[Mr BubbaHyde]

After taking a week to calm down I dragged out the Neo Stream again to see if I could get it working:

1. Another factory reset to 2.15.8
2. Set up the network
3. Scanned all my music
4. Same as before - can't play anything "failed to open ALSA device".

So I updated the firmware again:

1. Updated to 2.16.6
2. Now all my network music plays perfectly - no more red error messages
3. Airplay still doesn't work as per the first time I updated. It works immediately after the update but subsequent attempts fail 9 times out of 10 in conjunction with hard restarts.

I thought I'd do the right thing and raise a ticket. As I have quite a history on a previous ticket on this product I logged in, only to discover that despite having a saved login, I had to fill in all my details again. I gave up - I'm in no mood for all the basic obvious questions again anyway so I'll wait for the next firmware update and hope it fixes it. I really hope it doesn't take as long as the last one and it would be nice if iFi indicate some sort of expected timeline here or if there is any progress on what is obviously not an isolated issue.

It's ironic that an update to improve the Airplay function actually screwed it up.

At the moment there are ongoing exchanges to attempt to address why this is happening for some and not others. I am not directly involved in the discussion but I am reporting every instance I hear of and also making suggestions to the team that is handling this.

I will continue to update this as I get any information on it. Once again apologies for these issues.

Cheers!!

 

[OCC7N]

Has anyone connected iFi NEO to an external DAC?
Tell me how it works, what connection sequence and what options you need to enable on iFi NEO.
I tried to connect an external DAC to the iFi NEO, turned on the Roon, but the Roon does not see the iFi NEO with this connection and the music does not play. The DAC was connected to a headphone amplifier.

If I am correct you can use all the blue marked with any dac that supports the format. The red mark is the DAC stage where the Analog output is. The rest is all digital

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

If I am correct you can use all the blue marked with any dac that supports the format. The red mark is the DAC stage where the Analog output is. The rest is all digital

An external DAC can be connected in several ways.

If you are using the USB it should auto detect it, if not just use the Stream-Ifi app or local browser window to Selct USB or DAC name if acquired in the Digital/Analog?USB Drop-down menu.

If you are using any other connection method, Coax/ Optical/ i2S/ AES Select Digital from the dropdown menu.

The analog selection here, in this case, is only for the Internal DAC and Analog (XLR RCA) output.

Hope this helps you out.

Cheers!!

 

[OCC7N]

Has anybody compared this streamer with Lumin or other expensive ones?

I think this streamer is unique because of the optical fiber isolation.

My only con is the looks/design could have looked much simple/better sleek alu design, charge 50-100 dollars more.

 

[stoicar]

Is probably best to test versus ddc. But with liniar power supply for stremer and optibox.

I’m in the market to find a dac and in have the plasure to test internal dac with a topping E70v, the midrange is way better in topping but the rest is on the same level. Probably a tuning for sound from ifi part

 

[mekap]

If I am correct you can use all the blue marked with any dac that supports the format. The red mark is the DAC stage where the Analog output is. The rest is all digital

I meant to connect the DAC to IFI Neo via USB.
Thank you all for your help. I have already figured out how to connect an external DAC via USB.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I meant to connect the DAC to IFI Neo via USB.
Thank you all for your help. I have already figured out how to connect an external DAC via USB.

Glad to hear that!

Keep in mind while on Digital output "All" digital outputs will put out a signal (except USB and Analog) pretty nice for multiple DAC connections.

Cheers!!

 

[simonthepieman]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has any experience or advice on using the i2S digital output from the Neo Stream

Only just found my login read most of this thread. Yes i used neo to PS audio Dac mark 1 worked well.
Now awaiting MKII due soon so I will see how i2s gets on with that

 

[simonthepieman]

Quick question for Mr.Bubba H

Only using Neo as a digital streamer . Currently awaiting new Mkii ps audio dac. I will connect via i2 s .
At this exact time using usb out to a older spare Oppo sonica dac
I use roon deadicated mode.
Sounding good.
Anyway to question. when I go back to AIO mode so i can use app/web interface.
Does the Playback options then Volume OPtions issue i.e setting it to "none" have any affect
on the digital outputs in my case i2s (and usb at the moment).
Or only when you use the Neo's internal dacs?
Also out of interest when i power off from frount of neo and back on in AIO mode the mixer seems to say as None
.Is this the issue others were concerned about.
thank you
simon

 

[simonthepieman]

This is my first post here but I have read EVERY post on this thread. I was just about to link to the Stereophile review but I see Mr BubbaHyde beat me to it. I, like the Stereophile reviewer also had a dud Neo Stream upon first purchase - the hardwired ethernet connection never got beyond "red" for signal strength although I have gigabit (confirmed) internet speed and switch - the playback dropped and stuttered constantly and my Zen Stream was fine using same connection. I have been living with the dropouts from Roon which have been getting more and more infrequent with each consecutive firmware update (currently 2.16.6). Even with the occasional dropout (1-2 per hour or so...), the Neo is the best streamer I have ever heard in my system feeding my PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC via i2s. I truly hope that all the "bugs" will be worked out with my configuration soon as I continue to eyeball the "Holo Red" streamer and anxiously await the WAY DELAYED PS Audio "AirLens" streamer to audition against the Neo.

Hey MagCinema
I am also going to use i2s from Neo to PS audio . I am expecting the MKii soon ill let you know how it sounds.
I am ethernet/neos optical box conection new firmware on Neo no drop outs yet

I am using roon. in fact took the 20% offer today and changed to a life time member !

 

[MagCinema]

Hey MagCinema
I am also going to use i2s from Neo to PS audio . I am expecting the MKii soon ill let you know how it sounds.
I am ethernet/neos optical box conection new firmware on Neo no drop outs yet

I am using roon. in fact took the 20% offer today and changed to a life time member !

I really considered a lifetime membership for Roon at that offer too.

Fingers crossed that the "dropouts" between Roon, Neo via i2s and DAC in my system are a thing of the past too. Like you, I read this entire discussion from Page 1 as I was looking for solutions when my first (defective) Neo was delivered. Funny I still own the iFi Zen and use it to feed my HiFiman EF400 headphone amp (but really, I listen to headphones so rarely because my 2-channel room sounds so good). The output of the iFi Neo via i2s feeding the PSA DirectStream DAC is by FAR the best digital source I have had in my system (although I occasionally swap in my Gustard R26 for fun). I hope you enjoy your MK2! I am still considering ordering an AirLens for in-home audition and "shootout" against the Neo.

 

[simonthepieman]

I really considered a lifetime membership for Roon at that offer too.

Fingers crossed that the "dropouts" between Roon, Neo via i2s and DAC in my system are a thing of the past too. Like you, I read this entire discussion from Page 1 as I was looking for solutions when my first (defective) Neo was delivered. Funny I still own the iFi Zen and use it to feed my HiFiman EF400 headphone amp (but really, I listen to headphones so rarely because my 2-channel room sounds so good). The output of the iFi Neo via i2s feeding the PSA DirectStream DAC is by FAR the best digital source I have had in my system (although I occasionally swap in my Gustard R26 for fun). I hope you enjoy your MK2! I am still considering ordering an AirLens for in-home audition and "shootout" against the Neo.

This is my second Neo the first one died, just would not switch on at all. Replaced under warranty no issues at all.
Yes the i2s improved the Ps audio dac much better than the in built bridge II
Mk2 not hear yet coming perhaps next Tuesday ? I am still excited about new Hifi
I will report how it sounds
If you do go Airlens please ley me and all of us know how it compares to the neo. Someone recently said very little diff if any compared to new Rose 130 transport i2s and it has an optical style SFP port same concept as neo's optical.
Currenty as moved Mk1 into another system (still a superb dac ) I am using Neo via usb to old Sonica Opppo dac
sounding great Roon 192 24 version of Joni mitchell live at newport.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Quick question for Mr.Bubba H

Only using Neo as a digital streamer . Currently awaiting new Mkii ps audio dac. I will connect via i2 s .
At this exact time using usb out to a older spare Oppo sonica dac
I use roon deadicated mode.
Sounding good.
Anyway to question. when I go back to AIO mode so i can use app/web interface.
Does the Playback options then Volume OPtions issue i.e setting it to "none" have any affect
on the digital outputs in my case i2s (and usb at the moment).
Or only when you use the Neo's internal dacs?
Also out of interest when i power off from frount of neo and back on in AIO mode the mixer seems to say as None
.Is this the issue others were concerned about.
thank you
simon

In regards to the "none" setting most folks will prefer this setting, and Yes you can control the level out to your DAC using software settings.

Right now the default would be software volume, and will need to be changed to "None" everytime the NEO is power cycled.

I was recently told why this is and I am paraphrasing here, but the Jist of it is because of the NEO being able to be used as a "Preamp" directly to a headphone amp, it was decided to have the default be "Software" as opposed to "None" as the ZS does (not a preamp, really) so protect against a full power mistake that may damage headphones.

Again this issue is still being looked at for folks that prefer none.

Hope this helps you out in some way.

Cheers!!

 

[simonthepieman]

In regards to the "none" setting most folks will prefer this setting, and Yes you can control the level out to your DAC using software settings.

Right now the default would be software volume, and will need to be changed to "None" everytime the NEO is power cycled.

I was recently told why this is and I am paraphrasing here, but the Jist of it is because of the NEO being able to be used as a "Preamp" directly to a headphone amp, it was decided to have the default be "Software" as opposed to "None" as the ZS does (not a preamp, really) so protect against a full power mistake that may damage headphones.

Again this issue is still being looked at for folks that prefer none.

Hope this helps you out in some way.

Cheers!!

Yes thank you, Lets hope they do sort for most of us "audiophile" people whom want a native output, in a future firmware update

 

[mekap]

Qobuz is currently developing a "Connect" capability like those already deployed by Tidal and Spotify.

When will Qobuz develop "Qobuz Connect"? Does anyone have such information?