[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hey guys!

For Zen stream do you guys prefer Tidal connect or Qobuz streamed through room or third party like Mconnect. I'm listening to Norah Jones "Come Away With Me" album in Hi Rez and wondering if FLAC I'm Tidal same.

Also my frequency is always yellow when streaming non Hi rez on Qobuz. I thought Qobuz is FLAC on stuff with no Hi Rez label so shouldn't Zen stream light be green? I remember when I had Tidal the light was green on most songs.

Any thoughts?

I prefer Qobuz over Tidal in terms of pure sound quality. Now I also prefer Tidal in an enjoyment sense but only when listening to MQA thru Full MQA gear, in other words not just one unfold or so, and No I am no Tidal expert, I know I have enjoyed it, but prefer Qobuz.

There is no way to determine if one company has a different "master" so in all head-to-head trials, I say pick what you enjoy.

Green, Blue, and Magenta, are a Tidal thing and indicate MQA versions. Yellow and White are what you are going to see using Qobuz, and DSD is different as well.

I could never effectively explain Tidal MQA Colors and sample rates, so I will leave that to those who know better, at one time all 44.1 was green, lol

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Does anyone know where could I find the upgrade changelog?
I have the device in DLNA mode and it's a burden to get it in AIO just to see if there's a software upgrade.
Thanks in advance!

In the First post in this thread, you will see the latest "approved" firmware version listed, I do try to update that at least once a week.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-zen-stream-setup-tips-tricks.961425/

As @sabloke pointed out there is a newer "beta" version, however, @iFi audio made a post here that we should not indulge in "beta" versions, as was once common practice here...

iFi Post...

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-zen-stream-setup-tips-tricks.961425/post-17345803
Even I had issues with a "beta" and bricked my ZS, so as also stated in the first post this would be an "at your own risk" venture,

Hope that helps!

Cheers!!

 

[Flm09]

I prefer Qobuz over Tidal in terms of pure sound quality. Now I also prefer Tidal in an enjoyment sense but only when listening to MQA thru Full MQA gear, in other words not just one unfold or so, and No I am no Tidal expert, I know I have enjoyed it, but prefer Qobuz.

There is no way to determine if one company has a different "master" so in all head-to-head trials, I say pick what you enjoy.

Green, Blue, and Magenta, are a Tidal thing and indicate MQA versions. Yellow and White are what you are going to see using Qobuz, and DSD is different as well.

I could never effectively explain Tidal MQA Colors and sample rates, so I will leave that to those who know better, at one time all 44.1 was green, lol

Cheers!!

Ok thanks for clarifying that Mr BubbaHyde! I am really liking Qobuz too?

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

In the First post in this thread, you will see the latest "approved" firmware version listed, I do try to update that at least once a week.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-zen-stream-setup-tips-tricks.961425/

As @sabloke pointed out there is a newer "beta" version, however, @iFi audio made a post here that we should not indulge in "beta" versions, as was once common practice here...

iFi Post...

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-zen-stream-setup-tips-tricks.961425/post-17345803
Even I had issues with a "beta" and bricked my ZS, so as also stated in the first post this would be an "at your own risk" venture,

Hope that helps!

Cheers!!

This post intrigued me because I thought the latest firmware (non-beta) was 2.31.7 (not 11). Then I decided to upgrade to the latest beta firmware (2.32.5) at my own risk (lol). Now Roon Mode doesn't work, though Roon works in AIO mode. Is this right? If that's the case, is there any difference in SQ between Roon Mode and AIO Mode with all sources switched off, except Roon?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

This post intrigued me because I thought the latest firmware (non-beta) was 2.31.7 (not 11). Then I decided to upgrade to the latest beta firmware (2.32.5) at my own risk (lol). Now Roon Mode doesn't work, though Roon works in AIO mode. Is this right? If that's the case, is there any difference in SQ between Roon Mode and AIO Mode with all sources switched off, except Roon?

You know you are probably right! What may have happened is when I checked it, I was checking my 2nd Zen Stream which may have had a "beta" on it and just I just never reset it after checking it. I will check it in a moment and make corrections if necessary.

In regard to Roon, I don't know why Roon mode wouldn't work, but I always perceived a slightly better SQ when on the Roon exclusive mode, however, I stayed in AIO mode because of the advantages of Settings access, and the ability to do Spotify or others without having to access the dial on the back.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@Vitor Goncalves

You were correct, I have fixed that post and also included a screenshot of what 2.31.7 has (update log)

Cheers!!

 

[John90]

Edited...
Thank you for the info.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

@Vitor Goncalves

You were correct, I have fixed that post and also included a screenshot of what 2.31.7 has (update log)

Cheers!!

That's fine. However, my question about the difference between AIO mode when only Roon is activated and Roon Mode (#2) is a more technical one. What does @iFi audio say about it? is it supposed to be different or is it the same thing? Cheers

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

That's fine. However, my question about the difference between AIO mode when only Roon is activated and Roon Mode (#2) is a more technical one. What does @iFi audio say about it? is it supposed to be different or is it the same thing? Cheers

I understand, the best answer I can give you is that it's simply a processes thing.

In the exclusive modes, Roon etc. the only thing that runs is strictly related to the functionality of the mode you are in and nothing else. This devotes all resources of the ZS to only that function and only what's necessary.

In AIO mode other things can run, you can cut down on these in the menu of the Stream-iFi app, but it was my understanding that it's not everything, as some processes may still be used (resources).

Cheers!!

 

[jjazzy]

I had the same. In my case the settings on my Synology NAS weren't compatible with the Zen Stream. It appears the Zen Stream doesn't support Large MTU, so I had to set the minimum SMB-protocol to SMB2 in the the advanced SMB settings on the NAS. After that, it was easy and it works fine.

Can you give some advice, I tried anything in the book, There is no device I have that won’t connect to my synology nas, but the stream impossible. I regret buying it.

I don’t get angry easily but this device made me near explosion, problems connecting to decent synology/qnap cifs/smb storage, problems playing native dsf/dsd files, dropouts using dsd over pcm. Refusing time after time usb connection. DNLA constantly first half second of the song skipping. And I just tried this months update) when it plays it sounds good, but I actually hate the device, my life what a crap software, Beta is a understatement, to my opinion only usable when used for payed streaming services like tidal or qobuz, nothing else

Why is everyone so happy with this device? I mean I love my xdsd gryphon, but after one weekend Inactually hate this stream device

 

[DudeMusic]

Can you give some advice, I tried anything in the book, There is no device I have that won’t connect to my synology nas, but the stream impossible. I regret buying it.

I don’t get angry easily but this device made me near explosion, problems connecting to decent synology/qnap cifs/smb storage, problems playing native dsf/dsd files, dropouts using dsd over pcm. Refusing time after time usb connection. DNLA constantly first half second of the song skipping. And I just tried this months update) when it plays it sounds good, but I actually hate the device, my life what a crap software, Beta is a understatement, to my opinion only usable when used for payed streaming services like tidal or qobuz, nothing else

Why is everyone so happy with this device? I mean I love my xdsd gryphon, but after one weekend Inactually hate this stream device

What's your settings?

My Zen stream is connected to my Synology DAS.

 

[jjazzy]

What's your settings?

My Zen stream is connected to my Synology DAS.

In what way is it connected? It is just a regular smb share, the bluesound is connected to it as well, and any other device in the house. From Phone's to mediaplayers.
The only one making a fuss is the Ifi stream (and dsd/dsf is even a bigger issue, I was only able to start that from usb-stick directly in the ifi-stream)

Tried SMB1,2,3 etc... account has every authorisation possible

 

[DudeMusic]

In what way is it connected? It is just a regular smb share, the bluesound is connected to it as well, and any other device in the house. From Phone's to mediaplayers.
The only one making a fuss is the Ifi stream (and dsd/dsf is even a bigger issue, I was only able to start that from usb-stick directly in the ifi-stream)

Tried SMB1,2,3 etc... account has every authorisation possible

How about ifi zen side?

I changed ifi zen side option to use SMB ver 3.0 only. And I set the dsd audio buffer to 20% instead of 30% (default value). You might need to experiment it. Not sure if that will help you

 

[jjazzy]

How about ifi zen side?

I changed ifi zen side option to use SMB ver 3.0 only. And I set the dsd audio buffer to 20% instead of 30% (default value). You might need to experiment it. Not sure if that will help you

You mean the advanced option vers=3.0, already tried that, vers 1, 2, different user accounts etc... this is just crazy. I tried serieus 9 different devices connecting the exact same share, with the same user account. They only one giving problems is the ifi-stream. Even my bluesound is connected to that exact share and same username/password.

 

[DudeMusic]

You mean the advanced option vers=3.0, already tried that, vers 1, 2, different user accounts etc... this is just crazy. I tried serieus 9 different devices connecting the exact same share, with the same user account. They only one giving problems is the ifi-stream. Even my bluesound is connected to that exact share and same username/password.

This is my config . as attached