[ra990]

Have you noticed this?


Looking at the very first sentence, that statement seems wrong, since the NS doesn't have any USB input, but that looks like a copy-paste typo inherited from the NEO iDSD page. Then... there is some contradictory info. They refer to cirrus logic DAC chipsets in the "Xmos-16" part. Then, below in the Hi-Res audio segment, they mention Burr-Brown DAC chip's. It seems unlikely that the DAC chips were not BB, even in the PCB picture the BB logo is present. Hopefully iFi can clarify this, or correct the typo.


By the way, I concur with your findings, the built-in DAC+ HQplayer sounds as good as the Mojo 2.

Yep, I noticed that on the website, it's a bit of a mess but likely just a sloppy copy/paste job from earlier technical info that was revised later and the site never got updated. I would have found it interesting if Ifi used the cirrus logic DACs that others (Topping) has started to use as well. From what I know, they've always stuck to their Burr-Brown DACs.

 

[ctrlm]

The always-on white network light was starting to bug me, not so bad during the day but too bright for my liking at night in a dark room - so time to activate stealth mode:

I have light dim stickers on most of my equipment LEDs and I've now applied silver stickers to the NEO. The one over the network light is a little agricultural up close but once you are more than a few feet away you can't notice it at all. I also put a small strip in the recess over the standby light. This is a lot better - you can still see the lights but they are much more subtle.

 

[ra990]

This is my battery level after at least 9 hours of using the Neo Stream...safe to say it barely uses any power.

 

[kboung]

Not sure if mentioned already, one noticeable improvement of neo vs zen is the speed of operation (faster startup, menu navigation, song playback etc). This is expected given the price diff. Most likely better processor and/or more RAM.

 

[Clemmaster]

Not sure if mentioned already, one noticeable improvement of neo vs zen is the speed of operation (faster startup, menu navigation, song playback etc). This is expected given the price diff. Most likely better processor and/or more RAM.

Noticed that too.

 

[VicPickles]

Have you noticed this?


Looking at the very first sentence, that statement seems wrong, since the NS doesn't have any USB input, but that looks like a copy-paste typo inherited from the NEO iDSD page. Then... there is some contradictory info. They refer to cirrus logic DAC chipsets in the "Xmos-16" part. Then, below in the Hi-Res audio segment, they mention Burr-Brown DAC chip's. It seems unlikely that the DAC chips were not BB, even in the PCB picture the BB logo is present. Hopefully iFi can clarify this, or correct the typo.


By the way, I concur with your findings, the built-in DAC+ HQplayer sounds as good as the Mojo 2.

Hi there. Vic here from iFi. This was noted and fixed pre-launch but seems to have crept back in during the website transfer earlier this week. All sorted out now and thanks for pointing it out. Much appreciated.

 

[4LoveOfSound]

This is my battery level after at least 9 hours of using the Neo Stream...safe to say it barely uses any power.

What’s the battery you’re using to power the NS?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Now, I'm trying the built-in DAC, also with HQPlayer, using the ifi bitperfect filter and it sounds as good as the Chord Mojo2 I had connected to it. I was assuming the DAC would be slightly lackluster based on my experience with the Burr Brown chips in previous ifi products, but this sounds pretty damned great! I just found out that the front USB-C can also be used to connect a DAC, how convenient...they thought of everything.

I completely agree, as I listen more, and I will post more as well, I am to say the least very satisfied with what I am hearing internally!

Not sure if mentioned already, one noticeable improvement of neo vs zen is the speed of operation (faster startup, menu navigation, song playback etc). This is expected given the price diff. Most likely better processor and/or more RAM.

Agreed! I'm trying not to let my curiosity get ahead of my evaluation/writing but I'm already thinking what about this, and that,...

Cheers!!

 

[Kamil21]

Yet another NS review in Japanese. In 2 parts…Use Google translate.

Part 1.

https://audio-renaissance.com/review/ifi-audio-neo-stream

Part 2. This time it’s also tested comparing the sound as either a network transport or Roon Bridge!

https://audio-renaissance.com/review/ifi-audio-neo-stream-main-system-test

 

[ra990]

What’s the battery you’re using to power the NS?

https://www.ravpower.com/products/rp-pb187-portable-power-station

These used to be on sale at Amazon and I bought a few around $130. They are sold out now, but any power bank with a 9/12/15v DC out port should work.

 

[ctrlm]

https://www.ravpower.com/products/rp-pb187-portable-power-station

These used to be on sale at Amazon and I bought a few around $130. They are sold out now, but any power bank with a 9/12/15v DC out port should work.

I'm intrigued with trying battery power on the Neo Stream and this local Australian product would do the job:

My only hesitation is that when I was running an Allo DigiOne Signature, the difference between powering the clean side via a LiFePo battery pack and one of my decent linear power supplies was a bit of a wash to my ears, with the LPS winning out on the convenience factor.

I just need to justify the purchase on the basis of having a use for it if it's not a clear difference to the Uptone LPS I'm using now. My oldest son is into camping.....this would make a decent Xmas present

 

[ra990]

I'm intrigued with trying battery power on the Neo Stream and this local Australian product would do the job:



My only hesitation is that when I was running an Allo DigiOne Signature, the difference between powering the clean side via a LiFePo battery pack and one of my decent linear power supplies was a bit of a wash to my ears, with the LPS winning out on the convenience factor.

I just need to justify the purchase on the basis of having a use for it if it's not a clear difference to the Uptone LPS I'm using now. My oldest son is into camping.....this would make a decent Xmas present

This looks like the exact same battery as the RAVPower one, with a face lift. I've used them successfully with various audio gear over the past few years. They have a direct DC 12v out port that you can use on one of the sides. Don't use the A/C ports at the top for audio, but those are handy for camping, etc.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Spotify and the Neo Stream…Part 2

Apologies for some of these pics as in some it is very obvious my Golden Retriever "Jax", was very close by...

Let me start by saying I am not a huge Spotify fan, that is in the "sound quality" area. I can hear a difference between the higher offerings of Qobuz, and Tidal, just sit down for any length of time, and most will. Force me in a “blind 5-second A/B” test and I’m sure it will be harder, but that’s not the way we listen, is it?

I still have Spotify for some very simple reasons, family plans, and on-the-go listening. But I also have Spotify for one personal reason, “User generated Public Playlists”! I love them for finding hidden gems of music. I will freely admit that my main listening of this service is that of music from the 1920s thru the 1950s, my love of this music came from my grandfather and his incessant toe-tapping to Big Band Music in his easy chair! For me, Spotify is the easiest place to access music from this era, but I digress…

When I first got my Zen Stream last year, one of the things I perceived was an Improvement in “sound quality” listening thru the ZS using Spotify connect, for me it was not a little difference, for me, it was in a word better! Previous to this I ran Spotify mainly thru USB to a TXCO DDC board then coaxial out to my DAC. This was usually my only listening to Spotify at home, and it was limited at best. The ZS had changed that, and I was hoping if possible the NEO could expand it, or at least improve it further.


For this part of the review, we are again leaving the Neo Stream in AIO mode for access to Spotify “Connect”.

Opening the casting menu on the Spotify app and selecting “iFis Streamer” was simple and immediately worked, the display showed the current album artwork for what was playing. I had not one dropout during my entire session with the NS and Spotify Connect.

I was once again surprised by how good Spotify sounds thru the NS. Much like the Zen Stream I enjoyed all of what I was listening to, and I felt like it was better than the ZS, not by a "mile" mind you, but enough that as I was listening quite a few times I kept asking myself, why am I paying for Lossless High Res streaming again? A big convenience over the ZS is being able to change settings, and modes using the front panel and dial. This is well thought out and easily useable, whereas the ZS was a bit of a pain unless one had a handy dandy handmade one-of-a-kind tool manufactured to exact specifications...

In short, Spotify Connect worked as it should on the NS, and sounded very good, as of this writing I have nothing bad to say about Spotify on this streamer, in fact, I have only good things to say.


I’ll take a moment to point out that not once during this time with the NEO Stream did I think about getting out my DDC board and connecting the USB output of the NS to it. It was then I started thinking again as I have before in this process, This is one very good streamer/DAC sitting here in front of me, and for the first time, I started to wonder…

Is this all that I need? Has something finally come along to replace all these boxes and wires at my desk? I still don’t know the answer to that, but right now it certainly seems as if I have taken a step toward that with the NEO Stream.

Next up, Tidal Connect!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

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

I certainly will be doing this, might be a bit as I am trying to take each step in order from basic hookup, they the opti box and finish up with power supplies! I promised myself I would do this, but I will get to it!!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I have been diagnosed with what may be long Covid and it sure isn't a treat. Thank goodness listening to music is a great therapy.

Damn, I thought I was the only one in the world that got told that! It really does suck. In all honesty I have not been the same since having Covid, there are literally times I could just sleep, and sleep!

Take care of that best you can bro!

Cheers!!