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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hello, you do need either Wifi or ethernet connection for the ZS to function, after that here's a short video for you to follow...



Enjoy!

Cheers!!

 

[WolfP]

Hello, you do need either Wifi or ethernet connection for the ZS to function, after that here's a short video for you to follow...



Enjoy!

Cheers!!

Could I just activate the hotspot and control the zs with the phone? Or is it not a feasible solution?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Could I just activate the hotspot and control the zs with the phone? Or is it not a feasible solution?

I, unfortunately, do not know the answer to that straight out, perhaps others can chime in...

The ZS requires an internet connection to perform its core function, which is to replace a computer for streaming purposes. For that, it needs an active connection to the internet. Where that connection comes from I don't believe would matter, but I would think in order to accomplish this setup one would need a phone dedicated to producing the hotspot and another Phone/Tablet for the actual setup of the ZS.

I remember sharing this video with someone who had hotspot issues, and it seemed to help them, I have personally avoided hotspot setup in all of my tutorials.

Again my apologies for lacking in this area, but I am sure someone else may see this and swoop in!



Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

[/QUOTE]
Hi there! In short, you need to connect this product with your smartphone in your way or another

in order to accomplish this setup one would need a phone dedicated to producing the hotspot and another Phone/Tablet for the actual setup of the ZS.

That is correct. One smartphone that profived user interface for music playback is a must and it needs to be within the same network as ZEN Stream.

 

[Vangelo]

Hi, I just bought the ZS, I will connect it to the dac to listen to music on hd usb, so I don't need wi-fi or ethernet connections . So how do I proceed for the initial setup?

Cant see how that will work. Pretty sure you need connection to access/control HD via app.

 

[iFi audio]

Pretty sure you need connection to access/control HD via app.

Exactly. ZEN Stream essentially is a computer as per @Mr BubbaHyde's reply and as such it needs to be contrlooed via i.e. a smartphone.

 

[iFi audio]

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https://ifi-audio.com/ifi-black-friday-2022/

 

[WolfP]

Hi, I listen to music saved on the hdd connected to the ZS. Folders with tagged Flac songs are recognized, while those with Wav songs, even if tagged, are not recognized. Is this usual?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi, I listen to music saved on the hdd connected to the ZS. Folders with tagged Flac songs are recognized, while those with Wav songs, even if tagged, are not recognized. Is this usual?

I don't believe I have ever tried a WAV file with the ZS, I can check this out for you but it won't be tonight, I'm sorry.

Perhaps in the meantime converting these files to flac with an appropriate program would be helpful, unless @iFi audio can chime in with a quick blurb on WAV support from the Stream-iFi app

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi, I listen to music saved on the hdd connected to the ZS. Folders with tagged Flac songs are recognized, while those with Wav songs, even if tagged, are not recognized. Is this usual?

I have tested the ZS for WAV file compatibility and had no issue playing back WAV files.

Make sure your folder structure is correct on your USB drive. In other words, I have had the best luck with files being inside individual folders not just placed on the drive itself.

Example...

Here are some screenshots of Stream-iFi app and WAV file compatibility...

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

unless @iFi audio can chime in with a quick blurb on WAV support from the Stream-iFi app

Thanks for flagging! I see no reason why WAV files wouldn't play on ZEN Stream. The only thing that comes to my mind is the file structure as per your suggestion, maybe the issue is there.

 

[WolfP]

@Mr BubbaHyde @iFi audio
The structure of my hdd connected to the ZS is this: a folder for each alphabetic letter, then inside a folder for each album, named "artist name - album title". Wav songs are tagged. The ZS (with latest firmware) is controlled via smartphone, I open the iFi Streamer app and do the search, but either looking for the album title or looking for the artist name, no wav album is found. On the other hand, with flac albums, I have no problem.
Anyway I'll do some further tests ...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@Mr BubbaHyde @iFi audio
The structure of my hdd connected to the ZS is this: a folder for each alphabetic letter, then inside a folder for each album, named "artist name - album title". Wav songs are tagged. The ZS (with latest firmware) is controlled via smartphone, I open the iFi Streamer app and do the search, but either looking for the album title or looking for the artist name, no wav album is found. On the other hand, with flac albums, I have no problem.
Anyway I'll do some further tests ...

The example I showed in the pics is just a single WAV file created in my studio for a YT channel, the only info it contains is the song title, no artist no nothing.

Do your WAV albums appear under the Albums tab?

Cheers!!

 

[WolfP]

The example I showed in the pics is just a single WAV file created in my studio for a YT channel, the only info it contains is the song title, no artist no nothing.

Do your WAV albums appear under the Albums tab?

Cheers!!

WAV albums don't appear, that's the problem. And if they don't appear, I can't play them.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

WAV albums don't appear, that's the problem. And if they don't appear, I can't play them.

Ok, I mentioned that because you had said in a search you can't see the Albums, I was simply referring to the Albums Tab as I have seen files that are there but not in other tabs like artist.

If I may ask where did these WAV files come from? I ask because there must be something that is causing then not to be recognized by the ZS interface. Although they may be recognized and read by other systems/programs something is preventing them from being seen here.

Haver you tried converting then to FLAC as I suggested just to see if they become visible?

Cheers!!