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

[phacochere]

If you have not found a solution, I would perform a factory reset from the Settings/System menu and then update to the current firmware from the same area.

Let us know how it goes!

Cheers!!

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback, I've already done a factory reset from the iFi app, tried the basic (reset) firmware and updated to the current version (all this twice), also reinstalled Spotify twice (but all devices used to control Zen via Spotify Connect have the same issue, so unlikely to be the Spotify app unless everyone has the same issue). I must say I'm at a loss...

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback, I've already done a factory reset from the iFi app, tried the basic (reset) firmware and updated to the current version (all this twice), also reinstalled Spotify twice (but all devices used to control Zen via Spotify Connect have the same issue, so unlikely to be the Spotify app unless everyone has the same issue). I must say I'm at a loss...

I will check my Spotify as soon as possible for you, could you give me a better idea of your connections, USB, Coaxial, etc.

If everything is working and nothing has changed then I would open a ticket with support while we are giving it a go here. Just on the off chance something was bumped be sure to check your Spotify volume slider and the volume slider from within the ifi app as well.

If you are using USB, completely disconnect your DAC and reconnect. If you've done all that prior to this my apologies, and I will get back to you here with my Spotify result as soon as I can.

Cheers!!

 

[phacochere]

I will check my Spotify as soon as possible for you, could you give me a better idea of your connections, USB, Coaxial, etc.

If everything is working and nothing has changed then I would open a ticket with support while we are giving it a go here. Just on the off chance something was bumped be sure to check your Spotify volume slider and the volume slider from within the ifi app as well.

If you are using USB, completely disconnect your DAC and reconnect. If you've done all that prior to this my apologies, and I will get back to you here with my Spotify result as soon as I can.

Cheers!!

Hi Mr BubbaHyde, I really do appreciate your trying to help me out! My connection is wifi --> ZS --> USB --> DAC --> amp, I have indeed disconnected/rebooted everything multiple times, and the volume sliders are maxed out. The yellow light remain on, but I HAVE SOUND THIS MORNING! I didn't do anything other than try it again this AM, seems to have fixed itself (??!?), knock on wood this keeps going! Cheers,

Seb

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi Mr BubbaHyde, I really do appreciate your trying to help me out! My connection is wifi --> ZS --> USB --> DAC --> amp, I have indeed disconnected/rebooted everything multiple times, and the volume sliders are maxed out. The yellow light remain on, but I HAVE SOUND THIS MORNING! I didn't do anything other than try it again this AM, seems to have fixed itself, knock on wood this keeps going! Cheers,

Seb

You're welcome!

I was just going to tell you all was working here for me, and also mention to check your Playback output settings. Perhaps it was just a glitch in Spotify connect, who knows, lol

I'm glad you are up and running; keep an eye on it!

Cheers!!

 

[PeterF6]

Just to close out my previous query, I got a replacement Stream from the vendor rather than dealing with a repair. It works well; I was even able to set it up first try via the wifi + iFi app. Looking forward to sorting out how to connect a hard drive directly — interestingly the app offered me the option of selecting an NAS drive but not a plug in. I know there's a lot of this covered in these posts, so I'll skim through for answers. Thanks for the suggestions when my first unit was dead!
Peter

 

[iFi audio]

Just to close out my previous query, I got a replacement Stream from the vendor rather than dealing with a repair. It works well; I was even able to set it up first try via the wifi + iFi app. Looking forward to sorting out how to connect a hard drive directly — interestingly the app offered me the option of selecting an NAS drive but not a plug in. I know there's a lot of this covered in these posts, so I'll skim through for answers. Thanks for the suggestions when my first unit was dead!
Peter

That's good to now that the second unit works as intended and if you won't be able to connect a NAS, please let us know so we can try helping you out, thanks!

 

[dpam]

Hi guys...

I've got an iFi Zen and have been using it successfully with a Dragonfly Cobalt USB for months. I got a new integrated amp today (Parasound 200) with a good internal DAC so connected a SPDIF coax to the Zen and thought I'd try it out --- Nothing. I've been browsing back and see that people have had issues enabling the COAXIAL outtput, but I couldn't figure out the solution. Would appreciate any tips?

(I know there is a web admin panel in the Zen but I don't know how to reach it - the one that I used to setup Wifi seem to have nothing else in it.)

Any tips appreciated. I don't want to use the USB anymore, just the COAX to output digital to the external DAC. Thx.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi guys...

I've got an iFi Zen and have been using it successfully with a Dragonfly Cobalt USB for months. I got a new integrated amp today (Parasound 200) with a good internal DAC so connected a SPDIF coax to the Zen and thought I'd try it out --- Nothing. I've been browsing back and see that people have had issues enabling the COAXIAL outtput, but I couldn't figure out the solution. Would appreciate any tips?

(I know there is a web admin panel in the Zen but I don't know how to reach it - the one that I used to setup Wifi seem to have nothing else in it.)

Any tips appreciated. I don't want to use the USB anymore, just the COAX to output digital to the external DAC. Thx.

You can get to this by typing ifi.local into your browser, or by using the stream-ifi app which you can get on any of the stores.

Once there on the left click on settings, then Playback options, at the top of the screen you will see this...

Where it says output device, select the SPDIF from the dropdown menu, then press save, you should be good to go.

Cheers!!

 

[dpam]

You can get to this by typing ifi.local into your browser, or by using the stream-ifi app which you can get on any of the stores.

Once there on the left click on settings, then Playback options, at the top of the screen you will see this...



Where it says output device, select the SPDIF from the dropdown menu, then press save, you should be good to go.

Cheers!!

Sorry to be dense... But I can't seem to get to that page. I've tried both when the device is on my Wifi (white circle on left) and when I've switched to the zen hotspot (right small white steady). In neither case can I connect via mobile browser using the http://ifi.local or the IP address. The ifi app on my iphone just seems to want to reset the wifi(even though that's been done) and I can't get past that. I'm sure i'm forgetting or missing something obvious here - been months since I learned enough to set this up.

What's the trick to get the ifi.local to connect? Do I have to Ethernet wire a laptop to the device? Thanks for your patience and assistance.

 

[dpam]

Solved. Found via their website, ifi.local only works in AIO mode - I was in Roon Ready Mode (or whatever 2 is). Got the coax working. Thanks.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Solved. Found via their website, ifi.local only works in AIO mode - I was in Roon Ready Mode (or whatever 2 is). Got the coax working. Thanks.

I completely forgot to ask you that after I saw your post!

Glad you got it going!

Cheers!!

 

[billh556]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to the Zen Stream, just got mine setup a couple of days ago. I'm putting it into a system that will be out of sight most of the time, feeding a DAC that is connected to an amp that drives a set of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. In this setup I leave the components in standby so they respond to web or app commands to start playing, stop playing, adjust volume, etc. without making physical contact with the system. It never occurred to me to check if a wifi streamer would be able to work in this mode, where it stays in standby (or powered on, it doesn't matter to me) all the time. My ZS times out if it isn't receiving a stream for some period of time, and I haven't found a way to power on except by pressing the hardware button. I've checked the timeout settings (no timeout it set) and everything else I can find in the advanced settings menus. Is there a trick I'm missing here - I've searched this thread a lot of different ways, but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to the Zen Stream, just got mine setup a couple of days ago. I'm putting it into a system that will be out of sight most of the time, feeding a DAC that is connected to an amp that drives a set of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. In this setup I leave the components in standby so they respond to web or app commands to start playing, stop playing, adjust volume, etc. without making physical contact with the system. It never occurred to me to check if a wifi streamer would be able to work in this mode, where it stays in standby (or powered on, it doesn't matter to me) all the time. My ZS times out if it isn't receiving a stream for some period of time, and I haven't found a way to power on except by pressing the hardware button. I've checked the timeout settings (no timeout it set) and everything else I can find in the advanced settings menus. Is there a trick I'm missing here - I've searched this thread a lot of different ways, but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance for any pointers.

I am not aware of anything that should cause a shutdown of the ZS, in fact, it was common in some circles to just leave the unit powered on at all times.

I would suggest possibly trying another power supply with the unit if you have one, the ZS accepts anything from 9v-15v so there is a range that is safe to use. The only other thing I can think of is that any type of "power drop" at the outlet being used will cause this to occur, even if it is for less than a second.

I would also pose the question to iFi support by opening a ticket, just in case there is something we are missing or unaware of.

Cheers!!

 

[billh556]

Thanks for tip about the power supply. It makes sense because this is a replacement unit for me - the first one I received would not power on at all, and I used my electrical tester to learn there was no power at the connector on that one. I exchanged the whole unit for the current one. The ZS is plugged in to a surge protector that is also powering the DAC and amp, and they aren't having power problems there. I'll swap which outlets they use just to be sure that isn't the problem.

I did open a ticket with iFi support as you suggested. We'll see what they say. I'll also look around the house and see if I have another compatible power supply to test with.

Thanks again for the suggestions! I sure hope I can get this sorted because while it was running the ZS sounded great in my system.

Bill

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for tip about the power supply. It makes sense because this is a replacement unit for me - the first one I received would not power on at all, and I used my electrical tester to learn there was no power at the connector on that one. I exchanged the whole unit for the current one. The ZS is plugged in to a surge protector that is also powering the DAC and amp, and they aren't having power problems there. I'll swap which outlets they use just to be sure that isn't the problem.

I did open a ticket with iFi support as you suggested. We'll see what they say. I'll also look around the house and see if I have another compatible power supply to test with.

Thanks again for the suggestions! I sure hope I can get this sorted because while it was running the ZS sounded great in my system.

Bill

I am sure they will be able to help you out with your issue.

Let us know how you make out whatever the solution is. It is amazing what the ZS can add to your system, best thing I ever did!

Cheers!!