iFi NEO STREAM REVIEW

iFi Audio has been around for a few years now starting out mostly focusing on headphones and portable audio, they recently stepped into the streamer world due to the increased popularity of high-fidelity streaming services and devices. Released last September, this might not be the newest device in their line-up but it is still a very interesting piece of kit to look at and here‘s why.

FEATURES AND BUILD OF iFi NEO STREAM

The iFi Audio NEO Stream is made for network-based audio streaming, and it functions as either a streamer/DAC and pre-amp, or as a network bridge that purely decodes the incoming network signal and then sends the digital audio stream to an external DAC. This is not an all-in-one media hub; this doesn’t have any other inputs aside from network and USB storage and it doesn’t work as a DAC for other sources. This does however mean that iFi Audio focussed on making the processing of incoming network audio the best they could.

Its hi-res audio support covers PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, all levels of DSD up to DSD512, and single- and double-speed DXD. This level of hi-res audio is not only supported over the LAN and USB cable inputs but over Wi-Fi too. (A stable, full-strength 5GHz Wi-Fi signal is required for 384kHz PCM, DSD256 and above.)

A clean and simple layout. The only complaint was that the screen may be a little difficult to see from a distance

iFi Audio has included their high-quality iPower 2 PSU for lower power supply noise and the screen on the front of the unit is implemented so that noise doesn’t filter into the audio path. Also included is their own little device to change an incoming network data stream from RJ45 to Optical – IFi state that Optical LAN delivers the highest quality digital audio connection possible between the router and the streamer. This allows ultra-fast data speeds of up to 10Gbps and bit-perfect transmission of ultra-resolution audio, with minimal degradation across distances of up to 1km. The LAN signal from the router is regenerated, reclocked and rebalanced by the OptiBox; true galvanic isolation is applied, with zero parasitic capacitance and inductance.

They also implement proprietary noise reduction on the digital outputs including ANC II on the USB output, iPurifier on the S/PDIF and the digital signal is regulated by the latest version of iFi’s femto precision GMT (Global Master Timing) clock circuitry to eradicate jitter.

There’s a lot going on in this little box, and yet it doesn’t overwhelm and the settings are easy to access and change. There are exclusive modes that optimise the performance and the digital filters are great to have (even though the audible changes are subtle).

The NEO Stream can be stacked vertically too…and the screen rotates

iFi has a dedicated app too. However, they tout the NEO Stream as the streamer that’s not held back by having a proprietary app or firmware. The app is handy if you decide to attach a hard drive with music locally stored on it though, and it makes changing settings a breeze too.

Build-wise iFi never disappoint, the aluminium chassis is finished to an excellent standard and the design is modern, yet doesn’t look out of place in a traditional system. The screen is on the smaller side and may be difficult to see at a distance, but you can change the brightness and it rotates so you can stand the NEO Stream vertically too with the included stand. All the inputs on the back are of excellent quality and the front knob feels great in use (for volume control and to change settings).

In terms of inputs and outputs, the NEO Stream has an RJ45 Ethernet input, M12 Ethernet input, Optical Ethernet input, USB-C and USB-A input for storage devices and USB-C for firmware updates (factory use only). On the output of things, you have USB-C and USB-A for digital audio output, i2s HDMI output, S/PDIF Optical output, S/PDIF Coaxial output, AES/EBU XLR output and then a 4.4mm analogue balanced output and 1 pair of RCA analogue outputs. You can easily connect the NEO Stream to an analogue system, or to an existing DAC if you wish, it’s fairly flexible and can slot into most systems with ease.

Around the back of the NEO Stream

SOUND OF iFi NEO STREAM

I’ve been using the NEO Stream for a few weeks now and have had the chance to really get to know it in my system, I am personally a Roon user and have a Roon Core that I stream off using a mix of CD rips and Qobuz streaming. The first word that comes to mind with the NEO Stream is “natural” when running the analogue output into my system. The NEO Stream has a way of sounding utterly realistic in its tonality but without attempting to grab your attention.

It’s easy to set the NEO Stream up too. I wired it in using a standard RJ45 ethernet cable and my Roon Core picked it up straight away, I set the NEO Stream to Roon exclusive mode and the digital filter was set to Standard for most of my listening. You can easily tell iFi Audio spent a lot of time tuning this streamer, the analogue output is so incredibly well implemented in the NEO Stream that you forget you are listening to a streamer.

The sound quality really surprised me when sitting back and listening to an album, there is a sense of realism to the sound but without masking any subtleties. There is no hint of sharpness to the sound, yet it is still incredibly transparent and open sounding. Many people often wrongly associate network streaming with “digital sounding” products that are not enjoyable to listen to, and that don’t sound like a good analogue source – the NEO Stream is not one of those devices. It is non-fatiguing yet has all the detail and depth one could wish for; it is enjoyable and full-bodied with a wide, expansive soundstage along with pinpoint accuracy. There is a real sense of drive from the NEO Stream. However, it isn’t upfront and aggressive and never sounds brash. It’s a sound that is enjoyable to the core.

The iFi Neo Stream in use

If you have a high-quality DAC in your setup the iFi Audio NEO Stream becomes a bridge, processing a network stream and converting it to a digital audio stream. In this role, the NEO Stream will of course influence the sound, but it will not have as big an impact as the DAC and pre-amp section. However, iFi Audio was keen to make the NEO Stream as quiet and clean as possible – decoupling your streamer from the source will bring benefits to the sound. iFi Audio included some of their proprietary technologies to make the digital audio outputs even cleaner and this means less noise, less jitter, and ultimately a cleaner stream of digital audio to your DAC.

The digital output of the NEO Stream is all about clean sound and depending on your tastes you can tune the sound of your system with an external DAC. In my case I found using the NEO Stream, with an external DAC, to sound very detailed and almost analytical. This is a slight contrast to the slightly more rounded house sound of the NEO Stream when using the analogue output, and one that is equally enjoyable but highly system dependent. This gives you the flexibility downstream to tune your system to your preferred sound and, ultimately, it’s a clean source and one that can surely be integrated into most setups.

After listening to the NEO Stream with the analogue output for quite some time, you really would need a very good external DAC to better what iFi Audio have managed to get out of the internal DAC chip and associated output path. Yes, the digital outputs have great noise-defeating tech, but the NEO Stream sounds so good out of the analogue outputs I’ve been very happy just using these.

CONCLUSION

The iFi Audio NEO Stream may not be the cheapest solution out there for a network streamer, but it does pack in a lot of proprietary tech to offer up one of the best-sounding streamers on the market. The digital outputs are clean and noise free. Hook this up to the DAC of your choosing and enjoy hassle-free network audio streaming. Alternatively, you can use the built-in DAC and plug it straight into your amp. With a few digital filters to choose from the sound has a slight sweetness to it that makes you forget you are streaming via a network.

I found the NEO Stream to offer a lot of features and functionality, but it was the sound that captivated me and left me wanting to listen to the music, not analyse it.

AT A GLANCE

Build Quality:

The chassis is finished to a very high standard and the NEO Stream is very well put together

Sound Quality:

Well rounded with a slight sweetness via the analogue output, or a crisp and clean sound out of the digital outputs to an external DAC

Detailed yet never harsh

Value For Money:

Whilst not cheap, you get quite a lot for the money and it’s a product that is future-proofed in many ways too

We Loved:

The ease of use, and the utterly captivating sonic performance

We Didn’t Love So Much:

The screen is a little small for seeing at a distance

Elevator Pitch Review: If you want a streamer that makes you forget you’re listening to network streamed audio, this is the product for you. The internal DAC gives the sound a captivatingly realistic tonality that is a pleasure to listen to, whilst the digital outputs will give you a cleaner and more linear sound to an external DAC.

Price:  £1299

Oscar Stewart

SUPPLIED BY iFi AUDIO

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions (HxWxD)

41 x 214 x 151 mm

Technical specifications

THD+N

<0.0025% @ 0dBFS (BAL/UnBAL)

Inputs/Outputs

Inputs

Wi-Fi ; Ethernet (M12 X-code 8-pin/RJ45/Optical) ; USB-A and USB-C (front panel) (USB DISK, HDD etc.)

Outputs

USB-C (front panel) ; USB3.0 Type-A Socket x2 (USB2.0 compatible) ; S/PDIF Optical (PCM up to 192kHz, 24-bit) ; S/PDIF Coaxial (PCM up to 192kHz, 24-bit) ; AES/EBU (XLR – single link, PCM up to 192kHz) ; I2S via HDMI connector Pinout:

Analog outputs

Balanced 4.4mm 4V RMS / UnBAL RCA 2V RMS