iFi audio NEO iDSD - The Performance Edition is here! (INFO: Post 837, Page 56)

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

We've been checking out Neo over the past few days and are very impressed so far! We have it in stock, ready to ship. https://bloomaudio.com/products/ifi-neo-idsd-dac-and-amp

@stephenkostas is finishing up his review and we're planning to publish it later today.

 

[pompecukor]

@stephenkostas is finishing up his review and we're planning to publish it later today.

Unfortunately seeing as you don't carry any of the popular/great Chinese brands, I am skeptical about how objective it will be.
What is he going to compare it with? Debunked Shiit Audio?

I can already see all the superlatives flying around with hardly any any objective criticism. No offense. You want to sell these, you will praise it. It just the way it is.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

I understand where you're coming from. Our reviews definitely aren't "unbiased" in that sense. But we do strive to give authentic impressions and compare against what we have used. A main part of our business is giving buying advice when customers call or email us, and having firsthand knowledge of the product is key.

 

[pompecukor]

I understand where you're coming from. Our reviews definitely aren't "unbiased" in that sense. But we do strive to give authentic impressions and compare against what we have used. A main part of our business is giving buying advice when customers call or email us, and having firsthand knowledge of the product is key.

Very mature answer. I appreciate it. If I was in US you would have my business if I end up buying this thing. Alas I am EU. So will end up with amazon UK or auditions France. Still I mean it as a compliment.

If this Stephen Kostas guy has heard any of the popular price/performance kings on the past year or so, then he has a good shot at being authentic. If it just a "hey it sound so awesome", then there is hardly any substance for me. I have to say a retailer (even a honest one) is in a very tough spot doing in-house reviews. Imagine if this was some much better then something else that you are selling in the same price range. Or so much worse. How the hell are you supposed to communicate that. In essence you would telling everyone plain and simple, never to buy one or the other. So you see, you cannot "afford" to be really authentic. As I said reviews like this then to be like two Engsligh gentlemen talking about each other dogs to one another. They are less of a review and more of a "Let me tell you how much I like it".

 

[Wyville]

We've been checking out Neo over the past few days and are very impressed so far! We have it in stock, ready to ship. https://bloomaudio.com/products/ifi-neo-idsd-dac-and-amp

@stephenkostas is finishing up his review and we're planning to publish it later today.

The Neo looks really interesting! Just out of curiosity, how does it pair with the new Xbox Series X and PS5 now that both have dropped optical out? BT?

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

The Neo looks really interesting! Just out of curiosity, how does it pair with the new Xbox Series X and PS5 now that both have dropped optical out? BT?

That's a dang good question. iFi is advertising it and maybe they've tested to confirm...I'm fairly certain that both XSX and PS5 will support USB audio.

 

[buffalomatt]

@iFi audio This looks great, but I was wondering about a few details:

- I don't see any info about Wi-Fi connection, so I would guess there is no hope of wireless Roon Ready support?

- Any chance of getting Tidal Connect?

- Does not have Xbass+ or 3D+, correct?

 

[iFi audio]

- I don't see any info about Wi-Fi connection, so I would guess there is no hope of wireless Roon Ready support?

It's Bluetooth only (...but with LDAC), so no wireless Roon.

- Any chance of getting Tidal Connect?

I don't think it's possible without a network component as in Pro iDSD, but I'll double-check.

- Does not have Xbass+ or 3D+, correct?

Nope.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

What would be the all-out stack of iFi products that this could combine with? Would it be the Neo stacked with a Pro?

 

[iFi audio]

USB audio.

That's what everyone counts for since there's no optical SPDIF in latest consoles.

What would be the all-out stack of iFi products that this could combine with? Would it be the Neo stacked with a Pro?

You can connect say Pro iCAN if you like of course, but NEO iDSD was designed as a standalone do-it-all case.

 

[iFi audio]

...also folks, the first post of this thread now features our official PR. Enjoy!

 

[stephenkostas]

As promised, here are my thoughts from a couple days with the NEO iDSD - https://bloomaudio.com/blogs/articles/ifi-neo-idsd-review

I totally get that we don't provide in depth unbiased reviews on the level of some of the excellent folks in the community, and I often don't have a huge selection of ideal comparisons close at hand, but I do my best to be honest, and to provide some useful information and guidance in our reviews.

 

[Alcophone]

Three things I'm curious about:

• When the unit is on and you disconnect the power supply, then reconnect it, does the unit turn on automatically or does the power button need to be pressed?
• If it does turn on when doing the above, does it dump uncontrolled current into attached headphones or power amps?
• Does it remember the fixed/variable volume setting when it loses power or does it reset to whatever the default is?

 

[stephenkostas]

Three things I'm curious about:

• When the unit is on and you disconnect the power supply, then reconnect it, does the unit turn on automatically or does the power button need to be pressed?
• If it does turn on when doing the above, does it dump uncontrolled current into attached headphones or power amps?
• Does it remember the fixed/variable volume setting when it loses power or does it reset to whatever the default is?

I've got 2/3 for you

• When you disconnect the power supply while the unit is on, the DO need to press the power button again to turn it back on.
• I don't know and can't easily test this.
• To the best of my testing which has occurred in the 5 minutes since I read your post, it remembers your volume settings no matter what. Whether you power off normally or yank the plug, it will remember.

 

[Alcophone]

I've got 2/3 for you

• When you disconnect the power supply while the unit is on, the DO need to press the power button again to turn it back on.
• I don't know and can't easily test this.
• To the best of my testing which has occurred in the 5 minutes since I read your post, it remembers your volume settings no matter what. Whether you power off normally or yank the plug, it will remember.

Nice, thank you very much! Sounds like it won't quite work for my use case, then.

Have fun, everyone!