Oh wow... thanks! Tbh, I only started streaming recently... been playing CDs and vinyls all this while. Will check this out!@mojoe07 have you tried MQA files? They are still not that popular, sadly. Here is a nice sampler that'll allow you to compare MQA to hires PCM, and DSD.
2L High Resolution Music .:. free TEST BENCH
We invite you to join us in this evaluation of future consumer delivery formats. Download high resolution audio files from Norwegian 2L in stereo 96kHz, 192kHz, DXD, DSD and 5.1 surround. MQA and FLAC are lossless encodings derived directly from our original production masters. Enjoy the music!www.2l.no
iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread
- Thread starter AMR / iFi audio
- Start date
We are happy to announce that Roon Ready software update was just dropped. Feel free to visit our page, or update via the Zen Stream interface.
ifi-audio.com
Download Hub | Software and firmware for your iFi audio devices
The new, quick and easy searchable interface to find software and firmware downloads for your iFi audio devices.
ifi-audio.com
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Hi
i am streaming music through ZenStream using an usb-stick with the Holo May and the best sound i get is using coax. But the problem is that the May is locking after every song. With my Cambridge Blu Ray Player the HoloMay only locks once. I think this is because the Cambridge set the Bitrate once. Would it be possible to adapt the software of the ZenStream so that you can choose a Bitrate-setting which is held unil the Rate changes?
Thanks a lot
olivier
i am streaming music through ZenStream using an usb-stick with the Holo May and the best sound i get is using coax. But the problem is that the May is locking after every song. With my Cambridge Blu Ray Player the HoloMay only locks once. I think this is because the Cambridge set the Bitrate once. Would it be possible to adapt the software of the ZenStream so that you can choose a Bitrate-setting which is held unil the Rate changes?
Thanks a lot
olivier
Would you recommend a non-Roon user to do the update? Anything else in it?I'm happy to announce that Roon Ready software update was just dropped. Feel free to visit our page, or update via the Zen Stream interface.
Download Hub | Software and firmware for your iFi audio devices
The new, quick and easy searchable interface to find software and firmware downloads for your iFi audio devices.
@olivier I'll talk to RnD about this. I'll let you know as soon as I know something.
@Gregadd thank you! We are very happy to have full Roon support.
@audiobomber usually each update consists of several changes. While Roon might not be your thing, there are additionally other small fixes. It's best to stay on top of the updates, as the newest firmware is the most stable and reliable.
Given this new firmware, in Roon under "Audio Settings" do I setup "MQA decoder" as "Decoder and Renderer"?We are happy to announce that Roon Ready software update was just dropped. Feel free to visit our page, or update via the Zen Stream interface.
Download Hub | Software and firmware for your iFi audio devices
The new, quick and easy searchable interface to find software and firmware downloads for your iFi audio devices.
If it helps any I have the Zen Dac v2 connected to the Zen Stream.
Best Regards.
Hi all.
This is my first post here, hoping to get some help with my Zen Stream's DLNA mode. I have no problems getting the Zen Stream to operate smoothly when in mode 1 for set up, but when I switch to DLNA mode and restart, the Zen Stream looses connection. I use Mconnect, and it gives me a message that the file destination can't be found, and I also noticed that the ifi app starts blinking and bugging out. The only way to fix the problem is to redo the set up process in mode 1. I listen exclusively to Qobuz through Mconnect, so I'd like to be able to use the DLNA mode if possible.
If anyone knows of a solution, I'd love to hear it.
Many thanks!
This is my first post here, hoping to get some help with my Zen Stream's DLNA mode. I have no problems getting the Zen Stream to operate smoothly when in mode 1 for set up, but when I switch to DLNA mode and restart, the Zen Stream looses connection. I use Mconnect, and it gives me a message that the file destination can't be found, and I also noticed that the ifi app starts blinking and bugging out. The only way to fix the problem is to redo the set up process in mode 1. I listen exclusively to Qobuz through Mconnect, so I'd like to be able to use the DLNA mode if possible.
If anyone knows of a solution, I'd love to hear it.
Many thanks!
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Exactly, Zen DAC v2 has a full MQA Decoder capability. It means, that it supports all of the MQA functionalities. So yes, Decoder and Renderer is a proper setting.
I'm sorry to hear about your issue. Have you tried updating the firmware of the Zen Stream? If the answer is yes, please send me the serial number and firmware version of your Zen Stream in a DM. We'll get to it as soon as possible.
You should try BubbleUPnP. The people I've heard from prefer Bubble to MConnect for its ease of use. I had no trouble controlling the Zen Stream with it.
The same thing happens with Bubbleupnp. I think this is a problem with the Zen Stream rather than the DLNA app. Switching to DLNA mode seems to knock the Zen Stream off the wifi, as both Mconnect and bubbleupnp give me some form of the message "destination/file path not found" when I try to play a track after changing to DLNA mode (and restarting, of course). Actually, when I first switch over to DLNA mode, Mconnect lists two ifi signals, "ifi stream," and just "ifi" (In AIO/set-up mode, only "ifi" appears on the ist of upper devices). So I wonder if the problem has something to do with the "ifi stream" signal?
Wondering if anyone else is using DLNA mode? Do you notice a difference between set-up mode and DLNA mode? Maybe the differences between modes is negligible and I shouldn't worry about it.
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Officially Roon Ready!
iFi has teamed up with our partner, Roon Labs, to offer 2,000 lucky applicants a free 60-day trial of their service which delivers hi-res, bit-perfect audio streaming. This is open to all ZEN Stream users. All you need is your serial number.
Fill in the form to receive your unique registration code and details of how to use it.
https://ifi-audio.com/roon-get-a-free-60-day-trial/
iFi has teamed up with our partner, Roon Labs, to offer 2,000 lucky applicants a free 60-day trial of their service which delivers hi-res, bit-perfect audio streaming. This is open to all ZEN Stream users. All you need is your serial number.
Fill in the form to receive your unique registration code and details of how to use it.
https://ifi-audio.com/roon-get-a-free-60-day-trial/
Thank you for your additional input. All information here and in DMs helps to find the solution quicker.
As stated in one of the previous posts: I had some issues with my IFI zen stream + denafrips pontus 2 dac. From time to time (sometimes when listening flac files after DSD) I could hear some noises / distortions in one of the speakers. To fix that I usually had to change the input on the dac from USB to coax and back to USB or reset DAC or streamer. I thought it is related to ground connection.
Other than this the IFI worked ok and the quality of sound was very good.
I tried the IFI I power x + i purifier and the problem appeared even more often. (I have the generic 12V power supply).
I tried a lithium battery (car jump starter) and the problem was somehow ameliorated but still present. Could not hear any improvement in sound.
I upgraded the power source to a linear power supply bought from Aliexpress which is also very cheap:
I must confess that I was skeptical about the benefits that a LPS can bring to a streamer (because basically it is delivering bits) but they actually do (it also depends on the DAC USB implementation). The only drawback is that this LPS runs a bit too hot but considering the price it is WOW. If I were to buy again I would probably go for a 50 W LPS because my IFI has attached a 3 TB HDD that also drains power so it would stay cooler. There are plenty of LPS manufacturers on aliexpress and sometimes these are taken to Europe / US and rebranded and sold for 3X the price.
Other than this the IFI worked ok and the quality of sound was very good.
I tried the IFI I power x + i purifier and the problem appeared even more often. (I have the generic 12V power supply).
I tried a lithium battery (car jump starter) and the problem was somehow ameliorated but still present. Could not hear any improvement in sound.
I upgraded the power source to a linear power supply bought from Aliexpress which is also very cheap:
WEILIANG STUDER900 linear regulated power supply (12 V 25W Talema) = ~80 Euro (with shipping included).
I have this LPS from 1 week and everything is fine. The noise problem is completely gone and the sound feels cleaner and more detailed.I must confess that I was skeptical about the benefits that a LPS can bring to a streamer (because basically it is delivering bits) but they actually do (it also depends on the DAC USB implementation). The only drawback is that this LPS runs a bit too hot but considering the price it is WOW. If I were to buy again I would probably go for a 50 W LPS because my IFI has attached a 3 TB HDD that also drains power so it would stay cooler. There are plenty of LPS manufacturers on aliexpress and sometimes these are taken to Europe / US and rebranded and sold for 3X the price.
Thank you for your feedback. We will look more into that issue. Have you tried other components in this setup? Another USB source with Denafrips and The Zen Stream with another DAC? Having a problem with only one channel, which I understand is the case here, makes me think it's more related to DAC. I would appreciate it if you could try swapping stuff around.
I tried with a Chord Dave (but for a limited time) and everything was ok.
On the other hand with the Denafrips DAC this issue was solved when I added a linear power supply to the streamer.
I guess the USB implementation on the Denafrips is quite sensitive and the streamer + the standard PS is outputting a signal that sometimes is not perceived properly. The issue in general was present in one speaker only and in relation to high frequencies.
In conclusion: If it can be solved with a cheap LPS I wouldn't call it a issue but more an incompatibility between the streamer and certain DAC's. To my ears the streamer provides the sound with the desired quality and the DAC is very good and musical in converting the sound.
One question: do you think that adding a DDC converter to transform the USB signal to I2S would improve the sound?
Well, I'll try to get Ares and see if that happens to me too.
DDC usually does more than just convert signal standards. Most of them also reclock, buffer and clean the signal first, so yes, there is a possibility for an improved signal.
Hello,
New to this forum. I have recently installed a Zen Stream in my system and like the sound very much, but I have a somewhat serious issue. When I first turn the Stream on and start the local web page and press play the volume goes to 100% even though I have the volume (software) set to a low value and have set limits on the volume. The last time this happened my woofer amp was damaged (burnt component) and I had to replace fuses in my other amps. I have an actively crossover speaker system with 6 analog channels feeding the speakers. I am unable to put a preamp in the system to limit volume. I am using a minidsp 4x10 HD for parametric crossovers and DAC.
I have submitted this to iFi support but have not gotten any response yet.
Can anyone help with how to stop the stream from outputting max volume. I believe that given enough time the software volume does come into play after startup. As stated I have 6 analog channels and don't have a hardware volume.
Thanks for any help!
Tim
New to this forum. I have recently installed a Zen Stream in my system and like the sound very much, but I have a somewhat serious issue. When I first turn the Stream on and start the local web page and press play the volume goes to 100% even though I have the volume (software) set to a low value and have set limits on the volume. The last time this happened my woofer amp was damaged (burnt component) and I had to replace fuses in my other amps. I have an actively crossover speaker system with 6 analog channels feeding the speakers. I am unable to put a preamp in the system to limit volume. I am using a minidsp 4x10 HD for parametric crossovers and DAC.
I have submitted this to iFi support but have not gotten any response yet.
Can anyone help with how to stop the stream from outputting max volume. I believe that given enough time the software volume does come into play after startup. As stated I have 6 analog channels and don't have a hardware volume.
Thanks for any help!
Tim
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