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Description
The new iFi NEO iDSD 2 is the first DAC / headphone amplifier with truly lossless aptX Lossless Bluetooth.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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, utilizing its analogue volume control.
GMT Femto-Precision Clock. Upgradeable.
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 is on par with DACs at a higher price point.
Inputs:
- Digital USB3.0 B (USB2.0 compatible); S/PDIF (coaxial/optical)
- Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptx, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, AAC and SBC)
- Analogue UnBAL 3.5mm
- Clock: External Sync Clock 10MHz, 1Vpp nominal, 75Ω. Sinewave or Squarewave
- Format: PCM 768kHz; DSD 512 (22.6MHz); MQA Full Decoder
- 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 Output:
- Balanced 4.4mm 3.5V / 19.5V max. (12Ω - 600Ω Headphone)
- UnBAL 6.3mm 4.5V / 9.50V max. (12Ω - 300Ω Headphone)
Output Power:
- Balanced >19.5V/650mW (@ 600Ω); >13.3V/5,551mW (@ 32Ω)
- UnBAL >10.5V/184mW (@ 600Ω); >9.5V/2,832mW (@ 32Ω)
- Output Impedance: <1Ω
- SNR: >120dB(A) (3.3V 6.3mm/6.2V 4.4mm)
- DNR: -120dB(A)
- THD + N: <0.0015% (125mW @ 32Ω)
- Power supply requirement: DC 9V/1.5A - 15V/0.9A (centre +ve)
- Power consumption: No Signal ~5W; Max Signal ~13.5W
Other:
- Dimensions: 214 x 158 x 41 mm (8.4" x 6.2" x 1.6")
- Net weight: 916g (2.0 Ibs)