[801evan]

How are you seeing the ifi.local screen to know this when in exclusive mode? Or do you mean exclusive mode with Tidal?

I dont see it. I don't need to. Its fairly obvious after 10 mins its out of "none" mixer mode coz the blacks are lifted.

 

[panoptikon]

When using the NEO solely as a streamer (i.e. the digital output, USB in my case), is the DAC-section completely bypassed? Or is it drawing on power and capacity that would otherwise benefit the streaming section?

I'm very please with the sonic performance of the NEO but considering if the jump to a steamer only-device could be worthwile. Maybe iFi will release one in due time...

 

[iFi audio]

When using the NEO solely as a streamer (i.e. the digital output, USB in my case), is the DAC-section completely bypassed? Or is it drawing on power and capacity that would otherwise benefit the streaming section?

I'm very please with the sonic performance of the NEO but considering if the jump to a steamer only-device could be worthwile. Maybe iFi will release one in due time...

Hello,

I believe this is correct but I am going to check just for clarity before saying it is 100%. The original Zen Stream has no DAC section and is considered a Standalone Network streamer. It has a USB and Coaxial output only.

Cheers!!

 

[panoptikon]

Hello,

I believe this is correct but I am going to check just for clarity before saying it is 100%. The original Zen Stream has no DAC section and is considered a Standalone Network streamer. It has a USB and Coaxial output only.

Cheers!!

Thanks for checking it out!

I went from ZEN -> NEO, so any viable options would be an upmarket streamer. Like an iFi Pro Steamer.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Just curious. Have you noticed a marked improvement going from the Zen to the Neo (used as a streamer only)? My experience tells me that these days, the difference between competent streamers are marginal at best. I use Roon and have a Zen Stream, a Roon Ready streaming amp, in addition to a NUC. I struggle to hear any meaningful difference between streamers, including the NUC directly connected to the USB port of the DAC. This is all going through the same DAC and upstream electronics and speakers. They all sound very good to my ears. But I guess other people may have a different experience

 

[mrsasan]

Just curious. Have you noticed a marked improvement going from the Zen to the Neo (used as a streamer only)? My experience tells me that these days, the difference between competent streamers are marginal at best. I use Roon and have a Zen Stream, a Roon Ready streaming amp, in addition to a NUC. I struggle to hear any meaningful difference between streamers, including the NUC directly connected to the USB port of the DAC. This is all going through the same DAC and upstream electronics and speakers. They all sound very good to my ears. But I guess other people may have a different experiencei

i had both zen stream and neo stream
in my experience neo stream is great as stand alone device. streamer+internal dac
but when i attached it to my chord qutest not good as zen stream . in addtioan if you add ipower elite 15v and ifi lan silencer to zen stream it gose to another level. i think its more valueable than neo stream in your case

 

[panoptikon]

i had both zen stream and neo stream
in my experience neo stream is great as stand alone device. streamer+internal dac
but when i attached it to my chord qutest not good as zen stream . in addtioan if you add ipower elite 15v and ifi lan silencer to zen stream it gose to another level. i think its more valueable than neo stream in your case

This is different from my experience. Going Zen -> NEO (also adding Power Elite 15v) meant calmer and blacker background, improved resolution and denser tonal colors. As I see it, the NEO is first and foremost a streamer. Surely, the DAC is not an afterthough, but it's easy for iFi to add a Burr-Brown DAC section which they've already R&D:ed for many other products and have in plenty. It's a treat and a lucrative offer for many costumers (not me though). Yet, it's relatively high asking price is based on an upgraded streaming section compared to the ZEN, as well as a more robust chassis. It's in a higher series than the ZEN and that shows, and should show.

Vitor - whether its worth an upgrade for you is based on your overall system and its resolving power. I have a quite expensive system (around 20k) and it's well worth the upgrade. A digital transport is not as important as a DAC, but there is an improvment once a streamer has a good power supply/section and other treats.

As for now I stick to the NEO stream because I prefer playing music from Tidal Connect directly (I don't want other programs cultivating that experience), and the NEO is specifically made to be used with preferred third part apps. Eventually, I might look for an upmarket option in the longer term.

 

[endless402]

and there goes april with no firmware update...

 

[iFi audio]

and there goes april with no firmware update...

I know, at this point I can only offer apologies, I was even told it might have been sometime last week, I can only assume something happened, and am not privy to too much behind those doors, other than hope!

That update along with Qobuz Connect would certainly save me a few bucks, but sadly not yet.

Cheers!!