[rwelles]

@iFi audio, it still happens with a different hub.

I'll see if I can figure out a way to connect the ZS directly to my router without disabling the rest of my LAN.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yes, unfortunately I don't have an open port on my router. I just changed switches from a Netgear SG-10D-8 to Netgear MS-510TXM. I'll post back here if it made a difference.

Quite a while ago someone recommended to me a different switch, I had always been a Netgear user. I am going to post a link below to the very inexpensive switch I changed to. It made an immediate difference in the issue with Roon. Now as for the why I don't think I or anyone else knows why, but I did notice a huge difference in the amount or "intensity" of the drops. In other words, when they did happen they were almost unnoticeable as compared to before.

It is not very expensive, and also because it can be purchased at Amazon if it doesn't help it is easily returnable and refundable. So it is worth a try.

Hope this is helpful to you or anyone else who reads it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086384H7C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Let me know how you make out with your current switch change.

Cheers!!

 

[rwelles]

Quite a while ago someone recommended to me a different switch, I had always been a Netgear user. I am going to post a link below to the very inexpensive switch I changed to. It made an immediate difference in the issue with Roon. Now as for the why I don't think I or anyone else knows why, but I did notice a huge difference in the amount or "intensity" of the drops. In other words, when they did happen they were almost unnoticeable as compared to before.

It is not very expensive, and also because it can be purchased at Amazon if it doesn't help it is easily returnable and refundable. So it is worth a try.

Hope this is helpful to you or anyone else who reads it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086384H7C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Let me know how you make out with your current switch change.

Cheers!!

Thanks for the suggestion!!

I've found a way to connect the ZS directly to my router. If it still happens tomorrow, then a new switch won't make a diff. If it goes away, I'll get that switch. I know you've recommended before.

 

[Melting735]

I am trying to be fair. I have used zen stream for almost two years. The initial setup was a bit tricky, but anything has its learning curve. Once setup, it worked quite smooth. I do have to restart it once a week in average, but I didn't experience most of the issues stated here.

For the Chromecast and qobuz support, it's a bit pity. However, this might be the only product on market that support Roon and NAA at this price point. If you use Roon, Chromecast and qobuz are no longer issues. I believe a large group of ZS users are buying it because of these features, not mentioning others like Tidal, Spotify, wireless, etc. I see most properly priced used units sold very fast on used market.

In terms of SQ, it sounds better than a couple of other streamers in the same price range to my ears (could be a personal taste). It's not a perfect product, but I definitely look forward to improvements to its next generation.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I am trying to be fair. I have used zen stream for almost two years. The initial setup was a bit tricky, but anything has its learning curve. Once setup, it worked quite smooth. I do have to restart it once a week in average, but I didn't experience most of the issues stated here.

For the Chromecast and qobuz support, it's a bit pity. However, this might be the only product on market that support Roon and NAA at this price point. If you use Roon, Chromecast and qobuz are no longer issues. I believe a large group of ZS users are buying it because of these features, not mentioning others like Tidal, Spotify, wireless, etc. I see most properly priced used units sold very fast on used market.

In terms of SQ, it sounds better than a couple of other streamers in the same price range to my ears (could be a personal taste). It's not a perfect product, but I definitely look forward to improvements to its next generation.

There are so many variables in this equation from those that are having issues to those that have none it is astronomical.

The Common phrase you hear is, my internet network is flawless, but what we can never know is the Type of Modem Router How many switches, is it a home or apartment bldg with many other Wi-Fi signals and interference? Do you use a VPN Firewalls security software yada yada yada, and that's just the tip.

We try to help all we can but I have even had folks tell me they can't do my setup method because they don't have access to the Router/Modem, now I don't understand this because I live in a single-family home with easy access to my network equipment, but who am I to question someone else, we just try to help here.

Glad you are getting on with it.

Cheers!!

 

[rwelles]

I still get glitches even with the ZS wired directly to my router (Asus XT8). To reiterate, the glitches do not happen w/ my WiFi devices (2Go & Poly). Yes, I did try using the ZS over WiFi, but it got worse.

Any additional suggestions??

 

[MSXX]

I still get glitches even with the ZS wired directly to my router (Asus XT8). To reiterate, the glitches do not happen w/ my WiFi devices (2Go & Poly). Yes, I did try using the ZS over WiFi, but it got worse.

Any additional suggestions??

Me too. Wired and direct connection with ifi Lan silencers at both ends. And airplay is not working. My iPad can find the ZS and it shows it plays sound to it, but there is no signal lights turned on on the ZS - and no sound. I can switch the sound from iPad to ZS many times to try to get it to play, sometimes it takes 3 toggles and sometimes it takes 20 - and a lot of times it never works. JPLAY and Tidal connect works flawlessly.

But there is something wrong with this streamer!

 

[alekc]

Me too. Wired and direct connection with ifi Lan silencers at both ends. And airplay is not working. My iPad can find the ZS and it shows it plays sound to it, but there is no signal lights turned on on the ZS - and no sound. I can switch the sound from iPad to ZS many times to try to get it to play, sometimes it takes 3 toggles and sometimes it takes 20 - and a lot of times it never works. JPLAY and Tidal connect works flawlessly.

But there is something wrong with this streamer!

@MSXX A salesman from former ifi dealer told me he had 3 zen streamers and only 4th worked reliably. They are not ifi dealer anymore.

Lesson from the story: never buy streamers from ifi and Chord. I think Pro iDSD also never got everything promised from original ad in streamer part and this was a flagship ifi product.

 

[ProgNose]

@MSXX A salesman from former ifi dealer told me he had 3 zen streamers and only 4th worked reliably. They are not ifi dealer anymore.

Lesson from the story: never buy streamers from ifi and Chord. I think Pro iDSD also never got everything promised from original ad in streamer part and this was a flagship ifi product

@MSXX A salesman from former ifi dealer told me he had 3 zen streamers and only 4th worked reliably. They are not ifi dealer anymore.

Lesson from the story: never buy streamers from ifi and Chord. I think Pro iDSD also never got everything promised from original ad in streamer part and this was a flagship ifi product.

Very interesting. If that statement of this former seller is true, then I would be one of four Zen Stream owners where he works more or less. I would like to know if this is true, i.e. how many ZS iFi has sold and how many of them do not cause any problems. But in my experience, companies do not officially comment on sales figures.

Today I turned my ZS back on after about two weeks and it started normally and indicated with the white light that it connected correctly to the WLAN. When I then wanted to stream music via iPad with mconnectHD and Qobuz, the message came that the ZS would send an error message. Even after a restart, nothing changed. I then called up the settings app of iFi for the ZS via Safari and noticed there that the switch for NAA was activated, but not by me. This has happened earlier from time to time that settings have been changed without my intervention. Magic. So it's worth checking the settings from time to time. After I deactivated NAA, the ZS works normally again.

All in all, I would say that the ZS is manageable when you work your way into the matter, but I would rather not call it a plug and play device. On the software side, there would still be a lot of room for improvement. Let's go, iFi!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I still get glitches even with the ZS wired directly to my router (Asus XT8). To reiterate, the glitches do not happen w/ my WiFi devices (2Go & Poly). Yes, I did try using the ZS over WiFi, but it got worse.

Any additional suggestions??

Sorry, you are still getting glitches.

If you want to take a moment and send me a PM with your Chain, perhaps we can try some things to see what's going on. Just let me know and I'll tell you what we can try.

Cheers!!

 

[jjazzy]

I get a little bit annoyed and angry regarding the SMB share issues. SMB shares don't work! only on some occasions. you might as well remove it altogether from the app!
just fix the issue! I am not the only one. not everyone wants to use ROON or Spotify. Some people have a NAS, and want to use SMB shares.

What actually worries me, that Ifi all of a sudden out of the blue launch a Zen Stream 2, without fixing the issues from the model 1 first!

 

[jmaranto]

I'll just leave it here

I'm not a fan of the Zen chassis, but I find the connectivity and capability of the Zen Stream quite intriguing.
I wonder if the USB output would be able to connect to a 5-channel

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I get a little bit annoyed and angry regarding the SMB share issues. SMB shares don't work! only on some occasions. you might as well remove it altogether from the app!
just fix the issue! I am not the only one. not everyone wants to use ROON or Spotify. Some people have a NAS, and want to use SMB shares.

What actually worries me, that Ifi all of a sudden out of the blue launch a Zen Stream 2, without fixing the issues from the model 1 first!

Have you tried the support system to report and resolve these issue? If so let me know your ticket number in a PM so I can perhaps have someone take another look at it.

I use my Roon Rock to hold my music files so I wouldn't be much help on the technical end of SMB, yes I understand not everyone wants to pay for Roon. Is it possible to connect your music collection using a hard drive directly to the Zen?

Cheers!!

 

[jameshsu88]

Is the only way to stream amazon music via airplay with zen stream?

 

[Maxpain]

Hello,

I would like to put out a question for ifi that I think concerns others too according to the last tidal update of Flac hi-res tracks....

So as everyone knows Tidal has been adding Flac hi res files to go along or replace the mqa ones...

Tidal desktop app for windows and Mac OS works fine with that....but Tidal Connect still serves only the mqa versions of the tracks and labeling them as ''max''. As far as I know the only way to get lossless tidal stream with the zen stream is to use Tidal Connect....so tidal users can't access the hi-res Flac files.

According to what information I have gathered in order to have access to tidal's new files the os on the zen stream needs to be updated too....

So I would like to up a question for Ifi audio....are there any plans to update the os so that we can have access to the hi res catalogue?

Thanks in advance