ok updated to 2.31.1 and have done some testing. Spotify connect via usb now works but there is an issue when changing tracks. There is a stutter where the sound cuts back in for a fraction of a second instead of a smooth transition like there used to be. Tidal connect is more stable than it was in the original firmware but still needs work. A lot of tracks take 3-5 seconds to start playing. Some tracks have a 1-2 second pause just after the it starts and there are still some random intermittent cut outs from time to time. Seems worse going back and fourth from hi-fi quality to master. I have a strong hardwired internet connection and don’t have problems with other devices so I know it’s not network related. Also the lights are displaying incorrect colors. It gives me yellow for Spotify and Tidal Hi-Fi tracks (should be green) and Cyan for MQA (should be yellow) but priority should be placed on getting Tidal connect more stable. Thanks for your continuing efforts and excellent communication thus far in getting this product to the level it deserves.
I believe there was an update box that said the colors were now fixed to be more in line with Tidal Colors, Not a quote so don't shoot me, but it said something like that. Doesn't bother me I turn the lights off usually, lol
ok updated to 2.31.1 and have done some testing. Spotify connect via usb now works but there is an issue when changing tracks. There is a stutter where the sound cuts back in for a fraction of a second instead of a smooth transition like there used to be.
I use Apple Music via Airplay to ZS then USB from ZS to DAC. I also often get silence for the first 0.5-1 seconds of a track when it plays sequentially after the preceding track. I thought it was an IOS / Airplay thing, but perhaps it is a ZS thing?
I’ve read most of this thread and finally decided to get the Zen Stream. It seems the firmware is being constantly updated and improved upon by iFi. This will be the first time I’ve used a source other than a computer or my iPhone with the CCK adapter. I’m hoping to hear an improvement moving to the ZS.
I have a nice setup, Bifrost 2 > Quicksilver Headphone Amp > ZMF Auteur. I’ve always felt silly using my phone tethered with an adapter as my source. I always assumed it was the bottleneck in my system. Time to test my theory.
I have a few questions regarding upgrades, mainly power supply and digital cables. I have never bought an expensive digital cable, but I’m considering a “nice” USB cable to connect the ZS to my Bifrost 2. Then again, I’ve read a few people prefer the Coax output of the ZS with their BF2, so I wonder how much I’d need to spend to get a decent Coax cable. If it’s cheaper to get a quality Coax than USB, I might go that route.
I don’t know whether to invest in a linear power supply or iFi Elite. Opinions seem to differ wildly on what level of power supply is necessary to improve upon the stock unit. I struggle to consider spending almost the same amount on the power supply as the Zen Stream, so units like the SBooster and iFi Elite are probably out of my price range unless I find a good deal on a used unit.
In general, I’m curious how many Zen Stream users are bothering with cable and power supply upgrades. I’ll probably make sure I can get the thing setup properly before I make any more purchases. I always like to change one variable at a time in my system, otherwise it’s hard to know what component to attribute the improvements (or losses) to.
#ckhirnigs113 nice to see you over here in this thread. The Zen Stream definitely made a difference in sound quality with my system. I went from Bluetooth streaming and Macbook USB out to DAC to running Roon and the Stream. A very noticeable improvement. I don't have any experience with upgraded digital cables for you unfortunately. I'm using a basic USB cable with gold plated ends. I prefer the USB output from the Stream into the Unison USB input on my Yggy. Try them both and see which you like better. I don't think you'll be disappointed either way.
#ckhirnigs113 nice to see you over here in this thread. The Zen Stream definitely made a difference in sound quality with my system. I went from Bluetooth streaming and Macbook USB out to DAC to running Roon and the Stream. A very noticeable improvement. I don't have any experience with upgraded digital cables for you unfortunately. I'm using a basic USB cable with gold plated ends. I prefer the USB output from the Stream into the Unison USB input on my Yggy. Try them both and see which you like better. I don't think you'll be disappointed either way.
Thanks for the feedback! We have very similar tastes in headphones and gear so I feel like I’m going to like the Zen Stream if you did. I think I’ll stick with my basic USB cable for the time being into my BF2 and see what I think. Power supply upgrades can wait as well.
ok updated to 2.31.1 and have done some testing. Spotify connect via usb now works but there is an issue when changing tracks. There is a stutter where the sound cuts back in for a fraction of a second instead of a smooth transition like there used to be. Tidal connect is more stable than it was in the original firmware but still needs work. A lot of tracks take 3-5 seconds to start playing. Some tracks have a 1-2 second pause just after the it starts and there are still some random intermittent cut outs from time to time.
So finally .....i'm not alone in this! Having the exact same stutter. Try doing Factory Reset, it will get you back to v2.25 and see how it is on that firmware please. For me it was the only fix for working without stutter. Lightning fast! You can always update to v2.31.1.....
New owner of this device. The quality for the price is mega unbelievable.
I am trying it now in combination with various playing options to see where I get the best sound. Trying to map my NAS to use the app to play music is driving me nuts.
I remember it was a pain to map a network drive in Volumio but couldn't remember the solution I found at the time. If someone can help....
New owner of this device. The quality for the price is mega unbelievable.
I am trying it now in combination with various playing options to see where I get the best sound. Trying to map my NAS to use the app to play music is driving me nuts.
I remember it was a pain to map a network drive in Volumio but couldn't remember the solution I found at the time. If someone can help....
I have tried tidal connect (from my iphone) compared to local files from windows 10 laptop with foobar and upnp and tidal connect sounded better if that helps. Also less dropouts
I have tried tidal connect (from my iphone) compared to local files from windows 10 laptop with foobar and upnp and tidal connect sounded better if that helps. Also less dropouts
Thx
Just quickly tried Mconnect HD on my IPad Pro.
That's really a prem solution for NOS streaming of Qobuz (and Tidal non-master flac) without involving the likes of Audirvana or Roon.
What I found out though is that there's no first unfold for Tidal MQA.
So Tidal-Connect is the Prem way to go for Tidal steaming if your DAC is only MQA renderer and no decoder.
Qobuz can be streamed with either Audirvana, Roon or some dedicated UPNP app like MCONNECT
New owner of this device. The quality for the price is mega unbelievable.
I am trying it now in combination with various playing options to see where I get the best sound. Trying to map my NAS to use the app to play music is driving me nuts.
I remember it was a pain to map a network drive in Volumio but couldn't remember the solution I found at the time. If someone can help....
Yes It is, in regards to mapping a drive I have done it two ways, completely by accident! Computer Has and addresses is not my strong suit, lol
The first time I ever did it with the ZS it was easy, I just selected the location that came up in the scan and it automatically worked. At that time I think it was a separate drive connect by USB to my Roon Rock.
Second time it would not work that way, but it did find the base location for it. I believe I resolved the issue by clicking on the Server folder (using Mac mini) and selecting get info. Then I copied the Drive address and folder path directly to the ZS and it found it right away and updated the library.
That's all I got, lol, as at the moment I do not use that function often.
I'm sure the gurus way smarter than I will chime in and get you fixed up!
Thanks for the feedback! We have very similar tastes in headphones and gear so I feel like I’m going to like the Zen Stream if you did. I think I’ll stick with my basic USB cable for the time being into my BF2 and see what I think. Power supply upgrades can wait as well.
Yes you should definitely wait and see what you've got first!
In terms of the BF2 I very much preferred the USB Unison input. it just seemed better to me than the others. One day while shopping on Amazon for USB Cables I came across this one...
I found it to be very good, and actually ordered 3 more for the price it can't be beat! Of course that is my judgement, but at least if you don't hear a difference, it's not expensive, and easily returnable.
Then you can try different power supplies, don't forget the ZS takes 9-15v only, so if you have any around in that range it may give you an idea of what more/less voltage does to the stream for your setup!
While I like the versatility of the Zen Stream I wouldn't favor the web Gui to do playback or even only tag and manage content imho.
So in order to combine both my NAS content and streaming content the usage of Roon or Audirvana or MCONNECT is way more comfortable...
I had the same. In my case the settings on my Synology NAS weren't compatible with the Zen Stream. It appears the Zen Stream doesn't support Large MTU, so I had to set the minimum SMB-protocol to SMB2 in the the advanced SMB settings on the NAS. After that, it was easy and it works fine.
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