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

[iFi audio]

Thank you!

Sure, anytime

 

[darkfireblade25]

This is probably a dumb question, but is there a way to connect directly to this through an ethernet cable from a computer?

 

[Zaurux]

This is probably a dumb question, but is there a way to connect directly to this through an ethernet cable from a computer?

Modern network cards cross cables automatically without the need for a cross cable (like 15 years ago).
The network configuration must be suitable (if you need a gateway to the net).
And this may require some skills.
At home, the Zen is connected directly to my Roon/HQPlayer server without going through a switch.

 

[darkfireblade25]

Modern network cards cross cables automatically without the need for a cross cable (like 15 years ago).
The network configuration must be suitable (if you need a gateway to the net).
And this may require some skills.
At home, the Zen is connected directly to my Roon/HQPlayer server without going through a switch.

Is there maybe some tutorials that you know of that can help me set this up? Preferably one that enables me to still use my wifi for internet. If none, then that's fine too.

 

[Vangelo]

Been away on holiday, so system was shut down for 10 days.

When I switched on, ZS defaulted to SPDIF, so I had to open iFi App and tell it to go to back to USB....even though no SPDIF cable is connected and the USB configuration was stored and saved. I thought it may have been my USB cable, but I switched back to a cheap printer cable as iFi recommends, and still had this issue.

Also, Tidal connect would not switch to iFi, even though it shows as renderer. Had to reinstall program.

SSH not really a solution for us Android users..........even if I understood it...........

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Been away on holiday, so system was shut down for 10 days.

When I switched on, ZS defaulted to SPDIF, so I had to open iFi App and tell it to go to back to USB....even though no SPDIF cable is connected and the USB configuration was stored and saved. I thought it may have been my USB cable, but I switched back to a cheap printer cable as iFi recommends, and still had this issue.

Also, Tidal connect would not switch to iFi, even though it shows as renderer. Had to reinstall program.

SSH not really a solution for us Android users..........even if I understood it...........

Thanks for letting us know! iFi is looking into it, I thought this was specific to Roon Ready mode as iFi has not done any updates to the ZS

Cheers!!

Edit: Don't forget default for the ZS is spdif so I believe the way this functions is without the USB dac reporting information I think it automatically defaults. This was the same case with some Gustard dacs not reporting, as I remember it.

 

[Elber]

Hello, greetings from Spain

Which connection provides better sound, wifi or ethernet?

If it's ethernet... What cable do you recommend? I need 3m so it can't be high priced

Thank you very much

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hello, greetings from Spain

Which connection provides better sound, wifi or ethernet?

If it's ethernet... What cable do you recommend? I need 3m so it can't be high priced

Thank you very much

The trusted word has always been wired over wifi every time.

That being said I have never truly noticed a huge difference for my ears, the ZS is very good over wifi, at least in my experience. Hopefully some can chime in on quality Ethernet cables, I myself have been using this one with good results,...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016A90W4S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheers!!

 

[Vangelo]

Thanks for letting us know! iFi is looking into it, I thought this was specific to Roon Ready mode as iFi has not done any updates to the ZS

Cheers!!

Edit: Don't forget default for the ZS is spdif so I believe the way this functions is without the USB dac reporting information I think it automatically defaults. This was the same case with some Gustard dacs not reporting, as I remember it.

Thanks Bubba. I think iFi need to look into this.
I am now using AIO mode with only Tidal connect activated so I can play files direct from USB flash card.
However, when I used in Tidal connect mode (pos. 3), USB must have been automatically recognised. If it wasn't, that would be a big issue as I would not have access to the app in Mode 3!
I should point out I am going from ZS to Audio-GD Di-20 DDC (via USB) if that is a factor.....

UPDATE: Switched on this morning & same issue with ZS defaulting to SPDIF. However.....I have an explanation. The Di-20 switches on automatically first as I have to switch the ZS on manually. If I switch the ZS on first, then the Di-20, USB is recognised. I guess makes sense now.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks Bubba. I think iFi need to look into this.
I am now using AIO mode with only Tidal connect activated so I can play files direct from USB flash card.
However, when I used in Tidal connect mode (pos. 3), USB must have been automatically recognised. If it wasn't, that would be a big issue as I would not have access to the app in Mode 3!
I should point out I am going from ZS to Audio-GD Di-20 DDC (via USB) if that is a factor.....

UPDATE: Switched on this morning & same issue with ZS defaulting to SPDIF. However.....I have an explanation. The Di-20 switches on automatically first as I have to switch the ZS on manually. If I switch the ZS on first, then the Di-20, USB is recognised. I guess makes sense now.

Yes that is perfectly understandable, glad you got it! You must have something like at my main desk where one switch can turn everything on, but somethings still need to be physically powered on.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

The issue in regards to having to reselect the spdif output in order for sound to be produced, even though the playback is initiated in Roon is only occurring for me in #2 Roon Ready mode. This issue is not presenting itself in #1 AIO mode.

That being said I again believe this is a Roon Ready Mode only issue. I have done several tests including very short power downs of the ZS, (less than 5 minutes) and each time the spdif needs to be brought up in the (device info) browser box, and save needs to be clicked. Roon Ready mode then will produce sound.

Again this is not happening for me in any other mode than #2 Roon Ready mode. I have reached out to some in the Roon community and friends to verify this behavior.

Cheers!!

 

[fordski]

The issue in regards to having to reselect the spdif output in order for sound to be produced, even though the playback is initiated in Roon is only occurring for me in #2 Roon Ready mode. This issue is not presenting itself in #1 AIO mode.

That being said I again believe this is a Roon Ready Mode only issue. I have done several tests including very short power downs of the ZS, (less than 5 minutes) and each time the spdif needs to be brought up in the (device info) browser box, and save needs to be clicked. Roon Ready mode then will produce sound.

Again this is not happening for me in any other mode than #2 Roon Ready mode. I have reached out to some in the Roon community and friends to verify this behavior.

Cheers!!

Thanks for the diligence on this. It is an issue for me as I'd like to power down my ZS at the end of the day. Looking forward to a resolution.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for the diligence on this. It is an issue for me as I'd like to power down my ZS at the end of the day. Looking forward to a resolution.

You're Quite welcome!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

The trusted word has always been wired over wifi every time.

WiFi is convenient, but less hardware is engaged to handle wired connections

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I may have found a fix for this spdif issue if someone would like to try it and see if they get the same results as I have. Keep in mind I have yet to test this on an overnight basis, I will do that tonight, and report on it tomorrow.

If you have never reset your ZS or had to use my setup method in the first post, please take a moment and read (watch) it, as if you don't and you get your hotspot mode active, you won't be happy, lol. All of this was done with a wired ethernet connection to ensure proper downloading, and because that's the way I like to do it!!

So what I did was take my ZS back to it's original state thru the use of the soft factory reset inside the Stream-iFi app. This returned my ZS to original factory state. Once setup I verified all was functional, especially thru Roon and Mode #2 as that's where the issue seemed to be.

Once verified to be working I went back and updated the firmware to the new current stable firmware...

Once update, I tried to recreate the original issue, which was in Roon Ready Mode #2 the Spdif output of the ZS was not outputting music until it was reselected by means of the Device info, and iFi tab from within Roon.

For me as of this writing the issue is no longer occurring as it would originally do this after only a few minutes of shutting the ZS down (power off).

I also implemented a new chain of power on just to be sure, as many will tell you, sometimes the way you power on your chain makes a difference in common issues.

Goes like this, DACs, Zen Stream, open your streaming program, in this case Roon.

As I said I tested several different lengths of power off since this morning, I have not had to reselect the Spdif once in that time.

If this "reselecting" is not a big issue for you I would suggest leaving it alone. If learning how to reset and properly set-up the ZS seems beneficial to you by all means have at, as we are not doing a hard reset here just a soft one.

So for now I will classify this as a problem with...

GREMLINS!! Which is also why learning to reset your ZS is not a bad thing at all!

Cheers!!