NEO iDSD - Receiver iFi Audio - Free user manual and instructions

Brand	iFi Audio
Model	NEO iDSD
Product Type	Balanced USB and Bluetooth DAC/amplifier
Digital Inputs	USB 3.0 B (USB 2.0 compatible), S/PDIF coaxial, optical, Bluetooth 5.0
Analog Outputs	Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA, balanced 4.4mm headphone, single-ended 6.3mm headphone
Supported Audio Formats	DSD512/256/128/64, DXD up to 768kHz, PCM up to 768kHz, MQA, Bluetooth up to 24/96
Bluetooth Codecs	aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC
Maximum Output Power (Headphone)	Balanced: >1040mW @ 32Ω; Unbalanced: >295mW @ 32Ω
THD+N	<0.0015% @ 0dBFS
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)	-112dB(A) @ 0dBFS (unbalanced/balanced)
Dynamic Range (DNR)	>116dB(A) @ -60dBFS
Output Impedance (Headphone)	<1Ω (balanced/unbalanced)
Volume Control	Pure analog volume control, variable/fixed mode
Display	OLED display showing audio format, sampling rate, volume, input
MQA Support	Full MQA decoding for MQA files and streams
Power Supply	DC 5V/2.5A (iPower adapter included)
Power Consumption	~0.5W (no signal), ~2.5W (max signal)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	214 x 146 x 41 mm (8.4 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches)
Weight	970 g (2.14 lbs)
Chassis Material	Custom aviation-grade aluminum base
Warranty	12 months

Frequently Asked Questions - NEO iDSD iFi Audio

How do I pair a Bluetooth device with the NEO iDSD?

Select the Bluetooth input using the input selector button. If the previously paired device is not found, the unit enters pairing mode automatically. Alternatively, press and hold the input selector button for 3 seconds until the Bluetooth icon flashes. Then find 'iFi Hi-Res Audio' in your phone's Bluetooth list and connect. The unit can store up to 8 paired devices.

What are the digital inputs available?

The NEO iDSD has four digital inputs: USB 3.0 B (compatible with USB 2.0), S/PDIF coaxial, S/PDIF optical, and Bluetooth 5.0.

Can I use the NEO iDSD as a preamp?

Yes, the NEO iDSD features variable analog output. Set it to 'Variable' mode by holding the multi-function knob while powering on, then turning to select. The XLR and RCA outputs then deliver a variable signal for connection to a power amplifier. For fixed output, select 'Fixed' mode to bypass the volume control.

What headphone outputs are available?

Two headphone outputs: a balanced 4.4mm and a single-ended 6.3mm. For best performance, use the balanced 4.4mm output. For 3.5mm headphones, use a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.

Does the NEO iDSD support MQA?

Yes, the NEO iDSD includes full MQA decoding technology. It can play MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The OLED display will show 'MQA' or 'MQA.' during playback.

What is the power requirement?

The NEO iDSD requires a DC 5V/2.5A power input. It comes with the iPower adapter. For optimal performance, you can upgrade to the ultra-low noise iPower X 5V power supply.

How do I adjust the OLED display brightness?

Press and hold the multi-function knob for 3 seconds to enter brightness selection. Rotate the knob to cycle through high, low, and off modes. In 'off' mode, the display sleeps after 3 seconds of inactivity.

What is the maximum output power for headphones?

The balanced headphone output delivers over 1040mW at 32Ω and the single-ended output delivers over 295mW at 32Ω. This provides ample power for a wide range of headphones.

Can I use the NEO iDSD with a gaming console?

Yes, you can connect a gaming console like PS4 or Xbox via the optical digital input. Select the optical input on the NEO iDSD. Note that the console must output audio via optical.

What is the warranty period?

The NEO iDSD comes with a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

USER MANUAL NEO iDSD iFi Audio

Thank you for purchasing the iDSD from Neo series. The NEO iDSD is a balanced USB and Bluetooth DAC/amplifier.

FEATURES:

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

ifi

1. OLED display P.4 4. Power On/Off P.6
2. Multi-function knob P.4-5 5. Balanced 4.4mm analogue output P.6
3. Input channel selector/Bluetooth pairing button P.5-6 6. Single-ended 6.3mm analogue output P.6

1. XLR balanced analogue output 11. USB audio input P.7P.6
2. RCA single-ended analogue output P.7 12. DC 5V power input P.7
3. Coaxial digital input P.7 13. Antenna P7
4. Optical digital input P.7

1. OLED display

The OLED display shows the audio format, sampling rate, volume and input mode.

Note: OLED screen is on left side when iDSD is lying flat.

2. Multi-function knob

This knob controls:

• Variable/Fixed mode (use with power button)
• Analogue volume control (turn)
• Mute (short press)
• Brightness (long press)

I) Variable/Fixed mode selection

This mode will determine whether or not the NEO iDSD analogue volume control is used.

The NEO iDSD must first be switched off to allow mode selection when powering on.

Hold down the knob first, and then press the power button to enter the Variable/Fixed mode selection. Turn the knob to cycle between the two modes. Release to accept.

Tip: If no mode is selected the NEO iDSD will automatically select the previously used mode.

ii) Analogue volume control

The analogue volume control in the NEO iDSD is superior to any digital volume control. When set to 'Variable', it can be used to control the headphone or the pre-amplifier volume. If the mode is set to 'Fixed', the volume control is bypassed.

Note: The NEO iDSD uses ONLY a pure analogue volume control.

iii) Mute

Press the rotary knob to mute. To unmute, press it again or turn the rotary knob.

iv) Brightness

Press and hold the knob (3 seconds) to enter brightness selection. Rotate the knob to cycle through the three brightness modes and press to accept.

Note: With the 'high' and 'low' brightness modes, the OLED will remain on. With the brightness mode 'off', if no operation is performed, the OLED will go to sleep after three seconds.

3. Input channel selector/Bluetooth pairing

This button cycles through 4 inputs:

Coaxial Optical USB Bluetooth

Note: Please select the input channel according to your audio source input mode. For example, when using USB input, you need to switch the input channel to "USB".

The NEO iDSD receives Bluetooth signals via aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.

Bluetooth pairing

From selecting the Bluetooth input, the NEO iDSD's OLED will flash searching for the previously paired device. If it cannot find the stored device, it will automatically enter pairing mode and flash.

To enter pairing mode, press and hold the button (for three seconds) until the Bluetooth icon flashes. To pair, find the iFi Hi-Res Audio Bluetooth device from the nearby devices list on your phone.

The NEO iDSD can store up to 8 paired Bluetooth devices.

4. Power On/Off

Press the power switch to power on/off the NEO iDSD.

5. Balanced 4.4mm analogue output

Connect balanced 4.4mm headphones.

Tip: As the NEO iDSD is a balanced design, we recommend the 4.4mm balanced output.

6. Single-ended 6.3mm analogue output

Connect single-ended 6.3mm headphones. With single-ended 3.5mm headphones, connect using a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.

7. XLR balanced analogue output

Balanced analogue signal output to an amplifier.

8. RCA unbalanced analogue output

Single-ended signal output to an amplifier.

9. Coaxial Digital input

Connect an S/PDIF source such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, PS4, a high-end CD transport, etc.

10. Optical Digital input

Connect an S/PDIF source such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, PS4, Xbox, a high-end CD transport, etc.

11. USB audio input

This is a USB 3.0 B input (USB2.0 compatible). For a superior connection to a computer, use the enclosed USB3.0 cable. It connects the NEO iDSD to the computer audio source.

12. DC 5V power input

Please connect the NEO iDSD to the enclosed power supply, the super-silent iPower. The NEO iDSD must ONLY be powered by 5 volts.

Tip: For best performance upgrade iPower to an ultra-low noise iPower X 5V power supply.

13. Antenna

Please attach the enclosed antenna for maximum reception quality.

MQA

The NEO iDSD includes MQA(*) technology, which enables you to play back MQA(*) audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.

MOA

The NEO iDSD includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams. 'MQA' or 'MQA.' indicates that the product is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. 'MQA.' indicates it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.

MQA and the Sound Wave Device are registered trade marks of MQA Limited.© 2016

*MQA

1) Listen to MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) files straight out of the box.
2) For MQA tracks, simply connect to Tidal and check the options to stream MQA.
3) Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.

Specifications

Digital Inputs: USB3.0 B (USB2.0 compatible)/S-PDIF (coaxial/optical)/Bluetooth 5.0 (AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX ^TM ID, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA Codec)

Formats: DSD512/256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single-Speed DSD DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz), Double/Single-Speed DXD PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) MQA Bluetooth 96kHz

Line Section

Outputs:

Balanced XLR: 6.3V / 7.7V max. (variable) 4.4V fixed UnBAL RCA: 3.2V / 3.9V max. (variable) 2.2V fixed

Zout:

Balanced: <= 100Ω UnBAL:: <= 50Ω

SNR: -112dB(A) @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)

DNR: >116dB(A) @ -60dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)

THD + N: <0.0015% @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)

Headphone Section

Output:

Balanced: 2V / 6.2V max. 12Ω - 600Ω Headphone

UnBAL: 1V / 3.3V max. 12Ω - 300Ω Headphone

Output Power:

Balanced: >6.4V/68.6 mW (@ 600Ω)

5.77V/1040 mW (@ 32Ω)

UnBAL: >3.25V/17.6 mW (@ 600Ω)

3V/295 mW (@ 32Ω)

Output Impedance: <1Ω (UnBAL/BAL)

SNR: -112dBA (3.3V UnBAL/6.2V BAL)

DNR: -120dB(A)

THD + N: <0.0015% (125mW @ 32Ω)

Power consumption: No Signal \~0.5W

Max Signal \~2.5W

Input voltage: DC 5V/2.5A, AC 100 -240V, 50/60Hz (with iPower)

Dimensions: 214 x 146 x 41 mm

8.4" x 5.7" x 1.6"

Weight: 970 g (2.14 lbs)

Warranty period: 12 months

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

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