iFi audio ZEN Stream - Streaming elevated to a higher plane
- Thread starter iFi audio
- Start date
I'm glad to share the news that I am officially a owner of the new iFi ZEN stream. Already enjoying my tunes and I am completely in love with Tidal connect. This is a game-changer.
dsnyder
100+ Head-Fier
I have a question for @iFi audio about the ZEN Stream. There seems to be a lot of consternation about the yet to be delivered "Roon Ready" functionality that is still mentioned on the product page:
My understanding of the Roon Ready process is that it requires a manufacturer to work with Roon Labs to implement their SDK in the product. However, the ZEN Stream is already running the reference Roon Bridge code provided by Roon Labs. For a network audio transport, like the ZEN Stream, there's no need to do a deeper integration. This is especially true for products with ARM processors that can run Roon Bridge natively with no modifications.
What benefits does iFi Audio hope to gain by implementing Roon's SDK? Is there even any reason to do so? If not, perhaps you should issue a statement clarifying your plans and update the product information to state that the ZEN Stream is already 100% compatible with Roon. You could still pursue a Roon Tested certification and work with Roon Labs to create a nice ZEN Stream icon that owners can add to the Roon Control interface.
I humbly suggest that you do this now and call it a day. I hate to see the lack of promised "Roon Ready" certification scaring Roon Subscribers away from the ZEN Stream when, based on my experience so far, it's one of the best endpoint solutions for Roon available at any price, even given my minor quibbles (about which you may read more here).
My understanding of the Roon Ready process is that it requires a manufacturer to work with Roon Labs to implement their SDK in the product. However, the ZEN Stream is already running the reference Roon Bridge code provided by Roon Labs. For a network audio transport, like the ZEN Stream, there's no need to do a deeper integration. This is especially true for products with ARM processors that can run Roon Bridge natively with no modifications.
What benefits does iFi Audio hope to gain by implementing Roon's SDK? Is there even any reason to do so? If not, perhaps you should issue a statement clarifying your plans and update the product information to state that the ZEN Stream is already 100% compatible with Roon. You could still pursue a Roon Tested certification and work with Roon Labs to create a nice ZEN Stream icon that owners can add to the Roon Control interface.
I humbly suggest that you do this now and call it a day. I hate to see the lack of promised "Roon Ready" certification scaring Roon Subscribers away from the ZEN Stream when, based on my experience so far, it's one of the best endpoint solutions for Roon available at any price, even given my minor quibbles (about which you may read more here).
dsnyder
100+ Head-Fier
Current state…about as simple as it gets. I have one iPower X 5V feeding the Khadas Tone2 Pro DAC and another iPower X on the ZEN Stream. Truly a delight while streaming from Roon. <3
dsnyder
100+ Head-Fier
My comment was rejected because it was too long (thanks, head-fi). So I'll share my feedback here, if you don't mind.
Nice work on this review. I do have feedback on a few inaccuracies or, least, differences in your experience vs mine:
I'm a Roon user, so my ZEN Stream is almost always set to position 2. In fact, the only time I switch back to all-in-one mode is when I want to check for firmware updates. I've never had problems booting the ZEN Stream with the switch left in mode 2. Perhaps there's a defect with the unit you tested? I can also freely change mode settings without rebooting.
Related to that, this statement about dedicated mode #2: "Roon only (not available at the time of the review)" is incorrect. While the promised "Roon Ready" certification has not been delivered, the ZEN Stream is running the reference Roon Bridge build provided by Roon Labs. (I've verified; it's bit-for-bit identical.) As such, the ZEN Stream is already 100% compatible with Roon. I've had my ZEN Stream since June, and mode #2 (Roon Only) has worked flawlessly since day one.
I would not be surprised to see the ZEN Stream listed as a "Roon Tested" device at some point; however, Roon Ready certification is not required unless iFi Audio is planning to implement Roon Labs' SDK to deliver some, as yet unannounced additional features. In my view, this is completely unnecessary. Further, Roon's note on their website about switch position 2: "Roon only – feature coming soon – ROON ready" is misleading and needlessly scaring Roon subscribers away while leaving ZEN Streamers with a bit of buyers remorse, again for no reason.
I hope my comments don't take anything away from your otherwise thoughtful and through review. Especially regarding the Roon issue, I just don't want to see Roon Subscribers scared away since this is one of the best endpoint solutions available anywhere for Roon. Thanks.
Honestly, I think it's doing just fine without the "Ready" label
In a weird way I hope it doesn't get messed with, as you said it's rock solid with Roon and has been since June!!
Are there really people who won't buy it just because it doesn't have that yet? Boy are they missing out!! lol
Cheers!!
dsnyder
100+ Head-Fier
Well, we have reviewers literally saying that Roon functionality is not available, so I imagine so. In fact, iFi Audio's own website is equally misleading:
Honestly, I did not know for sure if Roon would work with the ZEN Stream at the time I purchased it, but I bought from MusicDirect and figured that I could return it if I could not get it to work. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it worked with Roon out of the box.
I don't understand why @iFi audio would want to shoot themselves in the foot (feet?) like this. I hope they will make it more obvious to prospective customers that the ZEN Stream works beautifully with Roon now. No "ROON Ready functionality" required.
Well, we have reviewers literally saying that Roon functionality is not available, so I imagine so. In fact, iFi Audio's own website is equally misleading:
Honestly, I did not know for sure if Roon would work with the ZEN Stream at the time I purchased it, but I bought from MusicDirect and figured that I could return it if I could not get it to work. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it worked with Roon out of the box.
I don't understand why @iFi audio would want to shoot themselves in the foot (feet?) like this. I hope they will make it more obvious to prospective customers that the ZEN Stream works beautifully with Roon now. No "ROON Ready functionality" required.
David,
We appreciate your feedback!
We can not add Roon Ready until it is such and officially approved by Roon.
There are internal reasons as to why we can not word this way publicly, though the common knowledge that the streamer being wonderfully compatible is growing.
That said, feedback on how we can improve the wording is always welcomed, and I will bring this up when the team returns back in the office on Tuesday.
Thanks for always supporting the Zen Stream and your excellent advice in general that you have given throughout!
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Thank you for pointing out.
I don't use Roon so my comment was related to ifii's own statement that is not yet supported.
Regarding the exclusive mode are you sure?
I have tested right now for you.
Listening to music in AIO mode.
Switch to DLNA without power off.
Everything good you can steam after restarting the bubble upnp
The I have powered off with the switch left to DLNA.
Power on , the unit boots but then it never shows as active to bubble upnp or bubble DS.
Sorry.
Don't know about the Roon position as I have never used it.
Petros.
No IFi here with the switch set to DLNA and rebooting.
dsnyder
100+ Head-Fier
I would drop all mentions of Roon Ready from your website immediately. Simply state that the ZEN Stream is 100% compatible with Roon.
The only potential legal issue you have with Roon Labs is if you are shipping the product with Roon Bridge pre-installed. That's a no-no, as it violates Roon Labs' copyright. This is easily solved with a simple script that the ZEN Stream can run to download and install Roon Bridge if missing after networking is up.
I have edited the review to reflect that Roon is unofficially supported.
My stock PSU is a noname 12 v, 1 A PSU. I replaced it with the iPower 12 v, 1.8 A
So, to make sure I understood correctly, you noticed improvement from the basic ipower to the iPower X?
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