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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

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?

He probably does, but I am sure he will answer...

As an example, if you hook your USB out to a DDC, in my case it was a Singxer SU-2, so in between the ZS and the DAC, the initial volume level was approximately 50% lower than it would be with a direct USB to DAC connection, in the same manner, rendering the SU-2 in between practically useless because of it. I hooked this up this way once to be able to get the "sort of" the same signal to multiple DACs at the same time and see if the Singxer was improving what the ZS was already great at, lol

I found out that several Chinese made DACs seem to not report some info back over the USB which seemed to be the culprit. However, in my case changing the Software mixer from None to Software or Hardware, I honestly forget allowed me to get the same, "Signal Level" out of the ZS that it would if directly connected to the DAC. I believe some Audio GD gear has the same issues, sometimes.

Hope that helps...

Cheers!!

Edit: For clarity, it would actually be 50% less signal level than what normally is present in a direct USB connection, best I can phrase it.

 

[pacorabanne]

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?

Yes the volume is lower than what other USB inputs normally are, ie I had to turn the dial to 3 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock to get the same volume. Seems like it is an EF400 issue as some other users also reported this problem with other Android devices in the EF400 thread.

 

[iFi audio]

Yes the volume is lower than what other USB inputs normally are, ie I had to turn the dial to 3 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock to get the same volume. Seems like it is an EF400 issue as some other users also reported this problem with other Android devices in the EF400 thread.

OK, so yours and @Mr BubbaHyde's feedback suggests that this on the DAC side, but I'll ask our R&D anyway. Maybe they know something I don't

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yes the volume is lower than what other USB inputs normally are, ie I had to turn the dial to 3 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock to get the same volume. Seems like it is an EF400 issue as some other users also reported this problem with other Android devices in the EF400 thread.

Tomorrow I will reconnect what I can in this area and see how I solved it, perhaps it will help until we figure out what is up!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Tomorrow I will reconnect what I can in this area and see how I solved it, perhaps it will help until we figure out what is up!

Thanks and please let us know if this volume decrease has anything to do on the ZEN Stream side

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yes the volume is lower than what other USB inputs normally are, ie I had to turn the dial to 3 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock to get the same volume. Seems like it is an EF400 issue as some other users also reported this problem with other Android devices in the EF400 thread.

Thanks and please let us know if this volume decrease has anything to do on the ZEN Stream side

I have made a quick and messy video to illustrate the issue and "the fix" for some of these DDC and "Chinese" made USB/DAC volume issues. This happens on my Singxer SU-2, and also I remember it happening on the Douk U2 pro as well. I am not sure on whose side the issue exists, and it does not happen with all, just some seem quirky.

Hopefully, this workaround will work for you @pacorabanne until the issue is found.

This video is going to remain unlisted and removed after we figure out what the culprit is, mainly because apparently, I can even use my own damn music in a demonstration video, LMAO

Apologies for the messy desk, transitions and work in progress...



Cheers!!

 

[pacorabanne]

I have made a quick and messy video to illustrate the issue and "the fix" for some of these DDC and "Chinese" made USB/DAC volume issues. This happens on my Singxer SU-2, and also I remember it happening on the Douk U2 pro as well. I am not sure on whose side the issue exists, and it does not happen with all, just some seem quirky.

Hopefully, this workaround will work for you @pacorabanne until the issue is found.

This video is going to remain unlisted and removed after we figure out what the culprit is, mainly because apparently, I can even use my own damn music in a demonstration video, LMAO

Apologies for the messy desk, transitions and work in progress...



Cheers!!

@Mr BubbaHyde first of all thank you so much for your time to make the video!! I was just using the simplified version of the ifi streamer app and trying to change the standard volume in the app before. I followed all the steps in the video and changed the default startup volume to 100% and restarted both units. It didn't work. However I fiddled around with other settings and changed the mixer control name from PCM to PCM,1 and suddenly the volume doubled! I don't have to sell the zen stream (which is such a good product) now. Thanks once again!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@Mr BubbaHyde first of all thank you so much for your time to make the video!! I was just using the simplified version of the ifi streamer app and trying to change the standard volume in the app before. I followed all the steps in the video and changed the default startup volume to 100% and restarted both units. It didn't work. However I fiddled around with other settings and changed the mixer control name from PCM to PCM,1 and suddenly the volume doubled! I don't have to sell the zen stream (which is such a good product) now. Thanks once again!

Ahhh yes, I do remeber I had the PCM 1 thingy with a USB to AES/EBU adapter that I ordered and tried for the main thread! Good catch!!

And you are very welcome my friend, glad I could help you out, it is such a good product, and your patience paid off! There are a gagillion DACs and adapters in the world, I do not envy @iFi audio having to try to create a product that works perfectly with all of them!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I do not envy @iFi audio having to try to create a product that works perfectly with all of them!

We can only try pleasing as many people as we can

Thanks though, your help is much appreciated!

 

[Koren]

Hello. is there a setting within the ifi app that should be turned on and off to get the best sound quality from the zen stream device? or is there no such thing? I only use spotify and AirPlay.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hello. is there a setting within the ifi app that should be turned on and off to get the best sound quality from the zen stream device? or is there no such thing? I only use spotify and AirPlay.

For those two sources, you must use AIO Mode #1 as there is no exclusive mode for those sources.

The best thing for you is to go into your Stream-iFi app and Toggle off all things that you are not using, such as Tidal connect, etc. Exclusive modes do the same thing by "shutting down" services that you do not use, and in theory, give you the best sound quality for your given needs.

Cheers!!

 

[Koren]

For those two sources, you must use AIO Mode #1 as there is no exclusive mode for those sources.

The best thing for you is to go into your Stream-iFi app and Toggle off all things that you are not using, such as Tidal connect, etc. Exclusive modes do the same thing by "shutting down" services that you do not use, and in theory, give you the best sound quality for your given needs.

Cheers!!

and if I turn off everything I don't use and leave only Spotify Connect and AirPlay active, will I get better sound quality? in this case, what is going on in the background that will make the sound quality better? Does turning off Wi-Fi affect the sound quality if I use LAN? and turning off mqa passthrough?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

and if I turn off everything I don't use and leave only Spotify Connect and AirPlay active, will I get better sound quality? in this case, what is going on in the background that will make the sound quality better? Does turning off Wi-Fi affect the sound quality if I use LAN? and turning off mqa passthrough?

I have not tested your specific scenario to be able to comment on any sound quality improvements, however, I have heard and others have stated a noticeable difference when using exclusive modes, and also when shutting down functionalities not needed for your purposes, again theory being fewer processes, less potential for interference and a smoother running of what you are using.

Personally, although I am a subscriber of Spotify (Family Reasons) I was never keen on its sound. The ZS changed my opinion on that. In all honesty, listening to Spotify connect using the ZS sounds very good to me, much better than a direct PC connection.

I have my Wi-Fi and Hotspot disabled, you can leave your MQA alone as it does nothing unless it senses an MQA signal from Tidal or another source.

Just remember if you disable the Wi-Fi to reenable it before moving your unit to another room, or you're going to have to bring it back and turn it on, lol (Yes I have done that!)

Cheers!!

 

[Koren]

I would also like to know if exclusive mode only makes the other services in the app inactive, which can also be done manually in AIO Mode, or is there more to it, and exclusive mode disables many more background processes?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I would also like to know if exclusive mode only makes the other services in the app inactive, which can also be done manually in AIO Mode, or is there more to it, and exclusive mode disables many more background processes?

On what exactly is disabled in exclusive modes perhaps @Rowan94 or @iFi audio can give you more specifics there.

In terms of overall sound I can give you an example for Roon Ready mode. Many others have heard this as well but there is a distinct difference between just Running Roon in AIO more vs setting the ZS to Roon Ready mode #3. There is better definition, more meat on the bone in my words using the exclusive mode vs simply only having Roon selected as a service in AIO mode.

My advice would be to simply listen to Spotify in normal AIO vs turning off other services , then turn them off, simply to see if you are perceiving any differences.

Cheers!!