[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for yr quick reply.. I’ll try the wired solution to see if I can get the page back.. if not.. I’ll just reset and start my setup all over.

No problem, your quite welcome!! Good luck!!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

That is a good question, perhaps @Sebastien Chiu can chine in? I don't remember seeing anything like that in the documentation but I could have overlooked it as it's not a concern for me. I will tryo to see what I can connect, but I don't have any 6TB that's for sure lol!

I'll check for you all - I actually don't know that off the top of my head.

 

[stephens]

The Zen Steam adds WiFi input and S/PDIF output. Sonore is ethernet only and USB out only. ZS appears to use some version of Volumio for library management but also appears to work with many other library management / streaming programs, with updates coming for their own app. ZS incorporates their noise / jitter reduction tech, and their power supply tech. The Sonore appears to work with a bunch of apps and both are focused on audio; however, the Zen Stream is less than half the price of the Sonore ultraRendu and has important input / output features than the Sonore doesn't have. The ZS checks all of the boxes for what I'm looking for so I ordered one - should arrive later today.

The ultraRendu can output to UPnP Renderers like my Naim NDX mk1 (via the Sonore UPnP Bridge app, which runs on the ultraRendu).

So it's a pure network bridge solution, which Roonifies my non-Roon-ready NDX. In other words, there's only a single ethernet cable connection to the ultraRendu. No direct connections to my NUC running Roon ROCK, or to my Naim NDX, other than ethernet cables.

@iFi audio , it would be awesome if the Zen Streamer could add an additional output option for UPnP Renderers.

Yes, I could use the SPDIF output instead, but the NDX is optimized for UPnP, and sounds best that way.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'll check for you all - I actually don't know that off the top of my head.

The only update I have on this is I do have a WD Easystore 4TB drive, unfortunately their is no music on it. However when connected to the ZS it does show a USB connected, as well as an NAS icon. I will try to get some music on it tonight to see.

Cheers!!

 

[jmimac351]

The ultraRendu can output to UPnP Renderers like my Naim NDX mk1 (via the Sonore UPnP Bridge app, which runs on the ultraRendu).

So it's a pure network bridge solution, which Roonifies my non-Roon-ready NDX. In other words, there's only a single ethernet cable connection to the ultraRendu. No direct connections to my NUC running Roon ROCK, or to my Naim NDX, other than ethernet cables.

@iFi audio , it would be awesome if the Zen Streamer could add an additional output option for UPnP Renderers.

Yes, I could use the SPDIF output instead, but the NDX is optimized for UPnP, and sounds best that way.

Not sure if these means it will do what you want but this is displayed in the app...

 

[eric5kim]

Would using an iFi iPower Elite improve performance?

 

[kaushama]

Another feature-rich, value for money network player is SMSL SD-9. It is available for 399 USD. I almost pulled the trigger before I bought iFi Zen stream.

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/751.html

However, SMSL has a horrible after-sale service. I returned their popular SU-9 DAC as it had an issue with distortion 3rd harmonics with stereo mode. SMSL almost denied the deviation from their declared specification. Further, these Chi-Fi manufacturers are very lazy with software development for their devices. Once you see the original device that is almost the end one sees with regards to the maturity of the device.

I have faith in iFi for the future development of the device and its software platform. The network players are so dependent on their software platform for audiophile sound quality. I see iFi has decided to optimize and hold the PI streamer segment in big time which is a clever business concept. There are very few players in this architecture.

 

[AndrewOld]

Looks good. Anyone know if the S/pdif output is galvanically isolated? I know it says it uses iPurifier type technology, but can’t see any mention of galvanic isolation. Would be good to know.

 

[Louisiana]

Is it possible to connect with Telnet to Streamer?

 

[jmimac351]

I have one of these and am liking it so far. A few things...

I have a few test tracks loaded to an external SSD which was formatted on my Macbook for “MAC OS Extended”. It was the first time I’ve done that and didn’t pick it for any reason, it’s just what Disk Utility did. I plugged it into the Zen Stream and it mounted but had some sort of error and isn’t seeing the tracks. It sees that the drive has data, but it’s not putting the tracks into the Library. I haven’t fooled with it much but not sure if it’s known if the external USB drive that you plug into the Zen Stream needs to be formatted a certain way, for Windows(?), etc. This is an example of where it would be nice to have a comprehensive manual for the unit, rather than what amounts to a few note cards in the box.

Edit: Power cycling the Zen Stream fixed this.

Also, when streaming Spotify via iOS, the initial volume output is lower than what I expected - even with the volume all the way up in the app on my iPhone. If I click on the source “speaker icon” it brings up the sources and there is a volume slider at the bottom. That slider initially does not respond to touch for adjustment; however, if I use the volume buttons on my phone to adjust the volume DOWN you can immediately hear the volume rise from the speakers, then toggle the volume all the way back up and it stays set at the volume output I expected. Not sure if this is an iOS app glitch or what. I’m going to try the Spotify app via an Android phone to see whether it does the same thing. Just a heads-up in case some others noticed the same regarding volume output.

EDIT: Power cycling the Zen Stream appears to have fixed the volume issue.

I’m very pleased with the sound quality coming out of the Zen Steam. As of right now, it’ll be sticking around...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I have one of these and am liking it so far. A few things...

I have a few test tracks loaded to an external SSD which was formatted on my Macbook for “MAC OS Extended”. It was the first time I’ve done that and didn’t pick it for any reason, it’s just what Disk Utility did. I plugged it into the Zen Stream and it mounted but had some sort of error and isn’t seeing the tracks. It sees that the drive has data, but it’s not putting the tracks into the Library. I haven’t fooled with it much but not sure if it’s known if the external USB drive that you plug into the Zen Stream needs to be formatted a certain way, for Windows(?), etc. This is an example of where it would be nice to have a comprehensive manual for the unit, rather than what amounts to a few note cards in the box.

Also, when streaming Spotify via iOS, the initial volume output is lower than what I expected - even with the volume all the way up in the app on my iPhone. If I click on the source “speaker icon” it brings up the sources and there is a volume slider at the bottom. That slider initially does not respond to touch for adjustment; however, if I use the volume buttons on my phone to adjust the volume DOWN you can immediately hear the volume rise from the speakers, then toggle the volume all the way back up and it stays set at the volume output I expected. Not sure if this is an iOS app glitch or what. I’m going to try the Spotify app via an Android phone to see whether it does the same thing. Just a heads-up in case some others noticed the same regarding volume output.

I’m very pleased with the sound quality coming out of the Zen Steam. As of right now, it’ll be sticking around...

On the External drive questio, I am absolutely no formatting guru and do not have a ton of music on physical drives, may 65GB but all old napster type mp3, so I dont worry about it much.

That said I know that one of the things I have is a drive that I use to transfer some music between a Windows Mini PC and Mac, here are two screenshots if they can help as to formatting or partition...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I took my samsung SSD and hooked it up here's what I got...

Here's the formatting shots again Ex-fat, I think because it works well for both PC and Mac very well, lol

Once in the Zen Stream...

I hit update...

Hope that helps some, when I removed the drive of course it went away!

Cheers!!

 

[windplr]

Yeah, should be dependent on file system that was used to format the device. For portability, exFAT is supported by every common operating system including Linux. Max file size is 4GB, max partition size is 8TB.

 

[jmimac351]

Thanks, I reformatted the drive for exFAT and put files in it, within a folder. It sees the drive but doesn't pull any files. They are FLAC files. Probably user error... I'll keep fooling with it.

EDIT... Power cycling the Zen Stream fixed this.

 

[FooFighter]

Hi guys
Interested in that product too.
I had a bluesound node n130 and returned it because of SQ issues out of its SPDIF / COAX out into my Denafrips Pontus II DAC while USB connections on my IPhone /IPad / Macbook sounded better, more lush, dark background, less bright and non fatigueing upper mids - could in the end also be a different implementation of the digital DAC inputs, don't know after all.

What I like to know is hires streaming support in the Zen Stream.
Tidal Connect sounds nice and would be my 2go solution.
However I have Amazon Music HD as family subscription and trying out Apple Music lossless currently.
As I read here Amazon Music will work over Airplay but will be cut down - to what bitrate?
Same for Apple Music lossless?
Thx