[simon740]

Hello everyone!

Now I have Bluesound Node 2021 and Ares II dac. Coax connection.
I’m thinking to buy Ifi Stream for usb input on Ares II.
Anyone use Ares II with Zen?

regards,
Simon

 

[sabloke]

I use the Venus II with the Stream and it is magic. I'm sure the Ares would be great with it, too.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Also Tidal Connect related. When a DAC is connected by USB, we have the option of "Passthrough MQA". I can not find this option for the Zen, since it is connected by Wifi. Is this option needed or do the Zen do the full unfold anyway?
Also Tidal master should go to 192 which should give a yellow light on the Zen. I do only see the green light, which could be 96 or even 44 (annoying that 96 does not have a different colour than 44). Can anybody get a yellow light when playing Tidal? Or is there another way I can check if I get the full quality?

I have been noticing this as well lately, but I am 99% positive this is on Tidal, here's why...

I do not use tidal connect all that much, only when something needs checking from this thread, I am a Roon user so I have no need for Tidal connect. That said, one of my concerns with TC is how it's laid out, look at this example...

Now we have 3 Master/MQA versions, which one has the highest bitrate?? I realize of course they are special editions, but still... Ok lets select one from TC...

I ask again, how exactly do you know what you rate is?? Please someone show me without playing the actual files then looking.

As for comparison let's look at some other Services... How about the Qobuz Desktop app,

So we see 3 for the Non Special Edition Appetite... I won't bother with the non hi res one but focus on the 2 Hi res versions.

So here we have clearly labeled versions and you know which one your getting before you press play, Oh and yes the Yellow light comes on The ZS.
On To Roon....

So as you can see, even inside Roon and the Album screen it lists all the Versions of this album that are available to stream.

Now I am sorry for the long post but this Tidal crap is starting to get to me,

Why can I not know what I am picking when I use Tidals Own App?? It seriously makes me wonder why there are these issues with Tidal and many other Streamers, not Just the Zen.
But I am seriously concerned at the Sheer amount of MQA questions, and also what appears to me to be the blatant hiding of Bitrates and resolution within Tidal. This is not a ZS issue I know but as more and more people purchase the ZEN and are tidal users, they wanna see that damn MQA light!! lmao... And well you should you pay allot of money to Tidal and For the Equipment to stream Tidal, so...What gives??

I am asking anyone who encounters a Tidal issue to Please address the same question of Tidal themselves! I'm sure you'll get " it's your equipment" as an answer, but at least you tried.

Ok Rant over, because this post will be lost to a page no one will ever read again,

If you are indeed receiving the proper stream, and your equipment besides the stream support the resolution you are looking to play, Then I can guarendamntee the ZS will illuminate the proper color, tested, tried, confirmed....Nuff said, lol

Cheers!!!

 

[simon740]

I use the Venus II with the Stream and it is magic. I'm sure the Ares would be great with it, too.

Usb connection? Thank you.

Regards,
Simon

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'm interested in the Zen Stream, but I have a technical question. You can definitely attach one hard drive via USB, but my question is:
Can you attach 2 or more hard drives at the same time?
If you can, would daisy-chaining them together be the best method, or would using a USB hub be the better way to connect multiple drives to the Zen Stream?

Here's what I found out, I did a simple connection of a USB thumb drive and a Samsung T5 SSD to a usb hub.

Now the results were using the ifi.local screen. Both of the drives were recognized in terms of content, however I could not see into both drives by clicking thru the menu structure, only by going to the Artist?Albums area was I able to see that both drives were indeed recognised.

@sabloke I believe you are 100% correct on your statement of Powered hub { mine was unpowered }. I would do this anyway just to make sure you are putting no undo stress upon the ZS USB port. Or just using a NAS as has been suggested.

Hope that helps...

Cheers!!

 

[jacofman]

Here's what I found out, I did a simple connection of a USB thumb drive and a Samsung T5 SSD to a usb hub.

Now the results were using the ifi.local screen. Both of the drives were recognized in terms of content, however I could not see into both drives by clicking thru the menu structure, only by going to the Artist?Albums area was I able to see that both drives were indeed recognised.

@sabloke I believe you are 100% correct on your statement of Powered hub { mine was unpowered }. I would do this anyway just to make sure you are putting no undo stress upon the ZS USB port. Or just using a NAS as has been suggested.

Hope that helps...

Cheers!!

Were you easily able to actually access and play selected albums from both drives without any glitches?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Were you easily able to actually access and play selected albums from both drives without any glitches?

Yes, again because I was able to see them in the albums and artists screen, and I knew which ones were on which drives. Not that it matters but all artwork and files were complete for each drive.

Cheers!!

 

[jacofman]

Yes, again because I was able to see them in the albums and artists screen, and I knew which ones were on which drives. Not that it matters but all artwork and files were complete for each drive.

Cheers!!

Hey, thanks so much for spending the time to help answer my questions. You were extremely helpful. Enjoy your iFi Stream.

 

[rudy49]

i too thought that the connection problem was specifically with Tidal, so i tried Spotify today. about 20 minutes into the stream the Zen Stream shut down but the lights on the ZS remained on. had to re-boot to get it playing again. hopefully IFI is working on this, since i am running current firmware.

 

[Mr G]

i too thought that the connection problem was specifically with Tidal, so i tried Spotify today. about 20 minutes into the stream the Zen Stream shut down but the lights on the ZS remained on. had to re-boot to get it playing again. hopefully IFI is working on this, since i am running current firmware.

I've been using ZS for some time (14 Jul) and I've had no issues with Spotify Connect. My ZS is connected thru wi-fi and I'm on a 1 Gbps plan.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

i too thought that the connection problem was specifically with Tidal, so i tried Spotify today. about 20 minutes into the stream the Zen Stream shut down but the lights on the ZS remained on. had to re-boot to get it playing again. hopefully IFI is working on this, since i am running current firmware.

Have you contacted your service provider to have them look at your history of connection to see if you are having any dips in service?

I see no reason to continue to Blame the ZS or iFi when clearly you are having connection issues, perhaps the ZS highlights those spots more than other devices, but you continue to place the Blame at the feet of iFi when you have not explored all your potential internet problems.

Again @rudy49 please explore why your having issues instead off just blaming a singular product, especially when that product relies on so many other variables...

Internet connection, streaming provider, multiple cables, multiple sources of interference

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I've been using ZS for some time (14 Jul) and I've had no issues with Spotify Connect. My ZS is connected thru wi-fi and I'm on a 1 Gbps plan.

As have most all of us except for him!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

i too thought that the connection problem was specifically with Tidal, so i tried Spotify today. about 20 minutes into the stream the Zen Stream shut down but the lights on the ZS remained on. had to re-boot to get it playing again. hopefully IFI is working on this, since i am running current firmware.

Rudy, we have tried to help you but we really need you to do as Bubba suggested below.

Until then, we can not help you as it is pretty clear to the community that your issues are a one-off based on your environment.

After you've considered Bubba's feedback, people here would be more than happy to continue helping you.

Have you contacted your service provider to have them look at your history of connection to see if you are having any dips in service?

I see no reason to continue to Blame the ZS or iFi when clearly you are having connection issues, perhaps the ZS highlights those spots more than other devices, but you continue to place the Blame at the feet of iFi when you have not explored all your potential internet problems.

Again @rudy49 please explore why your having issues instead off just blaming a singular product, especially when that product relies on so many other variables...

Internet connection, streaming provider, multiple cables, multiple sources of interference

Cheers!!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

I've been using ZS for some time (14 Jul) and I've had no issues with Spotify Connect. My ZS is connected thru wi-fi and I'm on a 1 Gbps plan.

As have most all of us except for him!

Thanks, guys, for helping Rudy out and being here!

 

[Sean H]

Hello everyone!

Now I have Bluesound Node 2021 and Ares II dac. Coax connection.
I’m thinking to buy Ifi Stream for usb input on Ares II.
Anyone use Ares II with Zen?

regards,
Simon

There are others in this thread using the ZS with the Ares II reporting it sounds great and no issues.