I just bought the ifi Stream as the reviews have been very good, it arrived last week.
I am very pleased with it, a big step-up from my very inexpensive Dayton Audio streamer it replaced.
I do not stream a lot, nor other digital sources; my listing is mostly vinyl. But I can say this iFi Stream has increased my enjoyment of streaming a lot in a very short time. I don’t feel the need for an ’all in one’ streaming unit with a DAC, software, and a server built-in, so a stand alone streamer does not limit me at all. Others requirements may be different. Most all my streaming is via Tidal, and with ’Tidal Connect’ built-into the unit it has increased SQ by a large amount. Why? Because prior I was streaming via my iPad to an inexpensive streamer, so in essence, was limited by iOS and AirPlay (and the streamers limitations I'm sure). Now, the iPad is simply a remote/interface, and the iFi Stream does all the implementation of the stream directly, and is much more capable than AirPlay. I didn’t realize my streaming experience was so poor prior. Could I get Roon to be a better solution? Yes, it is Roon compatible, but right now I see no need for the software or the expense.
My iFi Stream is connected to my Denafrips Aries II DAC via an XLO UltraPlus USB cable. I also do have a remote hard drive ’server’ that can be accessed wirelessly via DLNA. This holds all my ripped CD’s, and there are many DLNA programs that can access the drive via my iPhone or iPad. I believe I can also connect the hard drive directly to the iFi Stream (as it has a USB in) but have not tried that yet.
So, I’m good. It does exactly what I wanted it to do; increase the SQ of my streaming experience when used. I am now more likely to seriously stream music than ever before. Which before was just to check out selections I was unfamiliar with, before buying the vinyl.
I am very pleased with it, a big step-up from my very inexpensive Dayton Audio streamer it replaced.
I do not stream a lot, nor other digital sources; my listing is mostly vinyl. But I can say this iFi Stream has increased my enjoyment of streaming a lot in a very short time. I don’t feel the need for an ’all in one’ streaming unit with a DAC, software, and a server built-in, so a stand alone streamer does not limit me at all. Others requirements may be different. Most all my streaming is via Tidal, and with ’Tidal Connect’ built-into the unit it has increased SQ by a large amount. Why? Because prior I was streaming via my iPad to an inexpensive streamer, so in essence, was limited by iOS and AirPlay (and the streamers limitations I'm sure). Now, the iPad is simply a remote/interface, and the iFi Stream does all the implementation of the stream directly, and is much more capable than AirPlay. I didn’t realize my streaming experience was so poor prior. Could I get Roon to be a better solution? Yes, it is Roon compatible, but right now I see no need for the software or the expense.
My iFi Stream is connected to my Denafrips Aries II DAC via an XLO UltraPlus USB cable. I also do have a remote hard drive ’server’ that can be accessed wirelessly via DLNA. This holds all my ripped CD’s, and there are many DLNA programs that can access the drive via my iPhone or iPad. I believe I can also connect the hard drive directly to the iFi Stream (as it has a USB in) but have not tried that yet.
So, I’m good. It does exactly what I wanted it to do; increase the SQ of my streaming experience when used. I am now more likely to seriously stream music than ever before. Which before was just to check out selections I was unfamiliar with, before buying the vinyl.