iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[gr4phon]

I am thinking of ordering the ZS to add in the chain:

ZS -> RCA/SPDIF -> DI20HE/SPDIF input -> DAC/R8/i2s and DAC/TT2/spdif

Questio is however is the spdif out really good vs the other option on the ZS.

“S/PDIF out with Purifier builtin”

Anybody using the spdif out with success?

Yes, the spdif output is pretty good quality. I have been using Hypex FA based active speakers from the ZS spdif output for about 1 year. Great quality, enjoyable sound, no urge to buy a more serious network bridge, completely satisfies my needs

 

[OCC7N]

Yes, the spdif output is pretty good quality. I have been using Hypex FA based active speakers from the ZS spdif output for about 1 year. Great quality, enjoyable sound, no urge to buy a more serious network bridge, completely satisfies my needs

also 192Khz have you tried it?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I am thinking of ordering the ZS to add in the chain:

ZS -> RCA/SPDIF -> DI20HE/SPDIF input -> DAC/R8/i2s and DAC/TT2/spdif

Questio is however is the spdif out really good vs the other option on the ZS.

“S/PDIF out with Purifier builtin”

Anybody using the spdif out with success?

@OCC7N

I could swear someone had posted some odd issue using the Zen Stream with the DI20, I am trying to find it for you, and I believe I directed him to the Audio GD thread on it, if I remember correctly he was experiencing some noise when the ZS was paused or not playing anything thru the DI.

This was a few months ago but you may want to peek back thru that thread to see if you can find it as well.

Cheers!!

 

[gr4phon]

also 192Khz have you tried it?

The highest sampling frequency of some of my tracks is 96k only, but otherwise the Hypex FA converts everything to 93.75kHz, if I know it correctly

 

[OCC7N]

@OCC7N

I could swear someone had posted some odd issue using the Zen Stream with the DI20, I am trying to find it for you, and I believe I directed him to the Audio GD thread on it, if I remember correctly he was experiencing some noise when the ZS was paused or not playing anything thru the DI.

This was a few months ago but you may want to peek back thru that thread to see if you can find it as well.

Cheers!!

I have read it a couple of times also in use with spotify and tidal. But others reported no issue also.

However I am ONLY going to use the SPDIF out of ZS, I may use a USB disc to see if anything changes in quality.

search results for "ifi zen stream spdif noise"
https://www.head-fi.org/search/12718726/?q=ifi+zen+stream+spdif+noise&o=relevance

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I have read it a couple of times also in use with spotify and tidal. But others reported no issue also.

However I am ONLY going to use the SPDIF out of ZS, I may use a USB disc to see if anything changes in quality.

search results for "ifi zen stream spdif noise"
https://www.head-fi.org/search/12718726/?q=ifi+zen+stream+spdif+noise&o=relevance

Cool, I just wanted to make you aware of it, as soon as I saw your post I remembered someone had some issues, and I never heard if the found a resolution.

Cheers!!

 

[OCC7N]

Cool, I just wanted to make you aware of it, as soon as I saw your post I remembered someone had some issues, and I never heard if the found a resolution.

Cheers!!

Thank you for the headsup. I guess somehow its why I asked the question, because I recall reading something weird about the spdif on reviews also a while ago.

Maybe it was related to powersupply because they changed them akaik from 9 to 12 or 15V

 

[Mikis76]

Greetings from Finland.
I posted about my problems with (also) DI20HE and ZS. And with other DACs also. My ZS seems to be a faulty unit so I would´t say that the problems will occur with all Zen Streams. I have´t used the ZS for a while because of the connection problems to DAC (with USB and coax), connection problems to my SSD drive, connection problems to WIFI and LAN with cable, heating and audio quality "problems" with provided iPower PSU (iPowerX is better) and so on...and of course the "connection" problem even with iFi website; I couldn´t even open a ticket (again).

I have been fighting with ZS from the day one, the inconsistansy is the word. Some times it works fine, next day I can´t even connect to it or it can´t connect to my DACs, neither trough USB or COAX. Last time I had high pitched noice when trying even to use the COAX to listen to music and I noticed this with my DI20HE. When I changed the track or paused the music it was easily noticeable.

Mr BubbaHyde has kindly been helping me and next thing to try is total image replace trough USB port that is used trying to save bricked unit.

Knowing all this would I recommend the Zen Stream to a friend, no. Would I buy the ZS again if it got stolen, HELL NO!!!!

There is a market for good sounding working streamer without a DAC and guiet USB out. That is what I would like to have.

 

[OCC7N]

Greetings from Finland.
I posted about my problems with (also) DI20HE and ZS. And with other DACs also. My ZS seems to be a faulty unit so I would´t say that the problems will occur with all Zen Streams. I have´t used the ZS for a while because of the connection problems to DAC (with USB and coax), connection problems to my SSD drive, connection problems to WIFI and LAN with cable, heating and audio quality "problems" with provided iPower PSU (iPowerX is better) and so on...and of course the "connection" problem even with iFi website; I couldn´t even open a ticket (again).

I have been fighting with ZS from the day one, the inconsistansy is the word. Some times it works fine, next day I can´t even connect to it or it can´t connect to my DACs, neither trough USB or COAX. Last time I had high pitched noice when trying even to use the COAX to listen to music and I noticed this with my DI20HE. When I changed the track or paused the music it was easily noticeable.

Mr BubbaHyde has kindly been helping me and next thing to try is total image replace trough USB port that is used trying to save bricked unit.

Knowing all this would I recommend the Zen Stream to a friend, no. Would I buy the ZS again if it got stolen, HELL NO!!!!

There is a market for good sounding working streamer without a DAC and guiet USB out. That is what I would like to have.

Thanks for info. What PSU was included with ZS?

Voltage

 

[OCC7N]

I canceled zen stream and Im awaiting funds to order JCAT NET Card XE.
Im using JCAT USB Card XE with great succes(after 1-3month burnin)

It has the I350 intel chips which great for server applications in general.

 

[Mikis76]

Thanks for info. What PSU was included with ZS?

Voltage

Mine came with iPower 12V/1.8A

 

[OCC7N]

Mine came with iPower 12V/1.8A

Hmm weird I have only heard of 9V and 15V. But 12V makes the most sence when the recommended is 9-15V

 

[Mikis76]

Hmm weird I have only heard of 9V and 15V. But 12V makes the most sence when the recommended is 9-15V

I bought 15V iPowerX to use with ZS, the unit seemed to operate less warm and with better sound quality with the iPowerX.

 

[OCC7N]

I bought 15V iPowerX to use with ZS, the unit seemed to operate less warm and with better sound quality with the iPowerX.

iPower X is probably the most smooth/clean sounding of them all, but the Elite is really something after 1-3months

I ordered one more, for Chord TT2

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Just from my perspective...

I own (and Have owned) a few streamers in my time, and I can tell you I have never had one that did not have issues here or there. I think one of the reasons I have been fortunate is I am a Roon user for the most part (Yes I know that's an extra expense and shouldn't be needed for any "streamer" to operate properly. I only point it out because Roon works very hard to make things work, and I love the service and the way it works.

Now again, here is an example of the latest update to my Wiim Mini (note 5.) I can tell you from experience that just about every update that comes out has some kind of Tidal fix in the mix somewhere. Amazon has been prevalent but more now that they are fully supporting it, and Qobuz is a rarity, Take that for what it's worth.

No streamer is perfect!

Cheers!!