminum body; a big, multi-functional rotary encoder positioned within the heart, whereas the show and the headphone outputs flank it on either side.

iFi Neo IDSD2 can be used in vertical orientation as well, which saves a lot of space on desk. — iFi Neo IDSD2 can be utilized in vertical orientation as effectively, which saves loads of area on desk.

One of the important thing components of the design is the vertical orientation functionality. With the provided stand you’ll be able to simply prop up the Neo iDSD2 in your desk, leaving horizontal area to put your audio system or different amps. There’s a built-in accelerometer as effectively that mechanically rotates the show.

The central rotary encoder stands out with its knurled end and glorious tactile suggestions. There remains to be some wobble whenever you attempt to press it inwards. Frankly, solely approach to keep away from that will be to make use of a extra advanced setup the place the outer ring and the internal “button” must be separated. iFi tried to maintain issues easier right here I suppose.

The buttons have been improved from the OG Neo iDSD it appears, with a extra outlined suggestions and fewer wobble than earlier than. They are nonetheless a bit stiff so the distant is best for many operations. Do notice that it’s important to goal the distant immediately on the Neo iDSD, in any other case the infrared indicators aren’t picked up effectively.

The sides now have an opaque acrylic “cut-out” for higher RF sign transparency, which ought to enhance BT reception and transmission efficiency. Another readily noticeable facet over the primary model is the burden of the unit, which feels extra substantial. The OG Neo iDSD feels considerably hole and fewer inflexible compared.

Overall, glorious construct high quality and industrial design, as anticipated from iFi.

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The plastic bits on the facet enable sign transparency for the wi-fi {hardware}.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

The Neo iDSD2 doesn’t skimp on the enter choices in any respect. In truth, there are a couple of surprises right here.

First of all, you might have the facility enter that accepts 9V to 15V AC-DC adapters. The USB 3.0 type-B port is there, alongside the coax and optical inputs. Then there’s a 10 MHz exterior clock enter (through BNC) which is considerably uncommon within the below USD$1000 vary of sources. On paper, it ought to present even higher jitter efficiency when mixed with an exterior clock.

Lastly, there are the analog/pre-amp line-outs within the type of each single-ended RCA and balanced 4-pin XLR. Strangely sufficient, there’s solely a single-ended 3.5mm line-in and never the same old 4.4mm analog enter that iFi tends to have of their amps.

It’s a wierd omission given the amp part is marketed as totally balanced internally, so there must be an extra single-ended to balanced conversion within the sign path if iDSD2 is utilized in amp solely mode.

The headphone outs are all positioned in entrance, with each 6.35mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs obtainable. They have auto “IEMatch” enabled on the lowest acquire setting, taking good care of hiss with delicate IEMs.

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The Neo iDSD2 has wealthy connectivity.

TECH SPECS AND INTERNALS

Let’s get the spec sheet out of the best way first:

The iFi Neo iDSD2 makes use of a Burr-Brown chip as per custom. The BT5.4 is among the highlights of the product and has each LDAC and the most recent aptX Lossless codec help.

iFi additionally makes use of a brand new proprietary PureWave topology the place they go for a dual-mono setup with shorter sign paths than their earlier designs. The default firmware is GTO-enabled by default. I’m completely satisfied to see that iFi has introduced again the xBass and xSpace options, each of which work exceptionally effectively right here.

The inner elements are all top quality as anticipated: TDK/Murata caps, FET-based switching to mute these annoying “pops” you encounter on some DAC/Amps, and native MQA full-rendering help. I confirmed the latter by establishing Tidal on Windows in unique mode and taking part in MQA Master information, which have been seamlessly dealt with by the Neo iDSD2 (indicated by displaying MQA on the show). At this juncture I ought to point out that it’s suggested to put in the iFi Neo iDSD driver package deal if you happen to’re on Windows (Mac model coming quickly). You can get it right here.

The Bluetooth efficiency in LDAC was glorious. I didn’t discover any dropouts and never a lot constancy was misplaced over wired USB connection. However, aptX help was a bit iffy with Samsung telephones, probably because of Samsung’s considerably poor implementation of the codec over different producers.

One final notice concerning amp specs: the facility rated is probably going “peak” energy, as I don’t discover the balanced output to supply 620mW of present right into a 600 ohms load. The very excessive rated present supply into decrease impedance masses (max of 5.5W into 32 ohms) additionally didn’t actually translate to actual world utilization, as sure planar magnetic headphones wanted the third acquire setting to be pushed correctly. iFi’s FAQ part can be considerably imprecise in regards to the precise methodology used.

Speaking of acquire, there are 4 completely different acquire ranges, with the primary one being for delicate IEMs, the second and third one for most headphones and IEMs on the market, and the final one for very tough to drive masses. The final acquire stage has audible hiss with even considerably delicate IEMs and headphones, so warning is suggested whereas utilizing that one.

IFI NEO IDSD2 SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

It’s at all times tough to explain the sound of a supply in isolation as a result of, effectively, you’re going to use it with a pair of IEMs, headphones, or audio system ultimately, which have their very own “coloration”. Moreover, the extra results like xBass, xSpace, and even the IEMatch can have an effect on the sound considerably.

Nonetheless, I’d describe the overall tuning of the Neo iDSD2 as impartial with a touch of heat. Notes are barely rounded off, leading to a softer presentation that works effectively with considerably “edgier” sounding headphones and IEMs. Staging just isn’t intimate or claustrophobic, slightly the devices are naturally unfold aside.

The filters have delicate sonic adjustments, however ultimately I most popular the DXD filter for essentially the most half which is a type of “oversampling” filter that sounds participating with my Tidal library. You may also attempt the Bitperfect filter for a barely completely different taste.

PAIRING NOTES

Sennheiser HD 800

The Sennheiser HD 800 are extraordinarily “amp-picky”, with the improper pairing usually verging on unlistenable because the treble peak tends to be too distracting. Fortunately, the Neo iDSD2 shows no such points, with the HD 800 exhibiting their common transparency with out veering into “analytical” or “sterile” territory.

The xBass swap helps right here as effectively, because the HD 800 has a linear bass response with sub-bass roll-off. The driver efficiency remains to be the most effective round, so pushing the sub-bass a bit with the xBass doesn’t harm efficiency and constancy in any respect. The xSpace makes issues too ethereal for me, nonetheless.

In common, the Neo iDSD2’s amp part pairs effectively with excessive impedance dynamic driver headphones, so if you happen to primarily plan to drive such headphones, this one is a superb match.

Hifiman HE-6se V2

The Hifiman HE-6se V2 proved to be a tough problem for the Neo iDSD2. These notoriously tough to energy headphones have a sensitivity of about 83 dB/mW at 50 ohms of impedance. Some even use speaker amps to drive these, which is bordering on the absurd.

Even on the highest acquire stage, the HE-6se V2 don’t present the bass slam and macrodynamics they’re able to displaying. The quantity received loud sufficient for me, however the subtler particulars felt lacking.

The fashionable Hifiman planars just like the Arya or the Ananda are inclined to fare a lot better, nonetheless, as they’ve comparatively environment friendly drivers. The Arya Stealth particularly was phenomenal on the Neo iDSD2, so attempt to audition them collectively if doable.

Campfire Audio Holocene

The Campfire Holocene enlarge the slightest quantity of supply hiss and as such, most desktop amps are a no-go to drive them. The auto IEMatch and the devoted low-gain IEM mode on the Neo IDSD2 involves the rescue. There isn’t any noticeable hiss with the Holocene, and the FR didn’t skew noticeably.

On the opposite, the Symphonium Crimson are one other pair of adverse to drive IEMs, with an astoundingly low 6 ohms of impedance and a sensitivity of solely 84dB/mW. These elements mix to considerably “choke” the amp part of the Neo IDSD2 which isn’t designed to deal with such low impedance masses it appears.

The Crimson, similar to the aforementioned HE-6se V2, are anomalies, so it’s not an inherent “con” if an amp just isn’t designed round their particular wants. As a reviewer, I yearn for that true “all-in-one” answer although, and it’s at all times a little bit of a letdown when that doesn’t occur. Ah effectively.

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The Hifiman HE-6se V2 are a tad too energy hungry for the Neo IDSD2.

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Sennheiser HD 800 have glorious pairing with the Neo iDSD2.

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The Campfire Holocene show no hiss when related to the Neo iDSD2.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The Neo iDSD2 remains to be distinctive out there, three years after the primary model got here out. I can’t consider one other DAC-Amp combo with such a smooth design and wealthy connectivity choices. The amp part is way improved over the primary model, and the already glorious DAC part makes this sequel a terrific improve throughout.

The market has not sat nonetheless in the intervening time, with the likes of Topping DX7 Pro+ providing greater output energy, higher “measurements”, and a less expensive price ticket. The Neo iDSD2 have the newest BT codec and model to supply, alongside helpful extras like xBass, xSpace, IEMatch, a nicer show, and an analog line-in for amp-only utilization.

Most of all, the Neo IDSD2 received the appears to be like and the vertical orientation could also be most popular by these with small desk area. All these thought-about, I can advocate the Neo iDSD2 for desk utilization if area is a premium and also you want an all-in-one answer with distinctive BT connectivity. Just understand that this isn’t an amp you utilize with energy hungry planars, as there are different choices for that individual use case.

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