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ifi Audio NEO Stream
A complete streaming solution. Just add speakers.
Fusing the NEO iDSD’s award-winning DAC with our proprietary network streaming technology, the NEO Stream becomes a high-resolution digital audio hub, designed for enthusiasts.
Available from our Elite Dealers
Sweet streams…
The NEO Stream is built to deliver optimal versatility and sonic performance. It combines the latest version of our network streaming engine with our award-winning DAC stage to deliver a level of audio previously unattainable without spending much more than its £1,299 price tag. Just add your choice of amp and speakers.
Distinctly different . Digitally disruptive.
Our use of proprietary tech makes the NEO Stream distinctly different. No ‘bought-in’ platform, No specific control app. Our own optimized streaming engine delivers seamless operation and superb sound, making it ideal for music lovers who value exceptional audio quality with the freedom to use their preferred app or platform, all at a reasonable price.
Simply seamless streaming
The NEO Stream offers seamless integration with various platforms:
- Roon Ready: Connects directly to Roon environments.
- DLNA/UPnP: Compatible with apps like BubbleUPnP, mconnect, and Audirvana for flexible control.
- Tidal & Spotify Connect: Stream directly from these services.
- Apple Airplay 2: Easy streaming from Apple devices.
- NAA Operation: Ideal for enthusiasts, bypassing processing for pure audio.
Custom DAC
The NEO Stream’s integral DAC stage takes your streaming enjoyment to another level.
- Four-channel True Native hi-res DAC design – supports PCM 768kHz and DSD 512,
- Powerful 16-core XMOS processor – performs full MQA decoding (to 384kHz)
Thanks to the DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways and remain ‘bit-perfect’ in their direct-native form, right through to analogue conversion.
Unique Optical LAN
For a superior network connection, the NEO Stream offers a unique optical LAN option alongside standard RJ45 and M12 ports. With iFi's own technology, connect the OptiBox transceiver to your router, linking it to the NEO Stream via an optical cable—both included.
Advantages:
- Ultra-fast speedsup to 1Gbps
- Bit-perfect ultra-res audio transmission
- Minimal signal loss over distances up to 1km
Come on, heal the noise
The NEO Stream has more clarity and texture, and a more dynamic and engaging performance – quite simply, you hear more of the music, just as the artist intended.
The NEO Stream has been painstakingly engineered to remove noise and distortion from the audio signal: USB ports use our ANC II active noise cancellation technology and S/PDIF outputs incorporate iPurifier technology
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iFi Audio NEO Stream — compact, musical streamer/DAC
The NEO Stream pairs a True Native Burr‑Brown DAC and optical LAN (OptiBox) with an unusually broad I/O set, delivering a warm, natural sound that reviewers call musical, spacious and engaging. Reviewers including Karl Sigman, Harald Wittig and Dennis Burger highlight clean dynamics, precise timing and excellent staging, with selectable digital filters for tonal tailoring. Build and ergonomics favor a machined-aluminium chassis, a crisp TFT/OLED display and optional vertical mounting. Connectivity is class-leading for the price: RJ45/M12/Optical LAN, USB-A/C, AES/EBU, coax/optical and I2S plus balanced 4.4mm and RCA outputs. Ideal for listeners who want a single-box streamer/DAC/preamp that integrates with Roon, Tidal/Spotify Connect or as a transport to an outboard DAC. At ~$1,299 it’s widely judged a high-value, feature-rich upgrade to many systems.
Pros
- Musical, natural and engaging sound with strong timing, bass texture and a three-dimensional soundstage.
- Exceptional connectivity for the price, including galvanically isolated Optical LAN (OptiBox), RJ45/M12, USB-A/C, AES/EBU, I2S and both balanced 4.4mm and RCA analog outputs.
- Strong value — reviewers repeatedly note the NEO Stream 'punches above its price' by combining high-res support, full MQA decode and a refined onboard DAC at ~$1,299.
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Cons
- Occasional firmware/software glitches reported (including a streamer crash during a 24/96 session) and a need for firmware updates to resolve early issues.
- Small front display is hard to read from a distance and the unit lacks an IR remote, which may frustrate some living-room users.
- Control-app and native streaming access have limits (some reviewers note no native Qobuz/Chromecast integration and occasional interface quirks), so setup may be less seamless for non-Roon users.
Digital Performance
90/100
The unit uses a Burr‑Brown/Cirrus Logic True Native DAC with a 16‑core XMOS controller, iFi GMT femto clock, ANC II USB noise control and iPurifier tech — reviewers cite bit‑perfect, low‑jitter performance and excellent digital signal integrity (HiFi News, Fidelity, StereoNET). A few software/stability hiccups were reported (streamer crash noted in Fidelity during one 24/96 session), so while conversion and reclocking are first-rate, minor firmware/software stability issues temper a perfect score.
Sound Quality
91/100
Multiple reviewers praise an expansive, three‑dimensional soundstage with good depth and imaging (StereoNET, Sound Advice, SoundStage Solo). The OptiBox optical‑LAN option is repeatedly credited with improving depth and realism, further enhancing perceived staging and spatial clarity in several listening reports.
Build Quality
90/100
The NEO Stream is repeatedly described as well‑made with a sturdy machined aluminium chassis, flexible vertical/horizontal mounting and a crisp OLED/TFT display (Positive Feedback, Audiophilepure, Sound Advice). Minor ergonomic quibbles (small display readability and lack of a handset) are noted, but overall fit, finish and component selection are judged excellent for the price.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Exceptionally rich connectivity for the price: balanced 4.4mm and RCA analog outs, USB‑A/C, coax/optical/AES‑EBU, I2S (HDMI pinout), RJ45/M12/Optical LAN (OptiBox included), Roon Ready, Tidal/Spotify Connect, NAA mode, full MQA decode and extreme hi‑res support (PCM to 768kHz, DSD512) are all present (HiFi News, StereoNET, SoundStage Solo). The integrated volume/preamp function and bundled OptiBox increase versatility; the feature set is class‑leading for a streamer/DAC at this price.
Value for Money
93/100
At ~$1,299 reviewers routinely call the NEO Stream a strong value — 'punches way above its retail price', 'great value', and 'best sounding network audio player you can buy for anything like this price' are representative sentiments (Audiophilepure, Positive Feedback, Sound Advice). The combination of sound, connectivity and OptiBox inclusion makes it a compelling buy in its segment.
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