Network streamer with built-in DAC: just add active speakers
The iFi Audio NEO Stream 3 is a complete digital hub for the system: it combines the conversion stage of the NEO iDSD 2 with the latest generation of iFi's streaming engine, with native support for PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (22.6 MHz). Connected to a pair of active speakers or an amplifier it is a complete source; connected to an external DAC it works as a pure streamer.
The NEO series chassis measures 214 x 151 x 41 mm and weighs 1 kg; with the supplied aluminium base it can also be placed vertically.
Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon and AirPlay
Alongside Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon and AirPlay, the NEO Stream 3 supports Qobuz Connect, for bit-perfect playback straight from the Qobuz app. Library files can be reached from a NAS or a USB drive, and DLNA support extends compatibility to many players and control apps.
A new IoT chip lets the streamer be paired with the home Wi-Fi from the iFi Nexis app, over Bluetooth; the app then integrates the streamer's interface and gives access to advanced settings, connected drives and over-the-air updates.
Burr-Brown DAC and K2HD technology
The conversion stage is built around a Burr-Brown chipset, chosen for detail and musicality: it handles PCM and DSD on separate paths and keeps the signal bit-perfect right up to analogue conversion. Stated signal-to-noise ratio is at least 106 dB(A) and THD+N stays within 0.0025%.
JVCKENWOOD's K2 and K2HD technologies restore the harmonic content lost in post-production or encoding and upsample tracks below 192 kHz. The processing also applies to the digital outputs, so any connected DAC benefits from it.
Connections: balanced 4.4 mm, RCA, USB, S/PDIF, AES/EBU and I2S
The analogue outputs are balanced 4.4 mm (4 V RMS) and RCA (2 V RMS). The digital outputs include two USB-A ports, optical and coaxial S/PDIF, AES/EBU and I2S; USB and S/PDIF use a femto-precision clock, with Active Noise Cancellation and iPurifier technology respectively. Inputs are Wi-Fi, Ethernet on RJ45, M12-X and optical fibre, two USB-A ports and a front USB-C.
The supplied OptiBox adds optical galvanic isolation to the wired network and removes the noise carried by the Ethernet cable. The box also contains an SC-SC fibre optic cable, the iPower X low-noise power supply, a 5 V power adapter, Ethernet, RCA and USB-A to USB-C cables and the antenna.
