Well spotted!
Jexby and ClieOS both had their 3 Shredded Wheat today.
Yes, the iDAC2 is the next one out of the iFi Skunkworks. It is the successor to the the iDAC. ETA - on/before end of March.
Instead of the ESS Sabre, it will have the Burr-Brown chip as used in the nano iDSD and micro iDSD.
Native DSD256 & 384k PCM, a more powerful Headphone Amp (>300mW 16 Ohm) and some other new tech.
Think:
iDSD micro = best Portable and SPDIF DAC under $xxx
The iDSD micro was designed to be the best portable DAC we could make, with an emphasis on Headphone performance. It is the most advanced product we make, a road warrior that pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
iDAC2 = best Desktop USB only DAC under $xxx
The iDAC2 was designed to offer the best straightforward USB Desktop DAC we could make. In effect the same design remit that gave birth to the original iDAC in 2012.
In the interim we have learned much more in the process of the many other projects that are now shipping (or still await finaly production). We have brought this to the iDAC2 design.
Additionally, time has moved on. Where in 2012 having an affordable USB DAC with 192K "Full HD" was still novel, we want to keep pushing the envelope where affordable gear really needs to offer at least DSD, with DSD256 and 384kHz DXD now being "Full HD".
Sonically:
The iDAC2 is based upon the micro iDSD (but slightly different for pure desktop use as there is no internal battery of course).
The headphone section is a dual-mono headphone amp, each channel with 940uF to backup the power delivery to the HP Amp, for better dynamics and bass...
The line outs incorporate a Class A buffer circuit that combines J-Fets and Bipolar transistors to deliver enough Class A power to drive 600 Ohm loads with 0.005% THD - this originally came from developments for the Pro Audio line.
Though the mini/pro line ended up not using it, it fitted the iDAC2 design remit to a T.
We're listening to the iDAC2 in a "little big rig" with the LCD-Xs right now...
So it is running, undergoing field trials and is on the way!