[iFi audio]

Posted a review of the iFi Neo Stream

Head-Fi here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-neo-stream.26531/review/33364/
My site here: https://www.audiodiscourse.com/2024/03/ifi-neo-stream-network-streaming-device.html

Thanks so much for your review and thoughts here!

We appreciate you taking the time to do this!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I've given up on the Neo Stream - it is packed up and will be heading to my son's place to see if he can get it to work consistently as I can't sell it in good conscience. After a decent recent period of recent trouble free use (apart from the frustrating Airplay connection issues after the last firmware update), it is now restarting itself after 1 or 2 tracks - the same problem I had with the original unit that was eventually replaced.

The reason I bought the NS in the first place was for the additional connection options and the NAA capability versus my original Auralic Aries, which is now nearly 10 years old. It has been a frustrating 17 months of ownership and I have persevered with the patience of a saint but I've had enough and I'm tired of waiting for a firmware update in the hope that it would lead to some sort of stability.

Thank goodness I never sold the Aries, it is now back in my 2 channel living room setup and working perfectly, including instant connection to Airplay........and the Lightning DS playback software is miles ahead of the Volumio base software in the NS.

Thanks so much for giving it a go, and of course we (I) am sorry it didn't work out for you.

I am sure we all wish at times with streamers we could get to the bottom of why one works in one situation and a completely different result occurs in the other.

I personally appreciate all the thoughts you have had since first getting your NEO and of course your patience through your issues.

Cheers!!

 

[endless402]

The other annoying thing is that i have to go into ifi.local every time it starts up to turn off the software volume control. why cant this setting be saved?

 

[iFi audio]

The other annoying thing is that i have to go into ifi.local every time it starts up to turn off the software volume control. why cant this setting be saved?

I am going to ask again for the technical explanation, I know I was given it previously and it has something to do with the way it was designed. It can function as a "pre-amp" so it is different in the way it has functionality compared to the ZS which for lack of a better term didn't have a "True Volume Knob" to control output.

I vaguely remember it being about the outputs, but I will ask again for a technical reason why this cannot be set to none, as the ZS can be.

All I can do is try right...

Cheers!!

 

[panoptikon]

Firmware status regarding FLAC + Tidal connect?

 

[endless402]

Firmware status regarding FLAC + Tidal connect?

Expectations are low…may be too much focus on new hardware instead of improving existing hardware.

 

[iFi audio]

Firmware status regarding FLAC + Tidal connect?

Expectations are low…may be too much focus on new hardware instead of improving existing hardware.

I wish I could give a hard date on this, (I am pressing for it, please believe that)

While I cannot comment on which version we are at, please remember to not install beta versions even if you had access to them. We are quite a few steps into the process, and the recent change by Tidal on April 10th threw a monkey wrench into the process, and "sort of" stalled things that needed correction. (Even the mighty Roon had an issue that needed correction)

We are trying, sorry that that is the best I have at the moment.

Cheers!!

 

[chriswelsby]

Apart from the pricing plan, what else did Tidal change on the 10th?

 

[iFi audio]

Apart from the pricing plan, what else did Tidal change on the 10th?

Best to ask Tidal directly, but when they implemented the change, it caused a bunch of streamers to only be able to play 44.1 even when choosing high res tracks.

I venture a guess that it was something to do with the naming of the new tier that caused issues. (Example Roon had no option for "max" selectivity.

Most are resolved now

Cheers!!

 

[chriswelsby]

I’m currently using the Tidal connect, the issue is 24 bit Flac isn’t supported in connect and never has been with iFi, although often the 24bit is available in uPnP. MQA works great though. I like using the connect so hoping for an update mainly because it doesn’t zap the phone battery.

 

[801evan]

The other annoying thing is that i have to go into ifi.local every time it starts up to turn off the software volume control. why cant this setting be saved?

Issue too is the mixer doesn't even stay on "none". After 10 mins it will kick out of "none" and be back on software volume control especially when in exclusive mode.

 

[iFi audio]

I’m currently using the Tidal connect, the issue is 24 bit Flac isn’t supported in connect and never has been with iFi, although often the 24bit is available in uPnP. MQA works great though. I like using the connect so hoping for an update mainly because it doesn’t zap the phone battery.

The new update is currently in the works, so hopefully it won't be long.

The NEO not doing 24bit is not my understanding. Is this only with Tidal Connect? If so is it a limitation of Tidal Connect, as uPnP does so?

Here is a screenshot of Roon showing it Playing 24bit 192...

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Issue too is the mixer doesn't even stay on "none". After 10 mins it will kick out of "none" and be back on software volume control especially when in exclusive mode.

Hopefully, the new firmware addresses this, (I have been told it will).

How are you seeing the ifi.local screen to know this when in exclusive mode? Or do you mean exclusive mode with Tidal?

If Exclusive mode is enabled on Tidal and you are still able to use the volume dial on the NEO Stream, I would suggest dropping a note to Tidal as well as something may not be effective on their end of Connect.

Cheers!!

 

[chriswelsby]

The new update is currently in the works, so hopefully it won't be long.

The NEO not doing 24bit is not my understanding. Is this only with Tidal Connect? If so is it a limitation of Tidal Connect, as uPnP does so?

Here is a screenshot of Roon showing it Playing 24bit 192...



Cheers!!

Yes Tidal Connect on Neo doesn’t support 24 bit Flac, Max always switches to High when it isn’t an MQA file. Tidal have updated Connect to support 24bit Flac and this has been released on other streamers. So just waiting for the update, can’t be far off?

 

[iFi audio]

Yes Tidal Connect on Neo doesn’t support 24 bit Flac, Max always switches to High when it isn’t an MQA file. Tidal have updated Connect to support 24bit Flac and this has been released on other streamers. So just waiting for the update, can’t be far off?

I see, so it's the MQA issue stopping it, I understand Roon has gotten this update that's why I can play it.

The Tidal "Max" update should be along shortly, and when Tidal switches out all their files this should no longer be an issue.

Thanks for this!

Cheers!!