The WIIM PRO gets firmware updates a few times a month and so did the app. Connectivity has improved very much since getting the unit list March. Switching my speakers from MMG's to SMGa's (Magnepan) has made a big difference. Still rockin' Class D amps.
Great review as usual. I am too old to learn new tricks. I like my Wiim Mini plugged into a Schiit DAC. It sounds very good and the software was very simple. I have had it for about a year and never had a glitch.
Same story as the IFI Zen Stream. Poor WiFi stability. Products like this have been outclassed by the likes of the Eversolo DMP-A6. IFI needs to up their game.
I think what fried me the most about this was why didn't fellow reviewers comment... I generally try to use a wired connection when I can but a lot of people are limited to wireless so to me, its really important.
@@MattCoykendall1 They didn't comment about flaws and issues because they're afraid of losing their free gear feed from these companies. Lets not forget that most of these guys are merely touts playing for clicks and ad revenue. An *honest* reviewer, like yourself, is almost as rare as false teeth for penguins.
Nice review, Matt. I have a Zen Stream and it also sounds fantastic as a streamer but has it's definite quirks and frustrations as well. Ugh. Not sure if your thumbnail graphic was intentional or not but you should check it for the misspelling, if not! 🙂
Sean, thanks for the heads up on the thumbnail! Fixed. A lot of effort goes into iFi hardware and I do think they make some really interesting products but yes quirks are present on the streamers, they are not alone though. I hope software gets a huge focus in 2024 from all the brands.
Matt ... I think you need to start mentioning prices in these reviews. The iFi Neo is $1,300 in the US and close to $1,600 in Canada. My entire main system did not cost that much.
The connectivity problems Matt describes here are a deal breaker for me. I just us an HTPC ... a mini-sized windows computer and install the streaming apps there. It's so easy, it can be used for some gaming and it will still balance my chequebook for me too. Just think all that streaming magic on a 60 inch TV screen...
. Hooray! The mini PC's are perfect. Full Windows 11 operating systems! To heck playing around with a Volumio Interface. It's not even close. I hope folks start figuring this out. And I do blame the reviewers for pushing such expensive streamers with such, how do you say it across the pond? "Bullocks" performance? lol. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
@@TriAmpHiFi Windows 10 ... but with about 100 privacy tweaks. (Windows 11 is a flaming disaster) The setup is simple. I use an Intel NUC with 500gb ssd and 16gb ram coupled with a 4tb external storage drive and (right now) a Ding Shine D2-Mini USB DAC, and wireless keyboard, hooked to a 60" TV set by HDMI. The audio is done by a modified Fosi TB10D and a pair of Pioneer towers. Software wise, MPC-BE media player and windows Explorer for file display. Plus, of course, whatever streaming apps are popular right now. Worst case I can stream almost anything with Chrome. It's a very simple and reliable setup. The biggest hurdle is shutting down all the MS Spying in the OS.
Great vid as always Matt, still loving your style and it’s cool seeing your channel grow, keep it up man! My only experience with ifi is the zen dac2 and it’s been great for a couple years, way less complicated tho and of course I’m using my pc or phone as the streamer. Whatever keeps you happy tho, just figured I’d share, ok, hi everyone else too, cya next time!!!
Ifi is a frustrating company. Their parts quality is superb, the sound quality is awesome. The useability is trash. I had this unit and sold it for a significant loss. It just would not stay connected to Tidal. It would just disconnect after playing a few songs, on both albums and playlists. I replaced it with a Wiim Pro and a LHY 5v power supply. Cheaper by far and with equal sound quality IME.
@@MattCoykendall1 I can definitely hear an improvement. hard to explain but, everything sounds richer, maybe rounder? Lol, I'm terrible at describing sound. IMO, the LHY was worth the price.
Screens are interesting. My Auric Aries G2 has a decent screen yet I never use it. My Shanling ec mini cd player/dap has a super tiny screen, but I use it all the time. The difference as I see it is that one is a rack product and one a desktop product. Small screens on desktop products can be handy but screens halfway across the room are a bit useless. IfI are an innovative company but ergonomics and usability have never been a strength. But they introduced me to portable digital audio with the iDSD so I owe them some kudos.
I agree that iFi is very innovative and does build several good products, their phono pre amps and DACS come to mind as some products I have really enjoyed. As for this one, I am to the point when I want to stream, I really want it to be hassle free since that is basically the whole selling point, endless libraries of music easily within reach.
This sounds frighteningly close to some of the issues I still sometimes encounter with Volumio on a Pi2design Mercury streamer. Even wired, I find myself having to restart somewhat frequently just to get the music to actually play even when the display shows the track moving. Many say it’s more of the Rpi boards that are the issue and not so much the software, and wonder how much better the new Volumio streamers perform with the use of a Khadas board? Don’t know what Ifi is using in there, but it sure seems to behave like a Pi on Volumio!
I am interested in the Volumio Rivo streamer - and whether the Radio Paradise app allows you to sign into your RP account; so you can listen to your RP Favorites. EDIT: I also am interested in using linear power supplies with DACs and streamers - when I have compared switch mode with linear power supplies with these - the linear power supply is significantly better sounding. I would have to assume this would be true with the iFi unit, as well.
@@MattCoykendall1 on my Bluesound Node 2i, in the Radio Paradise app, I can sign into my RP account - I put in my user name and password; and then in addition to the 4 MQA and 4 CD quality streams that RP has - I can listen to my Favorites stream. The favorite stream for me is all the songs that I have rated at 7/10 or higher. As a longtime RP listener, when I am listening on my computer in a browser, when signed into my account, I can rate each song 1-10. (In BlueOS you can only rate a thumbs up or down, in their app.) And in the browser, I can set the threshold for what I would hear on the Favorites stream. Once that is done in the browser - you then get a wonderful thing in BlueOS, in their RP app. I can listen to thousands of my favorite songs in a more or less random order. I am seriously considering the Rivo because it is a dedicated streamer, and it is reported to have really high quality sound with a linear power supply. It comes with a lifetime license to the top of the line Volumio OS, and since I am using a Geshelli J2S AKM 4499EX chipset, with the big Sparkos SS2590, I would expect the SQ would be better than the Node 2i. So, it comes down to whether the RP favorites stream is available on the Rivo - that is the make or break feature, for me.
@@NeilBlanchard See if you can do a trial run on that Volumio OS, it was just as buggy as the hacked up copy ifi uses on their streamers. I attempted to run it in my Mercury V2 streamer, it simply did not work for me at all, and then they charge you money to use it? I went with RoPieeeXL and rock solid, no issues or crashes.
Hey Neil, I have the radio paradise plugin installed and everything works BUT I can’t find any way to log into your account like I’m sure you would like to do.
The good news about the Rivo is it includes their top tier of Volumio for the life of the product. Would I rather be using different software though? Yes
Good review Matt... You are a natural sir. Keep them coming! I had an ifi Stream in here, and I quickly returned it and kept my Node N130. The ifi was simply buggy as all get out, the Node simply worked. This Neo Stream, nope, no way, not after the ifi Stream experience, and I was looking at it. Then I picked up a Mercury v2 streamer running RopieeeXL which was cool... And then I bought a WiiM mini for shits and giggles to see what all of the buzz was about... I still have the WiiM mini and added a WiiM Pro. Go WiiM! Bottom line, if it is frustrating to use, what good is it? The WiiM, with a linear power supply, and a separate DAC, a no brainer in my book. Again, Go WiiM!
@@MattCoykendall1 Matt, the streamer of choice around here is the WiiM Pro by far. Rock solid, does everything asked of it, and the folks at WiiM actually listen to the customer. I discovered yesterday they added balance control in their latest update. It is extremely difficult not to like WiiM as a streaming platform. My experience with ifi was terrible, everyone was telling me how great it was, much better sounding than the Node (since sold). I never experienced that ifi sound, as I could not keep a connection between the crashes. The WiiM products, plug it in and enjoy the music!
@@MattCoykendall1 The WiiM Pro with a LPS, listening to it right now, with believe it or not, a Fosi V3 amplifier. I'm running a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Preamp, the speakers are the Zu DW6 Supremes. A pair of SVS SB3000 taking care of the bass, more as a fill, as the Zu's already go incredibly low. I cannot get over how darn good this silly little Fosi amp sounds. I just ordered a pair of the Aiyima A07 Max amplifiers, and going to run those as a mono block setup. I also have a pair of Sparko op amps, they were a bit muddy in the Fosi, will give them a shot in the A07 Max units and see what happens.
Did you try multiple iPhones or did you conclude the issues with just the one device? Maybe buy yourself a cheap Android phone and test with that also, to have a complete review.
I get the argument that we have our phones but I am with you, I prefer to have that remote. What if I dont want to be tied to my phone or what if someone else wants to control the music. Are you suppose to just pass around your phone?
The WIIM PRO gets firmware updates a few times a month and so did the app. Connectivity has improved very much since getting the unit list March.
Switching my speakers from MMG's to SMGa's (Magnepan) has made a big difference.
Still rockin' Class D amps.
Yeah I feel like I see a firmware update weekly, some of little importance but definitely some very important ones mixed in.
Great review as usual. I am too old to learn new tricks. I like my Wiim Mini plugged into a Schiit DAC. It sounds very good and the software was very simple. I have had it for about a year and never had a glitch.
Glad to hear that, no need to complicate if things are working.
Same story as the IFI Zen Stream. Poor WiFi stability. Products like this have been outclassed by the likes of the Eversolo DMP-A6. IFI needs to up their game.
I think what fried me the most about this was why didn't fellow reviewers comment... I generally try to use a wired connection when I can but a lot of people are limited to wireless so to me, its really important.
@@MattCoykendall1
They didn't comment about flaws and issues because they're afraid of losing their free gear feed from these companies. Lets not forget that most of these guys are merely touts playing for clicks and ad revenue.
An *honest* reviewer, like yourself, is almost as rare as false teeth for penguins.
Nice review, Matt. I have a Zen Stream and it also sounds fantastic as a streamer but has it's definite quirks and frustrations as well. Ugh. Not sure if your thumbnail graphic was intentional or not but you should check it for the misspelling, if not! 🙂
Sean, thanks for the heads up on the thumbnail! Fixed. A lot of effort goes into iFi hardware and I do think they make some really interesting products but yes quirks are present on the streamers, they are not alone though. I hope software gets a huge focus in 2024 from all the brands.
Matt ... I think you need to start mentioning prices in these reviews.
The iFi Neo is $1,300 in the US and close to $1,600 in Canada.
My entire main system did not cost that much.
I did mention the price on this one in the first 30 seconds or so, you are correct that often times I dont say prices though.
@@MattCoykendall1
OOPS... my bad. How did I miss that?
Apologies, my friend.
No worries!
@@MattCoykendall1
Clearly not my best week... (heavy sigh)
The connectivity problems Matt describes here are a deal breaker for me.
I just us an HTPC ... a mini-sized windows computer and install the streaming apps there. It's so easy, it can be used for some gaming and it will still balance my chequebook for me too. Just think all that streaming magic on a 60 inch TV screen...
There you go thinking logically again Douglas haha
. Hooray! The mini PC's are perfect. Full Windows 11 operating systems! To heck playing around with a Volumio Interface. It's not even close. I hope folks start figuring this out. And I do blame the reviewers for pushing such expensive streamers with such, how do you say it across the pond? "Bullocks" performance? lol.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
@@MattCoykendall1
What can I say ... sometimes it just leaks out...
@@TriAmpHiFi
Windows 10 ... but with about 100 privacy tweaks. (Windows 11 is a flaming disaster)
The setup is simple. I use an Intel NUC with 500gb ssd and 16gb ram coupled with a 4tb external storage drive and (right now) a Ding Shine D2-Mini USB DAC, and wireless keyboard, hooked to a 60" TV set by HDMI. The audio is done by a modified Fosi TB10D and a pair of Pioneer towers. Software wise, MPC-BE media player and windows Explorer for file display. Plus, of course, whatever streaming apps are popular right now. Worst case I can stream almost anything with Chrome.
It's a very simple and reliable setup. The biggest hurdle is shutting down all the MS Spying in the OS.
Great vid as always Matt, still loving your style and it’s cool seeing your channel grow, keep it up man!
My only experience with ifi is the zen dac2 and it’s been great for a couple years, way less complicated tho and of course I’m using my pc or phone as the streamer. Whatever keeps you happy tho, just figured I’d share, ok, hi everyone else too, cya next time!!!
The Zen DAC is a good product! I have played around with that one before as well.
Ifi is a frustrating company. Their parts quality is superb, the sound quality is awesome. The useability is trash.
I had this unit and sold it for a significant loss. It just would not stay connected to Tidal. It would just disconnect after playing a few songs, on both albums and playlists.
I replaced it with a Wiim Pro and a LHY 5v power supply. Cheaper by far and with equal sound quality IME.
How do you like the LHY power supply? Did you feel it was a notable improvement?
@@MattCoykendall1 I can definitely hear an improvement. hard to explain but, everything sounds richer, maybe rounder? Lol, I'm terrible at describing sound. IMO, the LHY was worth the price.
Screens are interesting. My Auric Aries G2 has a decent screen yet I never use it. My Shanling ec mini cd player/dap has a super tiny screen, but I use it all the time. The difference as I see it is that one is a rack product and one a desktop product. Small screens on desktop products can be handy but screens halfway across the room are a bit useless.
IfI are an innovative company but ergonomics and usability have never been a strength.
But they introduced me to portable digital audio with the iDSD so I owe them some kudos.
I agree that iFi is very innovative and does build several good products, their phono pre amps and DACS come to mind as some products I have really enjoyed. As for this one, I am to the point when I want to stream, I really want it to be hassle free since that is basically the whole selling point, endless libraries of music easily within reach.
This sounds frighteningly close to some of the issues I still sometimes encounter with Volumio on a Pi2design Mercury streamer. Even wired, I find myself having to restart somewhat frequently just to get the music to actually play even when the display shows the track moving. Many say it’s more of the Rpi boards that are the issue and not so much the software, and wonder how much better the new Volumio streamers perform with the use of a Khadas board? Don’t know what Ifi is using in there, but it sure seems to behave like a Pi on Volumio!
The restarts were a bit too much for me, it was becoming a hassle just to listen.
I am interested in the Volumio Rivo streamer - and whether the Radio Paradise app allows you to sign into your RP account; so you can listen to your RP Favorites.
EDIT: I also am interested in using linear power supplies with DACs and streamers - when I have compared switch mode with linear power supplies with these - the linear power supply is significantly better sounding. I would have to assume this would be true with the iFi unit, as well.
Give me a little more detail on that RP test, I can take a look.
@@MattCoykendall1 on my Bluesound Node 2i, in the Radio Paradise app, I can sign into my RP account - I put in my user name and password; and then in addition to the 4 MQA and 4 CD quality streams that RP has - I can listen to my Favorites stream. The favorite stream for me is all the songs that I have rated at 7/10 or higher. As a longtime RP listener, when I am listening on my computer in a browser, when signed into my account, I can rate each song 1-10. (In BlueOS you can only rate a thumbs up or down, in their app.) And in the browser, I can set the threshold for what I would hear on the Favorites stream. Once that is done in the browser - you then get a wonderful thing in BlueOS, in their RP app. I can listen to thousands of my favorite songs in a more or less random order.
I am seriously considering the Rivo because it is a dedicated streamer, and it is reported to have really high quality sound with a linear power supply. It comes with a lifetime license to the top of the line Volumio OS, and since I am using a Geshelli J2S AKM 4499EX chipset, with the big Sparkos SS2590, I would expect the SQ would be better than the Node 2i.
So, it comes down to whether the RP favorites stream is available on the Rivo - that is the make or break feature, for me.
@@NeilBlanchard See if you can do a trial run on that Volumio OS, it was just as buggy as the hacked up copy ifi uses on their streamers. I attempted to run it in my Mercury V2 streamer, it simply did not work for me at all, and then they charge you money to use it? I went with RoPieeeXL and rock solid, no issues or crashes.
Hey Neil, I have the radio paradise plugin installed and everything works BUT I can’t find any way to log into your account like I’m sure you would like to do.
The good news about the Rivo is it includes their top tier of Volumio for the life of the product. Would I rather be using different software though? Yes
Good review Matt... You are a natural sir. Keep them coming!
I had an ifi Stream in here, and I quickly returned it and kept my Node N130. The ifi was simply buggy as all get out, the Node simply worked. This Neo Stream, nope, no way, not after the ifi Stream experience, and I was looking at it. Then I picked up a Mercury v2 streamer running RopieeeXL which was cool... And then I bought a WiiM mini for shits and giggles to see what all of the buzz was about... I still have the WiiM mini and added a WiiM Pro. Go WiiM!
Bottom line, if it is frustrating to use, what good is it? The WiiM, with a linear power supply, and a separate DAC, a no brainer in my book. Again, Go WiiM!
Thanks for watching! Curious which streamer you use the most now?
@@MattCoykendall1 Matt, the streamer of choice around here is the WiiM Pro by far. Rock solid, does everything asked of it, and the folks at WiiM actually listen to the customer. I discovered yesterday they added balance control in their latest update. It is extremely difficult not to like WiiM as a streaming platform.
My experience with ifi was terrible, everyone was telling me how great it was, much better sounding than the Node (since sold). I never experienced that ifi sound, as I could not keep a connection between the crashes. The WiiM products, plug it in and enjoy the music!
@@MattCoykendall1 The WiiM Pro with a LPS, listening to it right now, with believe it or not, a Fosi V3 amplifier. I'm running a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Preamp, the speakers are the Zu DW6 Supremes. A pair of SVS SB3000 taking care of the bass, more as a fill, as the Zu's already go incredibly low. I cannot get over how darn good this silly little Fosi amp sounds. I just ordered a pair of the Aiyima A07 Max amplifiers, and going to run those as a mono block setup. I also have a pair of Sparko op amps, they were a bit muddy in the Fosi, will give them a shot in the A07 Max units and see what happens.
Did you try multiple iPhones or did you conclude the issues with just the one device? Maybe buy yourself a cheap Android phone and test with that also, to have a complete review.
Only tested with 1 iphone but it’s a new model without issue on other devices. I would consider adding android as well.
Kewl beans! Ty!
Right on!
I take your point about sc
$1,300 and no remote?!? 😢
I get the argument that we have our phones but I am with you, I prefer to have that remote. What if I dont want to be tied to my phone or what if someone else wants to control the music. Are you suppose to just pass around your phone?