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ifi Neo Streamer

I've been contemplating the purchase of a ifi Neo streamer.  I like the digital and analog output options it has to offer.  If I don't use their modified balanced output option, I'll either use USB, I2s or AES/EBU to my Denafrips Pontus II DAC.

I'm curious what experience other members have with this streamer.  Their site does not explicitly state that it supports Qobuz but that may be a service I go with.

I feel a bit behind the times and not all that familiar with online streaming.  I've stuck to CDs through a Jay's Audio CD transport as my means of digital music, somewhat old school I guess.

Any input would be appreciated.

colpgmrguy
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,607 posts
 

If it does not say Qobuz it’s unlikely that the app supports it. You can always use BubbleUPNP or mConnect.

If you'd asked the web you'd already know:

"The iFi NEO Stream is not natively compatible with Qobuz, but software specifications can change quickly."

sfgak
118 posts
 

I tried it, curious about its high bitrate I2S, but returned it. I found the software flakey (for example, the entire unit had access issues if you set a static IP address, even though that was clearly contemplated as it was a menu option).

I was using Quobuz via Roon and also using it as an NAA endpoint. Sound quality was good, but I worried that the software was fragile and some random update would put the unit out of commission for a while... Looks like some others have had such problems, but then again most software these days has problems at one point or another.

Other options advertise Qobuz support, such as Cambridge Audio

doni
356 posts
 

Seems like every thread i’ve seen discussing ifi streamers/dacs ends up with complaints about flaky software and/or hardware.  It’s a shame, because they look so cool!

audiom3
152 posts
 

I owned one for a 30 day trial period a few years back. At the time, I had a PS Audio DS DAC w/ bridge card. The NEO did not beat it for sound quality, so back it went. Also at that time, I felt all digital sounded the same since my experience showed just that. I've learned a lot since. 

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