iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[dsnyder]

Thanks, so it's really a Tidal / SPDIF related issue.
What is unacceptable, however, is to do a Tidal Connect "exclusive mode" and then encounter such a problem. What tests have they done?

I could not find a way to set "TIDAL Connect 'exclusive mode'" in the macOS Desktop TIDAL app. I recall seeing that mode for a USB DAC that's directly connected to the computer running the TIDAL app.

 

[dsnyder]

Does it only do it in exclusive mode? Does it occur in AIO?

I tested with the AIO mode on the ZEN Stream.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I tested with the AIO mode on the ZEN Stream.

Gotcha thanks!

 

[FooFighter]

Well, I sort-of have TIDAL Connect over S/PDIF working. The iFi NEO iDSD DAC is not recognizing the stream as MQA, even with loudness normalization disabled; it just sees a 88.2 kHz PCM stream. Oh well.



I'm hearing clicking on the Bruno Mars track on the louder parts. Definitely sounds like clipping. There does not seem to a way to reduce the levels in the TIDAL app. Not possible via the Volumio interface either. I'm confident that if I was recording the S/PDIF signal, I'd see massive clipping. This looks like a bug…not sure if it's on the TIDAL side or an issue with Volumio.

Apart from that, the experience with the TIDAL desktop app is pretty terrible. I can't skip around in the track…when I try, playback just freezes while streaming to the ZEN. I realize that using the "free" TIDAL app in Connect mode is less expensive, but gosh is it horrible compared to Roon. My answer will not be satisfactory to everyone here, but please scrap this garbage and use Roon!

Thx pal for your efforts!
@Sebastien Chiu can IFI please add this topic to the bug list: distortions happening under Tidal Connect using SPDIF port. Has now been confirmed by several users.
Hope this is "just" a software issue!
Nevertheless I am thinking about returning the device within the 14 days return window and potentially come back once it's solved.
Reason is that I need the working USB port for alternative sources like Laptop and otherwise unsupported services such as Apple Music HD or Amazon Music HD (which I am btw preferring as no MQA is involved...)

 

[Bill Allen 2]

Hello all ... been a long time since I posted on this forum (old email long gone, cannot reset password) I quit playing with DIY DAC's & Computer Audio many years ago.

I purchased an iFi Stream to act as an "Audio Dongle" for my Technics SU-G30. The software/firmware for the G30 was never properly supported by Technics, now discontinued, a trend that perpetuates the industry. However the built in GaNFET amp & full-featured DAC are amazing ... so it's a keeper!

Enter the Dragon.

I had high hopes this little iFi Audio Dongle would solve all my audio streaming issues, so far I feel you Foo ... this thing is not ready for prime time.
I too had a faulty 9VDC power supply, but thanks to this thread I immediately switched over to a 12 linear supply and was up and running in minutes via ethernet.

The iFi Stream's strongest Kung Fu is that it shows up everywhere on my network, on our iPads, iPhones, LGV40, Computers, both LG OLED's, Soundbars, Wireless Speakers, heck my wife just discovered she can connect to the iFi via ethernet from the 4K AppleTV, which she loves as a music interface. Here I thought AppleTV only output via HDMI, the real surprise was Apple Music's sound quality (44.1/24) is now on par with my Tidal, Amazon & Qobuz streams. Surprise, surprise, surprise!

However for some reason you cannot connect the iFi to multiple streaming devices, so currently no Airplay 2 features?

As mentioned above, you cannot access the (more settings) sub menu to toggle Exclusive Mode/Force Volume/Passthrough MQA when using Tidal Connect via the Tidal App. I discovered MQA is being automatically software unfolded to 88.2 or 96kHz (like it or not), for me that's a major bummer as my DAC can fully unfold MQA up to 384kHz on all inputs. This needs to be fixed!

I myself have absolutely no clicking issues in AIO mode when using SPDIF output, however when in Tidal Exclusive the output automatically defaults to USB. You would think it would remain on whatever you selected in AIO mode. Better yet why can't iFi leave both USB & SPDIF outputs on at the same time ... if you so choose.

Another major issue, I cannot stream local DSD files via the iFi Stream, CD rips including MQA CD's and HiRES files stream normal. I tried both Direct and DOP settings, perhaps I'm doing something wrong?

 

[dsnyder]

Thanks for sharing your thorough test results. I imagine the experience with the iFi ZEN Stream is similar to any other Volumio device. Power supply issues notwithstanding, the ZEN Stream is no less ready for prime time than any other solution I've tried. Quality of the experience depends on the qualities of what's connected to it. TIDAL Connect is sub-par to terrible. Roon only mode is delightful!

I think streaming at home is still not fully baked in 2021. There are too many incompatible protocols with arbitrary limitations and restrictions. The ZEN Stream strikes a good balance at the $400 price-point. With the money saved vs fancy alternatives, you can afford a few years of Roon.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for sharing your thorough test results. I imagine the experience with the iFi ZEN Stream is similar to any other Volumio device. Power supply issues notwithstanding, the ZEN Stream is no less ready for prime time than any other solution I've tried. Quality of the experience depends on the qualities of what's connected to it. TIDAL Connect is sub-par to terrible. Roon only mode is delightful!

I think streaming at home is still not fully baked in 2021. There are too many incompatible protocols with arbitrary limitations and restrictions. The ZEN Stream strikes a good balance at the $400 price-point. With the money saved vs fancy alternatives, you can afford a few years of Roon.

Not sure what I'm doing right because I have not had any off these bad experiences, other than the bad power supply, which was fixed very quickly by @iFi audio , and @Sebastien Chiu .

Could it be because I have mainly found no need to take it out of AIO mode? Or just lucky?? Maybe cuz I'm just enjoying it and not digging into the deeper recesses of it, who knows,

I don't understand some of the posts I've been reading. I know some have not had these problems and, I know I have used the interface for DSD files, I think I remember helping someone with that.
I did hear the issue that @FooFighter and @dsnyder heard in the Bruno Mars song, my thoughts on that are I'm personally not convinced it's not in the file itself, but I must confess I may know alot about music having been in that business for a long time, but technical details I am certainly limited, then again I do not claim to be a guru, nor pretend or intend to be.

I guess my final thought would be if it's a coaxial/Spdif, or software issue why doesn't it occur all over the place, not just in early release recordings and, probably lowly funded recordings at that, as the examples that were given, (believe me I understand recording budgets ) and missing stuff, or "good enough" in that area

All in all I have had a fantastic time with the Zen Stream! I have never looked at it as a Pi, and really dislike the comparison because simply having "volumio" type interface does not make it a pi! As far as Volumio goes my desire to have great streaming had me there at one point, and thru every other way as well, Euphonia anyone?? Right up until I asked please may I have another trial period of Roon, because at first I don't think Understood it. My streaming issues suddenly went away once I did! Why?...

Because Roon just works, that's why you pay for it, because it works, files, devices, yada, yada, it just works..and very well I might add!

So now you add in the "for me" perfectly functional and better sounding Zen Stream, and I am even happier!

I sincerely wish you all luck in getting whatever issues your having squared away.

I'll end with this when Randy "CAM" posted that review "just get a Pi" I told him to be careful with that, because I believe your missing some key aspects of this device, that may make it the best purchase in the price range and streaming game, for right now, we shall see in the end who was right,

Cheers!!

P.s. sorry for any bad errors (Phone post!!)

Edit: was an attempt to fix this hot mess of a post, lol

 

[dsnyder]

Not sure what I'm doing right because I have not had any off these bad experiences, other than the bad power supply, which was fixed very quickly by @iFi audio , and @Sebastien Chiu .

Could it be because I have mainly found no need to take it out of AIO mode? Orr just lucky?? Maybe cuz I'm just enjoying it and not digging into the deeper recesses of it, who knows,

Even don't understand some of the posts I've been reading. I know some that have not had these problems, I know I have used the interface for DSD files, I think I remember getting someone with that.
I did hear the issue that @FooFighter and @dsnyder heard in the Bruno Mars song, my thoughts on that are in personally not convinced it's not in the file itself, but I must confess I may know allot about music having been in that business for a long time, but technical details I am limited, then again I do not claim to be a guru, not intend to be. I guess my final thought would be if it's a coxial or software issue why doesn't it occur all over the place, not just inn early release, probably lowly funded recordings, as the examples that were given, (believe me I understand recording budgets ) and missing stuff, or "good enough" in that area.

All in all I have had a fantastic time with the Zen Stream, I have never looked at it as a Pi, and really dislike the comparison, volumio does not make it a pi. And as far as Volumio goes my desire to have great streaming had me there at one point, and thru every other way as well, right up until I asked please may I have another trial period of Roon, because at first I don't think Understood it. My streaming issues suddenly went away once I did! Why? Because Roon just works, that's why you pay for it, because it works, files, devices, yada, yada, it just works..

So now you add in the "for me" perfectly functional and better sounding Zen Stream, and I am even happier!

I sincerely wish you all luck in getting whatever issues your having squared away.

I'll end with this when Randy "CAM" posted that review "just get a Pi" I told him to be careful with that, because I believe your missing some key aspects of this device, that may make it the best purchase in the price range and streaming game, for right now, we shall see in the end who was right,

Cheers!!

P.s. sorry for any bad errors (Phone post!!)

Well said!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Well said!

I don't know about that lol, but thanks anyway!
I'll fix all the words when I get home

 

[Brubacca]

The problem with streaming at home is the WiFi network. Most people (including me until recently) are just using the "free" wireless router your internet company gives "or rents" to you.

These can not handle the multitude of devices a modern home has.

I upgraded to a fancy spaceship looking thing with 8 or 9 antenna and still have issues from time to time (but not as often).

The worst part about streaming is the streaming part.

 

[jmimac351]

Wondering if any of you are running Big Sur on a Mac and able to stream Apple Music to the Zen Stream via AirPlay? My MacBook Pro is running Big Sur and I think I've tried everything to stream Apple Music to the unit. I can stream Apple Music via my iPhone, no problem. Spotify WILL stream via the Mac to the Zen Stream using the Spotify app from the App Store. The Mac can see the Zen Stream unit. When I try to connect to it and play it provides an error saying I need to check network settings (I think I have checked all) and then the Zen Stream disappears from the list. At that point I can no longer see it from my iPhone. That's making me think it is a Zen Stream issue. When I reboot the Zen Stream using the Volumio interface it shows back up again and I can stream Apple Music again from my iPhone... but still can't via the Mac.

Edit... after searching around it appears the are some issues with Big Sur and AirPlay. Who knows...

 

[kaushama]

Will there be a disadvantage of getting 15V Power X as I could use it with Pi players too? 15V is a the higher value of the tolerances of voltages.

 

[rudy49]

hello
i just checked the Roon website and the IFI Zen Stream cannot be found? how is it possible to stream through Roon with this device? i don't mind subscribing to Roon since this is the only reliable app. that seems to work with this device according to all the post.
thanks

 

[Taz777]

hello
i just checked the Roon website and the IFI Zen Stream cannot be found? how is it possible to stream through Roon with this device? i don't mind subscribing to Roon since this is the only reliable app. that seems to work with this device according to all the post.
thanks

It may be because it is a 'Roon ready coming soon' device at the moment. See here:

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/

*Roon Ready coming soon

 

[crowtree99]

hello
i just checked the Roon website and the IFI Zen Stream cannot be found? how is it possible to stream through Roon with this device? i don't mind subscribing to Roon since this is the only reliable app. that seems to work with this device according to all the post.
thanks

Thats a great question
While it is not yet officially Roon certified so if any problems Roon will not really assist , it does appear to work flawlessly with Roon by all accounts.
This must mean it is definitely Roon Ready in all but official title right now.