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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Are there any ways which we can select output playback (spdif or USB) on exclusive mode ?
I’m current using exclusive mode #5, but I cant change output playbacks on #5, I need to go back to AIO mode to change them into ifi.local

You cannot use the interface while in exclusive modes, only in Mode #1 AIO, or By using Roon which has a setting for this while using Roon Ready Mode #2.

There are two simple solutions to this...

Stay in AIO Mode #1 and disable all but what you need in the Playback sources menu in the app or ifi.local

or

Simply turn the dial on the back to the mode you want to use. You do not need to power off the ZS to switch modes, just give it a moment to reset after swicthing.

Cheers!!

 

[captblaze]

Are there any ways which we can select output playback (spdif or USB) on exclusive mode ?
I’m current using exclusive mode #5, but I cant change output playbacks on #5, I need to go back to AIO mode to change them into ifi.local

never mind... already discussed

 

[Zaurux]

To continue with the description of the Zen hardware (and comparison with the Neo stream).
Here is what the “lshw” command does (after installing the package).

volumio@ifi:~$ sudo lshw
ifi
    description: Computer
    product: Firefly rk3328-firefly-aiojd4
    width: 32 bits
    capabilities: cp15_barrier setend swp
  *-core
       description: Motherboard
       physical id: 0
       capabilities: rockchip_rk3328-firefly-aiojd4 rockchip_rk3328

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

To continue with the description of the Zen hardware (and comparison with the Neo stream).
Here is what the “lshw” command does (after installing the package).

volumio@ifi:~$ sudo lshw
ifi
    description: Computer
    product: Firefly rk3328-firefly-aiojd4
    width: 32 bits
    capabilities: cp15_barrier setend swp
  *-core
       description: Motherboard
       physical id: 0
       capabilities: rockchip_rk3328-firefly-aiojd4 rockchip_rk3328

@Zaurux

While I appreciate your efforts in this area, I would like to suggest a few things...

#1 I do not want to turn this thread into a Zen vs. Neo thread, it is not why I created it. This thread is here for folks needing a hand if they are having ZS issues, so cluttering it up with Neo info is not what's needed at this time.

#2 This area of conversation (The SSH) is probably best avoided by anyone who is even the least bit unsure of what they are doing with it. I do not know the complexities of it, nor what it actually can accomplish as relevant to using the ZS daily.

This is just my suggestion, I do not control this thread, I only started it, but if I see it devolve into a "Gotcha" game of posts I will certainly leave and/or delete the thread. While it may be in my best interest to learn and understand this SSH at this point I see it simply as a fishing expedition for badmouthing a product or a company in hopes of an Ah-ha moment that will then be posted on several other forums, all in the same way.

This thread is not the place for that, there are many other threads for that.

Now if this (SSH) can somehow make our Zen Streams sound or function better, with a clear definition of how any post is doing that, I am all for it, if not please take the thoughts into its appropriate thread or start a new one.

In the meantime, the main question I have on this is if any of this in any way violates or jeopardizes the warranty of the product, that is something I will tag @iFi audio and @Rowan94 to answer, in the meantime, let's get back to helping ZS users here, with the occasional talk of the new unit.

Cheers!!

 

[Zaurux]

I don't want to cause you any trouble with iF audio and the purpose was not to oppose the products.
Just trying to find out if they are developed on the same basis.

On my side, I have already, for a long time, spread my "tips and tricks" on other media (how to remove useless services, switch to IPV6, isolate the audio process on a single core, limit the CPU power to only 600Mhz, use the Zen as squeezebox, use a 7.5v power supply, etc).
My Zen Stream has been running like a Swiss clock... just On/Off for 6 months with a stability and clarity superior to the "out of the box" version.
The only question that iFi audio has not answered is whether it is technically possible to upgrade the environment and kernel to stream PCM 768 and DSD 512 (and to keep up with the third party software used which has long since forgotten Debian Jessie).
That's it!

I can live with this lack of response which I find surprising when the company waves the "Open source" flag.
So I promise to be quiet... here.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I don't want to cause you any trouble with iF audio and the purpose was not to oppose the products.
Just trying to find out if they are developed on the same basis.

On my side, I have already, for a long time, spread my "tips and tricks" on other media (how to remove useless services, switch to IPV6, isolate the audio process on a single core, limit the CPU power to only 600Mhz, use the Zen as squeezebox, use a 7.5v power supply, etc).
My Zen Stream has been running like a Swiss clock... just On/Off for 6 months with a stability and clarity superior to the "out of the box" version.
The only question that iFi audio has not answered is whether it is technically possible to upgrade the environment and kernel to stream PCM 768 and DSD 512 (and to keep up with the third party software used which has long since forgotten Debian Jessie).
That's it!

I can live with this lack of response which I find surprising when the company waves the "Open source" flag.
So I promise to be quiet... here.

I hope we have no misunderstanding, as I am in no "trouble" with iFi, how could I be, I do not work for them or speak for them, do I give opinions here, yes I do.

If I may, you have many, many valid "tips and tricks" however I feel like a more "layman terms" way of presenting them is in order. As an example for the "average person," I would direct them to never run their ZS on that low of a power supply, simply because I am sure it would void their warranty in some way, and probably immediately. In regards to running higher PCM/DSD rates, I see that posted quite a bit, even with iFi stating it's not happening for the ZS but yet we persist. So the "whether it's possible" at this point is now "moot" and yet I continue to see this. (not only by you).

There are very few people like us, and even I have stated many, many times that I not only never heard this upsampling level to be of any benefit, and yes that means to my ears and does not by any means mean that there is not a benefit, for some users. So the obsessing over these rates when most are barely getting into 24/192 rates seems less fruitful to me than helping them make sure they can get that basic level of great sound, that you and I agree the ZS produces.

You are way above my skill level when it comes to these topics, and I value your input, but on the other hand, I have seen you post things to "stir" the hornet's nest looking for your answers, and I applaud your moxie, but what I think is missing is when something is acknowledged by iFi, you also need to go back and amend these posts so that mistakes that have been made can be fixed, not left hanging in limbo, possibly dissuading someone from buying a product that may have benefitted them greatly.

Thanks for hearing me out!

Cheers!!

 

[skrzyp]

I hope we have no misunderstanding, as I am in no "trouble" with iFi, how could I be, I do not work for them or speak for them, do I give opinions here, yes I do.

If I may, you have many, many valid "tips and tricks" however I feel like a more "layman terms" way of presenting them is in order. As an example for the "average person," I would direct them to never run their ZS on that low of a power supply, simply because I am sure it would void their warranty in some way, and probably immediately. In regards to running higher PCM/DSD rates, I see that posted quite a bit, even with iFi stating it's not happening for the ZS but yet we persist. So the "whether it's possible" at this point is now "moot" and yet I continue to see this. (not only by you).

There are very few people like us, and even I have stated many, many times that I not only never heard this upsampling level to be of any benefit, and yes that means to my ears and does not by any means mean that there is not a benefit, for some users. So the obsessing over these rates when most are barely getting into 24/192 rates seems less fruitful to me than helping them make sure they can get that basic level of great sound, that you and I agree the ZS produces.

You are way above my skill level when it comes to these topics, and I value your input, but on the other hand, I have seen you post things to "stir" the hornet's nest looking for your answers, and I applaud your moxie, but what I think is missing is when something is acknowledged by iFi, you also need to go back and amend these posts so that mistakes that have been made can be fixed, not left hanging in limbo, possibly dissuading someone from buying a product that may have benefitted them greatly.

Thanks for hearing me out!

Cheers!!

I feel questions about iFi's choice to use an older version of Volumio and on their position regarding user access to system files are perfectly legitimate in this forum. If the developers wanted to restrict access to make modifications like those mentioned in this thread, they could do so. As it stands, it appears that iFi is happy to use Volumio's defaults (including the standard version 2 interface), which allows users to enable ssh, and gain administrative access to view/modify system files as they see fit. These sorts of changes certainly qualify as "Setup, Tips, Tricks". Perhaps future posts involving ssh access could be prefaced as applying to advanced users familiar with Linux, and with a warning that changes may render the ZS unusable...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I feel questions about iFi's choice to use an older version of Volumio and on their position regarding user access to system files are perfectly legitimate in this forum. If the developers wanted to restrict access to make modifications like those mentioned in this thread, they could do so. As it stands, it appears that iFi is happy to use Volumio's defaults (including the standard version 2 interface), which allows users to enable ssh, and gain administrative access to view/modify system files as they see fit. These sorts of changes certainly qualify as "Setup, Tips, Tricks". Perhaps future posts involving ssh access could be prefaced as applying to advanced users familiar with Linux, and with a warning that changes may render the ZS unusable...

As they may "qualify as Setup, Tips, Tricks" my point was more to the fact that there's a difference between posting codes and posturing about a company's choice in how it uses something, and giving readers a "How To" or step by step instructions on accomplishing whatever it is to be obtained by such "Tips".

I for one have heard the "Volumio" jazz since this unit came out, it started as "just buy a raspberry pi" and grew to "when" or "are we gonna get "Volumio 3?"

I am just trying to have a simple thread for simple folks having issues or looking for setup advice with their Zen Stream.

Why is there no thread for the "Linux" users and "Code tweakers" to get the most out of their Zen Stream? I think judging by your response that one is needed.

When there is all will be able to learn whether these "tweaks" are better than the"defaults".

Cheers!!

 

[kramos]

I don't want to cause you any trouble with iF audio and the purpose was not to oppose the products.
Just trying to find out if they are developed on the same basis.

On my side, I have already, for a long time, spread my "tips and tricks" on other media (how to remove useless services, switch to IPV6, isolate the audio process on a single core, limit the CPU power to only 600Mhz, use the Zen as squeezebox, use a 7.5v power supply, etc).
My Zen Stream has been running like a Swiss clock... just On/Off for 6 months with a stability and clarity superior to the "out of the box" version.
The only question that iFi audio has not answered is whether it is technically possible to upgrade the environment and kernel to stream PCM 768 and DSD 512 (and to keep up with the third party software used which has long since forgotten Debian Jessie).
That's it!

I can live with this lack of response which I find surprising when the company waves the "Open source" flag.
So I promise to be quiet... here.

I, for one, would love to hear some of your tips and tricks. Feel free to DM me if you feel that’s more appropriate. I’m currently using the Zen Stream as a Squeezebox with the UPnP plugin, and would love to hear any tips to set that up optimally.

 

[moriez]

I, for one, would love to hear some of your tips and tricks.

Me too actually, but I'm also with BubbaHyde to respect the thread the way he intended it.

@Zaurux As several people could be interested in advanced tweaking how about starting a thread here on Head-Fi or maybe share a link to the other ''media''?

 

[iFi audio]

Me too actually, but I'm also with BubbaHyde to respect the thread the way he intended it.

@Zaurux As several people could be interested in advanced tweaking how about starting a thread here on Head-Fi or maybe share a link to the other ''media''?

I'm not sure whether @Mr BubbaHyde would be fine with this, but I have nothing against a TL;DR version of deep internal tweaks that can be applied to ZEN Stream

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'm not sure whether @Mr BubbaHyde would be fine with this, but I have nothing against a TL;DR version of deep internal tweaks that can be applied to ZEN Stream

No problem at all!

Perhaps some clarification is in order on my part. I have no interest in preventing anyone from posting anything about the Zen Stream here, especially anything that can improve upon a user's enjoyment of the unit, however, that is not what was happening, and I just tried to "nip it in the bud" so to speak.

I have said in the past that I would like to keep it tailored to things that anyone can implement, and also made this statement when I first started the thread...

I just wanted to keep the "nit-picking" over things like "kernel" versions out of this thread in a way, because the other thread was becoming harder for "new users" to get help in, with all the bickering over such things. In fact because of these things many users just PM me directly, and that's fine, I understand.

Going forward, I'll just ask that these "Tips N' Tricks" get formatted in a way that perhaps I could find room for on the First Post for those looking into how to do things like SSH.
I would also gladly start or help in the upkeep of a Thread dedicated to this very area of expert setup, heck I may even buy HQPlayer, maybe I will finally learn something!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I just wanted to keep the "nit-picking" over things like "kernel" versions out of this thread in a way, because the other thread was becoming harder for "new users" to get help in, with all the bickering over such things. In fact because of these things many users just PM me directly, and that's fine, I understand.

Sure thing, that's understandable and makes sense. We don't want to scare off newcomers to the thread. Thanks @Mr BubbaHyde !

 

[pacorabanne]

Hi I would like to share an issue pairing zen stream with hifiman ef400 dac/amp in case anyone is thinking of this combi. When connected via USB, the volume out on the ef400 is very soft (more than 50% softer). There are no issues if zen stream is connected to other dacs or if Ef400 is connected with other usb inputs so it could be a rare compatibility issue between the two. The shop I bought them from had the same issue so it is not an isolated issue.

 

[iFi audio]

There are no issues if zen stream is connected to other dacs or if Ef400 is connected with other usb inputs so it could be a rare compatibility issue between the two

I'm wondering now whether it's our ZEN Stream or EF400, but just to clarify, by 'soft volume' you mean volume lower than it normally is?