[OCC7N]

Just a few notes and suggestions for you...

The optibox has an included "cell phone-like" power unit included with the NEO Stream. I myself have found no current benefit to upgrading that particular power supply, I am looking at it carefully.

In your case with already having the equipment you have the ZS would be the better choice for you, but keep this in mind, there have been many instances of DDC's either not playing well with the ZS, I have a Singxer and the only issue I have is I must set the ZS to Hardware volume, and not to "None" or my volume level is cut in half. Others have reported that using Spdif out to Audio GD Digital Interface causes a noise when no music is playing (this can be found in the Audio GD DI20 thread).

In a personal observation I do not notice any great difference when running my ZS to any of my DDCs, or better yet, I do not perceive any "greater" sound quality by doing this. I feel more is gained by using a DDC with a direct connection from the source (USB from PC/Mac to DDC).

I would definitely purchase from someplace that gives you a "no questions asked return policy" with a big enough playtime window, so you can judge for yourself!

Cheers!!

Thanks! Im actually satisfied now with the source. Only thing I miss is the spotify/tidal connect on it.

Hmm just found out Plex supports it and there is an app for it…interesting!

 

[mstrshikadance]

Does anyone here have experience using the NS with a Denafrips DAC over i2s And know the correct pin out config?

I am having a combination of issues related to DSD playback and LR channel swap.

Specifically, the only setting that i can get where DSD playback comes through, the L and R channels are swapped when using Audio Tone Test.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Does anyone here have experience using the NS with a Denafrips DAC over i2s And know the correct pin out config?

I am having a combination of issues related to DSD playback and LR channel swap.

Specifically, the only setting that i can get where DSD playback comes through, the L and R channels are swapped when using Audio Tone Test.

According to the manual for the NEO Stream here is the Pinout configuration...

Hope that helps you out!

Cheers!!

 

[OuYang]

Some Denafrips DACs have option to swap LR channel on DSD when using I2S, check the following link.

ARES 12TH

 

[guyp2k]

NM...

 

[mstrshikadance]

Some Denafrips DACs have option to swap LR channel on DSD when using I2S, check the following link.

ARES 12TH

the issue I am having is L/R swap with normal playback (not necessarily DSD) over i2s.

There appears to be only two is2 configs on the Pontus 2 that support proper DSD playback, however, as a result when using either of those configs, L/R is swapped during normal playback regardless of source.

I can obviously solve this by inverting cables....but not ideal.

(sorry if that is confusing)

 

[qsk78]

I was wrong...I underestimated the internal DAC.
Actually, it is good, very good. It is the only DAC option I have now after I put my stand-alone DAC on sale.
Nice tonality and good pairing with my Soloist 3X GT plus Snorry Trion. I also use a very good LPSU (12V/4A) with the NEO.


I think I can live with it for the next couple of months until I find a new stand-alone DAC (most probably on FPGA)


The interconnect cable is also very good!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I was wrong...I underestimated the internal DAC.
Actually, it is good, very good. It is the only DAC option I have now after I put my stand-alone DAC on sale.
Nice tonality and good pairing with my Soloist 3X GT plus Snorry Trion. I also use a very good LPSU (12V/4A) with the NEO.


I think I can live with it for the next couple of months until I find a new stand-alone DAC (most probably on FPGA)


The interconnect cable is also very good!

Since I began listening to the internal DAC I have been very happy with the results, for my listening enjoyment, it just hits the spot!

I am glad to see others appreciate what the NS by itself brings to the table.

Cheers!!

 

[gryffe]

I changed from my Mytek Brooklyn DAC to the internal DAC a few weeks ago, after spending the first month or so listening to the Mytek. Both sound great to me.

 

[iFi audio]

Actually, it is good, very good. It is the only DAC option I have now after I put my stand-alone DAC on sale.

That's great to hear. The DAC inside NEO Stream is solid to say the least and we're happy reading that there's more people aware of that!

 

[mstrshikadance]

Hello,
Congratulations on the new streamer, looks promising Ify, great job.
As a Hip 2 user I have already had the pleasure of listening to the Ify sound.

Unfortunately, the Zen Stream didn't convince me because of the many problems.
But the Neo looks really great, since I don't have a streamer yet, it's definitely an option to consider.
I also understand that some users cannot/will not use the full functions. Nevertheless, it's always nice to have something up your sleeve.

I still have 2-3 questions about the Neo @iFi audio

Do I have to use the app to control the Neo or is it also possible via the PC?

You write that you have done everything to get distortion under control, is it so good that it makes DDC from Singxer,Gustard ect superfluous if you connect the Neo directly to your own Dac?

In terms of Mqa,what if the Neo is capable but the Dac itself is not capable of playing Mqa,will it remain rendered?

On the back of the Neo you have provided a 4.4mm connector,could you connect headphones directly to it to listen to music,or is it not recommended?

Did you ever determine the answer to your MQA question?

I have the Neo feeding a Denafrips Pontus II DAC over i2s.

A bit confused as to how MQA works when streaming from Tidal in Roon. Does the NS render and decode?

Thanks!

 

[innocentblood]

Did you ever determine the answer to your MQA question?

I have the Neo feeding a Denafrips Pontus II DAC over i2s.

A bit confused as to how MQA works when streaming from Tidal in Roon. Does the NS render and decode?

Thanks!

I am using mine in Roon mode and it does show the NS as decoder and renderer.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,

Does the streamer also have a bass boost like the Zen Can or Zen Dac?
Another question would be does it also run under Audirvana 3.5?

Regarding the Dac section, is it better than the Zen Dac or the same?

 

[Nationalizer]

Hello,

Does the streamer also have a bass boost like the Zen Can or Zen Dac?
Another question would be does it also run under Audirvana 3.5?

Regarding the Dac section, is it better than the Zen Dac or the same?

No bass boost.
Runs under Audirvana Studio and in my opinion sounds best with it. Better than Roon.
It's way better than Zen Dac V2 (I also have this one). Zen Dac also sounds better out of it than from PC.

 

[Deleeh]

Okay, thanks for the info.
It's a shame they didn't add bass boost and Xspace, would have been nice.
I tested the Zen Dac and found it not bad,very organic,powerful,no difference in voices between woman/man,I was just missing a bit of detail,a bit more depth,maybe a bit more width in the finish.
No idea if the Neo could offer that on the Feliks Euforia.

About Audirvana, it sounds good, although I have tested Studio before, I thought 3.5 was better.
Also compared to Roon.