I own iDAC2 and USB input only.

I am definitively using both pre-amp and headphone amp modes. I permanently connect RCA cable to a pre-main amp to drive my speaker system. If I want to listen to music through a head rig, of course pre-main amp is turned off. I do not see any issue with that.

Pro iCAN does not have fixed output. When I use it as pre-amp to feed the output to the pre-main amp for speakers, I usually set the volume knob of pro iCAN maximum and the sound power level from the speakers is controlled by the pre-main amp. It is depending on your system, though.

I do not use any equalizer in the digital domain. Are you using a headphone amp hooked up to DAC? I recommend using the equalizer in the analogue domain, i.e. equipped on the analogue amp (such as bass and treble adjustment), which is usually better.

I am also using Hysolid for the main system sitting in the living room. My DAC is iFi Audio's micro iDAC2 (USB DAC) which requires the dedicated ASIO driver, 32bit for Windows PC. I do not use onboard USB ports, I recently bought a high-quality USB card which works fine and the SQ improves a...

Here is the tech note what is s-balanced and full balanced; https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iFi-audio-xCAN-S_BAL-Tech-Note.pdf

GTO filter is implemented by firmware (software), not hardware.

Try it yourself. If you do not like it, just go back to the firmware w/o GTO. It is simply a taste of preference. Nothing else.

Ifi is saying that the mains (wall socket or power outlet) charge the built-in battery by which the unit is powered.

Thanks, Sebastien. That is what I thought, though my usage will be for a home audio system (not portable) since I own xDSD for portable. Micro iDAC2 is still an excellent DAC even now with an affordable price tag, while it has been discontinued.

I am also interested in this topic since current my main system is micro iDAC2 --> pro iCAN and I am curious if Neo or Diablo is clear upgrade path against micro iDAC2. I am hesitating to go to pro iDSD because of too much functional duplication with pro iCAN. I do not really need headphone...

Diablo seems already selling in Canada, though official iFi's homepage has not shown yet. https://www.electronicsforless.ca/ifi-idsd-diablo-mobile-reference-dac-headphone-amplifier-11420.html

This is great information as well as your detailed review since I own nano iUSB3.0 to feed micro iDAC2 + pro iCAN so far. Probably Neo iDSD is a right upgrade path for my chain.

Use ASIO driver; https://ifi-audio.com/firmware/windows-usb-2-0-drivers/ See also here for DSD native playback. https://ifi-audio.com/home/computer-audio-tutorial/enhanced-listening/

I think the design concept of both products is different. The micro iDSD Signature is intending to use portable, all-in-one solution, while Neo iDSD is desktop (home audio) use. I actually own micro iDAC2 which is DAC/amp combo but rather pure DAC is intended and preferably feed to an analogue...

I am expecting someone of the above to review the NEO as a pure DAC and combined with analogue amp such as pro-iCAN. I'm simply interested in how superior to the micro-series "DAC" (not DAC/amp combo) or equal level. I am not sure if the fully-balanced circuit really improves SQ as "DAC" only.

OK, here you are; verifonix asked; So between iDac2 micro and ZEN sig, which would win? ifi audio responded; Hi there! DAC Sig and iDAC2 would be closely matched. i. Because of the similar architecture. B-B chipset, Elna Silmics, etc. ii. BUT the ZEN DAC Sig shades it is because in key areas...

I found the answer on the Drop website. https://drop.com/buy/ifi-audio-zen-dac-signature-drop-exclusive/talk/2666550?utm_source=linkshare&referer=PVXZ2G

Hmm, it seems to be a similar idea to the design concept of micro iDAC2 . Actually I own micro iDAC2 to feed pro iCAN for the main audio system which is an excellent combination. I wonder which is better, ZEN DAC signature or micro iDAC2. An obvious upgrade path is pro iDSD but...

Use ifi's ASIO driver which supports full spec of ifi products. https://ifi-audio.com/firmware/windows-usb-2-0-drivers/

I upgraded xDSD from silver nano iDSD (non-BL version) with much satisfaction. My first priority is size. micro iDSD BL is too big for portable. I mostly use the wired connection rather than bluetooth because of SQ but bluetooth is nice for casual use. If you do not need huge power for your...

Have you installed USB driver (ASIO driver)? https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

I let you introduce a useful site; https://ifi-audio.com/home/headphone-calculator/ According to the calculator, no difference between nano and xDSD in view of output sound power level, while the sound signature is different. If you need more power, micro is the only way to go for mobile usage...

It is not necessary to ask Dr Thorsten directly since ifi users well know about it. Pro iDSD is MQA full decoder, while other ifi DACs currently available are capable as MQA renderer when proper firmware is used. Refer to tutorial video on the following ifi's website (click MQA to see them)...

I cannot compare micro iDSD BL since I do not have it. Please refer others like Devodonaldson above (he is definitively talking about headphone out, not RCA lineout though). Between iDAC2 and xDSD for lineout comparison (xDSD has fixed lineout mode), I must say iDAC2 is superior to xDSD. I am...