[iFi audio]

However I'm also seeing that the Zen Blue is limited to 96KHz ? That is probably a deal killer...

96kHz is the standard for Bluetooth receivers. ZEN Blue can take and digest much more via USB.

Was thinking of wireless connection to my iPhone...there's a lot of insert/remove the Lightning connector. I tend to keep my phones for several years, and just have concerns over the longevity of the connection.

I understand, ZEN Blue would be the one to get.

 

[WNBC]

Out of curiosity, do you own a lot of high res 24/192 files? I always think I'll end up buying a lot of high res but end up with 16/44 and at least for me I can't hear much difference between 24/96 and 24/192.

Have you looked at other bluetooth streaming devices that can do 24/192 and what is the price difference?

EDIT: I see iFi has already posted the limitation of BT streaming. Plus with iDevices we're not getting high resolution. At least that is the last time I checked.

However I'm also seeing that the Zen Blue is limited to 96KHz ? That is probably a deal killer...

 

[Bazaar]

Out of curiosity, do you own a lot of high res 24/192 files? I always think I'll end up buying a lot of high res but end up with 16/44 and at least for me I can't hear much difference between 24/96 and 24/192.

Have you looked at other bluetooth streaming devices that can do 24/192 and what is the price difference?

EDIT: I see iFi has already posted the limitation of BT streaming. Plus with iDevices we're not getting high resolution. At least that is the last time I checked.

I probably won't be able to either...maybe I'll check it out once I get my Zen CAN...

 

[iFi audio]

Out of curiosity, do you own a lot of high res 24/192 files? I always think I'll end up buying a lot of high res but end up with 16/44 and at least for me I can't hear much difference between 24/96 and 24/192.

Personally I focus more or mastering quality than file type or size. There are some tracks I can't listen to because someone behind a studio console made them flat, harsh and compressed. No DSD, MQA or 24/192 can fix that. Just my 0.02.

maybe I'll check it out once I get my Zen CAN...

Please share with your findings once you have it

 

[Richard Wray]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but can I plug the Zen Blue into my MacBook and transmit TIDAL MQA over LDAC?

 

[jmtocali]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but can I plug the Zen Blue into my MacBook and transmit TIDAL MQA over LDAC?

MQA can't be transmitted wirelessly

 

[iFi audio]

MQA can't be transmitted wirelessly

True.

 

[Richard Wray]

MQA can't be transmitted wirelessly

but what about a decoded stream?

 

[iFi audio]

but what about a decoded stream?

Everything within Bluetooth specs can be sent to ZEN Blue wirelessly.

 

[Richard Wray]

Everything within Bluetooth specs can be sent to ZEN Blue wirelessly.

but I can’t physically connect a Zen Blue to a Zen Dac and then listen to the decoded MQA stream via my headphones?

 

[iFi audio]

but I can’t physically connect a Zen Blue to a Zen Dac and then listen to the decoded MQA stream via my headphones?

ZEN DAC has only one input (USB), thus it's impossible to send digital data to it from ZEN Blue.

 

[JM22681]

@iFi audio any news on firmware updates over iOS? I have no android device in the home to update my Zen Blue with.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio any news on firmware updates over iOS?

None that I'm aware of at this time.

 

[daytrader]

With the Zen Blue, given the option of either digital or coaxial, which offers the better sound quality for going into an external dac? Does coaxial have greater bandwidth for higher quality audio up to 24-bit/192kHz and Optical restricted to 96kHz? Therefore in the case of the Zen Blue, that will only output up to 96kHz, does it even matter?
Thank you.

 

[Pro-Jules]

So I connected mine up. I have it receiving LDAC from my Sony 507 DAP and outputting Coax SPDIF - which I have connected to a Grace M903 DAC feeding some Adam A5x self powered speakers & Sub

The kHz light isn't white - its very pale (sky) blue.

Is that normal? Am I running at 96k?

My Sony 507 dap seems to sit on adaptive LDAC (in developer options) despite me trying to set it to best quality. But it does show best quality LDAC on the basic blutooth settings.

Sounding good!

Now I am able to use my Sony and apply its own eq to taste from the comfort of my couch. And keep it powered (It's battery runs out too quickly)

(Before now I was using a Chromecast Audio analog outs to my amp and relying on Chromecast's very basic eq. And much to my annoyance the Chromecast's optical 96k out stuttered and that turned out to be a known issue never to be fixed)

I