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

[al2813]

Hi, any news on Roon Ready firmware?

 

[wathorney]

I thought I would start this thread for those that are having issues with their ZS, and hopefully connect with other ZS owners that aren't having issues, as well as post some guidance for new users.

**This Thread is not for bashing/complaints of @iFi audio or the product**

Again I am starting this for those who need help getting theirs working as flawlessly as myself and many others have had since day one.

I'll start this thread with my ZS setup procedure for those having Setup/Inconsistent signal streaming issues, this procedure has worked for many, many people, just follow what it says and hopefully your issues will be resolved!

==========================================================================================

Zen Stream Start over steps!



Please read this thru before starting, PLEASE all the way thru!!


I would prefer you don’t do this procedure if you are using a 9v power supply, "and" are having any issues with powering on, or the Zen Stream randomly shutting off (rarity, but has happened).

The Zen stream can handle 9-15v power supply’s so simply get one from another unit, I prefer 12v or 15v myself, but 12v is in the middle of the power range.


**Procedure** SLOW DOWN AND FOLLOW THE STEPS!!


You should do this with an ethernet cable directly connected to your modem. NO WIFI, No WIFI Extenders, a direct connection if at all possible.

We are going to do a hard reset, there’s a button on the back of the unit, it’s a little pinhole, you’ll need a paperclip, Toothpick, something like that.

When you’re ready, Power on your ZEN Stream. Press and hold the reset button, located on the back of the device, for 2 seconds,..2 SECONDS no more no less, 1, 1000, 2, 1000 let go.


Let it sit for a bit, when everything looks normal just turn the unit off, power down, if it didn’t do it by itself.

Ok connect your Ethernet line, power line (if you disconnected it) and then power on the unit. You can open the ifi app or ifi.local, whichever is more convenient for you, I prefer the browser for this reset procedure.

*NOTE*

If your hotspot button is flashing, that’s the one on the right face of the Zen Stream, I need you to go into your network settings FIRST and disable Hotspot before moving forward with anything. Make sure this is disabled and after a save leave the network tab and go back in and make sure it is disabled. You can also verify this by the light, it should not be on, or blinking.

Once the app (or interface) is open and ready go to your settings, (home button and little gear icon down the bottom right on the app, in your browser it’s on the left. Open the network page, refresh your wireless settings if they are there.


Proceed with the wireless setup thru the menu, not thru "hotspot"and keep in mind you must hit save on each step, very important! When you do you should see a little indicator box somewhere (lol) that say changes saved unit restarting/updating.


Be sure to let each menu change save completely before doing another! I usually take a sip of my favorite beverage each time!!!

Once that is done, power down the unit. Take it wherever you want to use it at, and set it up. Power it on, give it time, and you “Should” be good to go.

Hope this works for you as it has for many others. If not the issue may very well be the power supply.
Contact iFi support and open a ticket.

==========================================================================================


If you notice I am not worried about firmware, hard drives, none of that. First we need to get your unit up, running, and stable, then we can worry about all that Jazz.

I have found this is the best way to resolve most issues. If you’re sitting there saying I can’t connect it directly to my internet, the modem is not in the room where I am going to use it, I will say don’t be lazy…

Cheers!!





Hopefully this will solve most missed steps and setup issues for new owners. It may even help if you are having random issues with the Zen Stream to do this procedure.

Thanks for this - worked like a dream.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi, any news on Roon Ready firmware?

Not that I know of, in all honesty I’m not sure what it will bring as the ZS works flawlessly with Roon as it stands!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for this - worked like a dream.

Your welcome!!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Elite is much better than hypsos on all devices I've tried.

That's the first such a statement we've seen, but we'll take it, thanks

 

[mab1376]

That's the first such a statement we've seen, but we'll take it, thanks

I'm really curious to see both of them compared on a scope with a 10w test load. But like with tubes, perfect measurements don't always equal preferred sound.

 

[iFi audio]

I'm really curious to see both of them compared on a scope with a 10w test load.

We'd like to see more such comparisons too

 

[bagwell359]

Hi. Current status of 1st unfolding of MQA in the iFi streamer using TIDAL connect? Last I heard the licensing details were being discussed, but not implemented as first advertised. Matters to me because my DAC doesn't hables MQA. My LG v40 handles the key first unfold no problem. Sadly, I don't find the DAC in the LG to be even remotely listenable - so no additional unfolds.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi. Current status of 1st unfolding of MQA in the iFi streamer using TIDAL connect? Last I heard the licensing details were being discussed, but not implemented as first advertised. Matters to me because my DAC doesn't hables MQA. My LG v40 handles the key first unfold no problem. Sadly, I don't find the DAC in the LG to be even remotely listenable - so no additional unfolds.

Perhaps @iFi audio will come in...

As for my info, I know longer have Tidal MQA just HiFi, with Roon and still get MQA on some albums

But, the best I know is inn the Ifi menu there is now an option for MQA On/Off/Auto, you would have too check that out.

Also pee this question in the main ZS thread would be helpful.

Cheers!!

 

[GuyM]

Perhaps @iFi audio will come in...

As for my info, I know longer have Tidal MQA just HiFi, with Roon and still get MQA on some albums

But, the best I know is inn the Ifi menu there is now an option for MQA On/Off/Auto, you would have too check that out.

Also pee this question in the main ZS thread would be helpful.

Cheers!!

I’m not sure I understand well that MQA thing. If I put the MQA pass through to on, it means the ZS will send to my DAC a standard non-MQA high-res 88.2 file to my DAC (my DAC does not decode MQA). Am I right?

I ask the question because I’m a bit ambivalent on MQA. On bad recordings (say old rock), I prefer MQA files but on well recorded blues / jazz files, I prefer non MQA files (I stream these in hifi quality (red book) from Tidal). If I am right, I will simply leave the pass through toggle to on in the IFI app and my Tidal streaming quality to Master. Thanks…

 

[bagwell359]

A bit more. I'm not changing my DAC - Gumby v1, thus no further unfolds. However the first unfold seems like the key. I don't want a pass through. My v40 is showing signs that its not long for this world. So inside of 6 mos. a used LG v50, or a cheap wireless streamer that handles the 1st unfold AND has the same or better quality of a LG v50 is the choice - or I ditch MQA and go with QOBUZ which is so screwy for me at this time I can't even log in even with assistance of their call center.

 

[iFi audio]

But, the best I know is inn the Ifi menu there is now an option for MQA On/Off/Auto, you would have too check that out.

Yes, it's now user-selectable, thanks

 

[m usicguy]

Sorry I haven't been here in awhile. Work and been watching the news.

Denafrips

 

[Vangelis]

I‘m helping a friend set up his new ZS. The sound is flat and compressed. In this system both the Oppo CD player and Mac both sound clearly better. Even steaming any resolution level from Radio Paradise via his Mac sounds far more dynamic and extended on both frequency extremes when comparing with the same USB cable . Temporally, we are using a 150ft run of cheap Cat 6 that is only covering a required 40ft span, so the excess 100ft is rolled up. The plan upgrade the 40ft run with a Supra 8 Ethernet cable. We using Mconnect HD for the iPad OS.
I don’t know if the 150ft long Ethernet cable is the culprit here or could it be a setting within the IF or McontrolHD that might be causing such lifeless sound. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[mab1376]

I‘m helping a friend set up his new ZS. The sound is flat and compressed. In this system both the Oppo CD player and Mac both sound clearly better. Even steaming any resolution level from Radio Paradise via his Mac sounds far more dynamic and extended on both frequency extremes when comparing with the same USB cable . Temporally, we are using a 150ft run of cheap Cat 6 that is only covering a required 40ft span, so the excess 100ft is rolled up. The plan upgrade the 40ft run with a Supra 8 Ethernet cable. We using Mconnect HD for the iPad OS.
I don’t know if the 150ft long Ethernet cable is the culprit here or could it be a setting within the IF or McontrolHD that might be causing such lifeless sound. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

You can buy a cheap cable tester to check it, the extra length won't be a problem if it tests good. Cat 6 is good for 300 ft.