[Mr BubbaHyde]

Great looking system ya got there! Love the lighting.

Thanks Bro! Appreciate it!

How did you actually fit these @Mr BubbaHyde? I'm probably not seeing how they fit, but don't these type of things usually fit on feet that already exist?

The "feet" are not actually physically attached directly to the NS as of yet, I wanted to make sure I was good with the look first.

They come with very grippy discs that can be attached to both sides of the "feet" and the "JDarko" Digital Noise Suppression Tool on top the whole stack stays put!

I had some "feet" laying around in the back room and really wanted to use them, but they are gold and I personally didn't care for the mismatch.

If I decide I am going to stay with them I will place these 3M discs between the unit and the "feet" and they will stay put and are easily removed if I want to. My NEO Stream came with no feet or mounting holes for anything of that kind, only the Vertical stand.

I will post some thoughts on the 15V Elite power supply and things that came up later today! Here's a link for the 3M pads as well...

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Dou...7029&sprefix=3M+adhesive+discs,aps,101&sr=8-6

Cheers!!

 

[gryffe]

Cheers @Mr BubbaHyde, let us know if you keep them and use the 3M pads. If they work well together I'll maybe do the same.

 

[srkbear]

Thanks Bro! Appreciate it!

The "feet" are not actually physically attached directly to the NS as of yet, I wanted to make sure I was good with the look first.

They come with very grippy discs that can be attached to both sides of the "feet" and the "JDarko" Digital Noise Suppression Tool on top the whole stack stays put!

I had some "feet" laying around in the back room and really wanted to use them, but they are gold and I personally didn't care for the mismatch.



If I decide I am going to stay with them I will place these 3M discs between the unit and the "feet" and they will stay put and are easily removed if I want to. My NEO Stream came with no feet or mounting holes for anything of that kind, only the Vertical stand.

I will post some thoughts on the 15V Elite power supply and things that came up later today! Here's a link for the 3M pads as well...

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Double-Sided-Conformable-Acrylic-Replacement/dp/B0184LFN8K/ref=sr_1_6?crid=335V1VR3H7Q5A&keywords=3m+adhesive+discs+double+sided&qid=1669637029&sprefix=3M+adhesive+discs,aps,101&sr=8-6

Cheers!!

Speaking of odd Amazon finds, I stumbled upon these great “headphone mounts” that adhere to your walls with impenetrable 3M tape, and they’re wide enough to handle just about any cans out there! Pretty cheap, too…

BRAINWAVZ Hooka The All Metal Headphone Stand Hanger https://a.co/d/1SLwdbj

 

[ctrlm]

Very nice! I use BRAINWAVZ hangers on the edges of my adjustable standing desk:

Sorry to be off topic but I don't have a Neo Stream right now

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Power Supplies…

Over the weekend I had a chance to compare the 15v iPower X to the 15v iPower Elite in use with the NEO Stream. What follows are some thoughts and observations I had during the testing of these units, and some differences I heard.

Having the Zen Stream for quite a while now, I can tell you that The iPower X is hands down my favorite PS to use with that unit, and has been for quite some time. I never felt the Elite brought anything (to my ears) that warranted the use of it with the ZS.

A note…

I am a big believer in Synergy when it comes to separate Audio products, and to be clear I have no idea how this happens or why for that matter. To me, it’s one of those mysteries that if figured out, might save some of us some valuable time and money, lol. But when this Synergy presents itself, it is very obvious, and of course very subjective as we all hear slightly differently.

So with Synergy in mind, for my listening enjoyment, the hands-down winner is the NEO Stream paired with the Elite power supply. To me, it brings a more Dynamic, full-bodied sound to the NS. I perceive a more well-rounded overall sound to the unit, with better bass and a Slightly punchier presentation.

Now that does not mean the X isn’t good, it is! But for my listening, the Elite just hits that Sweet Spot. The First thing I noticed, and I do not claim to know how this can be, but with the Elite powering the NS, and being fed to the Geshelli Archel 2.5 with XLR I found myself listening at a lower volume dial position than I normally did when using the X. This difference in my setup was not subtle, and in one instance a 12-1 o’clock dial position with the X was reduced to a 10-11 position using the Elite. Why this is I have no idea, but all I can do here is report what I experienced, I would not even attempt to say “Why” that is, other than Synergy!

I also measured a lower overall case temperature using the Elite. With the X, the external temperature of the NEO hovers around 88-89 Fahrenheit, but when I measured using the Elite an average of 82-83 degrees was found. If I were to go on that alone I would probably use the Elite if only for this reason.

I checked this because it had previously come up in the ZS thread that the unit ran cooler, and the same thing holds true here, again why I will leave it to those more knowledgeable than I am.


So to sum up, for my money it’s the Elite for the NEO. If you decide to check the two out, buy from a reputable retailer with a good return policy and see which one works for your setup.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Speaking of odd Amazon finds, I stumbled upon these great “headphone mounts” that adhere to your walls with impenetrable 3M tape, and they’re wide enough to handle just about any cans out there! Pretty cheap, too…

BRAINWAVZ Hooka The All Metal Headphone Stand Hanger https://a.co/d/1SLwdbj

Thanks! Added to my wish list!!

Cheers!!

 

[gryffe]

Power Supplies…

Over the weekend I had a chance to compare the 15v iPower X to the 15v iPower Elite in use with the NEO Stream. What follows are some thoughts and observations I had during the testing of these units, and some differences I heard.

Having the Zen Stream for quite a while now, I can tell you that The iPower X is hands down my favorite PS to use with that unit, and has been for quite some time. I never felt the Elite brought anything (to my ears) that warranted the use of it with the ZS.

A note…

I am a big believer in Synergy when it comes to separate Audio products, and to be clear I have no idea how this happens or why for that matter. To me, it’s one of those mysteries that if figured out, might save some of us some valuable time and money, lol. But when this Synergy presents itself, it is very obvious, and of course very subjective as we all hear slightly differently.

So with Synergy in mind, for my listening enjoyment, the hands-down winner is the NEO Stream paired with the Elite power supply. To me, it brings a more Dynamic, full-bodied sound to the NS. I perceive a more well-rounded overall sound to the unit, with better bass and a Slightly punchier presentation.

Now that does not mean the X isn’t good, it is! But for my listening, the Elite just hits that Sweet Spot. The First thing I noticed, and I do not claim to know how this can be, but with the Elite powering the NS, and being fed to the Geshelli Archel 2.5 with XLR I found myself listening at a lower volume dial position than I normally did when using the X. This difference in my setup was not subtle, and in one instance a 12-1 o’clock dial position with the X was reduced to a 10-11 position using the Elite. Why this is I have no idea, but all I can do here is report what I experienced, I would not even attempt to say “Why” that is, other than Synergy!

I also measured a lower overall case temperature using the Elite. With the X, the external temperature of the NEO hovers around 88-89 Fahrenheit, but when I measured using the Elite an average of 82-83 degrees was found. If I were to go on that alone I would probably use the Elite if only for this reason.

I checked this because it had previously come up in the ZS thread that the unit ran cooler, and the same thing holds true here, again why I will leave it to those more knowledgeable than I am.


So to sum up, for my money it’s the Elite for the NEO. If you decide to check the two out, buy from a reputable retailer with a good return policy and see which one works for your setup.

Cheers!!

I cannot compare the Zen Stream with the Neo, but I can compare the iPower X with the Elite when powering the Neo. Like @Mr BubbaHyde I notice that the bass is better - full and rich and very deep without rattling the speakers at higher volumes.
I spent about 8 or 9 hours yesterday playing music on the Neo, using various playback scenarios - Roon, HQPlayer, Tidal Connect and Audirvana using Tidal and Qobuz, and was blown away with the performance. I'm not sure I buy the theory that streamers have better or worse sound quality but with other streamers of comparable value I never had the Elite power supply (and also the Optibox ) to enhance things and i am sure that they are helping to elevate the Neo above other streamers such as Cambridge Audio 851n, Stack Audio Link II, SoTM SMS-200, Chord 2Go and Lindemann Limetree Bridge that I have used over the last decade.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@gryffe

I'm blaming you for sending me on a journey to figure out just what the hell is up with these occasional drops. While I do not have any thoughts on paper yet, and again none of this is clear to me at the moment, let me just say this...

I run an Intel NUC for my Roon core, so technically it is a Roon OS. I have always used MAC or IOS remotes to use Roon. After reading some of your posts, I put into play over at my desk a Small Mini PC running Windows 10 Pro, and I swear if I had 2 dropouts in the time I have been using Roon this way, that if there were others I did not notice them! And also nothing else in the chain has changed.

I am continuing to evaluate this and I am also about to test a different PS on the Optibox, so I think what I should do is start from square one in the setup (because I have been getting intermittent dropouts with Roon on systems that do not involve an iFi Streamer) and my thought is after years of flawless Roon performance, something is up since this new update from Roon.

If anyone has any thoughts on why this system should run better or have fewer dropouts please drop some technical knowledge on me, lol!

Sorry if this post is not clear, there are too many thoughts rolling around up there right now!!

Cheers!!

 

[gryffe]

@gryffe

I'm blaming you for sending me on a journey to figure out just what the hell is up with these occasional drops. While I do not have any thoughts on paper yet, and again none of this is clear to me at the moment, let me just say this...

I run an Intel NUC for my Roon core, so technically it is a Roon OS. I have always used MAC or IOS remotes to use Roon. After reading some of your posts, I put into play over at my desk a Small Mini PC running Windows 10 Pro, and I swear if I had 2 dropouts in the time I have been using Roon this way, that if there were others I did not notice them! And also nothing else in the chain has changed.

I am continuing to evaluate this and I am also about to test a different PS on the Optibox, so I think what I should do is start from square one in the setup (because I have been getting intermittent dropouts with Roon on systems that do not involve an iFi Streamer) and my thought is after years of flawless Roon performance, something is up since this new update from Roon.

If anyone has any thoughts on why this system should run better or have fewer dropouts please drop some technical knowledge on me, lol!

Sorry if this post is not clear, there are too many thoughts rolling around up there right now!!

Cheers!!

Interesting you noticed a decrease in drop outs since moving to Windows. As I mentioned the other day I was having problems with Audirvana drop outs on my Mac and when I switched over to Windows there was a massive improvement (although to be fair it improved when I switched back to Mac). Anyway ,yesterday I decided to switch to Windows permanently and in a day and a half of extensive listening I've had literally two drop outs - and who is to say they weren't Neo related anyway?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Interesting you noticed a decrease in drop outs since moving to Windows. As I mentioned the other day I was having problems with Audirvana drop outs on my Mac and when I switched over to Windows there was a massive improvement (although to be fair it improved when I switched back to Mac). Anyway ,yesterday I decided to switch to Windows permanently and in a day and a half of extensive listening I've had literally two drop outs - and who is to say they weren't Neo related anyway?

They probably are related to the NEO, but in order to get a quick resolution, all these little tidbits of info that we post can all point towards the cure.

I think it's important to realize that a product like this is made for "all around" the world use, and also what makes it extremely difficult. So every little bit of info is key to a well-rounded unit.

I love the journey, especially with new products. I think it's important to realize in everyone's home something is different, internet type, speed, modems, routers, VPNs, Ad-blocking, yada, yada, yada. So the more folks like us that can say.. "Hey this works better" the better we all are. As opposed to those that would just stop by and complain and never under any circumstances say "It might be on my end"

Cheers!!

 

[speavler]

I’ve been watching this thread with interest. I’m currently still streaming with a dedicated 2012 Mac mini (booted to sd card) running Audirvāna 3.5 to my DAC via usb. Audirvāna is quite stable for me streaming Qobuz, not so much with Tidal. I also have on hand an Aries Mini, but prefer the Mac mini sound quality for streaming. I’m interested in any comparisons you guys might have with Mac/PC/Audirvāna direct to DAC vs the ifi Neo as streamer. Also, if you’ve tried playing to the Neo as a DLNA receiver from Audirvāna, how was the stability as well as sound quality? I tried this setup with the Aries mini as a receiver but Audirvāna would just stop playing after a few tracks (Also there was noticeable lag when selecting tracks - not a workable solution regardless of sound quality).

 

[gryffe]

I’ve been watching this thread with interest. I’m currently still streaming with a dedicated 2012 Mac mini (booted to sd card) running Audirvāna 3.5 to my DAC via usb. Audirvāna is quite stable for me streaming Qobuz, not so much with Tidal. I also have on hand an Aries Mini, but prefer the Mac mini sound quality for streaming. I’m interested in any comparisons you guys might have with Mac/PC/Audirvāna direct to DAC vs the ifi Neo as streamer. Also, if you’ve tried playing to the Neo as a DLNA receiver from Audirvāna, how was the stability as well as sound quality? I tried this setup with the Aries mini as a receiver but Audirvāna would just stop playing after a few tracks (Also there was noticeable lag when selecting tracks - not a workable solution regardless of sound quality).

I've not went direct to DAC with USB for Audirvana, always used a streamer (various models) out to DAC. I am currently using Neo as a DLNA receiver from Audirvāna and stability is now ok, although it was flaky till recently. Sound quality as ever is great with Audirvana. I'm using Audirvana Studio though and not the legacy 3.5 like yourself. I assume you are aware of the Studio version but are sticking with 3.5? If so have you tried the monthly trial of Studio, perhaps it might be more stable?

 

[speavler]

I've not went direct to DAC with USB for Audirvana, always used a streamer (various models) out to DAC. I am currently using Neo as a DLNA receiver from Audirvāna and stability is now ok, although it was flaky till recently. Sound quality as ever is great with Audirvana. I'm using Audirvana Studio though and not the legacy 3.5 like yourself. I assume you are aware of the Studio version but are sticking with 3.5? If so have you tried the monthly trial of Studio, perhaps it might be more stable?

Yep I’m aware. 3.5 direct to DAC is stable for me with Qobuz (knock on wood). I haven’t messed with audirvana much in dlna mode because I guess I didn’t see what the benefit would be in my setup.

 

[gryffe]

One thing I haven't attempted yet is to hear how the Neo DAC sounds. Mainly because I'm not sure I know which settings to use and which connections to use. My DAC (Mytek Brooklyn DAC) is also a pre amp and currently I go USB from Neo to USB on the preamp. Anybody using the DAC in the Neo can help me out, cheers?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

One thing I haven't attempted yet is to hear how the Neo DAC sounds. Mainly because I'm not sure I know which settings to use and which connections to use. My DAC (Mytek Brooklyn DAC) is also a pre amp and currently I go USB from Neo to USB on the preamp. Anybody using the DAC in the Neo can help me out, cheers?

I am personally a huge fan of the built-in DAC, so much so that I have actually started selling things because I like it so much.

I run there NEO with a simple 4.4 to XLR cable into my Geshelli Archel headphone amp. It depends on the mood but I like bit-perfect mode mostly, and if I'm listening to dynamic fun music GTO setting hits the spot.

For my own personal tastes the built-in gives me all I think I've been looking for.

You would need to find a cable to suit your needs of your other equipment, don't forget the NEO has preamp volume capability.

How that helps you out!

Cheers!!