Get ready to upgrade your audio game because iFi just dropped three game-changing digital products that are set to redefine your listening experience. But here’s where it gets exciting: the NEO iDSD 3, NEO Stream 3, and ZEN Stream 3 aren’t just new gadgets—they’re a trio of innovations designed to cater to every type of audiophile, all while sharing a common DNA. And this is the part most people miss: they’re all powered by JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD processing, upgraded capacitor arrays, and revamped internal circuitry, ensuring a seamless blend of performance and versatility.
Let’s start with the NEO iDSD 3, the flagship of the bunch. This desktop DAC and headphone amplifier is a powerhouse, built around a custom Burr-Brown chipset with dedicated PCM and DSD signal paths. It supports PCM up to 768kHz and DSD512 via USB, coaxial, TOSLINK, and Bluetooth—including aptX Lossless, LDAC, and LHDC. Controversial opinion alert: the switch from a 3.5mm input to an RCA line-in might divide purists, but it’s a practical move for turntable enthusiasts with built-in phono stages or external preamps. On the headphone front, the amplification stage borrows from the Diablo 2 portable, delivering a whopping 2,532 mW RMS from the balanced 4.4mm output—five times more than the original NEO iDSD. Plus, the 2-inch color display rotates for vertical or horizontal use, adding a touch of convenience.
Next up is the NEO Stream 3, a network streamer and pre-amplifier with a built-in DAC. It borrows the DAC stage from its predecessor, the NEO iDSD 2, and supports 768kHz PCM and DSD512 natively. Here’s the kicker: it now includes Qobuz Connect alongside Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it a one-stop solution for streaming, D-to-A conversion, and K2HD upsampling (up to 24-bit/192kHz). iFi’s OptiBox returns for optical isolation, and the S/PDIF outputs feature iPurifier2 processing, while the USB output includes Active Noise Cancellation. New IoT hardware ensures faster setup and firmware updates via the iFi Nexis app or a web interface.
For those who prefer simplicity, the ZEN Stream 3 is a pure digital transport without an onboard DAC. It’s designed to feed an external D/A converter via USB or S/PDIF, supporting up to 384kHz PCM and DSD256. It shares the NEO Stream 3’s streaming capabilities and upgraded components, including polymer and ELNA Silmic II capacitors, iPurifier2 processing, and Active Noise Cancellation. But here’s the trade-off: while it includes K2 processing, it skips the K2HD upsampling mode found in its NEO siblings. iFi’s Exclusive Modes, which shut down unused processes during playback, make a welcome return.
Speaking of K2HD, this JVCKENWOOD-developed technology aims to restore harmonic content lost during digital encoding or compression, with an optional upsampling mode to 24-bit/192kHz. Thought-provoking question: Is this a game-changer for audio purists, or just another marketing gimmick? Let us know in the comments.
Pricing-wise, the NEO iDSD 3 and NEO Stream 3 are both set at €999/US$999/£999, while the ZEN Stream 3 comes in at a more affordable €399/US$399/£399. All three are available now on ifi-audio.com and through select dealers. So, which one’s calling your name? Sound off below!
