iFi
NEO iDSD 3 Ultra-Res DAC headphone amp
$999.00 USDFeatures
Dual-core DAC design – True-native DSD and PCM processing for accurate audio reproduction
Advanced jitter reduction – GMT femto-precision clock and smart storage cache ensure pristine signal integrity
Four user-selectable digital filters – Fine-tune sound signature to match your source material
State-of-the-art HD Bluetooth 5.4 – Comprehensive codec support including aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and LHDC/HWA
Enhanced PureWave fully balanced dual-mono circuit – Ultra-low distortion for transparent, reference-grade sound
Exceptional amplification power – 5x the output of the first-generation NEO iDSD, drives demanding headphone loads effortlessly
XSpace and XBass II – Adjust soundstage width and low-frequency response to perfectly match your headphones
iPower 2 included – Audiophile-grade AC/DC power supply with Active Noise Cancelation for clean power delivery
Flexible positioning with rotating display – 2-inch color screen adapts to horizontal or vertical orientation
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Embrace the New
iFi NEO series has always pushed the limits of what compact home audio components can achieve, often combining purist design principles with the freedom to tailor your listening experience.
The third generation of our NEO iDSD is a celebration of this approach; critical hardware has been re-engineered for even greater musicality and playback accuracy, while software innovation continues with the inclusion of JVCKENWOOD's K2HD Technology.
Just add your music source and play.
Rewired for Realism
We’ve upgraded the internals of the NEO iDSD 3 to bring the most accurate sounding playback experience to date, whilst retaining the innate musicality it’s known for:
• New operational amplifiers with 50% lower distortion and noise
• Upgraded polymer capacitors for 50% less power supply ripple
• WIMA MKS2 series caps for lower distortion and smoother HF
Restoring the Source Code
Digital masters often miss the warmth and richness of their analogue roots, leaving you with sound that’s cold and lifeless.
JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology extends high frequencies to restore natural harmonics, to bring back the depth, nuance, and musicality of the original performance.
For those who prefer this restoration without altering the song’s sample rate, ‘K2’ mode provides a similar effect while preserving the native resolution.
The Power Within.
With Diablo 2’s amplification stage at its core, the NEO iDSD 3 delivers infernal power to your headphone setup. Max. power output of home products (at 32Ω).
- ZEN CAN 3: >/= 5,551 mW
- ZEN CAN 3: >/= 1,600 mW
- ZEN DAC 3: >/= 300 mW
- 18x Power than ZEN DAC 3
Unplugged from Limits.
The NEO iDSD 2 made history as the world’s first DAC to support the aptX Lossless codec, delivering true CD-quality audio over Bluetooth with zero data loss.
The NEO iDSD 3 continues to uphold class-leading Bluetooth performance, supporting aptX Lossless, LDAC, LHDC, and more to ensure it remains at the pinnacle of wireless sound.
Two Pathways to Perfection
The NEO iDSD 3 uses a custom DAC stage built around a Burr-Brown chipset, hand-picked by us for its natural musicality.
Its distinctive architecture handles PCM and DSD via separate pathways, preserving a bit-perfect signal all the way through to analogue conversion.
With PCM input, the six most significant bits are processed in true multi-bit fashion, for natural dynamics and slam. The rest are handled via delta-sigma processing for exceptionally low-level linearity.
Your Sonic Awakening.
The NEO iDSD 3 features our signature analogue processing to transform headphone listening into a captivating experience:
- Enhances the audio by creating a spacious sound field
- Adds back the lost bass frequencies from open headphones
- Pushes mid presence towards the listener, for more forward-sounding vocals
- Combines both the bass and midrange analogue processing options
Aux Out. RCA In.
RCA line inputs for easier integration with your audio system.
Brightness on Demand
Adjustable Brightness for the front Power LED.
Connection Guide to the Front
- 4.4mm Balanced Headphone Output
- 6.3mm Single-Ended Headphone Output
FEATURES
• Versatile audio hub: DAC, preamp, and headphone amp
• Ultra-Res digital audio – 32-bit/784kHz PCM, DSD512 and full MQA decoding
• Dual-core DAC design enables true-native DSD and PCM
• Four user-selectable digital filters – fine-tune sound to suit the source material
• State-of-the-art HD Bluetooth 5.4 – fully optimised performance, whatever your source device
• Every Bluetooth format supported: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, and more
• Enhanced PureWave fully balanced dual-mono circuit design delivers ultra-low distortion
• Exceptional power drives the toughest headphone loads (5x the power of the first-gen NEO iDSD)
• XSpace and XBass II – adjust soundstage and frequency response to match your headphones
• iPower 2 included – audiophile AC/DC power supply with Active Noise Cancelation
• Position horizontally or vertically – 2-inch colour display rotates to suit orientation
What's in the Box
• NEO iDSD 3, RCA Cable, Vertical stand, Instruction card, Quick Start Guide, Aluminium remote control, iPower 2 Power Supply, USB-A to B Cable, and 3.5 to 6.3mm headphone adapter
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | |
| Dimensions | 214 x 158 x 41mm (8.4 x 6.2 x 1.6") |
| Net Weight | 916g (2.0lbs) |
| Limited Warranty | 12 months* |
| Technical Specifications | |
| File Support | 768kHz PCM; DSD512 (22.6 MHz) |
| Bluetooth Formats | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC |
| Audio Specifications | |
| SNR + DNR | ≥120dB(A) @ -60dBFS |
| THD+N | ≤0.0015% @ 0dBFS |
| Line Output Impedance | XLR ≤102Ω; RCA ≤51Ω |
| Headphone Output Impedance | ≤1Ω; ≤7Ω when iEMatch enabled |
| Connectivity Specifications | |
| Digital Inputs | Bluetooth 5.4; USB-B 3.0; S/PDIF Coaxial; S/PDIF Optical |
| Analogue Input | Single-Ended RCA (L/R) |
| Line Outputs | Balanced XLR (L/R); Single-Ended RCA (L/R) |
| Line Output Specs | XLR ≤19.5V (variable); 4.4V (fixed) RCA ≤10V (variable); 2.2V (fixed) |
| Headphone Outputs | Balanced 4.4mm; Single-Ended 6.3mm |
| Headphone Output Specs | 4.4mm ≥12.7V/2,532mW @ 64Ω (RMS) 6.3mm ≥8.4V/2,244mW @ 32Ω (RMS) |
| Power Specifications | |
| Power Requirements | DC 9V/1.5A-15V/0.9A (centre +ve) |