[stoicar]

Yep. Ifi idsd neo on spdif conection .
Chain is ifi stream ( lps farad super3 12v), to ifi neo idsd dac ( lps farad super3 5v ) to busron soluist 3xp ( supercharger- farad 24v is on the way ) to heavy mod purifi class D amp to pbn b741 with mundorf supreme caps and munf rezistors.

 

[iFi audio]

Yep. Ifi idsd neo on spdif conection .
Chain is ifi stream ( lps farad super3 12v), to ifi neo idsd dac ( lps farad super3 5v ) to busron soluist 3xp ( supercharger- farad 24v is on the way ) to heavy mod purifi class D amp to pbn b741 with mundorf supreme caps and munf rezistors.

Very cool, thanks and enjoy

 

[nins45]

@iFi audio is there a big difference from the ifi zen one signature dac vs the ifi idsd neo…dac wise?

I’ve git the zen one sig with the ifi ipower elite psu. Sound great! But Im thinking if there’s a massive diff in sound or character.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio is there a big difference from the ifi zen one signature dac vs the ifi idsd neo…dac wise?

I’ve git the zen one sig with the ifi ipower elite psu. Sound great! But Im thinking if there’s a massive diff in sound or character.

If you mean the DAC circuit inside our NEO iDSD, then ZEN One Signature is either on par or still above it.

 

[nins45]

If you mean the DAC circuit inside our NEO iDSD, then ZEN One Signature is either on par or still above it.

Thanks for the reply. I’m using the zen one sig for my hifi as a stand alone dac. So does this mean, no need to change to the ifi neo? No need for preamp and headphone amp.

 

[stoicar]

So zen in above neo? Wow

 

[dericchan1]

So zen in above neo? Wow

Wow, that was surprising to me as well

 

[nins45]

@iFi audio What's the difference then between the dac stages of the Zen One Signature DAC and the Neo? How about the analog stage? All things, consider, you still think the Zen One Signature DAC is on par of maybe better as a stand alone DAC for hifi?

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for the reply. I’m using the zen one sig for my hifi as a stand alone dac. So does this mean, no need to change to the ifi neo? No need for preamp and headphone amp.

If you need a desktop DAC/amp, then NEO iDSD is second only to Pro iDSD. Otherwise you're good!

So zen in above neo? Wow

ZEN One Signature is a streamlined DAC without a headphone out, volume control, fancy enclosure and display. NEO iDSD is a DAC and headphone amp. Their DAC stages may be similar or one may be a touch above the other, but considering different utilities of these these products they're not alike. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[stoicar]

So now when we need a streamer for example and don’t need a dac we will not buy neo stremer because can be inferior to zen because the neo offer a dac . Nice to know. Anyway with all the respect idsd pro was inferior to the idsd neo as a pure dac . Idsd pro si a broken product as a streamer wii in it is just broken. But instead wining customers your pricing and upgrading path ( logical) is exactly as a idsd pro …. broken .

 

[iFi audio]

So now when we need a streamer for example and don’t need a dac we will not buy neo stremer because can be inferior to zen because the neo offer a dac

NEO Stream used as just a streamer still wins over ZEN Stream

Anyway with all the respect idsd pro was inferior to the idsd neo as a pure dac .

Many people would disagree here, including us. Pro iDSD is a higher-tiered DAC in our offer

But instead wining customers your pricing and upgrading path ( logical) is exactly as a idsd pro …. broken .

If there's anything unclear, I'm here on a daily basis and willing to help/explain etc. Thanks!

 

[amanlikemike]

Hello. As the owner of a Zen Stream, (which was a huge upgrade from using my Mac as a streaming source), looking to further improve my system, I’m a little confused by what I’ve read of this thread too.

The idea is to retire my trusty ciaudio DAC (which still sounds great, but cannot process anything above PCM 24/192 nor DSD Direct/MQA) in favor of something that can take advantage of the latest advancements in hi-res steaming.

At present there are two iFi products on my short list: the Zen DAC v2 Signature and the neo iDSD.

Taking amplification out of the equation (which is where things get messy with the introduction of the analogue active preamp feeding my dual monoblock speaker set-up and the separate head-amp I run off the tape loop of the pre-…) which of the two iFi models on my list produces the best sound as a standalone DAC?

I am aware that one if them is a standalone DAC and the other isn’t, but what I’m not clear on is whether they might sound any different operating on fixed output.

It’s also be good to know how the two units compare when it comes to attenuation via their respective configurations (side issue but I’m also trying to solve having way too much gain in my chain via the path of least resistance [literal and financial]).

I may actually be looking at a full system reshuffle to do it right, but at the moment this is a low-risk way to see if new technology - significantly less expensive that the components they’d be joining/replacing - can elevate the sound I like, or completely change it (for the better or the worse).

Thanks in advance,


Michael

 

[nins45]

If you dont need the streamer, get the ifi zen one signature Dac.

 

[spookanide]

looking to further improve my system
...
my trusty ciaudio DAC (which still sounds great, but cannot process anything above PCM 24/192 nor DSD Direct/MQA)

With a DAC at this level I really don't think that file resolution does much so don't let it distract you.

At present there are two iFi products on my short list: the Zen DAC v2 Signature and the neo iDSD.
...
which of the two iFi models on my list produces the best sound as a standalone DAC?

I'd say the Neo idsd. You can mess with the digital output filters and in minimum phase mode you get an awesome sense of realism in your space. You also don't get full XLR balanced out and no extra digital inputs (which I use for other media sources). I haven't tried the signature myself but I know it doesn't have the filter options. I can imagine the performance is similar to the neo.

It’s also be good to know how the two units compare when it comes to attenuation via their respective configurations (side issue but I’m also trying to solve having way too much gain in my chain via the path of least resistance [literal and financial]).

The neo is going to be more precise since it's a digitally controlled, analog step attenuator at the output. You might end up replacing the whole pre-amp. I use the neo in this config, balanced out to the active speakers and RCA to the dedicated headphone amp.
The headphone amp on the Neo is no slouch by any means, but it's also no iCAN SE power + bass EQ options. I have a Audeze LCD2fazor that I like to drive with a bottom heavy violectric V200 so that's the only reason I keep a separate.

 

[ballard3]

It seems that the optical input of Neo Idsd has the maximum resolution limited at 24/96. By connecting the streamer Wiim mini the 24/192 resolution is not supported.
Does it turn out to be so?