iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[Currawong]

I'd say that, if a product is continually causing you stress, just to give it up and return it.

Otherwise, eliminate everything you possibly can in your set-up until it's just the computer, ethernet hub/router and Zen Stream and see if it works. If so, then add back components until the problem shows up again. I'd even see if a similar set-up with a Raspberry Pi and VolumeIO has the same issues.

If the Zen Stream is crashing, it will have internal logs that should reveal the cause.

--

On another note altogether, I tried my (DIY) linear PSU, and there's definitely a sound quality improvement over the iPower. That was quite a surprise.

 

[rudy49]

I'd say that, if a product is continually causing you stress, just to give it up and return it.

Otherwise, eliminate everything you possibly can in your set-up until it's just the computer, ethernet hub/router and Zen Stream and see if it works. If so, then add back components until the problem shows up again. I'd even see if a similar set-up with a Raspberry Pi and VolumeIO has the same issues.

If the Zen Stream is crashing, it will have internal logs that should reveal the cause.

--

On another note altogether, I tried my (DIY) linear PSU, and there's definitely a sound quality improvement over the iPower. That was quite a surprise.

i can not return it for a full refund. TREO wanted to charge me a restocking fee or open box fee on a defective unit! the only other option was to accept a replacement unit. i even asked IFI to intervene. so anyway i am stuck with this. i have upgraded my ISP to the highest level short of fiber. i had Sinet come out to my hotel and install a line from the server. i have had no problems with listening to Tidal on my Mac on the same network. so why is this? the Zen Stream is connected via cable to the router and it crashes. while the Mac is wireless to router and is stable when using Roon, Spotify?

I'd say that, if a product is continually causing you stress, just to give it up and return it.

Otherwise, eliminate everything you possibly can in your set-up until it's just the computer, ethernet hub/router and Zen Stream and see if it works. If so, then add back components until the problem shows up again. I'd even see if a similar set-up with a Raspberry Pi and VolumeIO has the same issues.

If the Zen Stream is crashing, it will have internal logs that should reveal the cause.

--

On another note altogether, I tried my (DIY) linear PSU, and there's definitely a sound quality improvement over the iPower. That was quite a surprise.

 

[rudy49]

Personally I am more of inclined to believe it is your internet's back end (** i.e. ISP, server, router, etc) that is causing the issue. I have similar issue a few weeks ago when I switched to a new router to add a new ISP to my home network, which cause stability issue with not just my ZS connection but also some website/app. I eventually find a way around it but it serves a point that unstable connection is not necessary a ZS issue but something larger. Also, I don't have fiber connection at home either and I don't think speed is an issue but more on how it was configured.

maybe i should buy a router like yours. model and brand please? my TP rougher works find streaming Roon to my MacBook via wireless. yet the IFI is wired to the router and crashes occasionally. edifying to know that you are not using a fiber connection and it works for you. i wonder anyway i will take the IFI to a friends brand new house with a state of the art internet connection and see how it performs.

 

[rudy49]

I'd say that, if a product is continually causing you stress, just to give it up and return it.

Otherwise, eliminate everything you possibly can in your set-up until it's just the computer, ethernet hub/router and Zen Stream and see if it works. If so, then add back components until the problem shows up again. I'd even see if a similar set-up with a Raspberry Pi and VolumeIO has the same issues.

If the Zen Stream is crashing, it will have internal logs that should reveal the cause.

--

On another note altogether, I tried my (DIY) linear PSU, and there's definitely a sound quality improvement over the iPower. That was quite a surprise.

how about i buy a separate power strip exclusively for the Zen Stream, thus isolating it from the rest of the gear. could have all my components plugged in the same power strip cause these issues with the ZS. should the digital be isolated from the analog gear?

 

[rudy49]

just tried plugging the ZS into a separated outlet to see if i could isolate it from the other stuff. still shutting down and now Roon is asking me to select an output source and my DAC can not be selected. meanwhile over on Spotify the IFI is a no show. its re-boot time again. i thought that if i could isolate the IFI it would be happier.

 

[Currawong]

I found it takes a good minute to start up. I usually check to see if it is working correctly (in AIO mode) by opening the web interface.

I think you need to enable it first, but accessing the actual system via a terminal and seeing if it is really crashing and checking any available system log (if there is one) would be the thing to do from here. You could also try disabling wifi so that there's only one network connection.

 

[rudy49]

I found it takes a good minute to start up. I usually check to see if it is working correctly (in AIO mode) by opening the web interface.

I think you need to enable it first, but accessing the actual system via a terminal and seeing if it is really crashing and checking any available system log (if there is one) would be the thing to do from here. You could also try disabling wifi so that there's only one network connection.

Wifi has been disabled for a couple of months now. have been using wired ethernet connection. wish this thing had a diagnostic port.

 

[Currawong]

Wifi has been disabled for a couple of months now. have been using wired ethernet connection. wish this thing had a diagnostic port.

It has. It's called shell access.

 

[rlw6534]

maybe i should buy a router like yours. model and brand please? my TP rougher works find streaming Roon to my MacBook via wireless. yet the IFI is wired to the router and crashes occasionally. edifying to know that you are not using a fiber connection and it works for you. i wonder anyway i will take the IFI to a friends brand new house with a state of the art internet connection and see how it performs.

I'm sorry the UPS didn't fix your problem, but at least now we know it isn't AC power quality/drop-outs. It's good that you could test without spending money. We have talked about the router before, but now that you are running fully wired it seems unlikely to be the problem. With that said, we are running out of things to change. Testing at your friends house is a great idea.

Your Archer router is indeed a cheap, ISP supplied model and an upgrade would seem reasonable in general (for reasons other than the Zen). Something like an Asus RT-AX86 (which is what I have) would be a solid upgrade but may not really help with this specific issue and cost $$$.

 

[hash70]

Wifi has been disabled for a couple of months now. have been using wired ethernet connection. wish this thing had a diagnostic port.

You have a lot of patience my friend,id have smashed the zen off the wall by now,I definitely wouldnt have went to all this trouble,put the thing on ebay or local trader as youl get most of ur cash bck

 

[rudy49]

You have a lot of patience my friend,id have smashed the zen off the wall by now,I definitely wouldnt have went to all this trouble,put the thing on ebay or local trader as youl get most of ur cash bck

i am in Thailand. no refunds, no EBAY. besides most Thai's just buy cheap crap and really will not pay for SQ

 

[rudy49]

just tried Roon mode 2 on the Zen Stream. still no SPDIF output into my NAD DAC? i think the Zen Stream has a problem with coax?

 

[germe]

just tried Roon mode 2 on the Zen Stream. still no SPDIF output into my NAD DAC? i think the Zen Stream has a problem with coax?

I use coax from day 1 and NO PROBLEM AT ALL.
so what now?

 

[qsk78]

I use coax from day 1 and NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

I don't have any problem with iDSD Diablo and with Composer 3XP

 

[rudy49]

You have a lot of patience my friend,id have smashed the zen off the wall by now,I definitely wouldnt have went to all this trouble,put the thing on ebay or local trader as youl get most of ur cash bck

problem with that is that you don't lean anything