iFi Zen Stream: Setup, Tips, Tricks...

Jun 27, 2024 at 1:06 PM Post #1,741 of 2,082
It is perfectly fine to take the ZS and set it right by your router so even a 12' LAN cord would work, don't buy anything. After setup is done even though you won't hear music Tidal or the Stream app will tell you it's playing by the elapsed time bar.

Having a DAC connected at setup is nice for verification but not necessary, you are familiar with when the unit is installed and functional as to how it works.

Having the LAN connected instead of doing WiFi or Hotspot is what's most important here.

I am going to check my iPhone app in a bit just to make sure we aren't chasing our tails and this is a Tidal issue.

Cheer
Well it's not Tidal so it must be network related somehow..

Just deleted and reinstalled...


Worth a shot!

Cheers!!
ok, I just bought a 50’ cable, which will come n handy in the future - I currently have to got through an ordeal to do the ‘reset’ procedure…

Well it's not Tidal so it must be network related somehow..

Just deleted and reinstalled...
IMG_3461.PNGIMG_3462.PNG

Worth a shot!

Cheers!!
Ya, here’s what I got yesterday after the update…
 

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Jun 27, 2024 at 10:33 PM Post #1,742 of 2,082
ah damn so they removed the custom naming field and stuck with the "iFi's Streamer" name :/
 
Jun 28, 2024 at 3:02 PM Post #1,745 of 2,082
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Jun 29, 2024 at 4:45 AM Post #1,747 of 2,082
The first post in this thread has been updated to reflect this!

Cheers!!
Hi, after reading many posts here I decided to ask you for help. The issue is following-when I try to play any file or radio station I get a notice - THE SOUND CARD IS NOT RAEDY, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER. So please suggest where is that sound card, in the ZEN software ?
Thanks,
Ignat
 
Jun 29, 2024 at 1:35 PM Post #1,748 of 2,082
When you get your new ZS please follow this video to the "T" wired connection and all, even if it's not where you are going to p[lace it and you are going to use WiFi do this first.



Once that is done and the app or ifi.local is functional you can add your wifi info and disconnect the LAN cable.

Cheers


When you get your new ZS please follow this video to the "T" wired connection and all, even if it's not where you are going to p[lace it and you are going to use WiFi do this first.



Once that is done and the app or ifi.local is functional you can add your wifi info and disconnect the LAN cable.

Cheers!!

Hi Mr BubbaHyde - this works! I bought a 50’ Ethernet cable which arrived an hour ago, and followed your video instructions to a “T” and I’m up and running with Tidal Connect with the unit wired! Thank you once more for all your help through the years since getting my first ZS IN 2021!!!
Question, should I update it to the new version before I unplug the Ethernet cable and try to go wireless?
I’m gonna leave it wired for the weekend, and try wireless on Monday. Wired isn’t a long term solution for me - first I’ll trip on the wire, and second I have an old cat who LOVES chewing and destroying cords. I have to use boxes to block her access to my other stereo cords. Stereo cords seem to be the ultimate delicacy to this cat…
 

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Jun 29, 2024 at 3:49 PM Post #1,749 of 2,082
Hi, after reading many posts here I decided to ask you for help. The issue is following-when I try to play any file or radio station I get a notice - THE SOUND CARD IS NOT RAEDY, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER. So please suggest where is that sound card, in the ZEN software ?
Thanks,
Ignat

The first post in this thread has been updated to reflect this!

Cheers!!
Thanks, but I could not find anything concerning the mesage - the sound card not ready. I wonder which one since there is no sound card at all there ?
 
Jun 30, 2024 at 3:16 AM Post #1,750 of 2,082
When you’re ready, Power on your ZEN Stream. Press and hold the reset button, located on the back of the device, for 2 seconds,..2 SECONDS no more no less, 1, 1000, 2, 1000 let go.


Let it sit for a bit, when everything looks normal just turn the unit off, power down, if it didn’t do it by itself.

Ok connect your Ethernet line, power line (if you disconnected it) and then power on the unit. You can open the ifi app or ifi.local, whichever is more convenient for you, I prefer the browser for this reset procedure.

*NOTE*

If your hotspot button is flashing, that’s the one on the right face of the Zen Stream, I need you to go into your network settings FIRST and disable Hotspot before moving forward with anything. Make sure this is disabled and after a save leave the network tab and go back in and make sure it is disabled. You can also verify this by the light, it should not be on, or blinking.

Once the app (or interface) is open and ready go to your settings, (home button and little gear icon down the bottom right on the app, in your browser it’s on the left. Open the network page, refresh your wireless settings if they are there.


Proceed with the wireless setup thru the menu, not thru "hotspot"and keep in mind you must hit save on each step, very important! When you do you should see a little indicator box somewhere (lol) that say changes saved unit restarting/updating.


Be sure to let each menu change save completely before doing another! I usually take a sip of my favorite beverage each time!!!

Once that is done, power down the unit. Take it wherever you want to use it at, and set it up. Power it on, give it time, and you “Should” be good to go.

Hope this works for you as it has for many others. If not the issue may very well be the power supply.
Contact iFi support and open a ticket.
Many thanks for your detailed step by step instructions ! After that everything works fine. I was alredy afraid I have bricked the unit. Thanks again,
 
Jun 30, 2024 at 10:59 AM Post #1,751 of 2,082
Many thanks for your detailed step by step instructions ! After that everything works fine. I was alredy afraid I have bricked the unit. Thanks again,
Unfortunately it was too early for enjoying. It is not stable at all and I am sick and tired of restarting and reflashing. I am thinking of replacing it. This time will be very carefull.
Cheers
 
Jun 30, 2024 at 11:04 AM Post #1,752 of 2,082
Unfortunately it was too early for enjoying. It is not stable at all and I am sick and tired of restarting and reflashing. I am thinking of replacing it. This time will be very carefull.
Cheers
Qte "I usually take a sip of my favorite beverage each time!!!" Unqte I am afraid there is not enough beverage around at home
 
Jun 30, 2024 at 11:16 AM Post #1,753 of 2,082
Many thanks for your detailed step by step instructions ! After that everything works fine. I was alredy afraid I have bricked the unit. Thanks again,
Just to mention that after the reseting there are red lights on both sides. After some time the right one goes down and then I just wait for something to nappen. I am afraid to switch it out since there is a warning that if you power it down during restart procedure you will definetely brick it. Now what ???
 
Jul 1, 2024 at 1:46 AM Post #1,754 of 2,082
Just to mention that after the reseting there are red lights on both sides. After some time the right one goes down and then I just wait for something to nappen. I am afraid to switch it out since there is a warning that if you power it down during restart procedure you will definetely brick it. Now what ???
Ignat

Real sorry you are having problems with this unit which you bought from me off eBay UK. I too had many issues when I first got it. Setting up with wifi as recommended in the quick start manual did not work for me and was a source of frustration. Luckily, I am not one to give up and I look at these issues as a challenge. I discovered with the ethernet cable the ZS was much more responsive and I was actually able to access the ifi.local menu......however, not through my Opera browser (using PC laptop) but with Microsoft Edge. Also, for setup the unit needs to be in AIO mode. I believe this is the only mode you can access the setup menu.

If you are able to access the ifi.local settings, the first thing I would do is the firmware update. When you reset the unit, it re-loads the old default firmware which is next to useless. Everytime you reset you have to go through this ceremony....and I became very good at it! Once you get it setup & stable, you shouldn't have to do this again.
Hopefully, the latest firmware will be more stable. I dont know as the last time I had the ZS in my system was last Christmas when I bought a Wiim Pro mainly for access to Chromecast and Amazon Music which never materialised on the ZS. At the time I was only using the ZS to stream Tidal. The unit was set to Mode 3 (Tidal Connect) and it was very stable in this mode for 2 years always using ethernet.

I was never able to plug my hard drive into the USB port at the back and get it to work reliably. It would not load all the files. I thought the 1TB drive was too big, so my workaround was to load the files on my Android tablet with SD card and play from there using Bubble UPNP. However, I rarely did this because in meant I would have to change the Mode by turning the switch at the back which was difficult for me to reach. I did make an insert which fitted into the slot of the shaft and this helped. I could have left the unit permanently in AIO mode to avoid turning the mode switch, but Tidal Connect sounded so good in Mode 3, this is mainly how I used the unit.

By the way, the 2 USB ports are not the same. I believe the bottom one is to be used to connect to DAC as it has the Purify circuit, and the top slot is for the HD.

Other issues I had trouble with was remembering to SAVE the changes to the settings when you make them. I would not get any sound from the device because it would default to SPDIF input and I was using USB. I forgot to save USB setting.

It can be a very frustrating unit to set up, and I did many posts on this forum bitching about it. Bubba was very patient and helpful! The Wiim does not have any of these stability issues, but I still cannot play my files through it. It loads them very slowly and reverse alphabetical order! Also, the Wiim does not have USB.

Before I was using ZS I was using RPi with Allo board. The operating system was Moode. If you want a real challenge you could always head in that direction. If you want a peaceful life go with the Wiim. If you want the best sound, stick with the ZS.

I am not an authority on the ZS, but have experienced many of the issues others have had on this thread and managed, with Bubbas help, to sort them all. Hopefully you will do the same!

Cheers

Vic
 
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Jul 1, 2024 at 1:59 AM Post #1,755 of 2,082
Eh? No new firmware shows for me, it was removed

I was never able to plug my hard drive into the USB port at the back and get it to work reliably. It would not load all the files. I thought the 1TB drive was too big, so my workaround was to load the files on my Android table with SD card and play from there using Bubble UPNP. However, I rarely did this because in meant I would have to change the Mode by turning the switch at the back which was difficult for me to reach. I did make an insert which fitted into the slot of the shaft and this helped. I could have left the unit permanently in AIO mode to avoid turning the mode switch, but Tidal Connect sounded so good in Mode 3, this is mainly how I used the unit.
There is a solution when HDD wont load all files, you just need to pull out usb fom port for 1/4 of second and return it and it will contiunue to load files and then again. For my collection about 10 times :) and i am using extension usb cable so as not to damage the usb port on ZS.
I wrote about that about ten times here, same problem was with my RPI4 with PI2 aes card until the last version of volumio came out. From then it loads everything in a second.
It is not clear to me that the software cannot be updated in the same way on ZS and not some unfinished updates all the time.
 

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