[shoubhik]

Does it support DSD512 over NAA as well? I have a Mac currently that does DSD512 which I think is technically DoP.

 

[ctrlm]

Does it support DSD512 over NAA as well? I have a Mac currently that does DSD512 which I think is technically DoP.

Yep. I've been upsampling to DSD 512 using HQ Player from M1 Mac to the Neo Stream as NAA without a problem.

 

[ctrlm]

Some more notes on my experience with the Neo Stream after a few more days:

1. If you are going to switch between hardwired and WiFi, then don't set static IP addresses as the Neo Stream goes into meltdown. As long as you have automatic IPs set then it is easy to switch via the user interface on your computer or tablet via the network page. If you have already have a static IP address set, then disable it before switching.
2. You will need to check the mixer type on the playback options tab after restarting or changing outputs as it will probably default to software volume. I think this was the same with the Zen Stream in the beginning but was changed in a firmware update? I don't want software volume so would prefer that the default setting was "none".
3. If you are going to make a major change like physically disconnect the ethernet or ethernet/optical connection, turn the unit off first. It can get a little temperamental if you don't and it only takes a few seconds.
4. I did some listening comparisons between the ethernet/optical connection and WiFi - doing this while having Covid probably wasn't the best idea but I think the hardwired connection sounded better. It was by no means night & day but the bass with WiFi had a hardness to it in my setup on some tracks, where I preferred the hardwired. I should add that I am not one of those who believe that WiFi destroys the sound and in fact I always ran my Aries on WiFi after comparing it with ethernet and deciding that I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe I'm just subconsciously gravitating to the magic optical box
5. And for those that care, the Neo Stream and the Aries do sound different in my setup. The Neo Stream in comparison comes across as cleaner with more air and a sense of a bigger stage, where the Aries seems to have a little more mid bass emphasis and smaller/tighter stage. Again, nothing dramatically different and my preference varied by track so I think it's just a case of getting used to one or the other. This was no surprise as I'd already done the comparison with the Zen Stream when I got it.

 

[Rowan94]

There has been inquiries regarding iFi's inclusion of an M12 LAN and Optical SC input port. Here is the info: iFi audio prioritises both high-quality performance and our customers' needs in the design of each product. We chose the M12 input based on its ability to supply optimal signal quality in addition to its popularity amongst our users in Japan. We chose the SPF SC connection as its size, durability, and high number of mating cycles (1000-SC vs. 500-LC) proved a worthy inclusion in our multiple input options on the NEO Stream.

 

[Rowan94]

Thanks for your reply. I downloaded the new firmware the day it was released and have, undortunately, been experiencing issues after that too. So far i haven’t experienced disconnections when testing AirPlay. But for sound quality reasons, I of course want use the connect function.

I'll ask internally for you and report back soon

 

[panoptikon]

I'll ask internally for you and report back soon

Thanks. It’s with my iPhone (iOS) disconnections occur. Not so much, or at all, with my windows laptop.

Ok, the sound. In my setup - including the Audio Analogue AAdac, Leben CS600x, Sonus Faber Electa Amator III and Audeze MM-500 - the NEO Stream made a not neglectable improvement over the Zen Stream. The sound became calmer, more confident and presented with better timing. Things were never vailed before, or course, but the NEO got me closer to the music. Especially the rendering of voices.

I use COAX to my DAC.

 

[Kamil21]

Here is another review (somewhat) and listening session on YouTube involving the Neo Stream. It’s also in Japanese but if you wish to have English subtitles, turn on closed captions and auto translate.

I like these live reviews as you can observe the body language of the listeners to authenticate their verbal responses. They compare it with the Sonore Signature Rendu SE and go on to say that you get what you pay for.. which always leaves me nevertheless a bit wary of preconceived bias.

 

[dakchi]

Thanks!

Good impressions so far:

• A cinch to set up, I'm used to Volumio from when I had the Allo Digione & Zen Stream
• I'm powering the Neo using my Uptone JS-2 LPS
• I'm using the fibre optic thingy from ethernet powered from a Teddy Pardo LPS to connect to my LAN
• Scanned all my music from my NAS without a hiccup (or so I thought)
• Downloaded the latest firmware without a hitch
• Connected to my Holo Audio DAC via AES > MiniDSP > AES for room corrected speaker playback - works fine
• Connected to the the same via USB for NAA function from HQ Player on MacBook to headphone amp - works fine
• I tested Airplay using Apple Music - works fine
• I switched off the screen during playback after taking a photo - not needed as I can't see that far

I love that the dedicated modes can be selected via the menu function and it even shows my HQPlayer software logo when selecting NAA:



Now the bad impressions so far:

• Just the Volumio software. After coming from Lightning DS it's like I'm slumming it
• Also, Volumio will always have a bug somewhere just to annoy you. As usual it missed a couple of albums in the scan and no doubt will drive me nuts later when I try to rectify it.

So how does it sound? Brilliant of course because it's brand new and I spent nearly AUD 2k on it - I think that's about 10 US dollars these days

A lot more playing around to go but I'll probably just listen to music until the weekend.

And before anyone asks - I don't use Roon, Tidal or Spotify so I can't help on those subjects.

Since you have been using Zen Stream, I'm interested to know whether the Neo is an upgrade to Zen Stream as a streamer only device. I am not interested in the DAC part and fancy screen... I already have an excellent DAC. On paper, it seems that they share the same streaming hardware but it is always good to have the impressions of someone who used the 2
Thank you

 

[endless402]

we need an IFI demo tour

 

[Mau10]

Since you have been using Zen Stream, I'm interested to know whether the Neo is an upgrade to Zen Stream as a streamer only device. I am not interested in the DAC part and fancy screen... I already have an excellent DAC. On paper, it seems that they share the same streaming hardware but it is always good to have the impressions of someone who used the 2
Thank you

I am posting a review of the NEO stream in the next couple of days, it was almost ready but suddenly firmware version .17 was released and I needed more time to test it to be able to delete some comments about glitches. But to your question about if the NEO is an upgrade as a streamer, regarding sound quality over the ZEN, in my findings the short answer is YES.

 

[Clemmaster]

Got a NEO Stream yesterday. The I2S connection to my Rockna Wavedream has the channels inverted, which is annoying.

Looking at the pinout, it seems like it should work fine with it (in P mode). Anybody else tested the HDMI I2S output?

 

[axlic0]

Sometime cannot show the album cover when I am using Airplay.
I lay Neo stream flat on the table, firmware version 2.15.17, MacBook Air M1.

 

[panoptikon]

Since you have been using Zen Stream, I'm interested to know whether the Neo is an upgrade to Zen Stream as a streamer only device. I am not interested in the DAC part and fancy screen... I already have an excellent DAC. On paper, it seems that they share the same streaming hardware but it is always good to have the impressions of someone who used the 2
Thank you

It very much is an upgrade. I traded a Zen for the NEO. Even if they share platform, the total infrastructure can be crucially upgraded. See me earlier comment.

 

[ra990]

Just purchased one from Crutchfield. I'm really looking forward to using the HQPlayer NAA capability at full 705/768 rates. I like the idea of keeping my little Intel Nuc in another room, running HQPlayer and streaming via NAA to the Neo in my office.

 

[ra990]

Is anyone using the ifi Elite PSU with the Neo? Any benefit over it's stock PSU?