iFi NEO iDSD – this is an audio combo in the full sense of the word. The audio equipment combines a DAC, a preamplifier, and a balanced headphone amplifier, with wireless data transmission capabilities. This device features very advanced electronics and is devoid of any sound enhancement features or filters. The company’s engineers spared no expense here. The result is flawless operation right out of the box.
DAC and Amplifier iFi NEO iDSD – Overview, Features
The device boasts a 16-core XMOS microcontroller that receives data from USB and S/PDIF inputs. Unlike previous company devices, it uses a chip with doubled clock speed and quadrupled memory. A femto-clock GMT is installed to eliminate jitter, working in conjunction with an intelligent memory buffer. The sound is handled by the Burr-Brown DSD1793 chip.
The NEO iDSD is based on a symmetrical “PureWave” circuit operating in dual mono with short signal paths to achieve exceptional linearity and sound purity, as well as eliminate crosstalk. The main operational amplifier is a custom OV2637A. Volume control is performed by a discrete analog resistive circuit, managed by a microprocessor for high precision.
The headphone output is implemented with an OV4627A J-FET transistor and a W990VSI attenuator, which provide high quality along with low noise and distortion. Yes, such quality exists in high-end audio equipment, and the iFi NEO iDSD is clearly in the elite. The headphone amplifier stage can deliver over 1000 mV output power at a 32-ohm load.
The advanced Qualcomm QCC5100 Bluetooth chipset supports all modern audio codecs, transmitting sound in high quality up to 24bit/96kHz. For easier control, the device is equipped with a remote control and an OLED display on the front panel. By the way, the device can be placed horizontally or vertically. The display automatically rotates to match the orientation of the case. Very impressive implementation.
Technical Specifications of iFi NEO iDSD
| DAC Chip | DSD1793 |
| Headphone Amplifier | Yes |
| Output Voltage | up to 3.25V (unBAL), 6.4V (BAL) |
| USB Controller | XMOS (16-core/512KB) |
| S/PDIF Receiver | XMOS |
| Input Type | USB 2.0/3.0 Type B, S/PDIF: Coax, Optical |
| Output Type | RCA, XLR |
| Output Voltage (RCA) | 2.2V (fixed) |
| Output Voltage (XLR) | 4.4V (fixed) |
| PCM Support | 32bit 768kHz (USB), 24bit 96kHz (Bluetooth) |
| DSD Support | DSD512 (Direct, USB) |
| DXD Support | 768kHz (Double Speed) |
| MQA Support | Yes (USB, S/PDIF) |
| ASIO Support | Yes |
| Bluetooth | AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA |
| Built-in Preamplifier | Yes |
| Remote Control Support | Yes (remote included) |
| Power Supply | External (5V/2.5A) |
| Dimensions | 214 x 146 x 41 mm |
The NEO series is an intermediate solution from the British manufacturer iFi, positioned between the professional PRO series and budget ZEN equipment. The NEO iDSD offers audiophiles a balanced system in terms of sound quality and price. Some users will remain loyal to iFi products forever, while others will realize where perfection in sound begins.
