Recent content by jabbaman73

  1. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    I suspect you are playing the Devil's advocate here. The beauty of this hobby is there are an enormous number of options and choices. If the sound quality from an iPad via USB to a DAC works for you then that's all that matters. Some people love very expensive dedicated streamers from Lumin or...
  2. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    Yes, that's meant to work but you wouldn't need a streamer in this scenario and you could spend the difference on a better DAC. I have a direct USB cable connection from Roon Core to my DDC and have removed my streamer altogether.
  3. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    Yes, it does look like a truly great product - especially the fibre implementation. Having to use mConnect HD might be a small price to pay....or Qobuz might actually sort out their own app with a Connect feature!
  4. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    I wonder what that would do to the sound quality, the DAC in an iPad isn't terrible but it is limited. It's worth a try of course.
  5. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    If the Neo Stream uses the same software as the Zen Stream (which I believe it does) then there is native support for Qobuz. You have to use a UPnP client like mConnectHD on the iPad which, in my opinion, is an awful user interface and user experience. Hopefully, ifi will sort out their software...
  6. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    I can confirm that you were right! Roon is brilliant, I wanted to be indifferent to it but it has transformed how I use the Zen Stream and also supports my Sonos gear in the family areas. With this in mind I may just evaluate the Neo Stream against my current stack (Zen Stream, Gustard U18 DDC...
  7. J

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    In the Zen Stream settings what do you have your mixer type set to?
  8. J

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    I'm glad you asked! A range of inputs, not just USB, full galvanic isolation for all inputs and outputs. A fully isolated power supply using IEC. Option for clock in, internal clock out and clock passthrough (wishful) and a good range of outputs including USB but not powered (not all DACs...
  9. J

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    Or maybe it's time for an ifi DDC?
  10. J

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    Thanks for a genuine response. I did like the iPurifier3 in my system but it has been made redundant by the much cheaper Douk U2 pro. I also have a Gustard U18 on order to evaluate.
  11. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    I've done it! I've ordered a second-hand NUC from eBay to try Roon. If I get on with Roon, it will remove the barrier to evaluating the Neo Stream against the Zen Stream - Ares II combo.
  12. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    I'm really pleased to hear that improving the interface is on the roadmap, I am sticking with my Zen Stream for now and I am certain to fall down the Roon rabbit hole sooner rather than later :)
  13. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    Yes, and that's the problem. Bubble UPnP and others look like they were last updated in 2002. Awful UX and UI. This is what forces people to use Roon or buy an Innuos or Auralic product. If the software isn't at least half as slick as the Tidal or Spotify native apps then it's a disappointing...
  14. J

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    I have an iPurifier3 into my Ares II. Are you saying this is as robust as a dedicated DDC such as the IRIS or Gustard U18?
  15. J

    iFi Audio Neo Stream - The Official Thread

    This makes me want to cry! The inclusion of the Optibox is a master stroke as it takes all the Ethernet reconditioning and WiFi concerns off the table. The all-in-one DAC and Network Transport makes USB cables, DDC's and USB purifiers irrelevant. If ifi can just sort out their awful software...
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