- iFi has released a new trio of DACs, including a flagship iDSD model
- The model names are NEO Stream 3, Zen Stream 3, iDSD 3
- Selection of releases for different users, with prices from $399 / £399
Apparently iFi isn’t content with its near-total dominance of our best headphone DAC roundup, because it’s just released three brand new options aimed at different kinds of buyers.
Unveiled on February 19, this new trio of third-generation DACs is headlined by the iFi NEO iDSD 3, which fills the brand’s slot as its flagship model, although it’s not as particularly heavy as the incredible iDSD Phantom we recently tested.
Retailing for $999 / £999 (no Aussie availability at the moment, folks, but that converts to around AU$1,900), this is a combination DAC and amplifier that offers both at a price that’s reasonable for buyers who can’t spend thousands on kit.
iDSD 3 supports PM at 769 kHz and DSD512, with a headphone stage that hits a maximum of 5,551 mW. The model also emits Bluetooth 5.4 with support for aptX Lossless. It also has support for K2HD restoration and analog audio shaping that pulls lower resolution tracks out of their bootstraps.
Meet the streamers
The iDSD isn’t iFi’s $999/£999-only new release; there is also the NEO Stream 3.
The NEO has some of the specs of iDSD, like 768kHz support and DSD512, but only upsamples to K2HD and lacks Bluetooth codecs. It’s also a bit smaller, great for listeners who don’t have a lot of space.
For buyers on a less flexible budget, there’s also the NEO Stream 3, which costs $399 / £399 (around $540, AU$760), making it a more tempting entry-level purchase.
It looks like it was ripped from a UFO console. It’s a streaming-only model—that means wireless—designed for audiophiles who depend on Bluetooth. Stream 3 supports PCM at 384kHz and DSD256 with K2 processing.
iFi are pretty prolific for new releases – I haven’t even found an option to name the iFi Go Link Max or the iDSD Valkyrie DACs, which also came out relatively recently. The three new models are for sale immediately.
The best headphone DACs for every budget
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