🎧 Revolutionize Your Audio Experience with the iFi NEO iDSD Desktop DAC, HiRes Bluetooth Receiver, and Balanced Headphone Amplifier Review

I was looking for a suitable DAC to decode a MQA streams with regular SPDIF digital inputs from TIDAL (not USB) for my BlueSound Node 2i streamer for less than $1000. This IFI module with Burr Brown chipset fits perfectly into the picture.

I had the original Micro idsd and it was great for the price. NEO is better and when you have Zen you have an amazing DAC/Amp for under $1000. I hope they release the NEO stack with a more powerful headphone amp, but even if they don't it's a great product.

The noise when listening to IEM rendered this unit unusable for me. Luckily, the return process was smooth and easy. When I tried this device with other headphones, I didn't like the sound compared to my reference device, the RME ADI2. If you're going to spend money on NEO, I highly recommend saving up and going with ADI2 instead.

I just wrote a full review of this product on my website. This is a CAP. It's a preamp, has Bluetooth capabilities, as well as a headphone amp, all for less than $700. Looks great on paper, right? After testing this on my system of high-end components like the Pass Labs INT-250 and Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers, I got a very different performance compared to my Chord Qutest DAC, which I ended up preferring. More spacious, sweet and musical. It shocked and surprised me, but this is a great…

I had the original Micro idsd and it was great for the price. NEO is better and when you have Zen you have an amazing DAC/Amp for under $1000. I hope they release the NEO stack with a more powerful headphone amp, but even if they don't it's a great product.

IEM listening noise rendered this device unusable for me. Luckily, the return process was smooth and easy. When I tried this device with other headphones, I didn't like the sound compared to my reference device, the RME ADI2. If you're going to spend money on NEO, I highly recommend saving up and going with ADI2 instead.

Edit (08/29/21 - new device): I was able to replace my device due to the issue listed below. However, I have a problem with the new block. The rear line output and the front headphone output do not play simultaneously. If I want to listen through the speakers, I have to unplug my headphones instead of letting them play at the same time as my previous device. I spoke to iFi and they said it was by design. Newer devices disable the rear line-out when headphones are plugged in. They said there…