IFi Audio NEO IDSD 2 – Ultra-Res Wireless Headphone Amplifier, Pre-amp & DAC

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. aptX Lossless is the first and only Bluetooth codec capable of streaming CD-quality audio without using a compression method that degrades sound quality.

Future-proof Bluetooth 5.4

The NEO iDSD 2 used Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip, is qualified to Bluetooth 5.4, supported all (As of 22 Sep 2023) Bluetooth formats including: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.

5x more headphone output power

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.

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.

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.

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 less than 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.

Hi-Res Audio

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. Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form right through to analogue conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands – even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.

Technical Specifications

• Digital Inputs: 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 Inputs: 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

• Balanced Outputs XLR: 19.5V max. (variable) 4.4V­ fixed
• UnBAL Outputs 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

• Balanced 4.4mm Output: 3.5V / 19.5V max. (12Ω – 600Ω Headphone)
• UnBAL 6.3mm Output: 4.5V / 9.50V max. (12Ω – 300Ω Headphone)
• Balanced Output Power: >19.5V/650 mW (@ 600Ω); >13.3V/5,551 mW (@ 32Ω)
• UnBAL Output Power: >10.5V/184 mW (@ 600Ω); >9.5V/2,832 mW (@ 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] (*a power supply unit must be able to deliver minimum rated repetitive current)
• Power consumption: No Signal ~5W; Max Signal ~13.5W
• Dimensions: 214 x 158 x 41 mm (8.4″ x 6.2″ x 1.6″)
• Net weight: 916g (2.0 Ibs)

Features

• Ultra-Res digital audio with 32-bit/784kHz PCM, DSD512 and full MQA decoding
• Dual-core DAC design enables true-native DSD and PCM
• GMT femto-precision clock and smart storage cache offers advanced jitter reduction
• Four user-selectable digital filters to fine-tune sound to suit the source material
• State-of-the-art HD Bluetooth 5.4 for fully optimised performance
• Every Bluetooth format supported: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LHDC/HWA and more
• Enhanced PureWave fully balanced dual-mono circuit design delivers ultra-low distortion
• Exceptional power drives the toughest headphone loads
• XSpace and XBass II to adjust soundstage and frequency response to match headphones
• iPower 2 included – audiophile AC/DC power supply with Active Noise Cancellation
• Position horizontally or vertically – 2-inch colour display rotates to suit orientation