iFi audio ZEN Blue - The Official Thread
Feb 13, 2020 at 9:36 AM Post #151 of 493
The procedure itself isn't complicated and here is a link for your convenience: https://ifi-audio.com/downloads/

Its unfortunate Apple is not using the equivalent of LDAC with their phone over BT. The Zen Blue would be a much more attractive purchase if that were the case for a lot of iPhone source users. The convenience of wireless is great but for highly resolving systems, usb still seems the way to go at this point in time.
 
Feb 13, 2020 at 10:30 AM Post #153 of 493
...Also can we fix the pairing issue with Apple iPhone so we don’t have to manually reconnect every time, like you have for android based phones?

It's sad though that AAC is so much poorer sounding than LDAC. You would have thought Apple would have been ahead of the game. My iPad is now behind Android and hardly gets used.
 
Feb 14, 2020 at 5:26 PM Post #155 of 493
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/people/IFi-audio/61558986775162/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Feb 14, 2020 at 9:25 PM Post #156 of 493
Hi ifi, do you have products that can do the same but portable? Been looking at xcan and can ut do what the zen blue can do, get the bluetooth stream and pass a digital signal to a dac amp? Many thanks
 
Feb 14, 2020 at 10:15 PM Post #157 of 493
@iFi audio - unfortunately I have no Android devices other than a chromebook. I tried putting it in developer mode and getting the app installed. I got all the way to the point where the firmware uploaded 100%, blue light blinked for a minute or so, but it seems like it doesn’t re-connect automatically to commit and finish. Tried it 4-5 times with the same result.

Do you have any chromebook installation procedure, or ideally an iOS based app in development?
 
Feb 15, 2020 at 2:12 AM Post #158 of 493
Having ZEN Blue for several weeks, overall it is quite good. Devices I use:
Android based TV Box connect with SBC@16/44.1
USB dongle on Nintendo Switch connect with aptX@16/48
iPad connect with AAC@16/44.1
Google Pixel 4 connect with LDAC@16/44.1~24/96

The best SQ comes from UAPP on Pixel 4 with LDAC, really impressive digital output quality, analog output is good either.
 
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Feb 25, 2020 at 6:12 PM Post #159 of 493
The best SQ comes from UAPP on Pixel 4 with LDAC, really impressive digital output quality, analog output is good either.

Thanks! LDAC is something, isn't it :L3000: ?

Hi ifi, do you have products that can do the same but portable? Been looking at xcan and can ut do what the zen blue can do, get the bluetooth stream and pass a digital signal to a dac amp?

Nope, sorry!

@iFi audio - unfortunately I have no Android devices other than a chromebook. I tried putting it in developer mode and getting the app installed. I got all the way to the point where the firmware uploaded 100%, blue light blinked for a minute or so, but it seems like it doesn’t re-connect automatically to commit and finish. Tried it 4-5 times with the same result.

iOS should happen, but this is in hands of the BT receiver manufacturer. Once it's released, we'll announce it here!

Also folks, just a friendly reminder that our hip-dac tour registration is still open. We're closing the list on the 1st of March!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-hip-dac-the-tour.925996/
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/people/IFi-audio/61558986775162/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Feb 26, 2020 at 6:42 AM Post #160 of 493
I'm thinking of picking up one of these for my desk setup, I have a question though:

Is it possible to turn the unit off without unplugging the power?
I don't want the lights flashing all the time when it's not being used and I don't want to have to unplug it or switch off at the mains when not in use.
 
Feb 26, 2020 at 6:48 AM Post #161 of 493
I'm thinking of picking up one of these for my desk setup, I have a question though:

Is it possible to turn the unit off without unplugging the power?
I don't want the lights flashing all the time when it's not being used and I don't want to have to unplug it or switch off at the mains when not in use.
I have one of these for sale (mint), see earlier in thread. I bought a switch to add to the DC input line so I can toggle on and off the power (otherwise it does have lights on / blink / look for Bluetooth pairing all the time.
DSC_0438.JPG
 
Feb 26, 2020 at 6:51 AM Post #162 of 493
I have one of these for sale (mint), see earlier in thread. I bought a switch to add to the DC input line so I can toggle on and off the power (otherwise it does have lights on / blink / look for Bluetooth pairing all the time. DSC_0438.JPG
Here's the switch in close up.
 

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Feb 26, 2020 at 12:25 PM Post #164 of 493
Thanks for that, unfortunately I think that would annoy me so will have a look what else is available. I don't understand why a device like this wouldn't have a power button.....

I‘m pretty sure the easy answer is it sounds better when on 24/7 and also uses very little electricity. A neatly cutout placed over the power button can be a nice solution if one prefers not to see the illuminated light.
 
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