iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane

[rudy49]

While I agree the Zen Stream is perhaps no less ready for Prime Time than any other device, that does not give iFi a free pass for advertising and not delivering.
https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/
Jack of all and master of one (Roon) does not a product advertised as a Streamer make, we all have different priorities, needs, and wants for accessing music.

For example my wife is more than happy with the new Apple Music service, she is in total control and can freely access 'her music' from Home to Car to Worldwide Travel. Now she can even stream high quality music from Apple TV to my HiFi system by clicking a button called iFi. Her music world continues to broaden.

I simply want access to my stored music and stream top quality music directly to my HiFi rig. I have zero interest in using a home computer in any way shape or form to play music. I was really hoping Tidal Connect would just work, and I assumed it would be easy-peasy to play "all" my stored music files.

Disappointed is an understatement on how I currently feel about the iFi Stream.

i am an older analog guy and frankly have a hard time understanding all this computer speak. i was originally excited about the IFI Zen Stream as being a cost effective solution to enter the world of streaming, but there seems to be some teething issues following its launch. now i am thinking that maybe i should buy a Bluesound Node or another plug and play option even though i don't need a DAC. life is short.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

i am an older analog guy and frankly have a hard time understanding all this computer speak. i was originally excited about the IFI Zen Stream as being a cost effective solution to enter the world of streaming, but there seems to be some teething issues following its launch. now i am thinking that maybe i should buy a Bluesound Node or another plug and play option even though i don't need a DAC. life is short.

I am also an older "analog" guy, what exactly is it that's stopping you from buying the Zen?

If you read posts before me, you'll see someone who had a horrible experience with the BSN2, so what is stopping you, I have had no "Teething" issues.

There sure have been a few "waaaaa" issues but overall it does exactly what it says it does, maybe I can help! Let me know..

Let's start basic, who is your "streaming provider" or who were you considering to use?

Cheers!

 

[rudy49]

I am also an older "analog" guy, what exactly is it that's stopping you from buying the Zen?

If you read posts before me, you'll see someone who had a horrible experience with the BSN2, so what is stopping you, I have had no "Teething" issues.

There sure have been a few "waaaaa" issues but overall it does exactly what it says it does, maybe I can help! Let me know..

Let's start basic, who is your "streaming provider" or who were you considering to use?

Cheers!

hello
i use both Tidal and Spotify, i was also planning on connecting a Western Digital external HD via the USB connection. my hope is that tracks on the HD can be accused and played via a smartphone app. as well as tracks on Tidal and Spotify. i was hoping that there would be one app. to rule them all? will Roon do this? will IFI develop a app. to do this? or must i can i use the dedicated apps on my smartphone for Tidal and Spotify? how about the HD files? i suppose i could handle this with Mconnect although i have had mixed results using this app. in conjunction with the Oppo? i live in a country where the Zen Stream will not be available for several months. so it will have to imported. i have been reading all these reports about re-sets and reconfiguring? spooky. i can download an app. but thats about it. thank you

 

[Currawong]

i am an older analog guy and frankly have a hard time understanding all this computer speak. i was originally excited about the IFI Zen Stream as being a cost effective solution to enter the world of streaming, but there seems to be some teething issues following its launch. now i am thinking that maybe i should buy a Bluesound Node or another plug and play option even though i don't need a DAC. life is short.

In my experience, most of the discussion comes from people who have issues. The vast majority have none -- they just buy the product and it works.

On another note, I've had a few people say to me something along the lines that the Zen Stream is just an RPI with Volumio in a fancy box. I can confirm that it's not. It's this device (or a custom version of it, as there are chips missing) on what is most definitely a custom board. It's not too radically different to building a custom board around a Raspberry Pi compute model. But the main thing is, the Zen Stream isn't just a fancy box around an existing solution. Obviously some serious engineering went into this design, and clearly also a lot of thought about making it easy to use.

I do remember that a Japanese company, a few years back did something like this around a Raspberry Pi compute module, but they were asking way more money and it didn't have Wifi.

 

[jmimac351]

hello
i use both Tidal and Spotify, i was also planning on connecting a Western Digital external HD via the USB connection. my hope is that tracks on the HD can be accused and played via a smartphone app. as well as tracks on Tidal and Spotify. i was hoping that there would be one app. to rule them all? will Roon do this? will IFI develop a app. to do this? or must i can i use the dedicated apps on my smartphone for Tidal and Spotify? how about the HD files? i suppose i could handle this with Mconnect although i have had mixed results using this app. in conjunction with the Oppo? i live in a country where the Zen Stream will not be available for several months. so it will have to imported. i have been reading all these reports about re-sets and reconfiguring? spooky. i can download an app. but thats about it. thank you

Rudy, I've used the Zen Stream with Spotify and files from an external HD plugged into the Zen Stream and it works fine. I had an issue upon initial setup of the device when trying to see tracks on the exernal drive and a power cycle took care of the problem. To stream via Spotify, I just open that app via phone or computer and I can select the iFi unit as the output. The Zen Stream does have its own "app" to stream files via HD... you just type in "ifi.local" into the browser on your computer or phone and it connects to the Zen Stream and opens the "app". You need to be on the same WiFi network as the Zen Stream. The app is a version of Volumio, which I understand to be open source software that you can search and read about. You click a few things to make sure it "sees" your HD and select what output you want to use. For instance, I want it to output via S/PDIF to my DAC. It recognizes Artists, Albums, etc and away you go.

My only issue right now is being able to AirPlay Apple Music from my MacBook to the Zen Stream but I think it may have to do with the latest Big Sur operating system update on the Mac not wanting to play nice. Using AirPlay from my iPhone works fine.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

hello
i use both Tidal and Spotify, i was also planning on connecting a Western Digital external HD via the USB connection. my hope is that tracks on the HD can be accused and played via a smartphone app. as well as tracks on Tidal and Spotify. i was hoping that there would be one app. to rule them all? will Roon do this? will IFI develop a app. to do this? or must i can i use the dedicated apps on my smartphone for Tidal and Spotify? how about the HD files? i suppose i could handle this with Mconnect although i have had mixed results using this app. in conjunction with the Oppo? i live in a country where the Zen Stream will not be available for several months. so it will have to imported. i have been reading all these reports about re-sets and reconfiguring? spooky. i can download an app. but thats about it. thank you

@rudy49 Let's try and help you out in your decision...

Tidal and Spotify are both supported by the ZS with the "connect" option, which simply means when you open either app and click on the little icon (usually a speaker) you will see the iFi Streamer option as a device to have your music come out of and into your dac! It's really for the most part that simple for those two options, because you will still be using the same app/interface you are used too for Tidal/Spotify.

"One app to rule them all" Yes and No...

Tidal and any drive you connect to the Zen certainly will be useable with Roon, you will just have to get used to the Roon interface, it's much like every other app with album covers, and a menu on the left to navigate, along with playback controls. However Roon will not incorporate Spotify, for that again you will have to use the spotify app for right now.

"HD files", by this I assume you mean Flac files CD rips of the sort that you already have, If i'm incorrect let me know. Connecting a hard drive is very simple in both Roon and with The included ifi.local App interface (iFi has said they have a dedicated app coming). So playback for you can either be done with it integrated into Roon, or thru the ifi app. Again it's just a matter of how you would like to do it.

I have never used M connect so I can't comment on that, but I think it may only complicate things further for you, again I could be wrong.

As far as the reconfigs and resets talk on here, I honestly take it with a grain of salt, We are all picky-ooni audiophile gurus here that wanna have everything perfect from the get go, and even if it is, we will undoubtedly whine when the machine we are here to type about doesn't do that one file format, or bit-rate, on top of acting like..."what do you mean it doesn't do that??" doesn't everyone need that, and if they think they don't, well I'm here to correct them!!! LMAO

I'm sure I just butt-hurt someone, but let it go I'm joking, lol

All in all here is what I would suggest based on what you have said so far.

Then Zen Stream with the included app will do what you need it to do, without anything else. Just follow the setup, connect to your Dac and start learning.
Once you are comfortable with it, might be a day, might be a week?? Then download a free trial run of Roon and see what you think.

But by all means do not by one thing and think it will do everything, ever, no manufacturer is going to do that, at least not one that wants to stay in business very long, and my final point is, if said manufacturer did make that product... What would that cost?

I'm pretty sure it won't be 399!

Hope this helps!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Rudy, I've used the Zen Stream with Spotify and files from an external HD plugged into the Zen Stream and it works fine. I had an issue upon initial setup of the device when trying to see tracks on the exernal drive and a power cycle took care of the problem. To stream via Spotify, I just open that app via phone or computer and I can select the iFi unit as the output. The Zen Stream does have its own "app" to stream files via HD... you just type in "ifi.local" into the browser on your computer or phone and it connects to the Zen Stream and opens the "app". You need to be on the same WiFi network as the Zen Stream. The app is a version of Volumio, which I understand to be open source software that you can search and read about. You click a few things to make sure it "sees" your HD and select what output you want to use. For instance, I want it to output via S/PDIF to my DAC. It recognizes Artists, Albums, etc and away you go.

My only issue right now is being able to AirPlay Apple Music from my MacBook to the Zen Stream but I think it may have to do with the latest Big Sur operating system update on the Mac not wanting to play nice. Using AirPlay from my iPhone works fine.

Damn, I dont have apple music, but I have certainly streamed from my mac to the ZS

When using apple music, the ZS can't be selected from the top right Speaker icon?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

In my experience, most of the discussion comes from people who have issues. The vast majority have none -- they just buy the product and it works.

On another note, I've had a few people say to me something along the lines that the Zen Stream is just an RPI with Volumio in a fancy box. I can confirm that it's not. It's this device (or a custom version of it, as there are chips missing) on what is most definitely a custom board. It's not too radically different to building a custom board around a Raspberry Pi compute model. But the main thing is, the Zen Stream isn't just a fancy box around an existing solution. Obviously some serious engineering went into this design, and clearly also a lot of thought about making it easy to use.



I do remember that a Japanese company, a few years back did something like this around a Raspberry Pi compute module, but they were asking way more money and it didn't have Wifi.

Great read, Thank you so much!!

 

[jmimac351]

Damn, I dont have apple music, but I have certainly streamed from my mac to the ZS

When using apple music, the ZS can't be selected from the top right Speaker icon?

When trying to use Apple Music, the iFi can be seen and selected via AirPlay, but the Mac spits out an error after a few seconds of trying to connect. Then the iFi disappears from view in AirPlay on the Mac and on the iPhone. I have to restart the Zen Stream to make it show up again in AirPlay on either device. There's something between the Mac and ZS that either or both don't like. See my other post above with details. I'm a Spotify fan but the sound quality from Apple Music is superior.

That's the only issue I can find with the device right now.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

The iFi can be seen and selected via AirPlay, but the Mac spits out an error after a few seconds of trying to connect. Then the iFi disappears from view in AirPlay on the Mac and on the iPhone. I have to restart the Zen Stream to make it show up again in AirPlay on either device. There's something between the Mac and ZS that either or both don't like.

See my other post above with details.

I found your post with more details, but I got a little confused so I want to clarify.

Is this issue specifically with Apple Music? Or is it happening with other streaming things, Youtube, or any other audio generated by your Mac?

I am running Big Sur, also Do you have both USB and Spdif connected to the ZS at this time or just one or the other?

Thanks!

 

[rudy49]

In my experience, most of the discussion comes from people who have issues. The vast majority have none -- they just buy the product and it works.

On another note, I've had a few people say to me something along the lines that the Zen Stream is just an RPI with Volumio in a fancy box. I can confirm that it's not. It's this device (or a custom version of it, as there are chips missing) on what is most definitely a custom board. It's not too radically different to building a custom board around a Raspberry Pi compute model. But the main thing is, the Zen Stream isn't just a fancy box around an existing solution. Obviously some serious engineering went into this design, and clearly also a lot of thought about making it easy to use.



I do remember that a Japanese company, a few years back did something like this around a Raspberry Pi compute module, but they were asking way more money and it didn't have Wifi.ng

you may have seen my critique of Cheap Audio Mans review in a prior post. i found his Youtube review to be rather cavalier and lacking since he did not mention the proprietary engineering developed by IFI to suppress noise. IFI Audio has a formidable track record in this regard and it elevates this product above the Pi.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

you may have seen my critique of Cheap Audio Mans review in a prior post. i found his Youtube review to be rather cavalier and lacking since he did mention the proprietary engineering developed by IFI to suppress noise. IFI Audio has a formidable track record in this regard and it elevates this product above the Pi.

Absolutely agree! I even told Randy (CAM) that I thought his review was short sighted and lacking in depth, I believe he was to fixated on appealing to the mass of Pi people he helped with his prior videos.

But right before that he's review clearly "not" cheap audio products. Still like him but I believe his collaborations, and his lack of focus on his original goal are turning people away, but that's just an opinion, and you know opinions are like.....

Nevermind,

 

[jmimac351]

I found your post with more details, but I got a little confused so I want to clarify.

Is this issue specifically with Apple Music? Or is it happening with other streaming things, Youtube, or any other audio generated by your Mac?

I am running Big Sur, also Do you have both USB and Spdif connected to the ZS at this time or just one or the other?

Thanks!

The issue is with Apple Music on a Mac running Big Sur. Apple Music is set to Lossless streaming. I'm streaming via S/PDIF output from ZS to my DAC. Only S/PDIF is connected. I can stream via the Spotify app on this Mac to the ZS, no problem. I just did it.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

The issue is with Apple Music on a Mac running Big Sur. Apple Music is set to Lossless streaming. I'm streaming via S/PDIF output from ZS to my DAC. Only S/PDIF is connected. I can stream via the Spotify app on this Mac to the ZS, no problem. I just did it.

Thanks bud, gonna see what I can find out for ya...

 

[rudy49]

@rudy49 Let's try and help you out in your decision...

Tidal and Spotify are both supported by the ZS with the "connect" option, which simply means when you open either app and click on the little icon (usually a speaker) you will see the iFi Streamer option as a device to have your music come out of and into your dac! It's really for the most part that simple for those two options, because you will still be using the same app/interface you are used too for Tidal/Spotify.

"One app to rule them all" Yes and No...

Tidal and any drive you connect to the Zen certainly will be useable with Roon, you will just have to get used to the Roon interface, it's much like every other app with album covers, and a menu on the left to navigate, along with playback controls. However Roon will not incorporate Spotify, for that again you will have to use the spotify app for right now.

"HD files", by this I assume you mean Flac files CD rips of the sort that you already have, If i'm incorrect let me know. Connecting a hard drive is very simple in both Roon and with The included ifi.local App interface (iFi has said they have a dedicated app coming). So playback for you can either be done with it integrated into Roon, or thru the ifi app. Again it's just a matter of how you would like to do it.

I have never used M connect so I can't comment on that, but I think it may only complicate things further for you, again I could be wrong.

As far as the reconfigs and resets talk on here, I honestly take it with a grain of salt, We are all picky-ooni audiophile gurus here that wanna have everything perfect from the get go, and even if it is, we will undoubtedly whine when the machine we are here to type about doesn't do that one file format, or bit-rate, on top of acting like..."what do you mean it doesn't do that??" doesn't everyone need that, and if they think they don't, well I'm here to correct them!!! LMAO

I'm sure I just butt-hurt someone, but let it go I'm joking, lol

All in all here is what I would suggest based on what you have said so far.

Then Zen Stream with the included app will do what you need it to do, without anything else. Just follow the setup, connect to your Dac and start learning.
Once you are comfortable with it, might be a day, might be a week?? Then download a free trial run of Roon and see what you think.

But by all means do not by one thing and think it will do everything, ever, no manufacturer is going to do that, at least not one that wants to stay in business very long, and my final point is, if said manufacturer did make that product... What would that cost?

I'm pretty sure it won't be 399!

Hope this helps!

Cheers!!

thank you for your reply