Take Your Hi-Res Streaming to the Next Level
The NEO Stream combines the latest version of iFi Audio's network streaming engine with its award-winning DAC stage to deliver a level of audio previously unattainable without spending far more. Just add your choice of amp and speakers. iFi's use of proprietary tecnology makes the NEO Stream distinctly different. There is no 'bought-in' platform and no specific control app. Relying on iFi's own streaming engine, the NEO Stream is fully optimized for seamless operation and excellent sonic performance.
Custom DAC for DSD Purists
The NEO Stream's integral DAC stage takes your streaming enjoyment to another level. The four-channel True Native hi-res DAC design supports PCM 768kHz and DSD 512. A 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 analog conversion. In the case of DSD, there is no conversion to PCM or application of multi-bit processing. This is unusual and makes the NEO Stream an excellent choice for DSD purists.
New Low-Latency XMOS Microcontroller
The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input. This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.
iFi's in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimize sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown chipset used in the NEO Stream.
State-of-the-Art Hi-Res Audio Support
Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art with True Native® playback. It handles PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD.
Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip's four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain 'bit-perfect' in its native form right through to analog conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands – even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.
Unique Optical LAN
Connecting to your network router via cable rather than relying on Wi-Fi? The NEO Stream includes a unique option alongside its RJ45 and M12 ports – optical LAN. This is iFi's own technology. Connect the OptiBox transceiver to the router, and the NEO Stream to the OptiBox via an optical cable. Both the OptiBox and cable are included.
This method benefits from the highest quality digital audio connection possible between the router and the streamer. It provides ultra-fast data speeds of up to 10Gbps, bit-perfect transmission of ultra-resolution audio, and minimal degradation across distances of up to .6 miles! 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.
Engineered to Eradicate Noise and Distortion from the Audio Signal
The NEO Stream has been painstakingly engineered to remove noise and distortion from the audio signal. The USB ports use iFi's ANC II active noise cancellation technology and the S/PDIF outputs incorporate iPurifier technology, while the digital signal is regulated by iFi's femto-precision GMT (Global Master Timing) clock to eradicate jitter.
Circuit components with low ESR, high linearity and low noise mean great sound quality. Voltage regulators with high PSRR (Power Supply Rejection Ratio), low idle current and low dropout equal low power supply noise and a synchronous 1.2MHz high-speed power supply controller to improve filtering efficiency mean power supply noise is vanishingly low.
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. And the retina-grade TFT display boasts SilentLine design, so no electrical noise interferes with the audio signal.
