[Middy]

Yes it does...but...its always about the value proposition...
Paul Haynes SR7 is about the defacto PSU in the world ATM at £890 and a big waiting time.. SR4 is cheaper.
I use the Uptone audio very good but i have it spare off usb duties. Sean Jacobs units are highly rated but again 4 to 7 times the zen cost.

Maybe 10% boost in sq which is £12 worth of extra sq which could cost 40 times more.....
Ifi have thier new PSU switcher and dc add ons like purifiers...

All expensive fun but as i posted before above, small gains to be had from this excellent well designed Zen but no cheap shortcuts...

Rabbit holes everywhere in this hobby..

Dave

 

[daytrader]

Hi day trader, i thought i read something about that, i did some googling bit cant find anything, do tou have an example please..
Thank you
Dave

Dave, sorry guy no luck in finding my old bottle of contact enhancer for glass cables. I even looked online and found cleaners but nothing to seal the air gap. I bet if you made a call or sent an email to Krell Audio, they probably either have some or can give you the product name. I think it’s worth the hunt if you have a true glass cable. - Dean

 

[Middy]

Ah np it was kind of you to look so thank you..
I only gave it a go as the Chord Qutest designer Rob Watts said Toslink was the one to beat but cheap plastic cables cause jitter with attenuation bouncing around inside. I do hate this hobby as a definitive answer doesnt exist, optical network engineers say it doesn't matter.
Regardless of the improvement or lack of.. changing the cable made the sound change.. is it a more solid connection with the cable ends? Glass is better..

Ultimately you buy and try then hope for a positive outcome...

My ramblings are hopefully useful to at least someone using a Zen Blue, that toslink is a viable choice and not just an unused black square at the back..

I am a firm believer in giving back to the community knowledge base even if its bad good or indifferent...

Cheers daytrader have a lovely xmass break with you and yours..

David

 

[daytrader]

Ah np it was kind of you to look so thank you..
I only gave it a go as the Chord Qutest designer Rob Watts said Toslink was the one to beat but cheap plastic cables cause jitter with attenuation bouncing around inside. I do hate this hobby as a definitive answer doesnt exist, optical network engineers say it doesn't matter.
Regardless of the improvement or lack of.. changing the cable made the sound change.. is it a more solid connection with the cable ends? Glass is better..

Ultimately you buy and try then hope for a positive outcome...

My ramblings are hopefully useful to at least someone using a Zen Blue, that toslink is a viable choice and not just an unused black square at the back..

I am a firm believer in giving back to the community knowledge base even if its bad good or indifferent...

Cheers daytrader have a lovely xmass break with you and yours..

David

Hi Dave,

Yeah, these forums are great for sharing information within such a small group as we are. As a Zen Blue owner I agree with your conclusion of that connection, I’m using the Toslink as well into my Peachtree and pushed through my LS50s with great results. One would think I spent lots of money and knew what I was doing, but the real truth is, reading these forums has been extremely helpful and as you, I try giving back when I can.

A wonderful xmass break to you and yours too!

Dean

 

[Rhinonine]

@iFi audio
The zen blue doing its thing, sounding good on ldac 24/96 990kbps.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

@iFi audio
The zen blue doing its thing, sounding good on ldac 24/96 990kbps.

Looking pretty, thanks for the photo and glad you are enjoying it!

 

[hollandstein]

I, very simply if anything is ever simple, want to stream Tidal and whatnot from my iPhone to my Heresy or Vali 2. So, I need bluetooth connection that still allows for the same level of audio I get from my phono stage.

I'm between the ZEN Blue and Audioengine B1 as both seem to do the trick. Anyone have experience?

 

[daytrader]

Hello iFi,
In reference to Apple, the Zen Blue does AAC, will ALAC which is Apples version of lossless be available anytime soon?

Also while I have you. Is digital output preferred from Coax or Optical? Same output rates? Noise?

 

[daytrader]

I, very simply if anything is ever simple, want to stream Tidal and whatnot from my iPhone to my Heresy or Vali 2. So, I need bluetooth connection that still allows for the same level of audio I get from my phono stage.

I'm between the ZEN Blue and Audioengine B1 as both seem to do the trick. Anyone have experience?

I own and use them both. Both have excellent BT connectivity. Both sound really good but different, the B1 being the warmer of the two. The Blue gives you a 4.4 balanced output, the B1 high quality RCA single ended. Can’t go wrong either way.

*Forgot to mention one thing that is important for some. The Zen Blue has to be reactivated by pushing a button every time you want BT. The B1 is always ready to receive a signal when it’s sent.

 

[iFi audio]

I own and use them both. Both have excellent BT connectivity. Both sound really good but different, the B1 being the warmer of the two. The Blue gives you a 4.4 balanced output, the B1 high quality RCA single ended. Can’t go wrong either way.

*Forgot to mention one thing that is important for some. The Zen Blue has to be reactivated by pushing a button every time you want BT. The B1 is always ready to receive a signal when it’s sent.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Middy]

@iFi audio
Sorry to ask again from the details of the Zen on your site is the 50ohm the digital out...

Digital cables are normally 75..

Thanks and happy xmass.

David

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio
Sorry to ask again from the details of the Zen on your site is the 50ohm the digital out...

Digital cables are normally 75..

Thanks and happy xmass.

David

I'll double-check this, perhaps that's an error in ZEN's specs.

 

[Middy]

Thanks mate much appreciated
Dave

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks mate much appreciated
Dave

OK so that output impedance (50 ohms) refers to ZEN Blue's analog outs, however its coaxial out is in fact 75 ohms.

 

[Middy]

Thank you