iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[sabloke]

Make sure you reset to factory settings after firmware update for Spotify Connect to work.

 

[Luvdac]

Enjoying the sound out of the zen stream into a rme adi dac via spdif. This is their lower model dac without usb inputs, just spdif. This feeds a stax system via xlr outputs. The zen stream is running hard wired to the network via ethernet.
The issue I am having is that every time the zen stream is switched on I have to go into its settings and click on SAVE in the digital output settings ( spdif), otherwise the zen stream won't lock on to the dac.
Is this a known issue or is my zen stream faulty? Appreciate any help on this. Thanks.

Edit: forgot to add, I'm running roon to the zen stream.

 

[sabloke]

Enjoying the sound out of the zen stream into a rme adi dac via spdif. This is their lower model dac without usb inputs, just spdif. This feeds a stax system via xlr outputs. The zen stream is running hard wired to the network via ethernet.
The issue I am having is that every time the zen stream is switched on I have to go into its settings and click on SAVE in the digital output settings ( spdif), otherwise the zen stream won't lock on to the dac.
Is this a known issue or is my zen stream faulty? Appreciate any help on this. Thanks.

Just leave it on all the time. Mine has not been off since got it over two months ago.

 

[ncthangls1989]

Anyone have 2.29.8 patch note? I clicked upgrade so fast I forgot to read it yet.

 

[Luvdac]

Just leave it on all the time. Mine has not been off since got it over two months ago.

Its in my bedroom and I am very sensitive to electronics. I need to switch off everything, phones, WiFi etc to get a good night's sleep.
So no, thats not a solution.

 

[sabloke]

There should be no electronics in your bedroom, not even a mobile phone. None.

 

[myshark]

Make sure you reset to factory settings after firmware update for Spotify Connect to work.

Pls clarify the steps.tq

 

[sabloke]

Pls clarify the steps.tq

After upgrading to the latest firmware my Spotify Connect wouldn't work, with the Streamer not being able to connect. I had to reset to factory settings and then update again to the latest firmware as the device reverts to the May 2021 firmware. Hope that makes sense. It seems that there is some Spotify Connect code that gets stuck and needs to be erased via a reset. having said that, make sure you try to connect to Spotify after firmware upgrade as it might work, who knows. Truth is I am flashing to these beta firmwares so can't complain

 

[Currawong]

I just read somewhere here, that a 12v iPower is recommended

What usually happens here is that someone's random speculation becomes gospel in this way. Better to quote exactly what was said and ask for clarification if necessary, otherwise you end up with a bunch of people repeating the same, often wrong information.

ZS is basically a Raspberry Pi at its core

Not quite. The core is a 3rd party clone (if that's the best way to put it) of a Raspberry Pi Compute Module (which is just the CPU and RAM on a board for use with custom hardware). Relevant though is that, computing-capability-wise, it's fairly equivalent.

what do you guys prefer - usb out or spdif out? I dont have any "good" coax cable (only one from Aliexpre... for 9€) so I cant compare this two outputs from ZS.
For now I have this combination : Zen Stream - Oyaide Neo d +usb class A cable - Ares II.

I found that the USB output has been pretty good. Probably it's YMMV depending on the DAC you're using. I use the same USB cable by the way.

Is anyone else using an aftermarket USB cable? I eschewed the stock cable from the Zen DAC v2 for a Wireworld Starlight in hopes of reducing noise…

I usually suggest buying a bunch of ferrites to put on a standard USB cable first and seeing if that improves things (it should sound warmer/darker if so).

IFi-Audio, can you please explain why the Zen Stream is not listed as a “Roon Ready” device on the Roon Core platform even though you built Roon capability right into the hardware? It works perfectly but doesn’t show up as one of your approved devices on Roon’s end…

Unless I'm misunderstanding things, "Roon Ready" is for custom software/hardware solutions. I imagine the Zen Stream is using the already approved linux-based endpoint software so this isn't necessary (ie: it's not custom like, say the FPGA-based software on the Soundaware transport I have here).

Now I need to get my review out...

 

[myshark]

After upgrading to the latest firmware my Spotify Connect wouldn't work, with the Streamer not being able to connect. I had to reset to factory settings and then update again to the latest firmware as the device reverts to the May 2021 firmware. Hope that makes sense. It seems that there is some Spotify Connect code that gets stuck and needs to be erased via a reset. having said that, make sure you try to connect to Spotify after firmware upgrade as it might work, who knows. Truth is I am flashing to these beta firmwares so can't complain

I got the same problem with spotify connect cannot connect. No problem with tidal connect.
I have done the factory reset and then update to the latest fw but to no avail.
It started with the previous fw update..
Ironically, usually tidal is the culprit.

Any ideas?

 

[Luvdac]

Just leave it on all the time. Mine has not been off since got it over two months ago.

So I take it the zen stream has a problem remembering its settings once switched off?

 

[rudy49]

What he needed is to find out what is causing his ZS to misbehave, not to keep buying stuff blindly and hope one of them will fix his unknown issue.

Zen Stream stopped in the middle of Beethoven but lights are on, and ZS icon now gone in Roon. asking me to select an output? DAC no longer displayed to select. could not get past the first movement.

 

[rudy49]

Rudy,

Maybe try a decent UPS with power conditioning and see if that helps. I use a APC Back-UPS 550 for my NAS and computer. This would be cheaper than a fancy power supply. Not sure if you have 220 or 110 power.

230V here in LOS. i will go down to the computer shop and see if i can find one. maybe order on LAZADA? other than that i got a quote from MCRU in the Uk for a LPS $300 excluding shipping and duty. they are highly rated. Clef Audio makes one here in Thailand for $100. i use one of their power strips on the ZS and everything else. DAC, AMP, TV, HD, OPPO. is this too much? would this cause the ZS to freak out? btw, they do not let you return things here if they do not solve your problems. loss of face

 

[rudy49]

Rudy,

Maybe try a decent UPS with power conditioning and see if that helps. I use a APC Back-UPS 550 for my NAS and computer. This would be cheaper than a fancy power supply. Not sure if you have 220 or 110 power.

looking at UPS today. 2 topologies, online and interactive. online looks like the best. $$$$?

 

[rlw6534]

looking at UPS today. 2 topologies, online and interactive. online looks like the best. $$$$?

Is UK standard correct?

Something like this:

https://www.apc.com/shop/uk/en/products/APC-Back-UPS-400VA-230V-8-BS1363-outlets-4-surge-/P-BE400-UK

Just buy at a big box computer store that accepts returns. They are less than $100 in US. Don't go overboard and waste money on a LPS. We just want good clean power without drop-outs.