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

[bagwell359]

I have never had any Wifi issues with my ZS, I use a simple eero mesh system. If you can try to move your Modem/Router a bit (sometimes even 6" can make a dramatic difference sometimes).

If you can maybe give a few more details on your Wifi, perhaps some can be more helpful here. For instance, I have Xfinity GB internet, but I have their Wifi turned off inside the modem as it stinks, and it was interfering with the channels on the eero system. I got a much better performance all across my home after disabling the "Comcast" wifi signal.

Cheers!!

I have Xfinity Gig+. I moved my router (Gateway XB8) to 5 different locations - like 2-3'. If I could get it about 5' in one direction it would work, but I don't need cables hanging over the busiest intersection of my home/living room. My/Living room is not my audio/music room, and the twain shall not meet. Its 30' straight line with two walls and a fridge in the middle. My prior set-up was a Fios and my LG v40 was just fine. Got a better deal with Xfinity but they don't support LG's.

I have other devices 25-35' away from the router and they work peachy.

I notice several permutations of this eero including a single box option. More details or pointers would be welcome.

 

[bagwell359]

TP-Link Deco W7200 looks to be the best price/performance for a mesh router on the Gig side of things.

 

[cyanua]

What @Mark200 said above is correct, there is only one USB Audio Output, that is where your issue lies.

Cheers!!

I got it. In the first place, I'd tried the lower USB output but it didn't work for my Focal Arche. Then I tried the upper USB output and the result still the same, not work.

The both USB output works for my Fiio K9 amazingly but Focal Arche. You could try the upper USB output and see.

I think I'm staying with Coaxial output for my Focal and USB for my Fiio K9.

 

[skrzyp]

I got it. In the first place, I'd tried the lower USB output but it didn't work for my Focal Arche. Then I tried the upper USB output and the result still the same, not work.

The both USB output works for my Fiio K9 amazingly but Focal Arche. You could try the upper USB output and see.

I think I'm staying with Coaxial output for my Focal and USB for my Fiio K9.

A quick search seems to indicate that the Arche has had USB driver issues with both Windows & Linux. I would make sure you have updated firmware for Linux support to address these before you give up on USB with the ZS.

 

[skrzyp]

I have Xfinity Gig+. I moved my router (Gateway XB8) to 5 different locations - like 2-3'. If I could get it about 5' in one direction it would work, but I don't need cables hanging over the busiest intersection of my home/living room. My/Living room is not my audio/music room, and the twain shall not meet. Its 30' straight line with two walls and a fridge in the middle. My prior set-up was a Fios and my LG v40 was just fine. Got a better deal with Xfinity but they don't support LG's.

I have other devices 25-35' away from the router and they work peachy.

I notice several permutations of this eero including a single box option. More details or pointers would be welcome.

I have two ZS units in two different locations with different WiFi set-ups, both on based on a 1 Gbps fiber connection. In both places I have great WiFi with all my devices (300 mbps+) except the ZS (<20mbps). As a result, I only use the ZS with a wired connection which has proved very reliable.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I have Xfinity Gig+. I moved my router (Gateway XB8) to 5 different locations - like 2-3'. If I could get it about 5' in one direction it would work, but I don't need cables hanging over the busiest intersection of my home/living room. My/Living room is not my audio/music room, and the twain shall not meet. Its 30' straight line with two walls and a fridge in the middle. My prior set-up was a Fios and my LG v40 was just fine. Got a better deal with Xfinity but they don't support LG's.

I have other devices 25-35' away from the router and they work peachy.

I notice several permutations of this eero including a single box option. More details or pointers would be welcome.

To be honest, I am no "Network" Guru, so keep that in mind...

I spent years buying the most expensive Netgear Routers, mainly because of gaming and 4K streaming needs, all the while I would still run a "line" wherever I could (yes I know this isn't always feasible) but a line is always best. Then one day I was out shopping and saw a special on a set of three "Mesh" routers from eero under 250 for the set, so I decided to pick it up and give them a try.

My son is an avid gamer and would certainly tell me within 5 minutes if he was not happy, lol

So I placed one on each floor making sure the signal was good where I was putting it, as per instructions and honestly have not looked back to more expensive options since then, this set was just a 3 pack of normal eero 6 "pucks". One thing to consider is this would allow for you to run a wired connection from the "puck" to your gear, and also turn off the Wifi from the xfinity modem and use only the mesh signal in your home. You can also very easily add to it in "soft" signal areas by buying more.

In terms of what you have now, make sure you are using the 2.4 signal and not the 5 ghz option, I can only tell you from expierience in peoples homes with "Home Theatre" everyone gets told to use the 5 but it is not good between floors and walls, 2.4 handles this much better.

Streaming music does not require a ton of MBPS not like 4K video streaming that's for sure, so 2.4 is more than enough. Worst case scenario is a return if the Mesh system doesn't work out for you, but a word of advice from a friend of mine who works for that big internet provider, our stuff sucks, buy something else...buy anything else, and turn our Wifi off!!

I hope you get it sorted out!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I have two ZS units in two different locations with different WiFi set-ups, both on based on a 1 Gbps fiber connection. In both places I have great WiFi with all my devices (300 mbps+) except the ZS (<20mbps). As a result, I only use the ZS with a wired connection which has proved very reliable.

Do you think this may be because music streaming doesn't require much over say 9-10 Mbps? What I mean is in terms of "Wifi" requirements for a product of this nature perhaps the lofty Mbps rates of other equipment aren't necessary for this type of product.

I do not know this I am just wondering...

Cheers!!

 

[cyanua]

A quick search seems to indicate that the Arche has had USB driver issues with both Windows & Linux. I would make sure you have updated firmware for Linux support to address these before you give up on USB with the ZS.

Just updated the latest fw. It's work. Thank you very much

 

[bagwell359]

If you haven't already, could you please try a different smartphone if possible, just to rule that out? Thanks!

Right now I'm chasing Xfinity for a change an agent made to my firewall, so since the 1st I can't even get ifi.local, or my version, IP address, with or without http:// and that's a separate issue. Update: works on iPhone this morning thru the app, not the address.....

In my post I'm talking about the ZS not being able to "see" (left light goes from white to red) my router at 20 or 30'. My iPhone is functioning fine in every other way, and I'm not sure what that matters if the ZS isn't getting a signal.

To be honest, I am no "Network" Guru, so keep that in mind...

I spent years buying the most expensive Netgear Routers, mainly because of gaming and 4K streaming needs, all the while I would still run a "line" wherever I could (yes I know this isn't always feasible) but a line is always best. Then one day I was out shopping and saw a special on a set of three "Mesh" routers from eero under 250 for the set, so I decided to pick it up and give them a try.

My son is an avid gamer and would certainly tell me within 5 minutes if he was not happy, lol

So I placed one on each floor making sure the signal was good where I was putting it, as per instructions and honestly have not looked back to more expensive options since then, this set was just a 3 pack of normal eero 6 "pucks". One thing to consider is this would allow for you to run a wired connection from the "puck" to your gear, and also turn off the Wifi from the xfinity modem and use only the mesh signal in your home. You can also very easily add to it in "soft" signal areas by buying more.

In terms of what you have now, make sure you are using the 2.4 signal and not the 5 ghz option, I can only tell you from expierience in peoples homes with "Home Theatre" everyone gets told to use the 5 but it is not good between floors and walls, 2.4 handles this much better.

Streaming music does not require a ton of MBPS not like 4K video streaming that's for sure, so 2.4 is more than enough. Worst case scenario is a return if the Mesh system doesn't work out for you, but a word of advice from a friend of mine who works for that big internet provider, our stuff sucks, buy something else...buy anything else, and turn our Wifi off!!

I hope you get it sorted out!

Cheers!!

Changing to 2.4 if it goes thru walls better seems promising. I will try it. My window is Monday at 9 AM. If not working by then, it goes back. My current budget for any audio is $0.00, since i just bought 4 BMR drivers to replace my mids in my Triangle Celius 202, and this ZS. Buying another router or an extender is not in the cards this month.

 

[skrzyp]

Do you think this may be because music streaming doesn't require much over say 9-10 Mbps? What I mean is in terms of "Wifi" requirements for a product of this nature perhaps the lofty Mbps rates of other equipment aren't necessary for this type of product.

I do not know this I am just wondering...

Cheers!!

I agree that music streaming shouldn't require too much bandwidth, and my experiences with WiFI were OK overall - but the wired connection has been more solid so I think wiring such devices is worthwhile if feasible, especially if you have a 1 Gbps connection. I hate to not take full advantage of the speed if it's available...

 

[GoldenSound]

I've posted a video on the Zen Stream and a bit of a 101 on streamers in general. Hope it might be useful!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I've posted a video on the Zen Stream and a bit of a 101 on streamers in general. Hope it might be useful!

Thank you for posting it here!

Cheers!!

 

[Big man on the Fox]

I’m feeding USB into a Audio-Gd DI-20HE with Zen set at position #1-AIO and all is well running Roon.
When I change Zen to position #2-Roon Exclusive, Zen switches to SPDIF?
Anyone else experiencing this? I prefer USB.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I’m feeding USB into a Audio-Gd DI-20HE with Zen set at position #1-AIO and all is well running Roon.
When I change Zen to position #2-Roon Exclusive, Zen switches to SPDIF?
Anyone else experiencing this? I prefer USB.

I answered you over in the Audio GD thread

You need to select the Device Output in the Roon Device settings to use USB, it defaults to coaxial and USB must be selected

Cheers!!

Link...

 

[iFi audio]

Just updated the latest fw. It's work. Thank you very much

Thanks for sharing

I've posted a video on the Zen Stream and a bit of a 101 on streamers in general. Hope it might be useful!

Thank you!