[srkbear]

The iFi Neo Stream manual has already been published (unintentionally) but this is another device with a DSD 512 Dac and even a cover art display.
So a ZS signature replacing the current ZS and at the same price still be needed.

Where’d you find that?!?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Where’d you find that?!?

Google!!

But I think we went down this road before!

Cheers!!

 

[srkbear]

The iFi Neo Stream manual has already been published (unintentionally) but this is another device with a DSD 512 Dac and even a cover art display.
So a ZS signature replacing the current ZS and at the same price still be needed.

I just found it. How sort of depressing—I do hope they follow this with a pure streamer upgrade, because I already have a Topping D90se that measures and performs considerably better than any of iFi’s existing DACs and all I need is a streamer that offers higher sampling rates.

I’m curious about what DAC chip they’re going with this time. I noticed that they went with a Cirrus Logic option for their latest Go Bar, FINALLY giving the boot to those woefully outdated and underwhelming Burr Brown chipsets that I truly think has kept them from leading the industry. Their implementation of it in the xDSD Gryphon is the best I’ve seen them get out of it thus far, and I love that product as a portable, but ESS and AKM have far superior offerings at less cost.

But with the Zen Stream, at least once they got their Roon integration worked out, they created something truly unique and flawless at the most competitive price point in this segment. I think it has all one could ever want from a Roon Endpoint—there’s nothing in those outrageously priced NAIM, dCS or Cambridge Audio behemoths that offer a single sound quality advantage over a basic microcomputer, and that’s essentially what the ZS is, wrapped up in a pleasing package with some exceptional noise and jitter reduction tech to tidy it up. They priced it with extraordinary restraint, and those that shelled out $6,000 for a NAIM have no clue what they missed out on with this gem.

Those of us seeking an upgrade to what we already love, that supports higher bitrates and offers these terrific input and output options, are going to be awfully grumpy if we have to pay for a DAC we won’t use in order to obtain these features. I’ll try not to get ahead of them and keep an open mind…

 

[Zaurux]

Google!!

But I think we went down this road before!

Cheers!!

Yes, and I know this because I'm the one who posted this information here and on the Roon community.
So the streamer part is improved within its limits on the Neo Stream.
Either the hardware is the same as the ZS and therefore the software upgrade will be possible on the ZS.
Or, because of the hardware limitations, iFi has reviewed its choices and changed the motherboard.
Then they can decide to make a Zen Stream Signature (or V2) with this new board without adding a dac.
But that's not very green... a new box and what to do with the old one.

Otherwise for the evolutions of the Zen Stream, unless I'm mistaken, it still lacks an integrated Qobuz connect (at the level of the Tidal connect).

 

[markush8]

I am sure there is enough demand in the aftermarket for the ZS 1st Generation when a Signature or V2 arrives.
Hopefully soon as Lumin and others are also releasing new editions.

 

[srkbear]

Yes, and I know this because I'm the one who posted this information here and on the Roon community.
So the streamer part is improved within its limits on the Neo Stream.
Either the hardware is the same as the ZS and therefore the software upgrade will be possible on the ZS.
Or, because of the hardware limitations, iFi has reviewed its choices and changed the motherboard.
Then they can decide to make a Zen Stream Signature (or V2) with this new board without adding a dac.
But that's not very green... a new box and what to do with the old one.

Otherwise for the evolutions of the Zen Stream, unless I'm mistaken, it still lacks an integrated Qobuz connect (at the level of the Tidal connect).

In reading the Neo Stream literature, I don’t see a Qobuz Connect function with it either—however ever since they upgraded the ZS to a proper Roon Ready endpoint, I’ve accessed both Qobuz and Tidal through Roon, and I never use the device in any other configuration than the “Roon Only” toggle on the back.

Now if they upgrade the device to stream HighResAudio’s catalog like Audirvana does, that would be something!

 

[flyte3333]

Hi dude

Working perfectly and the sound is awesome, never had a single glitch: before and after the upgrade.

Hey man. Can you try something for me.

Can you play this track below via Tidal Connect to your Zen Stream.

Does it play?

Do you use iOS or Android Tidal app?

Thanks!

 

[Zaurux]

Dolby Atmos enabled ?? So you can't.
Change version of file.

https://support.tidal.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004255778-Dolby-Atmos-Music

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Playing the Album from Tidal app on my mac with no issue, I do not have an Atmos logo

Cheers!!

 

[flyte3333]

Playing the Album from Tidal app on my mac with no issue, I do not have an Atmos logo

Thanks! Atmos is only on iOS though, so won't show on Mac. There's no Atmos anywhere on Desktop app.

Do you have an iPhone/iPad to test?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks! Atmos is only on iOS though, so won't show on Mac. There's no Atmos anywhere on Desktop app.

Do you have an iPhone/iPad to test?

I do but I can't check it till later, as @Zaurux said you probably need to play another version, don't think I ever had Atmos enabled on my end anyway.

Cheers!!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Hello @Sebastien Chiu and @iFi audio, I’ve been enjoying my ZS a great deal, thanks! I’m running it full time in Roon Only mode now and the integration is outstanding.

We’ve been on this 2.31.8 beta build heading into the third month now—any hopes for a stable release any time soon? Any chance for DSD512 support perhaps? Can I have just a teaser or a hint maybe, please? I’d love to not have to switch over to AIO mode to check for firmware updates every day…

Unfortunately, I can't provide any teases or hints about this or future products.

Hey man. Can you try something for me.

Can you play this track below via Tidal Connect to your Zen Stream.

Does it play?

Do you use iOS or Android Tidal app?

Thanks!

Let me check on our end if we have Atmos support!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yes, and I know this because I'm the one who posted this information here and on the Roon community.
So the streamer part is improved within its limits on the Neo Stream.
Either the hardware is the same as the ZS and therefore the software upgrade will be possible on the ZS.
Or, because of the hardware limitations, iFi has reviewed its choices and changed the motherboard.
Then they can decide to make a Zen Stream Signature (or V2) with this new board without adding a dac.
But that's not very green... a new box and what to do with the old one.

Otherwise for the evolutions of the Zen Stream, unless I'm mistaken, it still lacks an integrated Qobuz connect (at the level of the Tidal connect).

Qobuz "Connect" would be on Qobuz, not iFi, I'm sure once there is such an animal iFi would support it. I believe they have even said as much in the past.

I have also reached out to Qobuz on this topic, and keep getting the canned it's in the works response!

Cheers!!

 

[applesnowleo]

I just found it. How sort of depressing—I do hope they follow this with a pure streamer upgrade, because I already have a Topping D90se that measures and performs considerably better than any of iFi’s existing DACs and all I need is a streamer that offers higher sampling rates.

I’m curious about what DAC chip they’re going with this time. I noticed that they went with a Cirrus Logic option for their latest Go Bar, FINALLY giving the boot to those woefully outdated and underwhelming Burr Brown chipsets that I truly think has kept them from leading the industry. Their implementation of it in the xDSD Gryphon is the best I’ve seen them get out of it thus far, and I love that product as a portable, but ESS and AKM have far superior offerings at less cost.

But with the Zen Stream, at least once they got their Roon integration worked out, they created something truly unique and flawless at the most competitive price point in this segment. I think it has all one could ever want from a Roon Endpoint—there’s nothing in those outrageously priced NAIM, dCS or Cambridge Audio behemoths that offer a single sound quality advantage over a basic microcomputer, and that’s essentially what the ZS is, wrapped up in a pleasing package with some exceptional noise and jitter reduction tech to tidy it up. They priced it with extraordinary restraint, and those that shelled out $6,000 for a NAIM have no clue what they missed out on with this gem.

Those of us seeking an upgrade to what we already love, that supports higher bitrates and offers these terrific input and output options, are going to be awfully grumpy if we have to pay for a DAC we won’t use in order to obtain these features. I’ll try not to get ahead of them and keep an open mind…

Actually I have one of those 6000 thousand Naim Player‘s the NDX 2, and also have the zen stream with an ipower elite and connected with audioquest Diamond network and usb. Strangely the Naim sounds better and is a lot Better, even with the Zen stream connected with cables that excede a lot is price. Maybe the Naim streamers are wrong and they should put Zen streams inside is boxes.

Have you actually have experience with Naim streamers or any other kind of high end streamer to say with confidence something like that, or have you ever listened some months in your day to day life with the gear you are affirming as being so bad for the price.

Even I think, do you even have a system that are transparent and have resolution enough to identify the benefits of a 6000 euros or more streamer can give you clearly.

Yes the Zen stream is ok, but not that good, if it is the ultimate streamer why the need to have a NEO stream, a signature one or latter on maybe a IFi Pro Streamer, maybe those when will come out make MSB or Esoteric feel bad, and audiophile people who buys them are deaf for sure, are you…

When people affirm something about a piece the never owned their credibility is not valid for me, The Naim Stream and the Zen are not the only streamers I have. Yes the Zen streamer is not that kind of a bargain, is good for the price.

 

[srkbear]

Actually I have one of those 6000 thousand Naim Player‘s the NDX 2, and also have the zen stream with an ipower elite and connected with audioquest Diamond network and usb. Strangely the Naim sounds better and is a lot Better, even with the Zen stream connected with cables that excede a lot is price. Maybe the Naim streamers are wrong and they should put Zen streams inside is boxes.

Have you actually have experience with Naim streamers or any other kind of high end streamer to say with confidence something like that, or have you ever listened some months in your day to day life with the gear you are affirming as being so bad for the price.

Even I think, do you even have a system that are transparent and have resolution enough to identify the benefits of a 6000 euros or more streamer can give you clearly.

Yes the Zen stream is ok, but not that good, if it is the ultimate streamer why the need to have a NEO stream, a signature one or latter on maybe a IFi Pro Streamer, maybe those when will come out make MSB or Esoteric feel bad, and audiophile people who buys them are deaf for sure, are you…

When people affirm something about a piece the never owned their credibility is not valid for me, The Naim Stream and the Zen are not the only streamers I have. Yes the Zen streamer is not that kind of a bargain, is good for the price.

For the life of me I don’t know why you’re getting defensive about my post or attacking me for it—if you like the way your NAIM sounds, more power to you, and who cares what I think?

However in response to your question about whether I have a DAC “resolving” enough to handle the mighty NAIM, I did a whole lot of comparison shopping for DACs at all price points (as a physician, I am capable of affording the pricey stuff, thanks—but I’m interested in actual quality), and I settled on the Topping D90se—the most “resolving”, transparent, cleanest and quietest DAC that has reached the market to date—and trust me, it can handle any signal you throw at it.

And I paired it with an iFi Pro iCAN Signature, which matches perfectly with the Focal Utopias, Susvaras, Dan Clark Stealths and the Sony Z1Rs I use via balanced connections to listen to it. Will that setup suffice?

As for your next question, I have indeed heard a NAIM streamer, but more importantly I understand what’s going on under the hood with streaming technology—which exists exclusively in the digital realm. So if you’re comparing the ZS’s streaming transport to the NAIM’s, the latter literally can’t sound “better” because it doesn’t have a sound—unless of course your NAIM has a DAC, and you’re comparing apples to oranges.

If you aren’t using the internal DAC of the NAIM and you truly are comparing the sound quality between the two streaming signals only, then the only explanation that can possibly exist for your subjective assessment of that—based on the task they’re accomplishing—is that your $6,000 extra are tricking your ears into hearing it sound better, which believe me is a well-described phenomenon.

Either way, since we’re on the ZS forum, please take your praise for the NAIM—which is priced so feloniously that their CEO should be locked up—to its own forum, thank you!

PS Those Audioquest Diamond cables don’t do anything better than cheap Amazon cables can do, because again, digital. Network cables travel by TCP/IP and any packet errors are automatically sent back to be resent, and ones and zeros travel just as well along an inexpensive USB cable as they do across your four figure priced ones—this has been definitively proven a thousand times and Audioquest has never refuted it. It was nice and pretentious of you to drop the names though, just so we’d know how much you spent.

I don’t know about you, but I save my money for my headphones, where it matters—and I buy audio equipment to listen to it, not to impress folks on here. Just sayin’…