The NEO iDSD is a headphone amplifier by iFi Audio. It was released in 2021. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The NEO iDSD has an MSRP of $799.
Performance Specs
The NEO iDSD drives headphones rather than loudspeakers, so its power is quoted into headphone impedances instead of into 8 ohms: 5,551 mW @ 32 ohms maximum. iFi Audio quotes a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of <0.0015% (lower is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 120dB Signal to Noise Ratio
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the NEO iDSD, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Inputs
Outputs
- Preamp Outputs
- Balanced XLR Output
- 1/4 Headphone Output
Balanced connections
NEO iDSD has a balanced XLR output. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. On a headphone output the other benefit is separation: a balanced connector gives each channel its own return conductor instead of the two sharing a common ground, which lowers crosstalk between left and right. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The NEO iDSD's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
NEO iDSD Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Delivers 5,551 mW into 32 ohms, comfortably more than most headphones need.
- ✓A preamp output means it can also feed active speakers or a power amplifier, so it is not limited to headphone listening.
- ✓A built-in DAC takes a digital source directly, with no separate converter to buy or find space for.
- ✗It has no speaker terminals - this drives headphones, not loudspeakers.
NEO iDSD External Dimensions and Weight
NEO iDSD has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 1-5/8 x 8-7/16 x 6-1/4 inch (41 x 214 x 158 mm ). The unit weighs
0.92 kg (2 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the NEO iDSD is approximately 338.1cm2 / 52.4inch2.
- Width: 214.0mm (8-7/16")
- Height: 41.0mm (1-5/8")
- Depth: 158.0mm (6-1/4")
- Weight: 0.92 kg (2 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~338.1cm2 / 52.4inch2
- Volume: ~1.4 liter / 0.4 gallon
| General |
| Brand |
iFi Audio |
| Full Model Name |
iFi NEO iDSD |
| Release Date |
2021 |
| Amplifier Type |
Headphone Amplifier |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Headphone Output Power |
5,551 mW @ 32 ohms maximum |
| Output Impedance |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
<0.0015% |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
120 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
|
| WiFi |
|
| CONNECTIONS |
| Preamp Outputs |
Yes |
| Balanced XLR Output |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
|
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
41.0mm (1-5/8") |
| Width |
214.0mm (8-7/16") |
| Depth |
158.0mm (6-1/4") |
| Weight |
0.92 kg (2 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
Does the NEO iDSD use vacuum tubes?
No. The NEO iDSD is a solid-state amplifier - there are no vacuum tubes in it.
Does the NEO iDSD have a built-in DAC?
Yes. The NEO iDSD has a built-in DAC, so you can feed it a digital source directly without buying a separate converter.
Does the NEO iDSD have a headphone output?
Yes. The NEO iDSD has a 1/4-inch headphone output on the front panel for private listening.
How much does the NEO iDSD cost?
The NEO iDSD has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $799.
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