[GuyM]

12 volt booster. Mostly because I have other devices that use 12 volt. I don't own many 15 volt. So I wanted to be able to move the SBooster around if needed.

Plus I had one already so. I knew I like the 12 volt sound. When in dedicated modes with the 5 position dial you loose the IFI app access.

I made a post if anyone heard a sound difference between dedicated or AIO setting. Still waiting for a sound comparison.

m iscguy

Thanks a lot for the info M usicguy.
Therefore, I will stop searching and will return to the AIO setting (position 1) once in a while to check updates.
On my side, I did not make an exhaustive sound comparaison yet but at first glance, the difference between 1 and 3 seems minimal... if any. Perhaps it is because I put 'off' all non-Tidal toggles in the app...and if it is, perhaps we can leave it in AIO setting to have access to the IFI app. À suivre...

Regarding the SBooster, did you try all three settings (12V-13V & 13.5V) and if you did, does it sound better with the higher voltage (13.5V)?

 

[m usicguy]

Right now im only using 12 volt setting. I just got my other Sbooster yesterday. I will try 13.5. Didnt think to do the higher voltage. Will give an update when i try it

 

[iFi audio]

Right now im only using 12 volt setting. I just got my other Sbooster yesterday. I will try 13.5. Didnt think to do the higher voltage. Will give an update when i try it

Please do, we look forward to your findings. Many people on this forum use Sbooster's PSUs!

 

[m usicguy]

I got home from work and switch the Sbooster to 13.5 volts.

So the first thing I notice was the level of detail went up. More air in the voices and higher frequency sounds. The sound stage moved forward. Midrange was neutral. Bass was more natural.

With the 12 volt setting. the over all sound was warmer. laid back soundstage. not as much detail.

Dire straits Water of love. The wood block on 12 volt is kinda of a dry hit. On 13.5 volts. you can hear the very first subtle hit of the woodblock, then the next big hit you can hear the woodblock ring out more.

Perfect by ed Sheeran. On Qobuz their are 3 digital pops at the beginning? with 12 volts its a slight 3 click sound. Like a digital pop. with 13.5 volts. They sound more like record pops you would get.

Jack johnson banana pancakes. The rain in the beginning is more realistic on 13.5 volts.

The Ifi streamer now is so close to my lumin u1mini with Sbooster. For 800 dollars total its amazing. Ill listen some more today when I get home from work. Its. a good piece of gear when you don't want to stop listening and get to bed!!

Hope this helps everyone.

Maybe Ifi can step in and explain why the voltage setting is making such a difference in sound?

M uiscguy

 

[iFi audio]

Maybe Ifi can step in and explain why the voltage setting is making such a difference in sound?

It's more likely related to how your Sbooster behaves at a higher voltage, but many digital devices are more sensitive to changes related to power than say digital cables. Still, it's quite impressive that your setup audibly communicates these shifts, very cool!

 

[GuyM]

I got home from work and switch the Sbooster to 13.5 volts.

So the first thing I notice was the level of detail went up. More air in the voices and higher frequency sounds. The sound stage moved forward. Midrange was neutral. Bass was more natural.

With the 12 volt setting. the over all sound was warmer. laid back soundstage. not as much detail.

Dire straits Water of love. The wood block on 12 volt is kinda of a dry hit. On 13.5 volts. you can hear the very first subtle hit of the woodblock, then the next big hit you can hear the woodblock ring out more.

Perfect by ed Sheeran. On Qobuz their are 3 digital pops at the beginning? with 12 volts its a slight 3 click sound. Like a digital pop. with 13.5 volts. They sound more like record pops you would get.

Jack johnson banana pancakes. The rain in the beginning is more realistic on 13.5 volts.

The Ifi streamer now is so close to my lumin u1mini with Sbooster. For 800 dollars total its amazing. Ill listen some more today when I get home from work. Its. a good piece of gear when you don't want to stop listening and get to bed!!

Hope this helps everyone.

Maybe Ifi can step in and explain why the voltage setting is making such a difference in sound?

M uiscguy

 

[iFi audio]

@GuyM your post seems missing some text. Is there anything you wanted to add or ask about? We're here to help!

 

[mab1376]

Wouldn't more than 9v possibly damage the zen stream?

I personally ordered a 9v iPower X that is arriving today. The sbooster looks like cool tech, but too expensive for this in my opinion. Personally, I would use that on something like a sensitive phono preamp instead.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Wouldn't more than 9v possibly damage the zen stream?

I personally ordered a 9v iPower X that is arriving today. The sbooster looks like cool tech, but too expensive for this in my opinion. Personally, I would use that on something like a sensitive phono preamp instead.

The ZS accommodates 9v - 15v !!

Leaving lots of room for experimentation and to find the sound/performance you like best!!

Cheers!!

 

[mab1376]

The ZS accommodates 9v - 15v !!

Leaving lots of room for experimentation and to find the sound/performance you like best!!

Cheers!!

oh, never realized that until now, i based my order off the included psu specs.

 

[m usicguy]

I was never a believer in power or power cables until my old dealer took me from cheap IEC power cable all the way up to shynata Black mamba power cables. Then went from a MEAN Maxwell power supply to an Uptone JS2 power supply.

What I find cool about the ifs streamer is that it lets you upgrade your power if you like or you can just use the stock.
1 ifs power x. Was an upgrade from stock PS.
2 Uptone lps1.2 power supply. 12 volt. big jump is bass and warmth
3 Sbooster 12 volt. More open sound. Bass was much better defined and bigger sound stage.
4 Sbooster 13.5 volts. More detail, more timbre, Sound stage move forward but more depth. Bass was tighter

I have a lumin U1 mini. You would think stock it would sound the best it could. Nope. Stock I found it smooth and good soundstagebut lacked power in the bass. Adding the Sbooster to it brought it to a whole new level. some say 90-95 of the big Lumin U1.

So. If I can, I always try out different power supplies.

Im pretty happy now with my ifs streamer on 13.5 volts. Its so close to my lumin U1 mini now. I don't feel the need to buy another lumin/Sbooster!

Good job IFI.

Muiscguy

 

[iFi audio]

The ZS accommodates 9v - 15v !!

That's accurate, thanks!

Good job IFI.

Thank you very much and enjoy

 

[m usicguy]

So when I start a song using MConnect. Its like the first 1 second of the song is cut off. I increased my buffer to 50%. But when I start a song that fist second is lost. Some songs that first second is important any ideas.
Should I change some in Mconnect hp player?

Musicguy

 

[GuyM]

Thanks a lot for your comments M usicguy... but now I'm more confused than ever re 12V or 15V? At first SBooster suggested the 15V but they said 12V will also work. Moreover they said I will need the 15V should I want to add the Ultra in the future (and I think I will be limited to one setting only on the Booster which is not optimal). One one hand, I want to be 100% I won't damage the Zen with the higher voltage model but on the other hand, based on your findings, I was wondering if going from 13.5V (on the 12V model) to 15V (on the 15V model) could improve the sound furthermore.
Comment for Mab376 : Like you, I was also thinking the SBooster was way too expensive for the Zen but when the dealer replaced the generic (non Ipower) power supply by the SBooster, Wow!!! Honestly, I never thought the PS would make such a difference... and I do not have golden years. Ah decision, decision!!!

 

[m usicguy]

The biggest reason I went with the 12 volt SBooster. I have many devices that can use 12 volts. I don't own any 15 volt devices. So It lets my Sbooster be more compatible with my gear. So it has a better value to me.

To be honest. Im scared to put my UPtone js2 on the ifs streamer. I might not want to go back to the SBooster. Sometimes you have to know when to stop.
I use Uptone's ethernet switch. I can't even think about using a normal switch now for streaming. I made the mistake of putting a Uptone ethernet switch on my Apple TV. Wife took it from me. Ouch. She doesn't know it cost 600 dollars! SHHHHHHHHHH