REVIEW: This Streamer & DAC is Incredible for the Price. The iFi Neo Stream.
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
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In todays video I talk about the iFi Neo Stream and how it compares too the Bluesound Node. If you have been looking for an upgrade to the Node, then you may want to take a look at this one.
This is a feature rich DAC and STREAMER that requires no proprietary app. Just use the apps you already have from Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz. This is also a high res DAC and is customizable via four filters you can enable to "fine tune" the sound.
At $1299 this is a fantastic buy for anyone looking for high quality streaming in an all in one product. This also fully decodes MQA : )
Enjoy!
Media Contact/Review Contact: stevehuff1@icloud.com
Pro tip use the node digital out and bypass it to your preferred high end Dac. The node has a great OS and is great if used as a transport only. I used a singxer su6 ddc inbetwewn the BlueSound node and Holo spring KTE r2r Dac. Ifi not supporting amazon hd natively is a massive omission. Hifi rose 250 would be a great aio option as well
I reviewed it, I thought it was one of the best sounding digital streamers I had ever heard, although I had some serious reservations regarding it's network connectivity reliability as well as it's ultimate value given what it is that it is and what it offers.
I'd suggest to start streamer reviews with a list of streaming services supported.
And whether they support Spotify Connect and/or Tidal Connect so we can pass the stream off to the streamer and not tie up our phones.
I thought there wasn't Qobuz connect? I have a node 2i with an LPS mod and Border Patrol DAC but if I could use the Qobuz app only, I'd be interested in this.
Hi, I am new to your HIFI music territorial find it very interesting, Listen to my music through a very large pair of transmission line loudspeaker cabinets I built them about 40 years ago the design came out of a hi-fi magazine date in the late 70s, I have just recently put new drivers in seas,
Probably not up to your standard but they are equivalent to a high-end loudspeaker cabinet they don’t look much better they sound amazing.
Keep up the great work I look forward to your next territorial,
PHIL FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOULIN FRANCE. MUSIC 🎶
How does this compare with the Eversolo streamer?
Would also like to know this
Any chance you can get a Gustard R26 to review before the iFi goes back?
using RCA or 4.4 balanced for analog output? if iFi send u their flagship psu (iPower Elite) to attach with the Neo Stream I think the SQ will be even better coz I have it on my Neo iDSD.
Does anybody know if there is a sound difference in this and the neo idsd? Any upgrades in it?
2:23 Finally! Some tone control on a DAC. Usually tone is dictated by the DAC engineer.
Please please befor you return please tray with a liniar power supply. Im using Farad super3 and the difference after everything is properly burn will be night and day
It already comes with power X, which is their excellent noise reduction power plug
@@stephencosta6814 the diferente will be massive with a proper lps
my guy are you seriously implying that you can burn in your power supply and digital streamer?
@@1337wafflezz im referring specifically of burn-in or first days of working from new product.
@@stoicar yes. but it won’t make a difference. not physically anyways
This and the Gustard R26 are on my short list
Gustard R26 is amazing
I am concerned with the previous reports of difficulty with their stand alone streamer. If they just took the guts from that unit, stuffed it in their $800 DACs and raised the price a hundred bucks. Might be a difficult unit. That said, maybe they took the opportunity to improve their streamer. I understand their app is basically Volumio a you might use with a rasberry pi.
they would have to overhaul the Zen Stream and start from the ground up, get rid of the demons.
@@xstensl8823 I would like to compare one with my Node now that I installed the PD Creative linear power supply modification. Improved the sound of the stamina a lot. I run it into a Pontus II DAC.
Nice streamer. Is there an optional remote control so you don’t have to unlock your phone, then the app, to play/pause music quickly or if you don’t have your phone with you? I’m also curious If you are on your phone, and use another app while playing in background, does it effect playback? A few things that I find useful when using a streamer, and I’ve noticed it in a few products I have tried since my Squeezebox Touch.
In your opinion, does it make sense here in 2022 to buy an "all in one" streamer/DAC or buy a streamer then use a separate DAC? Would a Node paired with a Denafrips Ares II beat the Neo? Love that it (the NEO) does NOT convert DSD to PCM. A hit against the Node is that the current version has no USB output to feed an external DAC. Heard that some DACs can sound much better via USB instead of coax or optical.
This would be a bigger upgrade. I believe the Aries has a USB output already and there was a firmware update on the node that makes it available. Check it out. Thanks.
Yes for desktop use, in fact a full integrated is needed in this segment
i currently use a Bluesound Node with the Ares ll, its outstanding. had so many problems with the Zen Stream.
@@stephencosta6814 Thanks! I found it! YES, the USB connection CAN be used as an output on the Node (130)....They say,
"NODE (N130) can transfer digital audio (USB Audio 2.0) to an external DAC via the USB Type-A slot.
When connecting an external DAC to the USB port of NODE (N130), the USB port is automatically enabled.
Note: When the USB port is enabled, other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical) are disabled.
To manually enable the USB port, perform the following steps:
Connect a compatible external DAC to the USB port of NODE (N130).
In the BluOS Controller App, select Player Drawer.
Select the context menu (3 dots) of the required NODE (N130).
Select Audio Settings.
Select the external DAC from Select output.
To disable the USB port (without unplugging the external DAC) and enable other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical), set the Select output to Default in the Audio Settings screen of NODE (N130)."
Interesting, do you use the I2s connection with Terminator? PsAudio Pinout?
I am using the Node as a transport only connected to a Pontus 2. Have you tried the i2S connection on the iFi? Would it be better than the Node as a network transport?
Does your DAC test was trough Ballanced output or RCA?
PleaEe review holo audio MAY KTE , waiting for it, many thanks !!!
There are so many reviews on it already, but it’s a little bit more technical an analytical compared to the Pontus
@@stephencosta6814 yes
So would you use this as the streamer front end then the iFi Pro iDSD Signature as the actual DAC component?
Better as a dac than ifi neo dac ?
I’m not really sure I heard that one is a killer dac
How would you compare it with/agains your Chord?
I do not own a chord. My main DAC is the DCS Lina. I owned a Dave in 2021 for a while. Compared to the $13k chord, it’s no contest. The chord wins. Compared to the $2k chord qutest, it’s just a different kind of sound. Warmer, fuller, etc. I know of nothing that can beat the stream for the money. The chord products are DACs only, no streamer.
Do you recommend the Stream against the Node even if I have an (expensive) external DAC?
If sound quality does matter, yes for Neo Stream.
i have a Bluesound Node that i use with a Denafrips DAC. the Bluesound does not have the issues. sounds superb. i have played concert grands!
How would this compare to Cambridge Audio CXN v2?
The Cambridge is a fantastic unit. I think this beats it
Wait ... why does it have coax, optical, aes, iis, etc as only digital outputs if it has a built-in DAC? Ifi makes profoundly weird design decisions. Maybe they should call themselves "Iffy"....
Sadly, too many streamers include an internal dac. Those of us who wish to use our higher end dac's are happy to have these digital outputs.
Ifi neo streamer and Hifi Rose Rs250. Which is better?
The lack of "Q Connect" from Qobuz is getting irritating. I'd consider this as a streamer if this feature existed. Obviously not iFi's fault. My DAC doesn't do mqa, so I'm not going back to Tidal. Don't want Roon nor a workaround thru mconnect.
Audirvāna Studio?
Who has "Q Connect?"
@@EricRhodeslives
Cocktail Audio N25
@@planflykt no it doesn't.
An alternative: Minidsp SHD.
The review mentions that the ifi neo stream has more inputs outputs than the bluesound node. However it doesn't have optical or spdif in
Amazon Music HD ????
Amazon Music offers HD and UltraHD: why do so few streamers integrate with it?
@@HevyGee I can only assume that Amazon Music is tough to work with ?.... Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify etc are natively supported by almost all streaming platforms...
I use a laptop (use LAN not Wi-Fi) to stream Amazon HD to my integrated amp (ESS Saber DAC). I like the ease of use, having a screen, and re-purpose a laptop.
I have all my CD's stored on it and can use apps to play DSD files etc. Not sure what a streamer offers over this?
@@ptg01 I'm sure there is an explanation for this
@@pnichols6500 I started with a similar setup and the drawback I immediately noticed is the lack of a 'wireless remote' functionality... So I have to get off my darn couch to make any changes.... :) I suppose it depends on how far your laptop is from your listening position. Mine is a whopping 5 feet ! :)
Can you stream Apple Music?
Yes it also has airplay
Missing airplay 2 imo..
most people i know have much better external DAC's and would never buy this product with a built in DAC. we where all hoping that IFI would release a MK2 version of the Zen Stream that worked consistently without a DAC, streamer only. poor marketing. to much bling as well. paint it black
Not everyone has black components!
Everyone loves the iFi Zen Stream, but say it suffers from awful Wi-Fi connectivity issues - almost unusable that way. Was the iFi Neo Stream solid in that respect? Thanks.
I have a newer Zen Stream and no Wi-Fi issues once setup so it might be a thing with older units or ifi updated firmware to fix the problem.
@@Temmple I believe you are very correct👍
my Zen Stream works great with Wi-Fi. I've had zero problems with the unit.
Had to hardwire my Zen Stream.
@@davidzwicker9988 how new is your streamer?
Is it a DAC/Streamer combo or a preamp as well?
The volume control makes it a preamp as well.
@@EricRhodeslives Is it a DAC also? Or do I need one? Does it have the option for fixed or variable volume control?
True upnp option? Hopefully high rez through bubble upnp app as compared to zen stream. Zen Stream doesn’t really do high rez without roon. Also not as functional without roon
Wait can you play 24/192 Qobuz files with the ZEn stream ?
You are limited on SPDIF and COAX, so why we are talking about features on these outputs?
It’s really hard to believe…
Nice🙏🙏🙏🙏
Does it have a custom DAC? 😂
I’d venture a guess it’s a Burr Brown based on the warm quality described.
In fairness the node is less than half the price.
And has a useable stable OS... The Neo is using Volumio, which is sketchy at best.