The first post has been updated with current Firmware and info...
Cheers!!
Cheers!!
iFi Zen Stream: Setup, Tips, Tricks...
- Thread starter Mr BubbaHyde
- Start date
luiswu
New Head-Fier
Is it necessary to update? It detects all the DACs I have very well.
Necessary, that would be totally your call. It has improvements for DACs DSD detection, and also corrects a Roon issue, so if those don't apply to you than I guess its a skippable update.
I would only point out that if you're happy with your current performance I doubt anything would change for you, but it's always nice to be current. The Zen Stream does not really need a ton of updates, so that's my .02c, lol
Cheers!!
mwhals
Headphoneus Supremus
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Just remember to reset your sound source back to USB, if that is what you use, after you update.
Agreed! In fact, any time I update, I run the First Time Configuration just to make sure everything is retained!
Thanks for the tip!
Cheers!!
steved21
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I rarely post here but recently had some issues with my iFi Zen stream. I own two of the units and one had been put away for a while. When trying to "get it going" again I had to try to remember how it all worked. I made a cheat sheet for next time and wanted to share it here. I was back and forth with iFi on a support ticket and used some of their input here. Feel free to pass along. If it seems too simple it's because I Beta tested the instructions on my girlfriend and then dumbed it down until she could do it all herself. ( sorry to the ladies here who are easily smarter than myself but she is technically illiterate )
IfI Zen Stream
-This is to set up wi fi connection for Zen stream/ NOTE once the Zen Stream is set up there is no need to use the hot spot again and best not to use it. Once your Zen stream set up then just turn the selector dial to position no. 1 and in a smart phone use the link http://ifi.local to get to the setting page. Make the changes needed and turn the select back to the position it was at.
-Switch selector on the back of the unit to position no .1 (AIO) (All in one)
FYI. You cannot properly connect if the Zen stream is not on selector position no1 .
-Push hot spot button (right side) for 3 seconds and release when white light flashes.
On a smart phone or cellular enabled iPad go Settings and go wi fi settings and look in the networks section below and select the iFi network that will appear.
-On a browser on smart / cell enabled iPad phone go http://ifi.local
-Go settings (small gear icon on bottom right)
-Go sources
Turn off all streaming services that you will not be using. Save.
-Go networks
Select your wi fi network and enter password
Be patient. The unit often renders the wifi setting 2x
Save.
Go playback options
Go out put device
Use dropdown menu to select either SPDIF or USB. If your Dac is plugged in your device will show up by product name Select it.
Save
-Go system
Check updates. Also there is an option for auto update which is probably a good idea to select.
Save
Important **if updating under no circumstances allow the power cord to be unplugged or you will likely be buying another streamer as it will likely be bricked. Sorry.
Turn selector back to no. 2 Roon only, or the selection you need (i.e. Tidal only no. 3) etc.
Remember to re connect to your smart phone or iPad to your home network on your wi fi settings if it has not already automatically re connected
IfI Zen Stream
-This is to set up wi fi connection for Zen stream/ NOTE once the Zen Stream is set up there is no need to use the hot spot again and best not to use it. Once your Zen stream set up then just turn the selector dial to position no. 1 and in a smart phone use the link http://ifi.local to get to the setting page. Make the changes needed and turn the select back to the position it was at.
-Switch selector on the back of the unit to position no .1 (AIO) (All in one)
FYI. You cannot properly connect if the Zen stream is not on selector position no1 .
-Push hot spot button (right side) for 3 seconds and release when white light flashes.
On a smart phone or cellular enabled iPad go Settings and go wi fi settings and look in the networks section below and select the iFi network that will appear.
-On a browser on smart / cell enabled iPad phone go http://ifi.local
-Go settings (small gear icon on bottom right)
-Go sources
Turn off all streaming services that you will not be using. Save.
-Go networks
Select your wi fi network and enter password
Be patient. The unit often renders the wifi setting 2x
Save.
Go playback options
Go out put device
Use dropdown menu to select either SPDIF or USB. If your Dac is plugged in your device will show up by product name Select it.
Save
-Go system
Check updates. Also there is an option for auto update which is probably a good idea to select.
Save
Important **if updating under no circumstances allow the power cord to be unplugged or you will likely be buying another streamer as it will likely be bricked. Sorry.
Turn selector back to no. 2 Roon only, or the selection you need (i.e. Tidal only no. 3) etc.
Remember to re connect to your smart phone or iPad to your home network on your wi fi settings if it has not already automatically re connected
Hi, I've just changed pc and now the streamer doesn't work well with foobar. Music starts and stops whenever it wants. I really can't understand why since I followed the same steps of the other device.
Edit: I ended up resetting the device.
Now it's even worse: I need to update the firmware but when I try to look for an update on ifi.local it just never find one. I am really upset.
Edit: I ended up resetting the device.
Now it's even worse: I need to update the firmware but when I try to look for an update on ifi.local it just never find one. I am really upset.
Last edited:
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Thanks so much for posting your detailed steps here, if you don't mind we will link to your post in the first posts so others can always find it!
Cheers!!
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If you are still having issues please reach out to our support so that they have a record of your troubles and can advise next steps if you have already followed the first post in this thread.
https://support.ifi-audio.com/
Cheers!!
Big support from iFi guys, thanks to their help the issue seems solved
steved21
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Awesome. I'm very please to have helped. Just love my Zen Stream when properly set up
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I will surely pass this along!Big support from iFi guys, thanks to their help the issue seems solved
Cheers!!
mwhals
Headphoneus Supremus
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Zen Stream is great in my home gym. It was a great addition to my iFi DAC.
RickInHouston
100+ Head-Fier
Ha. Exactly what I just got finished setting up... A 'listening station' next to my treadmill. Roon to Zen Stream to Topping DX9 (I know, overkill, but might just move it to a better spot one day) and headphones. I've got to keep my mind off my burning legs and lungs.
guerph
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I posted this in Roon forum. Someone suggested I post here...
Recently introduced the Zen Stream into my chain. It seems subjectively better feeding my Auralic Vega G2 DAC using both coax and USB. Wifi and Ethernet both working great. No dropouts using Wifi on my strong Ubiquiti network. The problem is that with USB I get white noise with change of sample rates. Setting Roon to upsample everything resolved the white noise issue, but I prefer to use DAC to upsample everything. I’ve had mixed results upsampling in Roon. It doesn’t sound as good IMO. So, I’ve also been trying the coax connections, and also sounds great, but I seem to have this problem where all of a sudden I lose audio midway through a song. Roon still playing, just no audio. I have to skip to next song in Roon. Also applying a change in the ifi.local settings seems to kickstart things. Happens with both Wifi and Ethernet connections.
Recently introduced the Zen Stream into my chain. It seems subjectively better feeding my Auralic Vega G2 DAC using both coax and USB. Wifi and Ethernet both working great. No dropouts using Wifi on my strong Ubiquiti network. The problem is that with USB I get white noise with change of sample rates. Setting Roon to upsample everything resolved the white noise issue, but I prefer to use DAC to upsample everything. I’ve had mixed results upsampling in Roon. It doesn’t sound as good IMO. So, I’ve also been trying the coax connections, and also sounds great, but I seem to have this problem where all of a sudden I lose audio midway through a song. Roon still playing, just no audio. I have to skip to next song in Roon. Also applying a change in the ifi.local settings seems to kickstart things. Happens with both Wifi and Ethernet connections.
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