The iFi Neo Stream network audio streamer is a sterling representation of smart audio design, boasting an open, musical delivery from a simple and compact chassis sporting clean angular lines and functional features. As such, it's a gleaming 21st Century take on form meets function, melding well with the natural and industrial elements of a luxuriant, contemporary interior designed home. And it does so for a relatively pocket-friendly price! If you and/or your domestic partner have an eye for this blend of minimalist aesthetic and functionality, this may be the digital player for you.
When I first saw it, I thought I've got to take one for a spin.
Playback Flexibility and Features
The NEO Stream can deliver stored music files and and streaming service content in multiple ways, including:
- Roon Ready - The Roon Labs music player software, a premier platform (which I use exclusively) for superb digital streaming and music management with a user-friendly interface, and excellent sonics. The NEO Stream has Roon Ready certification, which means it works seamlessly with Roon.
- DLNA/UPnP - Any DLNA/UPnP-compatible streaming app (i.e., BubbleUPnP, mconnect, Audirvana and more) that can be used to control the NEO Stream and access audio content from DLNA-certified network storage devices and online services.
- Integrated Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect - These popular online music services can stream directly via the Tidal and Spotify apps.
- Apple AirPlay - Integrated Airplay ensures easy streaming from Apple devices.
- NAA operation - The NEO Stream can operate as an NAA (Network Audio Adapter) in conjunction with Sygnalist HQPlayer software is a method preferred by some ardent music streaming enthusiasts that can direct packets of received audio data over Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable straight to the connected DAC without applying processing.
- Streaming local storage with Stream-iFi app - iFi's 'Stream-iFi' app is a simple tool that aids initial set-up of the NEO Stream and initiates streaming from local storage devices like a NAS drive, for example.
A Snazzy Chassis
The NEO Stream has a nicely machined aluminum chassis that can lay either on its side or on end (it comes with an aluminum support stand). Upfront left to right (when laid on its side), it sports an OLED display, a multi-function knob, a network status LED that turns right when not connecting and white when it's good, a power switch and indicator, and a USB input. Weighing 4.85 lbs., its dimensions are 10 1/4" x 3 13/16" H x 7 1/2" D.
According to its manual (which you can view HERE) "the OLED display shows current playback mode, format, sample rate, and the IP address of the NEO Stream when available."
The Multi-function knob takes some getting used to, but controls a variety of functions and selections. For example, you can use it to control volume if you've selected "Volume Control" rather than "Mute." Other items you can select and manage are:
- Screen brightness (select with a long press of the knob.)
- System status - displays IP addresses and system version
- Advanced/Simple OLED display
- Audio Output Port Selection – Analogue, Digital, or USB
- System Mode Selector - AIO, DLNA, Tidal Connect, ROON, or NAA
- Hotspot ON/OFF
- Digital Filters
Viewed laying sideways, left to right, there are a litany of inputs and outputs, as follows:
- A DC 9V/2.0A, 12V/1.8A, 15V/1.2A* power input. The manual recommends that you use its enclosed power supply
- An ethernet input for an M12 X-code 8-pin connector
- An ethernet input for an RJ45 connector
The AMR CD-777 SE (image courtesy of https://amr-audio.co.uk)
A Word on iFi Audio
Founded in 2012, iFi Audio is a subsidiary of Abbingdon Music Research (which is, in turn, owned by Abbingdon Global Limited), one of the United Kingdom's largest manufacturers of high end CD players, preamplifiers, amplifiers, loudspeakers, cables, and accessories. iFi focuses on amplifiers, Active Buffer/Preamplifiers, DACs and USB filters (Wikipedia). I first became acquainted with AMR when in 2014 I listened to their CD-777 at Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) in Chicago. It had an impressive warm, analog-like presentation augmented by its use of vacuum tubes.
More recently, I reviewed the iFi GO Bar that I sometimes use for streaming playback over my Dan Clark Audio Ether 2 headphones while working on my laptop (you can read that HERE). I have to say that, so far, I've been quite impressed with iFi Audio products.
A High Flying, Pleasant Performer
Evaluating the NEO conjures a DAC review I'd skimmed featuring a bar graph comparing DACs fidelity and overall performance along the Y-axis. A horizontal line at roughly 90 percent of the highest performers' scores represented a common threshold that most DACs achieved. Some maxed out at that point, while others eked out an additional five to 10 percent. The iFi NEO Stream definitely crosses that line and then some, delivering a very pleasing, accurate and musical presentation that, unlike certain DACs championed by some for their measurements, is not fatiguing. That's not surprising, as it employs a Burr-Brown DAC chipset that's renowned for its smoother delivery, in tandem with their XMOS firmware to optimize sound quality.
Possessing its own, high quality DAC, the NEO Stream network player can be linked to an external DAC to handle D to A conversion, as you will read later.
The Hook Up
I employ an Intel NUC sheathed in an HDPLEX H1 V3 fanless case as my Roon core (Preferring Roon as my music playing and management software, I installed the Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) into the NUC and control it a with the Roon apps on my iPhone or my MacBook Pro laptop), and, selecting the NEO Stream as my audio zone, I access it on my network via Ethernet cable connection (you can read my review of the HDPLEX case (HERE). I insert Straight Wire Virtuoso single-ended RCAs to connect it to my Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier because, unlike my Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, it does not have XLR outputs.
Images courtesy of Shreded.com and Classicphysiquebuilder.blogspot.com
Cologne vs. Sweat - and a Surprise
My initial impressions were that the NEO Stream had a nice organic quality to it; that is, it favored the smoother, warmer side, versus micro detailed, while articulating textures and timbre quite nicely. It was polite and made for pleasant listening, but it seemed to lack the grit and grunt of my much larger reference Schiit Yggdrasil DAC which, at 25 lbs., is five times heavier! Borrowing Arnold Schwarzenegger's analogy of fellow Mr. Universes and Hercules actors, Steve Reeves and Reg Park, listening to the two was like comparing cologne and sweat.
The diminutive NEO Stream sits atop the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier, while my much larger Schiit Yggdrasil DAC sits on the shelf below in my media console.
The caveat is that my Yggdrasil connects to my Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier with Straight Wire Virtuoso R2 balanced XLR interconnects, while the NEO Stream uses Straight Wire Virtuoso single-ended RCAs (remember, the NEO doesn't have XLR outputs). Both sets of interconnects render the signal with superb detail, fidelity, and dynamics, but the XLRs add perhaps 6dB more gain than the RCAs.
After futzing around adjusting the volume on their respective inputs via the Pass remote, I get a big surprise: painstakingly volume matched in A/B comparisons, the NEO sounds incredibly similar to the Yggdrasil DAC—which still yields a scintilla more detail, weight, and bite (in Dave Liebman's "Water: Giver of Life" for example, played through the Yggie, Metheny's guitar plucks have a slightly crisper, harder edge to them). Nevertheless, with deft musicality, and a pleasing, more natural tonal balance; the NEO's not etched or hyper-detailed, yet delivers plenty of definition through the highs, and combined with good midrange bloom, warmth and depth, it leaves you wanting to hear more. And more!
Some External Schiits and Giggles
Next, I test employing my Schiit Yggdrasil to take over digital to analog conversion for the NEO. Choosing "Digital" with a twist and click of its selector knob, I used the coaxial output and find it sounds a touch deeper on playback. Then, turning the selector knob again, I click on "Schiit Yggdrasil Unison USB" and use a rear USB output, but in both cases, I have to turn the NEO off, then on again, wait until it reconnects with Roon, then hit "Play" on my Roon app to get sound from my speakers. Hmm. Maybe that's an issue specific to this review sample?
In bypassing the NEO's internal DAC to use the $2699 OG Yggdrasil DAC, I find the presentation slightly bolder, richer, and deeper. Coincidentally, I also notice that I prefer using the Yggdrasil's Unison USB connection better (the Unison USB is their proprietary USB input that "provides superior UAC2 performance at very low current draw from the host, as well as complete electromagnetic and electrostatic isolation," thus remaining Schiit's input of choice (Schiit.com)).
Color Me Neo-Impressed
Playing through the Pass Labs electronics, Straight Wire cabling, and Usher ML-802 loudspeakers in my room, the NEO Stream, I hear a wondrous synergy as the music immerses my acoustically treated A/V room with luscious layers of sound (see more on the system and room by clicking on my name in my byline). But now it's time to run the NEO through the formal paces using its own internal DAC.
Coat and Tie Worthy Listen
In "Water: Giver of Life," the attack, leading and trailing edges Pat Metheny's plucked guitar strings are tactilely detailed, timbrally textured, rich, and resonant as their notes decay, while Dave Liebman's succulent soprano saxophone wails, plaintive and plush; against the backdrop of Bill Hart's brushed snare and cymbals, and Cecil McBee's deep and dour double bass (Dave Liebman. The Elements: Water. Qobuz FLAC 44.1kHz, 16-Bit. Arkadia Jazz, Jul 2022), it's sublime—the aural equivalent of tender bites of foie gras served atop string potato wrapped scallops seated in simmering sweet corn broth at an upscale eatery.
Petra Magoni's impressive soprano chops—one moment sultry and sassy, the next soaring to squealing heights á la Mariah Carey—are augmented by reverb and loops as they serve a hip and energetic take of "Amazing Grace" (Musica Nuda. Verso Sud (Live). Qobuz FLAC 44.1kHz, 24-Bit. Fonè, 2021). With the help of Ferruccio Spinetti's expressively rich and resonant double bass, it's little wonder the duo has been a jazz-pop hit in Europe. The NEO delivers their performance with sense of scale of the Musica delle Tradizioni Festival in Vicenza, Italy, where it was recorded in September 2016.
The strings, violas, and double basses are resplendent and regal, regaling us with its realism in Johann Pachelbel's "Canon and Gigue in D Major for 3 Violins and Basso Contiuo" (Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Albinoni, Antonio Vivaldi, et al. Albinoni: Adagio/Pachebel Canon. FLAC 44.1kHz, 16-Bit. Deutsche Grammophon, December 2006). It's top shelf stuff and, quite frankly, a coat and tie should be required attire for such a lofty listen!
The thwack of J.J. Johnson's snare, the whine and growl of David Harris and Derek Trucks' guitars, the warm, whirring vibrato of Kofi Burbridge's Hammond B-3, and Susan Tedeschi's voracious vocals gets your blues-rocks off in "Come See About Me" (Tedeschi Trucks Band. Revelator. Qobuz FLAC 88.2kHz, 24-Bit. Masterworks, June 2011). No tie and jacket required here, though a dress shirt hanging over jeans works fine!
"Tedeschi can belt in a voice of honey, as well as whiskey," Cape Cod Times reporter, Gwen Friss, notes (capecodonline.com), and the NEO Stream transports that, and the brilliance and chemistry of this riffing monster band (co-chaired by guitar virtuoso, Derek Trucks) into the A/V room with realism, slam, and adrenaline-drenched power!
And, Now, the Envelope Please
In a day when you can get quality DACs for $100, at $1299 the NEO Stream certainly isn't cheap. However, at well under $2000, it's a great value and adept at fitting in with much more expensive audio equipment like the Pass Labs amplification and the Usher ML-802 loudspeakers that I use, for example, in delivering an excellent, well balanced soundscape with a great balance of detail, texture, and musicality—and it does so with a forgiving warmth, eschewing etched hyper detail (which is fatiguing), resulting in a very listenable music experience that you can enjoy for hours.
Moreover, the NEO Stream is small and compact, taking up very little space, and has a catchy modern minimalist design that can easily be tucked away in a media cabinet or—alternatively—sit naked, out in the open atop a credenza or media console, and pose minimal threat of offending a picky domestic partner's aesthetic tastes which—let's face it—is a very real concern for some of us when sharing living space (trust me, I know)!
"Functionally and sonically, it's the ideal streamer for passionate music lovers who want to experience their music with exceptional sound quality through their own choice of control app or music platform," their website says, "Without the exorbitant price tag." I would concur.
For that, I heartily recommend the NEO Stream if you are considering purchasing a quality network streamer/DAC under $5,000.
Neo Stream network audio streamer
Retail: $1299
iFi Audio
