[Alcophone]

Exaclty why he asked. And I would like to know, I supposed most people would.

See my post before that with a screenshot from the video showing the output impedance. The manual contains it as well.

 

[Richard Wray]

• First DAC to support all Hi-Res: DSD512, PCM768, MQA384kHz and Bluetooth 96kHz.
• Completely purist design without any DSP.
• Bluetooth 5.0 (aptx, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, AAC and SBC) up to 24/96kHz.
• Fully-balanced differential DAC/amplifer with >1,040mW output.
• Ultra-fast USB interface with 16 logic cores and up to 2000MIPS 512KB SRAM.
• Audiophile-grade components designed to reproduce music without any distortion or colouration.
• Native DSD/PCM Burr-Brown® 4-channel DAC chipset.
• Perfectly natural sound pleasing even the most demanding audio connoisseurs with the built-in MQA fle decoding.
• Extremely low THD: <0.0015 % and ultra-high SNR: >120 dB.
• Digital inputs: USB3.0 B (USB2.0 compatible)/S-PDIF (coaxial/optical)/Bluetooth 5.0 .

So how does this compare to the Zen Dac? I’m 100% headphones so not sure I need the extra features.

 

[qsk78]

Happy to see two XLR outputs on the rear of the Neo. It is still a better option for home desktop application than the 4.4 mm.
Wonder how it works as a pure DAC.

 

[ES_EF]

with all due respect to iFi

 

[pompecukor]

Happy to see two XLR outputs on the rear of the Neo. It is still a better option for a home desktop application than the 4.4 mm.
Wonder how it works as a pure DAC.

It was mentioned that it does. 3 in 1, DAC only, DAC+ Pre Amp, DAC +Headphone Amp.

I am more interested in how it preforms/compares to the price performance kings of the hill. It will be some time before we get an objective review I am sure.

If it is at M500 v2 level. Or if it can get really close to the A90+D90 combo.

 

[Alcophone]

Happy to see two XLR outputs on the rear of the Neo. It is still a better option for home desktop application than the 4.4 mm.
Wonder how it works as a pure DAC.

Those are meant to connect to power amps, integrated amps or powered speakers, not headphones, though.

 

[qsk78]

Those are meant to connect to power amps, integrated amps or powered speakers, not headphones, though.

Yes, this is what I'm talking about

 

[Alcophone]

Yes, this is what I'm talking about

I see. I hope nobody uses 4.4 mm Pentaconn outs for that.

 

[qsk78]

I see. I hope nobody uses 4.4 mm Pentaconn outs for that.

On Zen Dac they have a 4.4 mm analog output which is not convenient if your typical desktop amplifier is on XLRs.

P.S. @iFi audio Is Roon compatibility planned for Neo?

 

[pompecukor]

@iFi audio now that the cat is 100% out of the bag. When are these going on sale?

 

[Bazaar]

Looks very nice...I haven't even gotten my DROP Zen Signature bundle and here I'm contemplating an upgrade

 

[Cuthbert 80]

It's now up on Amazon UK.

I've just ordered one to pair with my Focal Clear Pro and should hopefully arrive by next week Wednesday.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08MQPT4RQ/

 

[pompecukor]

It's now up on Amazon UK.

I've just ordered one to pair with my Focal Clear Pro and should hopefully arrive by next week Wednesday.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08MQPT4RQ/

Nice, hope you get it soon and give impression. I am tempted to order one, but it would be just silly in my case. The Signature is on its way and my CIEM are shipping end of the month. Also really keen on something objective as not (good for us) there are quite a few seemingly good options at this price bracket. Both all in one and stacked. And yes, all with MQA sticker hahaha.
I mean IFI did have to make some sacrifices vs their top end option. Otherwise they would be shooting themselves in the leg. question is how much was sacrifices to put this at this price point and how noticeable would that be?...

I would still like to buy some bassy and confortable over the ear headphones. Just not hifi meets with the covid. And it can be such a hit and miss what people like and do not like, especially the comfort and fit part. No mattery how good something sounds, after a while your ear will get used to it. However if it is not comfortable, then it will bug you forever.

 

[Alcophone]

On Zen Dac they have a 4.4 mm analog output which is not convenient if your typical desktop amplifier is on XLRs.

Aaah, my bad! I had only seen Pentaconn headphone outputs and hoped nobody uses them to connect components. Only looked at Zen long enough to notice the absence of TOSLINK and moved on, thus missing the line level Pentaconn port on the back.
Interesting that iFi sells a Pentaconn to Pentaconn interconnect, but not Pentaconn to Dual XLR (both male or both female). But it looks like those can be found on Amazon.

 

[iFi audio]

Looks very attractive, you have to give it that. Full marks for that Ifi audio.
Also cost same as the IFI Micro iDSD Signature.
Very tempting. Hope that we will see an object review soon.
I with there were more details about gain settings and such. For use is sensitive IEM as well as hard driven CANs.

It is on my top 2 short list now for sure as the none mobile setup to compliment the Signature. I will get either this or the stack that I listed about. Obviously this would be more convinient. I do prefect and all in one, vs. a stack. And this end up a bit cheaper too expecially with not needing and XRL and such.

Thanks!

Exaclty why he asked. And I would like to know, I supposed most people would.

It most likely is below 1Ω, but once I'll know for sure I'll put the info here

I mean IFI did have to make some sacrifices vs their top end option. Otherwise they would be shooting themselves in the leg. question is how much was sacrifices to put this at this price point and how noticeable would that be?...

NEO iDSD isn't a trimmed version of any our product in particular.