iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[Bill Allen 2]

Awesome!

Is there somewhere in the Setting Menu to select what to do with DSD files, Native/DOP/OFF

 

[kaushama]

Is there an android app?

 

[Bill Allen 2]

Is there an android app?

I looked but did not find it in The Play Store.

 

[Bill Allen 2]

OK looks like I finally got to the bottom of my DSD playback issues ... well sort of.

When you select Media Player for playback the iFi software will not let you stream DSD files, maybe a Sony copyright thingy. These same rules might apply with mConnect as I cannot stream DSD files to the ZS either ... or perhaps this is just a technical issue with the iFi software as I can stream DOP files to the bridge card in PS Audio Direct Stream using mConnect.

When I added my HAP-Z1ES by typing in the path to its internal network drive (IP address/HAP_Internal) it mapped the drive and now the DSD files will play, but according to my Technics G30 the iFi software re-samples the native DSD files to 352kHz, while they still sounds fantastic ... so much for native DSD playback.

When I use Roon Core on my MacBook it to re-samples DSD but this time to 192kHz, which is a known limitation using Mac OS, or so I read.

 

[Bill Allen 2]

Adding to the current curious nature of the ZS, when you stream MQA files using Tidal Connect the software unfolds all MQA files to 88.2 or 96kHz.
In some case the MQA files are native 24/48kHz in which case the iFi Stream upsamples the files, this is incorrect behavior and needs to get fixed.
There is currently no option to bypass the software unfolding and let the DAC handle all MQA duties,
MQA does however unfold correctly through the ZS when using the mConnect app, don't ask me if it sounds better, I'll plead the 5th.

I understand it's early days for the Zen Stream, let me know if anyone else can back up these finding.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Honestly not sure what the issue is, as unless I'm mistaken I'm currently listening to the only DSD album I have with the Zen Stream and my Gustard X16 is confirming it...

Sometimes I'm just happy to listen...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Adding to the current curious nature of the ZS, when you stream MQA files using Tidal Connect the software unfolds all MQA files to 88.2 or 96kHz.
In some case the MQA files are native 24/48kHz in which case the iFi Stream upsamples the files, this is incorrect behavior and needs to get fixed.
There is currently no option to bypass the software unfolding and let the DAC handle all MQA duties,
MQA does however unfold correctly through the ZS when using the mConnect app, don't ask me if it sounds better, I'll plead the 5th.

I understand it's early days for the Zen Stream, let me know if anyone else can back up these finding.

Being "curious" I also checked my Tidal Connect just a moment ago and here is the result Zen Stream to Gustard X16...

So I'm pretty sure my ZS is doing what I ask it to do, perhaps a re-run of your setup is in order...

 

[Louisiana]

Today I listened to music a little bit critically and activated my Raspberry Pi 4B again - with MoOde.
I am a great friend of the ifi streamer, but I have to say that I don't really like the look and I'm still not sure to what extent ifi gives us a free hand when adjusting the OS.

For me, the ifi Stream has a full bass and a big stage, but if I optimize my RPi4 after this thread here:
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2020/10/musingshow-to-raspberry-pi-4-touch.html
then the Pi4B also has a very rich bass and a large stage.

At MoOde I also have the option of switching off all LEDs on the Pi, which is worth gold for people who have the device in the bedroom - like me.

My Pi is currently working around 500Mhz, is 43 degrees Celsius, and has been running for 2 days, without any problems.

I'm not really sure yet whether I'll keep the stream, I'm a big ifi fanboy, but unfortunately I also have an equally big Monk in me, and the stream doesn't really fit my other ifi devices ...
The Pi is usually mounted under my desk and therefore invisible.

 

[dsnyder]

Today I listened to music a little bit critically and activated my Raspberry Pi 4B again - with MoOde.
I am a great friend of the ifi streamer, but I have to say that I don't really like the look and I'm still not sure to what extent ifi gives us a free hand when adjusting the OS.

For me, the ifi Stream has a full bass and a big stage, but if I optimize my RPi4 after this thread here:
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2020/10/musingshow-to-raspberry-pi-4-touch.html
then the Pi4B also has a very rich bass and a large stage.

That's a good description of the effect the ZEN Stream tends to have on downstream DACs. While you don't have as much freedom in adjusting the O/S on the ZEN Stream, the mode switch on the back allows for preset optimizations around various use cases. I've found the "Roon only" mode takes sonic performance up a bit vs. the default "All-in-One" mode.

At MoOde I also have the option of switching off all LEDs on the Pi, which is worth gold for people who have the device in the bedroom - like me.

I discovered by accident that the button on the right-hand side of the ZEN Stream turns all of the LEDs off except for the tiny white light next to the power button.

My Pi is currently working around 500Mhz, is 43 degrees Celsius, and has been running for 2 days, without any problems.

My ZEN Stream has been running for a few days as well and seems to stay fairly cool in Roon only mode:

volumio@ifi-zen-stream:~$ ./cpu-temp.sh
- CPU temp : 51.7'C : 125.0'F
volumio@ifi-zen-stream:~$ uptime
 15:04:45 up 3 days, 15:40,  1 user,  load average: 0.03, 0.10, 0.09

I'm not really sure yet whether I'll keep the stream, I'm a big ifi fanboy, but unfortunately I also have an equally big Monk in me, and the stream doesn't really fit my other ifi devices ...
The Pi is usually mounted under my desk and therefore invisible.

If that was a photo of our RPi back in the corner, the ZEN Stream looks nicer with your iFi Pro gear than a little black plastic box. I think you may regret not keeping the Stream, but perceived value is a personal thing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts after your evaluation.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Oh my lord...

Does anyone actually read a thread anymore or just pop in Type and hit Reply then leave?
Almost everything being discussed now has happened and been answered

Remind me of a thing we used too say in electronics,

Sir, did you RTFM

 

[dsnyder]

Being "curious" I also checked my Tidal Connect just a moment ago and here is the result Zen Stream to Gustard X16...



So I'm pretty sure my ZS is doing what I ask it to do, perhaps a re-run of your setup is in order...

Interesting. I was not able to get the macOS desktop TIDAL app to pass MQA signaling to the ZEN Stream, but I've not tired the TIDAL app on Android. Perhaps it works better on mobile. Thanks for sharing your results. I'll give it a try.

BTW, which isolation feet are you using with your X16? I thought they might be IsoAcoustics, but I don't see a matching product on their site.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Interesting. I was not able to get the macOS desktop TIDAL app to pass MQA signaling to the ZEN Stream, but I've not tired the TIDAL app on Android. Perhaps it works better on mobile. Thanks for sharing your results. I'll give it a try.

BTW, which isolation feet are you using with your X16? I thought they might be IsoAcoustics, but I don't see a matching product on their site.

I will check on my desktop app as soon as I can, as for the feet, here is the link, but don't blink I change "kicks" often

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0819GD9JC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Interesting. I was not able to get the macOS desktop TIDAL app to pass MQA signaling to the ZEN Stream, but I've not tired the TIDAL app on Android. Perhaps it works better on mobile. Thanks for sharing your results. I'll give it a try.

BTW, which isolation feet are you using with your X16? I thought they might be IsoAcoustics, but I don't see a matching product on their site.

Just checked my mac Tidal app passing MQA appropriately under OFS...

Sorry for the mess I'm moving things in preparation for setting something up lol

Don't remember doing anything, it just worked from the get go, perhaps I am blessed, lmao

 

[Rhinonine]

I'm guessing you watched at least one darko video on YouTube lol

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I certainly have, my wife got me two of those and presented it to my as an audiophile gift!

They actually come in really handy!