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...