iFi NEO iDSD 2

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2

The NEO iDSD 2 has been sent to me on loan directly by iFi Audio for me to try it out and to share my opinions in this review. As always, iFi have not made any requests and I will do be very best to be as unbiased as I can.

The official page for the NEO iDSD can be found here: https://ifi-audio.com/products/neo-idsd-2/

The above is a non-affiliate link as usual.



Intro…

I reviewed the original NEO iDSD back in January of 2021 and thought it was a great all in one device. In late 2022, I then reviewed the NEO Stream, a very similar device from the same line up, that also added streaming functionality into the already complete package of the NEO.

This newest model, which I am going to refer to as the NEO 2 throughout the review for brevity, is based upon the original all-in-one, not the streamer, but with some new tricks up its sleeve. There is also a NEO iDSD Performance Edition, which already featured some upgrades over the original, but I have not had a chance to try that one out and, as far as I am aware, the NEO 2 is the model with the most updates and upgrades of the 3.

A few of the new tricks that we can find on the NEO 2 are things like lossless Bluetooth (the worlds first DAC/Amp with this capability according to iFi), 5x times more power than the previous model (up to 5.5W @32 Ohms according to specs), XSpace, XBass II and the possibility of adding an external clock, amongst other things.

I will try to cover everything without rambling on forever, so let’s get started with the packaging and presentation.



Presentation…

I can keep this section short and sweet, as there is no difference between the packaging of the NEO 2 and the original, or basically 90% of iFi Audio’s other devices. They are always simple in their packaging but well thought out and well protected.

As far as contents in the NEO 2 box, at least in the demo unit I have received, we get the device, the iPower power supply with changeable connector types, a USB 3.0 cable, an RCA to RCA cable, a remote control, the stand and the usual user manual etc. One thing missing that I know was in there at some point is the iFi sticker, as it is always in there

No complaints as far as contents from me. Yes, there are always things that we could “wish to see”, but there is nothing I would consider missing (except the sticker of course).



Build and Aesthetics…

The NEO 2 is very similar in both build and aesthetics to the earlier models, in fact, as far as build quality, it is identical, which is to say very good. The whole device is machined aluminium, except in this case, there is an opaque plastic corner at the top back corner (if the device is vertical) which is what I believe to be for the Bluetooth connectivity. This saves the need for a BT antenna on the back but, to be honest, I did expect that corner to glow but that is not the case and is also irrelevant.

As with the previous models also, the screen automatically rotates depending the orientation of it, as you can either lay it horizontal or stand it up vertically (with the included stand).

On the front panel, in horizontal mode, from left to right, we get the screen, the large rotating and push button volume knob, the LED that illuminates the strip at the side of the knob, 5 buttons in a cross style layout with the centre button being round, the 4.4mm balanced headphone output and the 6.35mm unbalanced headphone output.

Spinning around to the back, again in horizontal mode and from left to right, we get the 2x XLR balanced outputs, with the unbalanced RCA outputs between them, a 3.5mm analogue input, an input for an external clock, a digital coax input, an optical input, the USB input and the DC power input, which will accept between 9V (1.5A) and 15V (0.9A) supplies.

While the aesthetics of this device are nothing new, they are the same as the previous models, I am still a fan of them and feel that it is a device that looks both modern and elegant at the same time. It doesn’t look out of place in my office or in my house.



Functionality…

While I didn’t mention it under build, the screen on the NEO 2 has also received a bit of an upgrade in comparison to the previous NEO iDSD OG and PE models. I may be remembering incorrectly but this seems to make better use of the space on the screen and it also adds some colour to the settings that are reflected on the screen.

The 5 buttons that I mentioned a moment ago have the following functionality:

Center - Power on / off

Top - Input selection and BT Pairing

Bottom - Gain selection

Left - XSpace

Right - XBass II



In addition to those 5 buttons, we also get the centre knob that works as a mute button if pressed or also brings up the menu when held for 3 seconds.

Before talking about the menu, let me mention the functionality from the buttons.

The power button is pretty self-explanatory, whereas the input and gain buttons cycle through them with each press. The input changes are brought up on screen, showing an image and text briefly with each change, with the gain level always being shown on screen in the form of a small icon.

Now, we would expect the gain levels to be shown as low/medium/high, or something along these lines, but as is many times the case with iFi, the give their own names to the gain levels and in this case, they even have their own little icons.

“iEMatch” is the lowest level, which is represented on the screen with a small set of IEMs in green. This setting is aimed at working well with the more sensitive IEMs. The level is noticeably lower than the next level but it does work well to reduce the hiss that is present when using sensitive IEMs.

“Normal” is the next level, which is represented on screen with a drop of water. Now, I have absolutely no idea where the reference of a water drop with normal gain comes from, but I did find it to be the icon that was shown on the screen the most with my use

“Turbo” is the next level, which is represented with a flame on screen. We have seen “Turbo” mode on other iFi devices in the past, again referring to high gain, but in those cases it has usually been the highest gain level. In this case we have another additional gain mode above “Turbo”

“Nitro” is a case of iFi going to eleven, as any Nigel Tufnel fan will appreciate. I really can’t say that I have found any need for this gain level with any of the headphones I have here, and certainly not IEMs, but it is there for those who need it. I will say that, when cycling through “Nitro” with IEMs in (not playing of course), the hiss made me nervous, feeling that any accidental noise of my PC would cause pain

The XSpace button turns on or off the XSpace feature. Now XSpace is nothing new on an iFi device either, it is featured on many of their devices, and is aimed at adding a spacial feeling to the sound when using headphones. I found that it works especially well with certain IEMs. In the case of XSpace on the NEO 2, I have found it to be the iFi device that it makes the most noticeable difference on. While I found it to be subtle on many of their other devices, here it is quite a notable function.

The XBass II button does the same but for the XBass function, although here we have three different modes: XBass > Presence > XBass + Presence. This is again something that I have discussed in the past (the Gryphon that I use almost daily has these same three modes) and it is basically to enable a bit of a boost in the upper mids (Presence) which can be used independently or together with the XBass function. As with the XSpace function, I find the XBass modes to be more noticeable on the NEO 2 than on other previous devices.

Ok, so now let’s get on to the menu which is accessed by a 3 second press of the knob. Inside the menu we find:

Filter Selection - This allows us to choose between 4 different digital filter: Bit Perfect, Standard, Minimum Phase and GTO.

Gain Selection - This gives us the same gain options as the gain button but in this case we use the wheel to turn up or down and the select, which saves us having to cycle through all of them (good for my fear of “Nitro” mode!).

Volume Sync - This is so it can sync with the volume of the device it is connected to and can be turned on or off.

BT Voice Prompt - Decide whether you want the nice lady to tell you the BT status.

External Clock Sync - If you connect an external clock to the NEO 2 (which I haven’t done because I don’t have one), you can activate it here.

Line Out Volume Control - Choose if the line outs should be fixed volume or controlled by the volume knob of the device.

Factory Reset - Make coffee. Just kidding, it does what it says on the tin.

About - Shows us the name and firmware version of the device.



That is it as far as functionality. As far as connectivity, well, put the connectors in the corresponding holes and away you go.

For a device that does have so many options, it is all easy to control but there is one last thing that I haven’t mentioned and gives us that extra little bit of functionality, the remote control.

The remote control features the same functionality as the drive itself, but it has the addition of three extra buttons, which are play/pause, next track and previous track.

When the device is connected via USB or Bluetooth, this allows control of the source from the iFi remote. This is a great feature and while it isn’t anything new, I find that it is usually limited to BT connected devices. As the iFi works with USB connected devices also, that is great for my desktop set ups.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.c...J5tZFqaRtpvYU49jK1cl1M/w640-h426/DSC_9221.JPG

**Sound…**

Starting off with power, I don’t have anything in my collection that comes close to needing all of the power that the NEO 2 offers. As I mentioned in the intro, the specs say that it will deliver up to 5.5W @32 Ohms and I cannot confirm or deny as I haven’t measured it but I can say that it has way more than I need for anything that I have on hand. I found myself mostly in Normal gain mode, with some adventure into the Turbo gain mode to try it out, but I didn’t find myself touching Nitro mode at all.

I can’t say how it will do with some of the more demanding headphones out there, such as the Susvara, but for anything within normal parameters, I think that the headphone output section of the NEO 2 will be more than enough for anyone who has decent hearing (and wants to maintain it )

As far as the general sound of the device, without any of the XBass or XSpace modes activated, then there is no doubt that this is an iFi Audio device. There is that hint of warmth to the sound that those who know and love the iFi house sound will appreciate. I am a fan of this sound, as I have mentioned many times in the past, and my enjoyment of the NEO 2 has obviously reflected this.

This “house sound” does seem to come more from the DAC in this case than the amplifier section, as using the DAC outputs to feed various speaker set ups and also other headphone amplifiers did give me that same hint of iFi warmth. When feeding from other DACs into the NEO 2 amplifier stage, which is limited to unbalance by the way, I felt that the amplifier was more neutral than when fed with the onboard DAC. That is not to say that the onboard DAC is not neutral, just that it has that touch of rounded warmth to it.

I enjoyed going through most of the headphones I have available, making the most of it not being summer yet, and did not find that I disliked any of them paired with the NEO 2 DSD. That doesn’t mean that it fixed inherent issues to the headphones themselves but I did find it to be a pleasurable pairing with my preferred sets.

I also had both the AR5000 and the Liric 2 here for testing while using the NEO and it worked very well for them both. The pairing with the Liric 2 is great and I think that they really compliment each other. I also found a lot of enjoyment from various Hifiman planar models.

As far as IEMs, again I found it to work well. Yes, there is some hiss with more sensative pairs (and that scary Nitro mode hiss with all IEMs!), but IEMatch fixes the issue with the sensitive ones and Normal mode works fine for those that are not too sensitive.

As I mentioned under functionality, I get the sensation that both XBass and XSpace are more noticeable on the NEO 2 than on other devices from the brand. They both work well and I think that the XBass 2 on the NEO 2 is probably my favourite implementation of XBass yet. I don’t use it all the time but when certain headphones or tracks call for it, it is there and makes a world of difference.

I could probably ramble on a lot more about smoothness, warmth and a smooth chocolate taste beside an open fire but I will save you, and me, all of that and just say that the sound of the NEO 2 does not disappoint.

One thing I have not mentioned is Bluetooth. As I said earlier in the review, this is the first DAC/Amp to feature the new lossless Bluetooth connectivity, unfortunately I do not have a device that transmits via lossless Bluetooth, so I cannot say how it works. The LDAC functionality works fine though, with plenty of range inside my office and a very stable connection, providing a sound quality that will be more than enough for the majority of listeners out there that use Bluetooth. I guess lossless can only improve on that.



Conclusion…

The iFi Audio NEO iDSD 2 has received a bit of a price increase since the original version but at the same time it has received some upgrades that really make this an even better all in one device. Priced at just under 900€, it is certainly not a cheap device, yet the features and performance are by no means cheap either.

It has ample power for everything I currently have on hand, I am a big fan of the sound and it is packed in an enclosure that may not be anything new, we have seen the design before, but sill looks elegant and inspires confidence in the quality of the product.

So, with positive results from everything I have thrown at the NEO 2, I guess the deciding factor for many would be the price, is it worth the price tag? Well, I am sure you could put together a system that has much of the same functionality (except for the lossless Bluetooth) and a comparable sound performance, but you would be missing the iFi build and that iFi house sound. We also need to consider that this is from the brand that brought us the 500€ dongle, so putting it into perspective, while I would obviously love a lower price point, I don’t think it is as expensive as it may seem at first.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

It is update season again, with iFi overhauling parts of its lineup. First up was the hip-dac 3, then the Diablo2 — and Neo iDSD2 arrived in tandem.

I reviewed the original Neo iDSD almost 3 years ago, and found it to be lacking in the amp section. The DAC performance was excellent, but the meek amp output held it back from being a universal recommendation. iFi has taken the sweet time to refine all “controversial” aspects of the original.

The amp section is noticeably improved with better power delivery into high impedance loads. Meanwhile, the noise issue with sensitive loads has been taken care of by the inclusion of IEMatch. Moreover, the general build and finish has become further refined, with a new UI and display, extra buttons on the front for easier control, and external app support for OTA updates and more.

Sounds like a winner so far, but then you look at the… upgraded price tag, which is almost $150 extra over the OG version, placing the Neo iDSD2 near the kilobuck range. In the days of measurement-topping budget gear, the Neo iDSD2 needs to have a few unique trick up its sleeve to justify the extra dough.

This review originally appeared on Audioreviews.org.
Note: the ratings given will be subjective to the price tier. IFi Audio was kind enough to send the Neo iDSD2 for evaluation.

IEMs and headphones used: Symphonium Crimson, Campfire Holocene, Sennheiser IE 900, Sennheiser HD 800, Hifiman HE-6se V2
Price, while reviewed: $900. Can be bought from Amazon.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES​

iFi Audio bundles practically everything you will need to get the Neo iDSD2 up and running. Aside from a 12V iPower V2 power adapter, you get a pair of RCA Cables, a USB cable, a handy remote control, and a stand to vertically orient the Neo IDSD2.



The only thing I’d change about the packaging is the supplied power adapter. The iPower X is noticeably “quieter” than the entry-level iPower adapter that’s bundled with the Neo iDSD2, and given the premium pricing, I’d have preferred the more “upscale” adapter.

BUILD QUALITY​

The basic design language is similar to the OG Neo iDSD, with a sleek, sandblasted aluminum frame; a large, multi-functional rotary encoder placed in the center, while the display and the headphone outputs flank it on both sides.



One of the key elements of the design is the vertical orientation capability. With the supplied stand you can easily prop up the Neo iDSD2 on your desk, leaving horizontal space to place your speakers or other amps. There’s a built-in accelerometer as well that automatically rotates the display.

The central rotary encoder stands out with its knurled finish and excellent tactile feedback. There is still some wobble when you try to press it inwards. Frankly, only way to avoid that would be to use a more complex setup where the outer ring and the inner “button” needs to be separated. iFi tried to keep things simpler here I guess.

The buttons have been improved from the OG Neo iDSD it seems, with a more defined feedback and less wobble than before. They are still a bit stiff so the remote is better for most operations. Do note that you have to aim the remote directly at the Neo iDSD, otherwise the infrared signals are not picked up well.

The sides now have an opaque acrylic “cut-out” for better RF signal transparency, which should improve BT reception and transmission performance. Another readily noticeable aspect over the first version is the weight of the unit, which feels more substantial. The OG Neo iDSD feels somewhat hollow and less rigid in comparison.



Overall, excellent build quality and industrial design, as expected from iFi.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS​

The Neo iDSD2 does not skimp on the input options at all. In fact, there are a few surprises here.

First of all, you have the power input that accepts 9V to 15V AC-DC adapters. The USB 3.0 type-B port is there, alongside the coax and optical inputs. Then there is a 10 MHz external clock input (via BNC) which is somewhat rare in the under USD$1000 range of sources. On paper, it should provide even better jitter performance when combined with an external clock.



Lastly, there are the analog/pre-amp line-outs in the form of both single-ended RCA and balanced 4-pin XLR. Strangely enough, there is only a single-ended 3.5mm line-in and not the usual 4.4mm analog input that iFi tends to have in their amps.

It’s a strange omission given the amp section is marketed as fully balanced internally, so there needs to be an additional single-ended to balanced conversion in the signal path if iDSD2 is used in amp only mode.

The headphone outs are all placed in front, with both 6.35mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs available. They have auto “IEMatch” enabled at the lowest gain setting, taking care of hiss with sensitive IEMs.

TECH SPECS AND INTERNALS​

Let’s get the spec sheet out of the way first:



The iFi Neo iDSD2 uses a Burr-Brown chip as per tradition. The BT5.4 is one of the highlights of the product and has both LDAC and the newest aptX Lossless codec support.

iFi also uses a new proprietary PureWave topology where they go for a dual-mono setup with shorter signal paths than their previous designs. The default firmware is GTO-enabled by default. I am happy to see that iFi has brought back the xBass and xSpace features, both of which work exceptionally well here.

The internal components are all high quality as expected: TDK/Murata caps, FET-based switching to mute those annoying “pops” you encounter on some DAC/Amps, and native MQA full-rendering support. I confirmed the latter by setting up Tidal on Windows in exclusive mode and playing MQA Master files, which were seamlessly handled by the Neo iDSD2 (indicated by displaying MQA on the display). At this juncture I should mention that it’s advised to install the iFi Neo iDSD driver package if you’re on Windows (Mac version coming soon). You can get it here.

The Bluetooth performance in LDAC was excellent. I did not notice any dropouts and not much fidelity was lost over wired USB connection. However, aptX support was a bit iffy with Samsung phones, likely due to Samsung’s somewhat poor implementation of the codec over other manufacturers.

One last note regarding amp specifications: the power rated is likely “peak” power, as I do not find the balanced output to provide 620mW of current into a 600 ohms load. The very high rated current delivery into lower impedance loads (max of 5.5W into 32 ohms) also did not really translate to real world usage, as certain planar magnetic headphones needed the 3rd gain setting to be driven properly. iFi’s FAQ section is also somewhat vague about the exact methodology used.

Speaking of gain, there are 4 different gain levels, with the first one being for sensitive IEMs, the second and third one for most headphones and IEMs out there, and the last one for very difficult to drive loads. The last gain level has audible hiss with even somewhat sensitive IEMs and headphones, so caution is advised while using that one.

IFI NEO IDSD2 SOUND CHARACTERISTICS​

It’s always difficult to describe the sound of a source in isolation because, well, you are going to use it with a pair of IEMs, headphones, or speakers in the end, which have their own “coloration”. Moreover, the additional effects like xBass, xSpace, and even the IEMatch can affect the sound somewhat.

Nonetheless, I would describe the general tuning of the Neo iDSD2 as neutral with a hint of warmth. Notes are slightly rounded off, resulting in a softer presentation that works well with somewhat “edgier” sounding headphones and IEMs. Staging is not intimate or claustrophobic, rather the instruments are naturally spread apart.

The filters have subtle sonic changes, but in the end I preferred the DXD filter for the most part which is a sort of “oversampling” filter that sounds engaging with my Tidal library. You can also try the Bitperfect filter for a slightly different flavor.

PAIRING NOTES​

Sennheiser HD 800​

The Sennheiser HD 800 are extremely “amp-picky”, with the wrong pairing often verging on unlistenable as the treble peak tends to be too distracting. Fortunately, the Neo iDSD2 displays no such issues, with the HD 800 showing their usual transparency without veering into “analytical” or “sterile” territory.

The xBass switch helps here as well, since the HD 800 has a linear bass response with sub-bass roll-off. The driver performance is still one of the best around, so pushing the sub-bass a bit with the xBass does not hurt performance and fidelity at all. The xSpace makes things too airy for me, however.

In general, the Neo iDSD2’s amp section pairs well with high impedance dynamic driver headphones, so if you primarily plan to drive such headphones, this one is a great fit.

Hifiman HE-6se V2​

The Hifiman HE-6se V2 proved to be a difficult challenge for the Neo iDSD2. These notoriously difficult to power headphones have a sensitivity of about 83 dB/mW at 50 ohms of impedance. Some even use speaker amps to drive these, which is bordering on the absurd.

Even at the highest gain level, the HE-6se V2 do not show the bass slam and macrodynamics they are capable of displaying. The volume got loud enough for me, but the subtler details felt missing.

The modern Hifiman planars like the Arya or the Ananda tend to fare much better, however, as they have relatively efficient drivers. The Arya Stealth especially was phenomenal on the Neo iDSD2, so try to audition them together if possible.

Campfire Audio Holocene​

The Campfire Holocene magnify the slightest amount of source hiss and as such, most desktop amps are a no-go to drive them. The auto IEMatch and the dedicated low-gain IEM mode on the Neo IDSD2 comes to the rescue. There is no noticeable hiss with the Holocene, and the FR did not skew noticeably.



On the other, the Symphonium Crimson are another pair of difficult to drive IEMs, with an astoundingly low 6 ohms of impedance and a sensitivity of only 84dB/mW. These factors combine to somewhat “choke” the amp section of the Neo IDSD2 which is not designed to handle such low impedance loads it seems.

The Crimson, just like the aforementioned HE-6se V2, are anomalies, so it’s not an inherent “con” if an amp is not designed around their specific needs. As a reviewer, I yearn for that true “all-in-one” solution though, and it’s always a bit of a letdown when that doesn’t happen. Ah well.

CONCLUDING REMARKS​

The Neo iDSD2 is still unique in the market, three years after the first version came out. I cannot think of another DAC-Amp combo with such a sleek design and rich connectivity options. The amp section is much improved over the first version, and the already excellent DAC section makes this sequel a great upgrade all around.

The market has not sat still in the meanwhile, with the likes of Topping DX7 Pro+ offering higher output power, better “measurements”, and a cheaper price tag. The Neo iDSD2 have the latest BT codec and version to offer, alongside handy extras like xBass, xSpace, IEMatch, a nicer display, and an analog line-in for amp-only usage.

Most of all, the Neo IDSD2 got the looks and the vertical orientation may be preferred by those with small desk space. All these considered, I can recommend the Neo iDSD2 for desk usage if space is a premium and you need an all-in-one solution with exceptional BT connectivity. Just keep in mind that this is not an amp you use with power hungry planars, as there are other options for that particular use case.

Introduction​

Hi Guys,

Today we are taking a look at the fairly recently released DAC/Amp combo unit from iFi, the Neo iDSD 2. I reviewed the first Neo iDSD a couple of years ago, so I was looking forward to hearing how the second incarnation had changed and how it stacked up compared to its predecessor. For the rest of this review, I’ll refer to the unit as the Neo 2.

The Neo 2 has some big changes in comparison to the Neo 1, but in terms of looks, it is fairly similar. It can be used either horizontally or vertically, which is handy for tight spaces on desks, and has an upgraded display compared to the original model. The most notable feature change for the Neo 2 is a vastly more robust headphone amplifier section. I think this amplifier section must be very closely related to the amplifier section in the iDSD Diablo 2, with very similar output power and sonics. iFi lists the output power in a similar fashion to their other products in terms of peak output, and RMS output, and from the balanced output (4.4mm) you are looking at 5551mw at 32ohms peak and 2,832mw at 32ohms RMS. The Neo 2 also features aptX lossless Bluetooth, as well as iFi Xbass and 3D sound features, though these are now called XSpace and Xbass 2 on this unit. On the rear of the unit, you have RCA outputs and full-size XLR outputs. In terms of inputs, there is a 3.5mm analog input for using only the amplifier section, a SPDIF optical input, a SPDIF coaxial input, a USB input, a BNC clock sync input, and a DC 9V power input. On the front of the unit, there are a few more buttons than the Neo 1, allowing you to toggle gain, Xbass 2, XSpace, and Bluetooth features. There are also the 4.4mm headphones output and the 6.35mm headphone output.




I’ve done a ton of testing with this unit both as a headphone amplifier, as a DAC and as a DAC/Amp combo unit. I will do three sections following addressing the performance in each area.

DAC​

As a DAC only, the Neo IDSD is a very capable unit. Although you don’t have the tube section and all of the extra features of the Pro iDSD, the Neo 2 does nicely improve on other iFi units like the ZenDAC. As a DAC only, the Neo 2 does sound very slightly warm in the low mid-range, with good clarity across the entire frequency response. The treble has a small amount of sparkle to it, but I wouldn’t describe it as bright or possessing spikes that can be grating over time. One thing that is nice about the Neo 2 as a DAC is it can also be used as a preamp with variable volume control. This allows slightly more freedom with the use case of the unit and can be used as a DAC/Pre into a standalone power amplifier if needed. Overall detail levels as a pure DAC are totally within what should be expected from a unit of this price point, and perhaps slightly beyond. In terms of overall performance as a DAC compared to the Neo 1, the Neo 2 is very similar. With that being said, I do still feel that the Neo series does make a better case for its use as a DAC/Amp combo unit, and this particularly applies to the Neo 2 given the improved head amp section with this incarnation. The DAC section of the Neo 2 features the standard filter options that most iFi DACs have – Standard, Bit Perfect, Minimum, and GTO. I prefer the GTO filter, which is short for Gibbs Transient-Optimised. Since I first heard this filter on the original Pro iDSD, it has been my favourite option of the iFi filter types. It seems to have the best balance between all the options and helps keep a clear incisive leading edge of all the notes, which helps things sound a bit cleaner and more detailed. I would recommend trying all the various filters, however, and going with the one that you feel works best for your ears.

Amp​

As an amp only, the Neo 2 is incredibly similar to the iDSD Diablo 2, which I reviewed recently. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of that unit in an overall sense, it didn’t really have anything to do with the overall sonic performance of the Diablo 2, and due to that, I’m very happy to see the Neo 2 utilizing what I am guessing is a very similar headamp section. It is much more powerful than the Neo 1. With the Diablo 2 in combination with the LCD-5, due to its uncharacteristically low impedance (14 ohms), I ran into the current protection of the Diablo 2 from the 4.4mm output. This never happened with the Neo 2 on the 4.4mm output, and I think this might have to do with the fact it is running from a 9v wallwart, vs a 5v wallwart/battery in the Diablo 2. The Neo 2 headamp section has a very neutral presentation verging on bright in the treble. It is very solid in terms of impact, drive, and detail levels. I definitely felt the amplifier section was slightly more detailed than the Neo 1’s headamp section. Another thing to mention is the variable gain levels. You can use iFi’s ieMatch (-12dB) with sensitive IEMs, and then there are regular gain levels of 0dB, 9dB, and 16dB. On the Neo 2, these settings are called Normal, Turbo, and Nitro. As with the Diablo 2 review, I am hoping iFi standardizes their gain naming conventions, perhaps returning to normal, high, and turbo. “Nitro” which used to be called Turbo, on the Diablo 2 is 18dB, but on the Neo 2, it’s 16 dB, so it can all get a bit confusing. The Neo 2’s headamp section will comfortably drive most headphones on the market, though if you want to push the volume high with something like the HE6, or Susvara, you might start running into its limits. Those are pretty unusual use-case scenarios for the Neo 2 however, and with pretty much all other headphones you will be totally fine in terms of power and gain. the Neo 2’s amplifier section is very solid in performance, and I could certainly see someone using it as their only source for headphones, especially if their desk space is limited.

DAC/Amp​

In my opinion, this is the use case where the Neo 2 really shines. The very neutral, almost bright amplifier section combines with the slightly warm DAC section and ends up with a very pleasing balanced frequency response. There is a small amount of sparkle in the treble, and a little bit of warmth in the low end. It’s a very easy-going sound signature, and it is incredibly easy to enjoy. I never found myself thinking it was overly analytical or boring, as some setups can be. The detail levels and technical performance are totally in line with a product of this price point, but the unit also has all of the typical features iFi products have, which helps make them real Swiss army knives in terms of usability. When you combine this with the much more powerful headamp section of the Neo 2 vs the Neo 1, there really isn’t much this unit can’t do, and it sounds good doing it!

Build Quality​

The build quality of the Neo 2 is pretty much exactly the same as the Neo 1. A metal shell that feels well put together. I had zero problems over my time with the unit, and it doesn’t feel flimsy or like it will break at any moment. I really do like the ability to use it either lying horizontally or vertically, and I think that vertical use will be especially helpful for those who have limited desktop real estate available.

Settings/Bluetooth​

I am very much a fan of wired use of DACs and Amps, but the Neo 2 does have aptX Lossless Bluetooth. I did give this a try for a week and I thought it worked well. I didn’t have any problems with pairing my devices, which was all fairly self-explanatory after the first time you do it. The sound quality was also really good for Bluetooth, though I do still think I heard some difference between a wired connection and the Bluetooth option. Perhaps that was in my head however, I’m certainly open to that being true. I think for most people, this will be a personal preference, and for some, the lack of cables and clutter will outweigh any possible difference in sonic quality. It is certainly worth trying out, and seeing what you think of the feature. The XBass 2 feature has a couple different settings to try. There is Xbass, which is just a bass boost, great for those who enjoy a more than neutral bass response. There is Xbass Presence, which increases the upper midrange. It helps add more smack to snare drums, brings out vocals, but can also be too much and make things a bit shouty. This isn’t a feature I particularly enjoy, but I know some people will absolutely love it, I would recommend trying it out and seeing what you think. Then there is Xbass + Presence, which enables both settings. There is also iFi’s 3D setting, which is called XSpace on the Neo2. This is a form of crossfeed, which can help with hard-panned recordings and old mono recordings. I’m not a fan of it on more modern recordings, as I feel it does the opposite of expanding the sound, but I know that some people really enjoy this take on crossfeed, so again, I’d recommend trying it out and seeing what you personally think.

Conclusion​

Now, in my iDSD Diablo 2 review, I wasn’t very complimentary and wasn’t a huge fan of the unit. The Neo 2 is a much better piece of equipment in my opinion. It wasn’t that the sonic performance of the Diablo 2 was poor, and I mentioned that in that review. I felt it cost too much at MSRP and did not offer a real tangible improvement over its predecessor. Thankfully, with the Neo 2, none of those concerns are present. The Neo 2 is retailing at $899USD, which whilst not cheap, is less of a jump than the Diablo 2 at its new $1399MSRP. I’d have loved to see the Neo 2 priced at $799USD, but $899 is ok. The Neo 2 also offers refinements in terms of the features offered, the DAC performance being similar but slightly better than the Neo 1. Most importantly the headphone amplifier section of the Neo 2 is a massive improvement over the Neo 1, and that alone justifies its creation as a new product. If you are a user who simply wants a small, transportable, well-built, somewhat more affordable, desktop DAC/Amp unit for headphones, the Neo 2 is incredibly compelling. If you combine that with the fact it can be used as a DAC/Preamp into a pair of powered desktop monitors, it really makes a case for its use as an all-in-one sound center for a desktop setup that doesn’t break the bank (too badly at least.) Overall, I think the Neo 2 is a good addition to iFi’s product range. Apart from the gain naming scheme, there isn’t much I didn’t like about the Neo 2. I hope iFi continues with this sort of improvements to their lineup, and that the Diablo 2 was a blip on the radar because pieces of gear like the Neo 2 are where iFi shines brightest, in my humble opinion. Good stuff iFi!