I also have this Dac. The sound is very good! Do you mean the Topping D70 Pro Octo is even better? It has 8 CS44198 Chips. Can you please compare these?
Tryied it at home with my setup, compared with a Topping D90 "old version" (AKM) and a SMSL M400, and i coudn't agree more with you. It's maybe less analythic but more pleasant to listening, with a more analicic and "vacuum tube" like sound.
Yeah I agree, as a dac. It seems like decent DAC itself, and passable amp for certain uses I'm sure, for easy to drive stuff; kind of interesting, but don't know if I'd be interested myself, but it might have an intriguing synergy with another amp and headphone pairing. So yeah, for certain speakers, it could take be interesting and/or as a dac. Good review. 👍🏼
Absolutely. It does play well with Ether C and Ananda with balanced output but most planar it struggled. It is best used as a DAC in my opinion. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Here is a link to my Sennheiser 560s review: ruclips.net/video/c7oNedFqXJQ/видео.html I am sure I did listen to the 560s on the Neo but I don't recall the experience. Sorry. I no longer own the 560s and I returned the loaned Neo. Sorry.
The IDSD Neo is a different but not necessarily better sound. The Neo is softer, more airy and less thick and warm sounding. For a DAC only usage I'd pick the iDSD Neo.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks so much for the swift reply! At over 5 times the price of the Zen Dac i was hoping to hear a more resounding yes. Guess that goes to show how much of a good value the Zen Dac actually is. Also at that price i would have thought the headphone amp would have much more power than the Zen as well. Oh well. Thanks again H.A.!
T&A Amp8 looks interesting, never heard of it till now. Using the Neo as a DAC is the recommended way, especially XLR out. I would think that the Neo is a good fit for your system. Thank you for the kind words, greatly appreciated.
If you are asking about the difference of the xlr output and rca output on the Neo specifically. I would say that I didnt hear a difference sonically between the two. I used both equally and enjoyed both equally.
Hi Dave, I hope you still remember, how does the Neo sound compare to the Conductor 3XP? I know they are not even in the same price bracket, but right now I don't have hard to drive headphones so only sound quality is important. Does the Neo lack the warmth of the Micro iDSD Black Label (which I also have)? Great review!
The Conductor 3XP has a slightly more thick body but not as thick as the BL when comparing to the Neo. As for the BL vs Neo; the BL is for sure warmer and thicker then the Neo. Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing.
Hi David, I really like your work. Continue in the same way! I would like to know what is the brand of your XLR to 4.4mm cable? Do you have a link? Thanks! Are you satisfied?
Here is the link: www.amazon.com/dp/B07JXYLNQP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sSZ.Fb1D611SZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Thank you for the kind words, greatly appreciated. I am glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing.
Curious was that with single ended or balanced output? The Neo iDSD isn't the most powerful amplifier for sure and did seem to struggle with some planars.
Sorry haven't heard the Brooklyn. I do own the Liberty. In comparison, the Liberty has a tad more airy signature and is not quite as warm. Between the two, detail retrieval and resolution are pretty much even. The real difference is more in the presentation of tone.
@@xiaoxingjin8063 The Neo iDSD was on loan from iFi and has been returned to them. I use the Mytek Liberty and Soekris DAC1421 as my daily and review gear.
Sorry I no longer have the NEO as it was returned to iFi Audio as it was a loaner. I don't recall hearing the NEO and 660s together but I'd think it would be a very pleasurable pairing.
I also have this Dac. The sound is very good! Do you mean the Topping D70 Pro Octo is even better? It has 8 CS44198 Chips. Can you please compare these?
Thanks for the suggestion of the Topping D70 Pro Octo.
Sir very much obliged. Is there any suggestion plug and play speakers? Stay blessed 🙏🫡
The powered speakers that I use are the Monoprice MM-5R.
www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/monoprice-mm-5r-ribbon-candy-for-the-ears
It looks like a chinese dvd player from 2000 : |
Tryied it at home with my setup, compared with a Topping D90 "old version" (AKM) and a SMSL M400, and i coudn't agree more with you. It's maybe less analythic but more pleasant to listening, with a more analicic and "vacuum tube" like sound.
Awesomeness. Thanks for the impressions.
I also have this DAC. The sound is very good!!
Yeah I agree, as a dac. It seems like decent DAC itself, and passable amp for certain uses I'm sure, for easy to drive stuff; kind of interesting, but don't know if I'd be interested myself, but it might have an intriguing synergy with another amp and headphone pairing. So yeah, for certain speakers, it could take be interesting and/or as a dac. Good review. 👍🏼
Absolutely. It does play well with Ether C and Ananda with balanced output but most planar it struggled. It is best used as a DAC in my opinion. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@TheHonestAudiophile when looking mainly at the Dac side of things. Is it better than the zen signature V2 dac?
Is that a Sennheiser 560S on your shelf? ANy chance u tried it on the Neo? Thanks!
Here is a link to my Sennheiser 560s review: ruclips.net/video/c7oNedFqXJQ/видео.html
I am sure I did listen to the 560s on the Neo but I don't recall the experience. Sorry. I no longer own the 560s and I returned the loaned Neo. Sorry.
I currently own the Ifi Zen Dac and have been really enjoying it. Does the Neo sound any better compared to the Zen Dac in your opinion?
The IDSD Neo is a different but not necessarily better sound. The Neo is softer, more airy and less thick and warm sounding. For a DAC only usage I'd pick the iDSD Neo.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks so much for the swift reply! At over 5 times the price of the Zen Dac i was hoping to hear a more resounding yes. Guess that goes to show how much of a good value the Zen Dac actually is. Also at that price i would have thought the headphone amp would have much more power than the Zen as well. Oh well. Thanks again H.A.!
@@RUMBLEGO1 my pleasure, you're welcome 😊
I use it as a pre amp for my T+A amp 8. Is it a good fit? You are a good expert who offers object reviews, unlike many others
T&A Amp8 looks interesting, never heard of it till now. Using the Neo as a DAC is the recommended way, especially XLR out. I would think that the Neo is a good fit for your system.
Thank you for the kind words, greatly appreciated.
Is xlr out better than the RCA put?
If you are asking about the difference of the xlr output and rca output on the Neo specifically. I would say that I didnt hear a difference sonically between the two. I used both equally and enjoyed both equally.
Dave, which TPS 4.4mm balanced adapter did you use to connect using the balanced headphone jack.
Listed in description:
4.4mm to 4-pin XLR Female Balanced Headphone Audio Headphone Adapter Cable 20CM www.amazon.com/dp/B07JXYLNQP/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_N0EHSDM1Y3PQ50MYHY91
Hi Dave, I hope you still remember, how does the Neo sound compare to the Conductor 3XP? I know they are not even in the same price bracket, but right now I don't have hard to drive headphones so only sound quality is important. Does the Neo lack the warmth of the Micro iDSD Black Label (which I also have)?
Great review!
The Conductor 3XP has a slightly more thick body but not as thick as the BL when comparing to the Neo. As for the BL vs Neo; the BL is for sure warmer and thicker then the Neo.
Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing.
Hi David, I really like your work. Continue in the same way!
I would like to know what is the brand of your XLR to 4.4mm cable? Do you have a link? Thanks! Are you satisfied?
Here is the link:
www.amazon.com/dp/B07JXYLNQP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sSZ.Fb1D611SZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Thank you for the kind words, greatly appreciated. I am glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you for watching, commenting and subscribing.
Sir I tried the Audeze LCD 2 and the volume was all the way full to the right. So it means the Audeze needs more power to drive it? Thanks so much.
Curious was that with single ended or balanced output? The Neo iDSD isn't the most powerful amplifier for sure and did seem to struggle with some planars.
@@TheHonestAudiophile 6.5mm Sir I’m trying to return it and get the ifi signature instead.
Hello! First of all thanks for your vide really useful. I'm about to get this dac amp but I would like to know if this is better than Smsl su-9 sh9 ?
Sorry, haven't heard the SMSL SU-9 and SH-9.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thank you anyways
@@ismacid my pleasure, you're welcome
It’s Ifi (rhymes with ‘hifi’) - not I.F.I.
Do you mean XlR out cannot have sound volume adjustment?
XLR output can be set to fixed or variable.
How do you compare this one with Mytek Brooklyn
Sorry haven't heard the Brooklyn.
I do own the Liberty. In comparison, the Liberty has a tad more airy signature and is not quite as warm. Between the two, detail retrieval and resolution are pretty much even. The real difference is more in the presentation of tone.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Ok. Ifi is a tad warmer but resolution etc is the same. Right? How do you compare them to Soekris gears?
@@laogulaozhao Soekris is a little more smooth and analog sounding but still has the details and resolution. I love the Soekris r2r.
Is the sound separation good?
I enjoyed the instrument and vocal seperation of the Neo iDSD, no complaints on it being cramped or too spaced out, it sounded accurate.
OK Is this your daily Dac or Pre amp? Do you use it often?
@@xiaoxingjin8063 The Neo iDSD was on loan from iFi and has been returned to them. I use the Mytek Liberty and Soekris DAC1421 as my daily and review gear.
Hi, how do they sound with hd660s balanced?
Sorry I no longer have the NEO as it was returned to iFi Audio as it was a loaner. I don't recall hearing the NEO and 660s together but I'd think it would be a very pleasurable pairing.