About to review this dac and you and Thomas only videos review i have watched and bro your on the money !!!!! Wow you just shocked me !! Rich n warm analog musical - bass deep but not the fastest - ( tightness) Not as transparent and clean like my burson but the burson cost a little more great Job !! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Compared, at home with my setup,. with D90 (AKM version) and SMSL M400 well, really more refined sound. Seems analog, a litte "vacuum tube". Really amazing DAC in its price range
Is the preamp any good? Plan to connect it to a class D power amplifier (NAD C298 purifi). I do have the Quad Z2 speakers. Other option is to connect it to my other amp Musical Fidelity M5si.
I’ve got an ifi Zen Signature DAC and use both the balanced (4.4) and unbalanced (RCA) out at the same time and use one for the sub. Works great! Hopefully that would work for this device too.
From the demo its sounds very near to ifi idac2. The difference i hear is the top end is more pronounced in the neo but it could also be the speakers doing it. As always, the midrange of the neo and idac2 are the star of the show. Im in the market for standalone dacs as i need opitcal, or coax for my cd transport. This is on my short list together with denafrips ares ii and schiit bifrost.
I bought this model but I have an issue when I play music on a MacBook Pro. The display is stuck on 44kHz no matter what is the sample rate of the song; this however does not happen when I connect the dac to my Android phone or iPad.
Excuse me Thomas ...but the speakers on video set up are not Warfedale EVO 4.2 as You put down in the descripions... With the all respects ... Best regards
I know this is unrelated to this video but I just watched your review of the Elac Debut B6.2 and wanted to know how you thought those compared to the Klipsch R-51M?
Thank you for your response. Based on your review I have placed an order for D300. Should be getting it in another couple of weeks. Will share the feedback. Thanks
Hi sir i have a analog integrated amps can i connect this via rca to my amps and connect this to my smart tv and blue ray player as well? Thank you and God Bless
Yes is a must if you play MQA from android phone, only UAPP & HIBY can fully unlock MQA USB bit perfect output. but try add on the iFi idefender with external 5V to the for your phone output. it helps a lot on power & sound improment.
Please can you explain the connections you made between the equipment you use. That´s a flaw with all these review videos. Don´t forget not all of us are a Einstein like you.
@@Tharbamar Sorry to insist once again in the difilculty of understanding the obvious connections that are in the mind of the video presenter. How many guys that watch your videos have a Master Degree in HI-FI Audio ? Maby some of us are only hedonist audio lovers, with no or low tecnical expertise in audio hi-fi. Can i sugest, the use of audio connections graphics with nomenclatures in pictures and video, to follow the audio system you use. Maby you will have more work in the edition of your videos, but you will make a differentiation from others (all the same) reviews.
@@joaquimpato522 I have another suggestion for you: if you’re going to make a suggestion about anything, do so in a polite and friendly way. People might actually listen then. But remarks like “we’re not all Einstein like you” won’t do you any good.
@@Tharbamar Thank you very much. Because if a company can make a good phono, that means it loves a sound, and their products have something on a background imho
have a pair of wharfedale evo4.4 but thinking to sell and get wharfedale linton heritage, the bass performance is better with linton much deeper with 8 inch woofer, what would you suggest
Have the 4.2 and i had a chance to listen to the heritage. The soundstage and imaging are much better in the 4.2. Yes the bass is better in the heritage but overall, ill take the 4.2 over the heritage.
Hi. Did you get rid of your JBL Studio 590s? I am in between a decision of getting either the JBL Studio 590s In Cherry Finish! Rare find! or Forte III and a great price or the Focal Chora 826 or the Monitor Audio Silver 500. I like them all, albeit I have not heard the JBLs, but I am willing to take a chance because I like the JBL "sound". You got rid of your Parasound gear too? I do really like your new Denon. I see their anniversary model in that looks great. I also see a Marantz ruby for half off, and the Musical Fidelity M6 for a good deal too. I also came across a Parasound 2250 v2. Both the Focal and Monitor Audio speakers go down to a low 3 Ohms, my current Mitsubishi DAA15DC amp is rated for 4 to 16 Ohms and I am afraid it won't handle these speakers, but will probably be just fine with the JBL and Klipsch. What do you think? Thank you for the reviews. BTW where did you get the sound dampening behind your gear. It looks great.
You should try Schiit Bifrost DAC which is basically the same price but it's a standalone DAC. For me it was slightly better than SMSL SU-9. But I'm also interested in this DAC.
Which do you like the sonics more on ... the iFi or Tone 2 Pro? Is iFi worth the xtra $cash ? You're saying it's not that good for pre-recorded CD's? Is it better performer than Schiit Bifrost2? It does seem feature-ladden!
Very much obliged Sir. I’m just a newbie I only use IPhone and iPad. Sir what cables do I need to connect it with? Also Sir it has Bluetooth so can it be connected Bluetooth iPhone or iPad then just plug earphones or headphones? Very much obliged stay safe God bless and Happy New Year.
For Iphone/Ipad you would need the ‘lightning to usb camera adapter’, along with the included usb cable. And yes, you could simply stream from your Ipad / Iphone to the Neo via Bluetooth. Be warned though: Apple devices only use the AAC bluetooth codec, which isn’t the best. In fact, bluetooth always uses compression. So if you’d like top quality sound you’d be better off connecting your iphone/ipad with those cables.
Agonizing over buying this DAC to pair with a Topper A90 Head Amp/Pre-Amp or the Topper D90. Clearly the topper D90 will look better with the A90 and seems to have the better specs/components, but this thing seems to really make people smile. I have an ifi DAC/CAN stack with balanced cables and planar cans on my desktop computer setup and have been happy with ifi so far. Ughhhh, the Toppers look so nice stacked but I fear this may sound better with the A90 than the D90 will in DAC mode only.
I have here a Luxman L-505, SMSL SU-9 and MA Gold 100 speakers... When I use Luxman with the su-9 I feel the mids region very pronounced! I have tried an iFi micro idsd and liked it more, I think it was a best match... but the iFi Micro lacks some features and I sold it... Did you compare this iFI NEO DSD whit SU-9? Any thoughts? Thank you very much! Congratulations for this excellent review!
I did not compare it with SU-9, in my system NEO iDSD was a little more forward sounding than any other DACs I have, I will have comparison review of Loxjie D50 and iDSD in a week or two, thanks
is it a dual dac implementation? hope so at this price.. anybody found crosstalk? what is the burrbrown dac chip used? looking at the board ... and wow it's clearly overpriced
Audio equipment manufacturers measure how it sounds comparing to competitors. If someone who was the first decided to ask 650, and these guys thought their DAC sounded better, they could ask 700 and no matter what was inside ;) Welcome to an irrational market ) And to be better than 90% of them it is enough to add low noise voltage regulators, sample rate refiner, good crystal oscillator, and something better than 5534
@Car Guy daddyo haha like if burrbrown design have not been here since ever.. pcm1974 can be implement as only one resistor in the analog output stage.. better be 2 chip thats for sure.. if not YES its overpriced and it should be max 400 even with dual dac.. depending on headphone amp quality.. 5532 is actually quite good in mono config tho..
@@lextr3110 It’s strange how all of sudden, so many people come up with this “overpriced” nonsense for a pre-amp / headphone amp / dac which is only $600 - $700. It is, in fact, still a very cheap device for decent build/component quality. You can buy power amps for $50.000 and nobody complains about the price then.
@@christopher1800 you can buy a power amp for 5 billions too these dac chips are what 5$ each and they cant put 2 haha.. i think its more than 700$ and this is in US dollars.. in canada it mean 1200$ + 15% taxes... it is costly... you can buy very good dual dac DAP for this price..
@@lextr3110 dac is not all about the dac chip. Its not just resistors and capacitors. You need to design power stage, analog stage, voicing, etc. after all that you need to cover overhead cost, warranty claims, etc. after all that you need profit. Go ahead and start a company that sells this level of decoding, sound quality, and design then sell it for $100. You will make a killing. Lets see you do it.
This all depends on the (quality of) the components used. Personally, I don’t particularly like those “extra’s”... the Neo is for purists in its featureless setup and sound. Knowing IfI, there’s probably something in there that justifies the price... since they make decent quality stuff for a decent price.
@@zyghom You missed “knowing ifi”. And yes, a lot of this has to do with trust in a company. Name one other device that is “overpriced” in IFI’s lineup.
About to review this dac and you and Thomas only videos review i have watched and bro your on the money !!!!! Wow you just shocked me !! Rich n warm analog musical - bass deep but not the fastest - ( tightness) Not as transparent and clean like my burson but the burson cost a little more great Job !!
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Compared, at home with my setup,. with D90 (AKM version) and SMSL M400 well, really more refined sound. Seems analog, a litte "vacuum tube".
Really amazing DAC in its price range
about the same price as the Denafrips Aries2. wonder how they would compare?
Is the preamp any good? Plan to connect it to a class D power amplifier (NAD C298 purifi). I do have the Quad Z2 speakers. Other option is to connect it to my other amp Musical Fidelity M5si.
Is it possible to use RCA and XLR output at the same time? would be nice to have a subwoofer and active speakers.
I’ve got an ifi Zen Signature DAC and use both the balanced (4.4) and unbalanced (RCA) out at the same time and use one for the sub. Works great! Hopefully that would work for this device too.
I have it and enjoy it. I'd love to know how much better the pro idsd is.
From the demo its sounds very near to ifi idac2. The difference i hear is the top end is more pronounced in the neo but it could also be the speakers doing it. As always, the midrange of the neo and idac2 are the star of the show.
Im in the market for standalone dacs as i need opitcal, or coax for my cd transport. This is on my short list together with denafrips ares ii and schiit bifrost.
I can't relax when I look at this device. It looks like a chinese dvd players from 2000
Expecting your review for LS50 wireless 2 soon.
Nice..
Good morning from Singapore
If you can get your hands on one, try a Heed Abacus. Really easily enjoyable and natural sound
Closer to analogue sound!!!??? Man, ALL SOUNDS ARE ANALOGUE.
Obviously, he means the sound you’d get with a full analogue path.
I bought this model but I have an issue when I play music on a MacBook Pro. The display is stuck on 44kHz no matter what is the sample rate of the song; this however does not happen when I connect the dac to my Android phone or iPad.
It’s not normal, you should contact iFi.
Excuse me Thomas ...but the speakers on video set up are not Warfedale EVO 4.2 as You put down in the descripions...
With the all respects ... Best regards
It's fixed, thanks
nice review
You mentioned to ripped CD . Can i just connect my CD player to this instead ?
Yes you can with coaxial cable.
I know this is unrelated to this video but I just watched your review of the Elac Debut B6.2 and wanted to know how you thought those compared to the Klipsch R-51M?
DB6.2 is better performer.
Hello. Where do you get most of your DSD files?
Great review, I am looking to buy a dac so this is on my list of possible purchases, looks good value for money To
hi, this unit compared to smsl su-9, in your opinion there is a huge difference in sound quality?
More forward sound than SU-9.
Good review.. But found the demo track very thin sounding and sibilant.
Speakers were a little too small for the room.
Is Ifi Neo idsd better than SMSL D300? I understand that both have warm, analogue like sound signature
D300 is more accurate in sounding.
Thank you for your response. Based on your review I have placed an order for D300. Should be getting it in another couple of weeks. Will share the feedback. Thanks
I would prefer smsl su 9
Hi sir i have a analog integrated amps can i connect this via rca to my amps and connect this to my smart tv and blue ray player as well? Thank you and God Bless
Yes you can, also come with instruction manual, thanks
@@Tharbamar, thanks a lot sir
Превосходный обзор! Так держать! Как он в сравнении iFi Neo vs SMSL SU-9?
@tharbamar I'm also interested in knowing the comparison between iFi Neo vs the SMSL SU-9. can you please provide your opinion on the comparison?
Did you try to read the Tidal MQA files Through the USB Player Pro on an Android phone ? The sound is more balanced if I'm not wrong
No I do not have android phone, thanks
Yes is a must if you play MQA from android phone, only UAPP & HIBY can fully unlock MQA USB bit perfect output.
but try add on the iFi idefender with external 5V to the for your phone output. it helps a lot on power & sound improment.
bought that after you review, totally satisfied
Thanks for sharing.
Please can you explain the connections you made between the equipment you use.
That´s a flaw with all these review videos.
Don´t forget not all of us are a Einstein like you.
Hi it’s all listed in the video description, thanks
@@Tharbamar Sorry to insist once again in the difilculty of understanding the obvious connections that are in the mind of the video presenter.
How many guys that watch your videos have a Master Degree in HI-FI Audio ?
Maby some of us are only hedonist audio lovers, with no or low tecnical expertise in audio hi-fi.
Can i sugest, the use of audio connections graphics with nomenclatures in pictures and video, to follow the audio system you use.
Maby you will have more work in the edition of your videos, but you will make a differentiation from others (all the same) reviews.
@@joaquimpato522 I have another suggestion for you: if you’re going to make a suggestion about anything, do so in a polite and friendly way. People might actually listen then. But remarks like “we’re not all Einstein like you” won’t do you any good.
Which USB cable you use? Thanks
Audio Technica USB cable.
Hi. Would you like to ask them to test also ifi phono 2 or 3 riaa (+4) mm/mc “portable” pre amp if this is possible pls?
May be I will ask them if they’re interested, thanks
@@Tharbamar Thank you very much. Because if a company can make a good phono, that means it loves a sound, and their products have something on a background imho
have a pair of wharfedale evo4.4 but thinking to sell and get wharfedale linton heritage, the bass performance is better with linton much deeper with 8 inch woofer, what would you suggest
Any Evo is better than Linton Heritage for me.
Have the 4.2 and i had a chance to listen to the heritage. The soundstage and imaging are much better in the 4.2. Yes the bass is better in the heritage but overall, ill take the 4.2 over the heritage.
@@justanobody4983 4.2 is better speaker for sure, thanks
Hi. Did you get rid of your JBL Studio 590s? I am in between a decision of getting either the JBL Studio 590s In Cherry Finish! Rare find! or Forte III and a great price or the Focal Chora 826 or the Monitor Audio Silver 500. I like them all, albeit I have not heard the JBLs, but I am willing to take a chance because I like the JBL "sound". You got rid of your Parasound gear too? I do really like your new Denon. I see their anniversary model in that looks great. I also see a Marantz ruby for half off, and the Musical Fidelity M6 for a good deal too. I also came across a Parasound 2250 v2. Both the Focal and Monitor Audio speakers go down to a low 3 Ohms, my current Mitsubishi DAA15DC amp is rated for 4 to 16 Ohms and I am afraid it won't handle these speakers, but will probably be just fine with the JBL and Klipsch. What do you think? Thank you for the reviews. BTW where did you get the sound dampening behind your gear. It looks great.
Hello. How it sounds compared to Bluesound Node (N130)?
You should try Schiit Bifrost DAC which is basically the same price but it's a standalone DAC. For me it was slightly better than SMSL SU-9. But I'm also interested in this DAC.
These are all samples, problem with Schiit is no DSD support, which is my main digital music playback, thanks
@@Tharbamar how does bifrost compare to neo ? Are both similar and great sounding ?
@@rajendrabiswas Hi, I have not tried Bifrost in my system to give you right answer, thanks
@@Tharbamar would you say the neo is better than black label ?
Which do you like the sonics more on ... the iFi or Tone 2 Pro? Is iFi worth the xtra $cash ? You're saying it's not that good for pre-recorded CD's? Is it better performer than Schiit Bifrost2? It does seem feature-ladden!
nope, it sounds digital as hell. Great demos BTW 👍
You look thinner and healthier!
Thank you.
Where are 603 s2 anniversary
I’m working on Comparison review, thanks
Where to get those panels please
Those are all custom, thanks
Mytek liberty dac II and ifi neo idsd . Which is better ?
What happened to your Elysian speakers?
They went back to Wharfedale.
@@Tharbamar are you still looking for high end speakers?
Yes, I will have a few coming in for review. I might find one for my next speaker.
Basically, zen dac, can and blue mixed into one. Or at least that's what I think. 😉
I hope not. Zen dac is bright and digital sound. SMSL M7 what was about the same price has a more pleasing sound even with less details.
Very much obliged Sir. I’m just a newbie I only use IPhone and iPad. Sir what cables do I need to connect it with? Also Sir it has Bluetooth so can it be connected Bluetooth iPhone or iPad then just plug earphones or headphones? Very much obliged stay safe God bless and Happy New Year.
For Iphone/Ipad you would need the ‘lightning to usb camera adapter’, along with the included usb cable. And yes, you could simply stream from your Ipad / Iphone to the Neo via Bluetooth. Be warned though: Apple devices only use the AAC bluetooth codec, which isn’t the best. In fact, bluetooth always uses compression. So if you’d like top quality sound you’d be better off connecting your iphone/ipad with those cables.
Great review. Did you pair it with your Verum 1 headphone? How is it?
Agonizing over buying this DAC to pair with a Topper A90 Head Amp/Pre-Amp or the Topper D90. Clearly the topper D90 will look better with the A90 and seems to have the better specs/components, but this thing seems to really make people smile. I have an ifi DAC/CAN stack with balanced cables and planar cans on my desktop computer setup and have been happy with ifi so far. Ughhhh, the Toppers look so nice stacked but I fear this may sound better with the A90 than the D90 will in DAC mode only.
The A90 when not driving cans will drive a 2x200 power amp to KEF Ref floors.
This or d90se+pre90?
Topping is more neutral, iFi is more exciting to listen, you have to decide based on your preference.
@@Tharbamar best dac for native dsd?
Which dac for dsd tharbamar? Of. Everything u tried
Do you think it is like analogue sound? Is it good enough to drive Beyerdynamic T1? How do you compare this one with T+A Dac 8?
yes, only with 4.4mm headphone jack output.
How does this compare to the musician pegasus?
Please see comparison video.
What speakers sound better the Wharfedale Evo4.2 or the aperion audio verus iii grand bookshelf thanks
It depends on your taste Evo 4.2 warm/rich/detail, Verus III detail sound/nicer cabinets/a little forward highs, thanks
Thanks
👍🏻
!
Some kind of roller coaster effect from something. Can't tell anything much about the sound here.
I have here a Luxman L-505, SMSL SU-9 and MA Gold 100 speakers...
When I use Luxman with the su-9 I feel the mids region very pronounced!
I have tried an iFi micro idsd and liked it more, I think it was a best match... but the iFi Micro lacks some features and I sold it...
Did you compare this iFI NEO DSD whit SU-9? Any thoughts? Thank you very much!
Congratulations for this excellent review!
I did not compare it with SU-9, in my system NEO iDSD was a little more forward sounding than any other DACs I have, I will have comparison review of Loxjie D50 and iDSD in a week or two, thanks
@@Tharbamar thank you my friend! I'm following your chanel. I'll see the next videos.
is it a dual dac implementation? hope so at this price.. anybody found crosstalk? what is the burrbrown dac chip used?
looking at the board ... and wow it's clearly overpriced
Audio equipment manufacturers measure how it sounds comparing to competitors. If someone who was the first decided to ask 650, and these guys thought their DAC sounded better, they could ask 700 and no matter what was inside ;) Welcome to an irrational market ) And to be better than 90% of them it is enough to add low noise voltage regulators, sample rate refiner, good crystal oscillator, and something better than 5534
@Car Guy daddyo haha like if burrbrown design have not been here since ever.. pcm1974 can be implement as only one resistor in the analog output stage..
better be 2 chip thats for sure.. if not YES its overpriced and it should be max 400 even with dual dac.. depending on headphone amp quality..
5532 is actually quite good in mono config tho..
@@lextr3110 It’s strange how all of sudden, so many people come up with this “overpriced” nonsense for a pre-amp / headphone amp / dac which is only $600 - $700. It is, in fact, still a very cheap device for decent build/component quality. You can buy power amps for $50.000 and nobody complains about the price then.
@@christopher1800 you can buy a power amp for 5 billions too
these dac chips are what 5$ each and they cant put 2 haha.. i think its more than 700$ and this is in US dollars.. in canada it mean 1200$ + 15% taxes... it is costly...
you can buy very good dual dac DAP for this price..
@@lextr3110 dac is not all about the dac chip. Its not just resistors and capacitors. You need to design power stage, analog stage, voicing, etc. after all that you need to cover overhead cost, warranty claims, etc. after all that you need profit.
Go ahead and start a company that sells this level of decoding, sound quality, and design then sell it for $100. You will make a killing. Lets see you do it.
not worth 700 ;-(
much less convenient than iFi ZEN stack (BLUE, DAC, CAN)
less power
less extras (i.e. Xbass etc)
@Car Guy daddyo :-) I of course meant: "to me" ;-)
This all depends on the (quality of) the components used. Personally, I don’t particularly like those “extra’s”... the Neo is for purists in its featureless setup and sound. Knowing IfI, there’s probably something in there that justifies the price... since they make decent quality stuff for a decent price.
@@christopher1800 "... there’s probably something in there that justifies the price..." - wow!
@@zyghom You missed “knowing ifi”. And yes, a lot of this has to do with trust in a company. Name one other device that is “overpriced” in IFI’s lineup.
The dac alone in this neo is way better than the zen. But i agree, it needs more headphone power.