iFi Audio Neo iDSD 2 - Going Back to the Roots - Honest Audiophile Impressions

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iFi Audio Neo iDSD 2 - Going Back to the Roots - Honest Audiophile Impressions

Рет қаралды 4,538

the Honest Audiophile

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 59

@valentin9650 7 ай бұрын

thanks for the review, as professional as always !

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

My pleasure, you're welcome.

@user-zb2nn7wp2w 12 күн бұрын

Hi Dave, I always appreciate your honest reviews! I'm a music production student looking to upgrade my monitoring setup. Currently, I use an Audient iD24 and plan to connect a new DAC via optical (SPDIF). I mainly produce hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music, using Audio-Technica ATH-R70x (previous) and Aune AR5000 (current) headphones. My main focus is music production, mixing, and mastering, and I also plan to connect active speakers via XLR. I’m considering the iFi Neo iDSD 2, Topping DX7 Pro+, or Aune S9c. I’ve tried the iDSD 2 and loved its clear, wide, and smooth sound, but I’m concerned that its warmth might not be ideal for monitoring. I’ve heard that Topping has a colder, more neutral sound with better specs, which is great for monitoring. However, I’m worried it might make my AR5000s sound too harsh or sibilant and that the analytical sound could make the production process less enjoyable. I also read that Topping’s optical connection might introduce jitter, unlike the iFi and Aune with their external clock options. I just watched your review about aune s9c pro and it seems like a valid product. But i havent tried this one yet so cannot really say much about it. I haven't had a chance to try the Topping or Aune models, so I’d love your thoughts on how these three DACs compare in terms of sound separation, soundstage, imaging, and clarity. Which one do you think would match best with my headphones and use case? If there’s a better option, I’d love to hear about it! Thanks in advance for your help! (Also, is it an upgrade from ath-r70x to ar5000?)

@TheHonestAudiophile 12 күн бұрын

The DX7 Pro+ is the most analytical of the 3 but also lacks naturalism. The Aune S9C Pro is the warmest and most musical. The iFi Neo iDSD 2 is the balanced of the 3 If I were to choose one of them as a reference I would choose the Neo. BUT honestly, I wouldn't use any of them as a reference, instead I would consider spending a little more and getting the Fiio K19 or Mytek Liberty DAC ii and if those two aren't in the budget, the Fiio K9 AKM. As for comparing the DX7 Pro+ vs S9C, the S9C is warmer and more lush, clarity is good on both but the DX7 Pro+ has more, the DX7 Pro+ is more technical but lacks naturalism and emotion as it has a cold, sterile presentation. I love the R70x and AR5000. The AR5000 is a solid all-around listen with good technical abilties. The R70x is a studio workhorse. Both the Neo and S9C pair well with the AR5000 and R70x. The DX7 Pro+ would be an intense listen with both headphones.

@bill3117 5 ай бұрын

Great review!!! I have one and like it. I do enjoy the ability to mount it on the stand for saving space on the desktop!

@TheHonestAudiophile 5 ай бұрын

Awesomeness 😎

@carminedesanto6746 7 ай бұрын

Good morning listening on my drive into work this foggy and cold Friday. Take care and I’m enjoying the video. Have a great weekend.

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Have a great weekend.

@oddballgamerpro3923 7 ай бұрын

Pop quiz; how many times did Dave say "overpriced" in the conclusion? 😝

@lennybenny821 7 ай бұрын

@chungang7037 7 ай бұрын

Interesting, other reviewers have found the original to be warmer and this newer version to be closer to neutral, I guess I will have to wait to demo it.

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Look forward to hearing your impressions.

@chungang7037 7 ай бұрын

@@TheHonestAudiophile I am also concerned this unit does not have the power advertised.

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Very possible.

@Dr.Dan_K 7 ай бұрын

@@chungang7037 I find myself turning the volume up to around 90 give or take for loud listening with my Hifiman he6se v2. It powers them but I wonder how the phantom or something would power them.

@chungang7037 7 ай бұрын

@@Dr.Dan_K I see, does it sound neutral or warmish [ifi's typical house sound]?

@eriphoor 2 ай бұрын

Nice review. The Fiio takes it on this round thoiugh.

@ImAWSMDanny 7 ай бұрын

(me who doesn't need new gear) "hey look, new gear."

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

I know you have plenty of "new gear" at the moment 😉

@ImAWSMDanny 7 ай бұрын

Dang this thing looks so sexy

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Yeah it's a looker for sure.

@jayabbey5141 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for this review. I have always respected your opinions on the gear you review. It is funny that my personal sound differs from yours. And that is an invaluable source of information in my purchase decisions. I am a huge fan of Sony ES products, as they use a Texas Instruments DAC(Burr Brown) which provides an intimate warmth in the sound signature. So. I think the iFi neo sounds like it would be something that would work perfectly for me. I have tried DAC's implementing a large range of ESS DAC's and they always sound so cold and analytical. I am still interested on how iFi would compare to an R2R DAC like the Denafrips ARES II for that intimate warmth. What is your opinion of that comparison?

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

I'm glad you find the channel content helpful. No matter if we agree or disagree there is valuable information to be exchanged and learned. Burr Brown MultiBit is similar to R2R that I've heard from the likes of Soekris and Schiit but I've not heard a Denafrips. Tonality is where there similar but the stage isn't as immersive as a Soekris. BTW I enjoy Sony DAP a lot, I own two of them.

@valentin9650 7 ай бұрын

i wondered why no reviews about Sabaj D5. now has been discontinued. nevertheless some of the stuff are worthy and great units, your reviews are great.

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoy the channel content. Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

@jhinesjr 7 ай бұрын

Go Bills!!

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Go Bills!

@tessie4204 4 ай бұрын

Do they have a black version? This looks like a nice upgrade for my SMSL AO300.

@TheHonestAudiophile 4 ай бұрын

I don't believe so

@letsbefrank3 7 ай бұрын

I think iFi's headline power output uses a non-standard test procedure to measure the output power For the Diablo 2 they apparently 'cooked' the figures by using 1ms burst measurements instead of RMS. They now state RMS separately on the spec sheet and that is 2530 mW (@ 64Ω)

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Ohhh interesting. Thanks for the information.

@SergeyAtom1 4 ай бұрын

does it sound better than Ifi Zen dac v2?

@TheHonestAudiophile 4 ай бұрын

I haven't heard either since I revi6them but I'd memory serves me correctly the Neo 2 is more refined, detailed and resolving.

@MarcLie90 5 ай бұрын

thinking about getting this as an all in one desktop with arya stealth. thoughts?

@TheHonestAudiophile 5 ай бұрын

If memory serves me correctly, the Arya Stealth paired well. I think I covered how well planars ran on the Neo 2 in the video under source pairing section.

@stephenmiller9791 4 ай бұрын

I'm a bit of a dac nut . I have the original neo ifi dac but always found that it fell a bit short in comparison to my Loxjie d50. I also have the Chord Qutest which is basic but has superb sound quality. I was wondering whether buying the improved version of the ifi neo dac was worth it?

@TheHonestAudiophile 4 ай бұрын

I've not heard the D50 or Qutest. But in comparison to the og Neo iDSD the Neo 2 is a significant upgrade in my opinion.

@stephenmiller9791 4 ай бұрын

@TheHonestAudiophile One thing I find annoying is not having trigger outputs on these dacs if they are being used as digital preamps. I have a Roksan K3 power amp which is still waiting to be repaired after packing in during the pandemic so I bought a Marantz 7025 power amp temporarily but I got lazy in the repair of the Roksan so I am still using the Marantz. It does mean though that I have to manually switch it on. I do also have a Audiolab Mdac+ with a trigger output but that has issues with the optical output on my Samsung Neo TV. Sometimes having to switch the Audiolab on and off before it recognises the connection. My wife says that if these are the only problems I have, then I am not doing badly.

@TheHonestAudiophile 4 ай бұрын

@stephenmiller9791 Totally understand. Trigger is something that is not often included but should be.

@paradantonax 7 ай бұрын

should i changed from the neo 1 for the 2 , driving a meze 109 pro i dont need more power ?

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

If you're content then I'd with the original.

@paradantonax 7 ай бұрын

thanx, yes iam very happy with the neo & Meze ,dont need all the bluetooth options

@woka_kawanua-hw2hj 7 ай бұрын

usd900 😮

@tessie4204 4 ай бұрын

How does this compare to the Cambridge Audio CXA61 which cost he same?

@TheHonestAudiophile 4 ай бұрын

Sorry haven't heard the CXA61

@mokisan 7 ай бұрын

What i dont like is the branding nonce they pull + the how they count mW value which is just so wrong. No matter how good the product someone shouldn't be doing that. I mean i am ok to pay more if the quality is good and specially british (as i am biased there) Few things about ifi products i like is the xbass filter and xspace filter they have. Also great review dave.

@TheHonestAudiophile 7 ай бұрын

Totally understand. XBass and XSpace do add some flavor and uniqueness to the sound.