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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

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.

Although I have not run into this in quite a while I can give this advice...

For a long time, I have come into the habit of restarting my entire network (for me once a week on Sunday morning) and I do mean entire, from the modem right thru to any switches (anything) in the chain, this has overall improved performance with all my devices.

In terms of the white noise (or any type of noise), this has been around for a bit and seems related to DACs taking a moment to resolve bitrate changes. As an example, I have never personally had this but many with "higher-end" DACS or DDCs have gone thru this.

Best I can say is to contact support for most up to date info on this as they may have had your DAC reported for it previously and have info I may not have here.

Another thing would be to try different USB cables as some may produce better results than others, trying would only tell you if there is any difference if a pattern can be determined.

I also restart my Roon Rock once a week, but that may not be needed for you, I mostly stream Qobuz thru Roon but have heard of this issue more with Tidal.

Hope some of this helps...

Cheers!!

 

[Paolo001]

Good morning guys, I'm Paolo, I also own an ifi zen stream + ifi zen dac one signature.
I keep it connected in Lan to stream from qobuz in mode 1 with all options disabled except UPNP and DLNA.
wonderful little machine, I also own an IFI Zen Phono...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Welcome Paolo, glad you are enjoying it, and Thanks for the support!

Cheers!!

 

[Paolo001]

Secondo te, mantenere la modalità 1 e mantenere disabilitate le opzioni che non uso suona peggio che nella modalità 5.
Il suono in 5 sarebbe migliore?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Secondo te, mantenere la modalità 1 e mantenere disabilitate le opzioni che non uso suona peggio che nella modalità 5.
Il suono in 5 sarebbe migliore?

In technical terms using the "exclusive" modes can lead to improved sound (That was my experience with Roon exclusive)

However, due to my use case, I use mode 1 most of the time. It's best to try it for your own ears and decide!

Cheers!!

 

[Paolo001]

Here is the power supply of the ifi zen Dac one signature self-made with what I had at home....
a trafo of an old Hiraga project, stabilized with LM317 and 4 nice nichikons with Wima MKS by-pass.

 

[Paolo001]

For zen the Zen Stream has its ifi x ipower 15V, as a switch I use a cisco that I will soon feed with a 12V linear power supply following the Lm317 scheme.

 

[Lvivske]

anyone else had an issue where system - checking for updates - just hangs and doesnt find any firmware? Mine just spins endlessly now, used to show me the current version and the option to update

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

anyone else had an issue where system - checking for updates - just hangs and doesnt find any firmware? Mine just spins endlessly now, used to show me the current version and the option to update

Yes mine has done that in the past,

What version are you currently on? Latest version is in first post of this thread, I try to remember to update it lol

Cheers!!

 

[Lvivske]

Yes mine has done that in the past,

What version are you currently on? Latest version is in first post of this thread, I try to remember to update it lol

Cheers!!

I'm still on 2.31.7

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'm still on 2.31.7

Are you looking to come up to current? If so and you are getting the spinning wheel or no new update showing I would consider using the Refresh Tool, and you need a windows PC to do this.

Cheers!!

 

[Lvivske]

Are you looking to come up to current? If so and you are getting the spinning wheel or no new update showing I would consider using the Refresh Tool, and you need a windows PC to do this.

Cheers!!

argh, so I needed back to refresh to this version and need to refresh again to upgrade? or does the tool install the newest version?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

argh, so I needed back to refresh to this version and need to refresh again to upgrade? or does the tool install the newest version?

No, the refresh tool will only wipe and clear all updates then install the one you have currently.

I only suggested the refresh tool as it is a simple way to clear the unit of any issues and then upgrade to the newest firmware.

If you are having issues updating the unit, there are two options: using the refresh tool is best to try first.

Sorry you are having issues, you could try again later or tomorrow, perhaps the server is busy or being maintained.

Cheers!!

 

[RickInHouston]

I am having a problem.

I have a Zen Stream connected to Topping DX9 (DAC / headphone amplifier / pre-amp). Works great.

I realized the Topping is overkill so moved it out of this chain. I changed nothing. Unplugged the power chord from Topping and the USB connection.

I ordered a HiFiMan EF400, it arrived and I plugged it into the chain. Connected power and USB. Turned on the EF400 and beautiful sound but doesn't get loud, at all. Not even with the easiest to drive headphones. Tried different USB cord, restarted the Zen Stream. Same.

I am returning the EF400 and they are swapping it out. I'm just wondering - is there anything in a Zen Stream that could make the output low, low low in volume that the new DAC / amp amplifying the sound isn't enough to 'drive' headphones properly, or is it most likely a bad EF400 (which we all think it is)? The volume is 'fixed' in Zen Stream configuration, btw. Streamed via ethernet from Roon.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I am having a problem.

I have a Zen Stream connected to Topping DX9 (DAC / headphone amplifier / pre-amp). Works great.

I realized the Topping is overkill so moved it out of this chain. I changed nothing. Unplugged the power chord from Topping and the USB connection.

I ordered a HiFiMan EF400, it arrived and I plugged it into the chain. Connected power and USB. Turned on the EF400 and beautiful sound but doesn't get loud, at all. Not even with the easiest to drive headphones. Tried different USB cord, restarted the Zen Stream. Same.

I am returning the EF400 and they are swapping it out. I'm just wondering - is there anything in a Zen Stream that could make the output low, low low in volume that the new DAC / amp amplifying the sound isn't enough to 'drive' headphones properly, or is it most likely a bad EF400 (which we all think it is)? The volume is 'fixed' in Zen Stream configuration, btw. Streamed via ethernet from Roon.

Something may have changed in the software settings when you swapped DACs.

Double check things like mixer volume in settings is set to none, also I have seen some instances where some DACs respond better to hardware or software volume works better than the "none" setting

Best to check it in ifi.local to be sure

Cheers!!