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iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane
Sep 17, 2021 at 8:45 AM Post #1,502 of 5,939
sabloke said:
Don't regret not getting the RME. I had that too and changed it for the Ares II. It is indeed a wonderful German sound machine, however the Denafrips is charming, digital vinyl DAC if there ever was one.
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That's exactly what happened! I prefer the R2R sounds for sure, I have other iterations of that type just not a denafrips!

I will undoubtedly get the RME at some point, I love to fiddle with buttons! (Recording studio Illnes it's called or RSI)

I thought I'd get the RME to cure my RSI 🤣🤣🤣
 
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Sep 17, 2021 at 9:50 AM Post #1,504 of 5,939
Mr BubbaHyde said:
Hmm, that is very odd. Even though you don't have the option to select the USB from the drop down you have tried playing audio thru the Zen to the RME correct? I say that because although I do not use the ifi app, I am a roon user, I seem to recall once that there was no option to do that even though I was connected and good.

Sorry for being so basic but I'm one of those that starts at the beginning for troubleshooting.

What do you use for your music source...Files/Tidal/ Qobuz, you know what I mean, lol!

Edit: Would you believe 3 days ago I was going to order the RME!! I ended up ordering a Denafrips, but I would have had the RME by now...
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Did try playing with the USB connected but nothing. Everything works fine with Spdif; Tidal connect and Spotify connect works flawlessly.

My only thoughts are:

Possibly a compatibility issue with the RME. I now remember I had to download a 'Madiface' USB driver on my windows PC for it to talk to the RME USB input. I never remember having to do that on previous dac's. I'll ask in the RME thread here or the RME forums to see if they can shed some light.

There's a faulty with the ZS USB output (which I doubt). I'll check with another DAC.

Hope I can get it sorted or might just have to buy an Ares II & Burson Soloist !!!
 
Sep 17, 2021 at 9:59 AM Post #1,506 of 5,939
ainzz said:
Did try playing with the USB connected but nothing. Everything works fine with Spdif; Tidal connect and Spotify connect works flawlessly.

My only thoughts are:

Possibly a compatibility issue with the RME. I now remember I had to download a 'Madiface' USB driver on my windows PC for it to talk to the RME USB input. I never remember having to do that on previous dac's. I'll ask in the RME thread here or the RME forums to see if they can shed some light.

There's a faulty with the ZS USB output (which I doubt). I'll check with another DAC.

Hope I can get it sorted or might just have to buy an Ares II & Burson Soloist !!!
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Yes please try another DAC and let us know for sure! I am not a big windows user, but I thought windows 10 was now USB audio compliant, no downloading drivers, like MAC?
 
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Sep 17, 2021 at 10:17 AM Post #1,508 of 5,939
ainzz said:
Just tried it with the only other dac i've got, Chord Mojo. Again doesn't give me the option to choose USB output.
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Try another usb cable,
 
Sep 17, 2021 at 10:32 AM Post #1,510 of 5,939
Worked it out!!!! Right now streaming via Tidal connect to the ZS through USB to the RME.

Had to disconnect the network cable and reconnect. I assume it assigned a different IP address and forgot the previous settings. ifi/local could see the RME straight away.

Happy, happy, happy. Let the music begin.

I will report back on SQ once i've spent time with it but first impressions are good.
 
Sep 17, 2021 at 11:26 AM Post #1,511 of 5,939
ainzz said:
Worked it out!!!! Right now streaming via Tidal connect to the ZS through USB to the RME.

Had to disconnect the network cable and reconnect. I assume it assigned a different IP address and forgot the previous settings. ifi/local could see the RME straight away.

Happy, happy, happy. Let the music begin.

I will report back on SQ once i've spent time with it but first impressions are good.
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So glad to hear that! Sometimes it's the little things... :wink::joy:

You're going to love it! And do please let us know in terms of the RME which seems better if any, USB or Spdif!

Cheers!!
 
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Sep 17, 2021 at 10:10 PM Post #1,512 of 5,939
Just got an iPower 12V, will try to make a quick measurement comparison over the weekend on how Zen Stream behaves between the stock (non-iPower) 12V adapter, iPower 12V and iPower 15V.
 
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Sep 18, 2021 at 6:23 AM Post #1,513 of 5,939
It's just one of those things with the DACs ...

I've had so many here that I can't even count them anymore, Delta Sigma, R2R, Multibit, the only one that really gave me a WOW effect was the iDSD :heart_eyes:

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Also had a lot of DDC, all useless to me.

Best Stack for me is ifi iCAN & iDSD & ZEN Stream.
 
Sep 18, 2021 at 7:00 AM Post #1,514 of 5,939
Louisiana said:
It's just one of those things with the DACs ...

I've had so many here that I can't even count them anymore, Delta Sigma, R2R, Multibit, the only one that really gave me a WOW effect was the iDSD :heart_eyes:

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Also had a lot of DDC, all useless to me.

Best Stack for me is ifi iCAN & iDSD & ZEN Stream.
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Well now I know I'm not alone! 😂

Would love to hear the iDSD one day!
 
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Sep 18, 2021 at 7:29 AM Post #1,515 of 5,939
Mr BubbaHyde said:
Would love to hear the iDSD one day!
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I thought for a long time that the iDSD was just way too expensive, and it probably made no difference.
I've had the iCAN for a long time and have operated it with all sorts of DACs.
I was then very lucky that someone offered me a new iDSD for 2k €, so I accessed it.

The iDSD and the iCAN have something magical about them - today i rolled tubes, for the last time i think, and its breathtaking, how those devices benefit from better tubes.
iDSD got some Bendix, and the iCAN some WE396 from 1958 :)

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