ARSY Ne-2 Streamer Review

[harry925]

Could you tell me your contact information? I can send you the Ne-2 device with the latest firmware installed for free.

I returned my ARSY NE-2 as once I hooked it up to wifi and updated the firmware it did not support UPNP with Audirvana on Mac even though UPNP was claimed in the sales listing. It looks like ARSY was selling units with much older firmware and the unit updated to a 2024.11.18.001 version instead of the latest 2025.03.10.001 using the ARSY Wifi tool. Hopefully, that fixes issues? However, I no longer have mine to verify. I would suggest posting an NE-2 firmware change log tech note which may help other ARSY buyers with similar issues before they return their units? Thank you for your insight.

And also can you tell me the brand and model of the router used? Thanks!

 

[harry925]

Is this available in the uk yet, thank you

Sorry, not yet

 

[harry925]

OK, with this update Airplay is now available. BubbleUPnP on Android however, still doesn't see it.

Please upgrade to OS Release 2025.04.24.001,it resolved the issue where some routers failed to detect UPnP.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Any idea how it will work with emby?

 

[harry925]

Any idea how it will work with emby?

It support UPnP with emby.

 

[Joey]

For the price it's great competition for the Wiims. I use my Wiim with my streaming apps but I'd also like to add that the Wiim app has very interesting functionalities that I use sometimes, so I'd still choose a Wiim, even if the DAC isn't as good.
Its pricing sits between the wiim mini and wiim pro which is very relevant considering its functionalities and performance. Good finding.

If it's convenient for you, could you give some examples of interesting applications?

 

[Karmacoma]

If it's convenient for you, could you give some examples of interesting applications?

Room eq, tune in, soundcloud, multiroom management, multi streaming services management when I need it, all in one app with voice control through Alexa (for me) or others. I don't use roon. Wiim is owned by linkplay technology, the leader in streaming and multiroom solutions, you get top notch functionalities and if I'm not mistaken you get their innovations first. Convenient isn't it?

 

[jeffme]

It support UPnP with emby.

@harry925 - kudos for showing up and jumping in. Having manufacturers' engineers show up to answer questions is one of the best parts of ASR.

 

[rnrmf]

Anyone with one of these able to check if it shows up as an endpoint using Qobuz Connect?
The latest update of the Qobuz app has enabled the Qobuz Connect feature.

 

[kschac]

I tested Qobuz Connect in the app and it connects via AirPlay (only). Not sure if there should be another way to connect though.

 

[rnrmf]

I tested Qobuz Connect in the app and it connects via AirPlay (only). Not sure if there should be another way to connect though.

@harry925

If Arsy could roll out an update that adds Qobuz Connect functionality, I'd love to pick one of these up.

 

[harry925]

@harry925

If Arsy could roll out an update that adds Qobuz Connect functionality, I'd love to pick one of these up.

We are trying to contact Qobuz, but haven't received a reply yet.

 

[Blake Klondike]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the ARSY Ne-2 streamer. It was sent to me by the company and currently is on sale for US $159.
View attachment 445244
The case is no bigger than the CD jewel boxes. The design is minimalistic with just USB-C input for power and everything else, output:
View attachment 445245
Simplicity extends to NOT having or needing an app to control it. Plug it in, and it should appear as a destination in various streaming platforms. In my case, it supports Roon player so that is how I tested it. Without the app, you need to wire it using Ethernet first, find its IP address and using its simple web interface to program WiFi network/password. And upgrade it (which I did). For power, I just used a random USB-C charger I had around.

If you are not familiar with amplifier measurements, please watch my tutorial on it:

[And subscribe to the channel ]

ARSY Ne-2 Streamer Measurements
Since I am limited to test files I can play using Roon, I don't have full suite of measurements for you. But enough to get a very good picture of Ne-2's performance starting with our dashboard (only analog out is tested throughout):
View attachment 445246
Nice! Distortion is well below threshold of hearing so we are noise limited.
View attachment 445247
View attachment 445248

The Crystal Semiconductor DAC performs some kind of dynamic range scaling to produce better results in our DNR than expected:
View attachment 445249

Jitter spectrum is ultra clean, showing well designed device:
View attachment 445250

Multitone test shows a bit of increase in distortion in bass which we often see. Otherwise it is excellent:
View attachment 445251

We have the usual filter design:
View attachment 445252

THD+N vs spectrum looks very good:
View attachment 445253

EDIT: Digital Output Test
I streamed content to NE2 over network and captured it back using Toslink. It worked perfectly all the way up to 192 kHz:
View attachment 445922

Conclusions
When the company reached out to me to offer a sample to test, I almost said no until I saw that they had Audio Precision measurements showing excellent response. So I accepted a sample and I am glad I did. This is a no frills streamer/network to digital audio streamer that performs excellently. I personally can't stand having to use an app to control a streamer. I want to plug the thing in and just see it at the end of the wire/network. Ne-2 streamer does that and does it extremely well.

I am happy to recommend ARSY Ne-2 streamer.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

thanks as always for the review! can i ask the most basic possible question? what are these for? can't you just stream via wifi to a computer or phone? are there advantages here over that?