ifi 246NEOSTRM Neo Stream Network Audio Streamer with DAC User Manual

ifi 246NEOSTRM Neo Stream Network Audio Streamer with DAC

Thank you for purchasing this NEO series Stream. The NEO Stream is an Ultra-Res network audio streamer.

FEATURE

• Ultra-Res Wi-Fi/LAN/Internet network audio streamer with integrated DAC
• Open-source architecture – works with multiple control apps, evolves continuously
• Stream the way you want – Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, NAA and more
• Supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 – not just via USB/LAN cables but Wi-Fi too*
• Full MQA decoding and true-native DSD
• Custom-designed hardware and software – built for exceptional sound
• Fully balanced analogue circuitry delivers maximum sonic purity
• Four user-selectable digital filters – tailor the sound to suit your music
• Exclusive streaming modes – dedicated Tidal, Roon, NAA and DLNA modes for optimised performance
• USB and S/PDIF interfaces are regulated by femto-precision clock to eradicate jitter
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and iPurifier technologies remove distortion from the audio signal
• Optical LAN input isolation technology – superior sound quality over gigabit Ethernet connection
• SilentLine retina-grade TFT screen with album cover artwork display
• Ultra-low noise power supply and optical LAN transmitter/receiver
• Full-strength 5GHz signal is required for playback 384kHz/DSD256 or above over Wi-Fi

OVERVIEW

1. OLED Display
2. Multi-function Knob
3. Network Status LED
4. Menu/Output Selector
5. Power Switch And Indicator
6. USB-C Input/Output
7. DC Power Supply Connection
8. M12 Ethernet Input
9. RJ45 Ethernet Input
10. Factory Reset
11. Optical Ethernet Input
12. USB-C System Update Port
13. USB Type A x 2 Ports
14. I2S Output
15. Balanced 4.4mm Analogue Line Output
16. Single-Ended RCA Line Output
17. S/PDIF Optical Output
18. S/PDIF Coaxial Output
19. AES/EBU (XLR) Signal Outputs
20. Wi-Fi Antenna

OLED Display
The OLED display shows current playback mode, format, sample rate, and the IP address of the NEO Stream when available.
Tip: OLED screen should be on the left-hand side when NEO Stream is positioned horizontally, and at the top when positioned vertically.

Multi-function Knob
Turn for volume control, if enabled.
Turn to select the function to adjust after short-pressing button 4.

• Volume control and Mute (turn the knob/Short press)

• Screen brightness is also selected with a long press of the knob.

• SYSTEM STATUS – displays IP addresses and system version

• Advanced/Simple OLED display

• Audio Output Port Selection

• Analogue, Digital, or USB

• System Mode Selector

• AIO, DLNA, Tidal Connect, ROON, or NAA

• Hotspot ON/OFF

• Digital Filters
  Tip: Turn to select the function to adjust after short-pressing button 4. Short press once to enter the selection, turn knob to make changes, short press again to confirm change.

  • Volume control and Mute
    Turn the knob to change the volume. Short press to mute/unmute the sound.
    Tip: To enable or disable the volume control, adjust the Playback Options in Settings on http://ifi.local/

  • Screen Brightness
    long press cycles between:
    OFF > Low brightness > High brightness

  • SYSTEM STATUS
    Shows Ethernet IP, Host URL, Wi-Fi IP, Hotspot IP, System Version.

  • Advanced Setting

  • Simple Displays Ethernet IP and Hotspot URL

  • Advanced Displays Ethernet IP, Hotspot URL, Wi-Fi IP, Hotspot IP, System Version

  • Audio Output Port Selection
    Choose between Analogue or Digital and USB DAC Audio Output.

  • System Mode Selector
    The following 5 play modes can be selected:

  • AIO (All-In-One). Required for accessing configuration pages from web browser, e.g. http://i.local

  • DLNA only

  • TIDAL Connect only

  • ROON only

  • NAA (Network Audio Adapter) only

  • Hotspot Selection
    Turns the Hotspot on / off. After resetting, by default it will open for 1 minute and then close
    automatically.
    Tip: NEO Stream’s hotspot has no external network functionality and is only used to connect the phone to the NEO Stream setup network.

  • Digital Filters
    The following 4 digital filters are available:

  • ‘BP’ Bit-Perfect: no digital filtering, no pre or post ringing

  • ‘STD’ Standard, modest filtering, modest pre and post ringing

  • ‘MIN’ Minimum phase, slow roll-off, minimum pre and post ringing

  • ‘GTO’ Gibbs Transient-Optimised: up-sampled to 352.8/384kHz, minimum filtering, no pre ringing, minimum post ringing
    Note: If the GTO filter is selected, the display indicates the sample rate as 352.8kHz or 384kHz, illustrating the upsampling operation of this filter

  • Network Status LED
    LED Speed

  • lnternet White Fast

  • lnternet Cyan Slow

  • Local network (no lnternet) Green Fast

  • Local network (no lnternet) Yellow Slow

  • No connection Red –

Menu/Output Selector
Short press: Displays the current digital filter set. To change the digital filter, press the knob to enable selection, turn to change the filter, and press the knob again to confirm. Please see item 2, VIII. Long press: Displays the output setting. Choose between Analogue, Digital, or USB DAC audio
(if connected) by turning the knob, and press the knob again to confirm.

Power Switch And Indicator
Short press to switch on, long press ≥ 2s to switch off.

USB-C Input/Output

• a) Output – Connect to USB DAC
• b) Input – Connect to HDD, USB DISK etc.
  Tip: The USB-C connector has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology built- in.

DC Power Supply Connection
DC 9V/2.0A, 12V/1.8A, 15V/1.2A* power input. Please connect NEO Stream to the enclosed power supply.

• A power supply unit must be able to deliver minimum rated repetitive current.

M12 Ethernet Input
Connect a network cable with an M12 X-code 8-pin connector.

RJ45 Ethernet Input
Connect a wired network cable with a RJ45 connector.

Factory Reset
Long press ≥ 3 seconds, wait 3 minutes and the screen will appear with the ifi logo. DO NOT POWER OFF!
Warning: Loss of power during this period may damage your device and leave it unusable.

Optical Ethernet Input
Connect with an SC single mode optical network cable.
Alternatively connect the included OptiBox RJ45 to optical transceiver with the SC-SC cable.

USB-C System Update Port
Used for system firmware update (by factory).

USB Type A x 2 Ports
Compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

• Output – Connect to USB DAC
• Input – Connect to HDD, USB DISK etc.
  Both USB ports have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology built-in.

I2S Output
I2S digital output via HDMI connector. Connects to a compatible DAC. The level complies with the low voltage differential signal (LVDS) standard. For the pinout, please see Specifications.

Quick Start Guide

Short press: Menu
Long press: Output Selector

Before using NEO Stream, review the NEO Stream User Manual at https://ifi- audio.com/product-guides/

Ethernet Set-Up & Music Streaming

Wi-Fi Set-Up

MQA

NEO Stream includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.

‘MQA’ or ‘MQA.’ indicates that the product is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. ‘MQA.’ indicates it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner. ‘OFS’ confirms that the product is receiving an MQA stream or file. This delivers the final unfold of the MQA file and displays the original sample rate.
MQA and the Sound Wave Device are registered trade marks of MQA Limited © 2016
MQA

1. Listen to MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) files straight out of the box.
2. For MQA tracks, simply connect to Tidal and check the options to stream MQA.
3. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.

Specifications

• Inputs: Wi-Fi
  Ethernet (M12 X-code 8-pin/RJ45/Optical)
  USB-A and USB-C (front panel) (USB DISK, HDD etc.)

• Formats:

  • DSD: up to 512 / 22.6MHz
  • PCM: up to 768kHz
  • MQA Full Decoder

• Analogue output: Balanced 4.4mm 4V RMS / UnBAL RCA 2V RMS

• Digital output: USB-C (front panel)

  • USB3.0 Type-A Socket x2 (USB2.0 compatible)
  • S/PDIF Optical (PCM up to 192kHz, 24-bit)
  • S/PDIF Coaxial (PCM up to 192kHz, 24-bit)
  • AES/EBU (XLR – single link, PCM up to 192kHz)
  • I2S via HDMI connector
  • Pinout:
  • Data – 2) Gnd 3) Data +

4. Bck + 5) Gnd 6) Bck –
5. Wck – 8) Gnd 9) Wck +
6. Mck + 11) Gnd 12) Mck –
   13,14,15,16) DSD Enable; L=PCM, H=DSD
7. Gnd 18) 5V Power Enable Output; L=O, H=On
8. N/C 20,21,22,23) Gnd

• Output Impedance:
  • Balanced 74
  • UnBAL 37
• SNR: <-106dB(A) @ 0dBFS (BAL/UnBAL)
• THD + N: <0.0025% @ 0dBFS (BAL/UnBAL)
• Power supply requirement: DC 9V/2.0A, 12V/1.8A, 15V/1.2A* (centre pin +)
• Power consumption: <0.5W idle, 14W max.
• Dimensions: 214 x 151 x 41 mm (8.4″ x 5.9″ x 1.6″)
• Net weight: 1.0 kg (2.26 Ibs)
• Limited Warranty: 12 months
  *A power supply unit must be able to deliver minimum rated repetitive current *12 months typical or as permitted/required by local reseller laws.
  Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Connection Guide – Front

Connection Guide – Rear

Connections

References

• Homepage | Experience the best sound with MQA | MQA
• iFi audio | the Award-Winning Audio Technology Company

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