I simply chose the Gentle filter on X26 Pro:-). Reason is I listen to everything through PC-->DDC-->DAC (Teams calls, YouTube, Tidal, Apple Music, downloaded music, Internet radio). I'd have to switch back and forth between NOS for "already oversampled" material and one of the filters for...

vC.11

If you must buy one, I would say u18. Cleaning the USB signal will matter more than the external clock. OCK2 works nicely as well though, feeding both the DDC (U18) and the DAC (X26 Pro) for me. Square wave - both.

The only thing I like less is the lack of a 10M external master clock input.

A bunch of conflated apples and oranges statements, like "A good DDC like DI20HE costs $1000, it is worth to spend so much if you can afford $1600 DAC.". See my post above, essentially DAC, DDC, and the master clock will do three different things, imo of course. A $1,600 DAC will convert and...

Already there (the master clock input) in R26 and A26. So technically you can avoid buying the DDC and connect directly via USB. Or streamer to DAC. The DDC is "only" $500 USD though... The streamer is an amazing device, but it does not replace a PC as a source. It'll do Tidal, Roon, Qobuz...

If you could get better results - YES - in theory. In practice though, in my opinion at least: 1) With any DAC, without a DDC, if using PC as your source, you'll be relying on that better DAC's USB input - not great (unlike I2S). Basically, with any DAC, unless extremely high quality USB...

I saw someone recommend with passion the combo LHY Audio OCK-2 (master clock 10 MHz) + Gustard U18 (DDC) specifically with R26. You'd run a USB cable from your PC to the DDC (USB-USB), then I2S from DDC to R26 (I2S-I2S). Additionally, OCK-2 connected to the DDC and EXT clock chosen on the DDC...

To make sure it's not something as simple as this: after the reflash or system reset, the default output in playback settings is SPDIF. You did change it to USB Audio before trying, correct?

Hello, my experience with 2.32.9, in case useful: 1) Was on 2.31.7, everything worked. 2) Checked "Update", saw 2.32.9 final (non beta) available, updated. Right after the update the streamer wouldn't be able to share via AirPlay, it would keep asking for some AirPlay Code (?). See below...

I would say nothing "interesting" to report on Tidal integration in pretty much the last year+, to be honest. It just works, for me anyways.

Just to report that no such behaviour when using Tidal app on my iPhone. I hit play (the triangle) in the app, choose output as Zen streamer, and the sound comes on after that.

Got the response from iFi support, downloaded and flashed the original frimware over the USB-C port without issues. All included under 10 min probably. Then updated it to the latest stable OTA 2.31.7.

Thank you, @Mr BubbaHyde I submitted a ticket to iFi. I don't mind beta versions of firmware being glitchy and/or screwing up some of my settings, as long as I can factory reset, but bricking the unit this easily is a bit too much:). I didn't pull any power cable from the Zen Stream...

Thanks, have you run into the files and procedure to revive a what seems like a bricked Zen? It powers up and powers down, but no big led lights are on. Tried several hard resets with a pin, both leds turn red for about a minute, then both turn off and that's it. This whole "Airplay is asking...

Any idea why on 2.32.5 it's asking to enter an on-screen code when sending music from my iPhone to Zen via AirPlay? What would that code be? Never seen before. Thanks.

In Canada here, so $1K CAD:-). Yes $700 USD.

Well that's exactly it. Upgrading stock PSU leads to higher SQ, but lower value. Hence iPower X may be a very good choice. Value with stock PSU vs. iPower X? Not sure. Would need to compare the increase in price with the increase in SQ+personal satisfaction:-)

The only point to raise is that using ZS with Elite virtually doubles its price, so now ZS' value needs to be measured against other units in $1K range, not $500 range. And that's not mentioning the possible AC power cable upgrade. Yes, obvious, I know.

No issues with playing DSD whatsoever...

Almost instant for me after I changed Audio Buffer Size from 32 MB buffer to 8 MB in Settings/Playback Options. Buffer before Play is at the lowest available setting of 10%.

No such problem on any firmware version. DAC SMSL M500 connected to ZS USB, decoding MQA fine, using Tidal Connect from my iPhone 12. No sound interruptions, no glitches etc. The likely reason is how ZS interacts with your particular DAC.

Yep, also see this, that's why I ordered an iPower Ultra - but haven't received it yet:-) : https://community.roonlabs.com/t/new-ifi-zen-stream-device/163860/544?page=28 Notably "compared the ifi Zen Stream with external power supply from ifi ipower Elite with the Lumin D2 with modified...

I ordered an iPower Elite 12V back in November, still waiting on the stock.

That's deep:) To try and answer - the majority uses ZS _instead_ of a computer, so what do you mean by "computers"? The path starts with ZS, then DAC. No computers. I would guess the right answer is "Changing the ZS internally (the firmware), hence helping everyone using ZS".