Calling All Desktop Audiophiles: iFi NEO iDSD 2 Three-in-One DAC, Preamplifier, and Headphone Amp Plays Lossless Bluetooth, 32-Bit PCM, DSD512, Full MQA

A three-in-one DAC, preamp, and headphone amplifier with aptX lossless Bluetooth, MQA decoding, and balanced PureWave circuitry, the iFi NEO iDSD 2 bundles sophistication, versatility, and value in a sleek footprint that can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. Ideal for desktop audiophiles, its maximum 5551mW output power drives headphones with ease — and at a rate that eclipses more than a few dedicated units. In addition to separate balanced and single-ended headphone inputs, four gain settings (-12dB to +16dB) that suit all manner of IEMs and headphone types abet Auto iEMatch technology that reduces annoying hiss from high-sensitivity headphones.

Able to be used as a dedicated DAC via its fixed-level XLR analog output, a DAC/preamp for a power amp, and/or active speakers via its variable output, NEO iDSD 2 proves equally at home in any computer audio systems — and can also serve in a traditional main stereo. Equipped with an internal GMT femto-precision clock and smart storage cache, NEO iDSD 2 supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 in bit-perfect form. And if later you crave even more performance, it comes with a 10MHz external sync clock input — beyond rare in this price class. 

Enhanced by a Burr-Brown chipset complete with a 16-core XMOS microcontroller that processes data via USB and S/PDIF inputs, NEO iDSD 2 sports exceptional speed and musicality. Able to operate with extraordinarily low levels of noise and distortion, NEO iDSD 2 includes two analog processing modes (XSpace and XBass II) and four digital filters. And yes, it happens to be the world’s first lossless Bluetooth DAC/amplifier. 

Inside, everything revolves around balanced dual-mono PureWave circuitry. A custom OV Series op-amp, Texas Instruments ICs, TDK C0G capacitors, muRata low-ER high-Q multi-later capacitors, and MOSFET switching further contribute to heightening the detail, dynamics, liquidity, tonality, and presence you'll hear from your music. Factor in NEO iDSD 2’s amazing measurements, attractive looks, and one-year manufacturer warranty, and this two-pound multi-tasker bows as a master of power and poise.

Lossless Bluetooth 
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. NEO iDSD 2 uses Qualcomm’s new QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip, qualified to support Bluetooth 5.4 and other Bluetooth formats including aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.

Stand It Up or Set It Down
Whether you’re using the NEO iDSD 2 as in your desk-fi or hi-fi, you can position it horizontally or vertically. A two-inch color display automatically rotates to suit the orientation. When using it as a computer audio component, 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 the analog volume control. When using NEO iDSD 2 in a main system, you can place it horizontally. It can serve as a pure DAC, playing all high-res music files from 32-bit/768kHz to DSD512 and full MQA. You can also connect it directly to your power amplifier as a preamplifier, utilizing its analogue volume control.