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

[tald]

I tried today to use the coax output. My dac is ifi zen one signature. When i play a indevidual song the music will not start from the begining of the song but about from the second second (there is delay between song start and sound). The usb output doesn't has this problem.
I found its happand only with wav and aiff files

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I tried today to use the coax output. My dac is ifi zen one signature. When i play a indevidual song the music will not start from the begining of the song but about from the second second (there is delay between song start and sound). The usb output doesn't has this problem.
I found its happand only with wav and aiff files

Please report this issue here, and I will also pass it along for you so we may get it looked at.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Cheers!!

New DC Blocker+

 

[tald]

Please report this issue here, and I will also pass it along for you so we may get it looked at.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Cheers!!

New DC Blocker+

I open ticket and will update soon

 

[twrr]

Same problem with me, on weiss 202 dac especially, i need to start song form the beginning several times, with questyle cas192d i cant hear first two seconds, on weiss 5-6, with exogal comet everything is ok.

 

[AVMiii]

I've got an issue with initial setup. Can anyone help?

I received a Zen streamer last night and proceeded to follow the enclosed ethernet connection set up instructions. The left front panel light turned green after a min with power (12 v iFi supplied standard PS) and wired internet connection. I have not been able to connect to the unit from my ethernet connected computer using either the http://ifi.local nor the ip, 192.168.211.1

My internet path is cable modem to router, to switch. The ethernet port light on the Streamer is green, and my smart TV also connected to this same switch functions normally. When I access my router to look at internet connections no ifi stream is listed. I don’t really want to deal with a wireless connection as I don’t plan to connect the streamer other than with wired ethernet. I have also reset both the router and the Streamer. Is the streamer faulty? What else is there to try?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I've got an issue with initial setup. Can anyone help?

I received a Zen streamer last night and proceeded to follow the enclosed ethernet connection set up instructions. The left front panel light turned green after a min with power (12 v iFi supplied standard PS) and wired internet connection. I have not been able to connect to the unit from my ethernet connected computer using either the http://ifi.local nor the ip, 192.168.211.1

My internet path is cable modem to router, to switch. The ethernet port light on the Streamer is green, and my smart TV also connected to this same switch functions normally. When I access my router to look at internet connections no ifi stream is listed. I don’t really want to deal with a wireless connection as I don’t plan to connect the streamer other than with wired ethernet. I have also reset both the router and the Streamer. Is the streamer faulty? What else is there to try?

I know you probably don't want to do another setup but this is a very quick procedure that has worked for most who have used it.

First, do a factory reset by trying to access the Ifi.local by clicking here to see if you can access it

http://ifi.local/settings

If you are able to get there, then follow this video step-by-step



Let us know how you do.

Cheers!!

 

[AVMiii]

I'm not in front of the unit at the moment, but I did not attach the wi-fi antenna as I don't plan to use it. I did follow the other steps except that I connected the dac before I turned the unit on. As I noted in my previous post, I did see the left light turn green. But I'm never able to connect from my computer browser (win 11, edge) to the streamer. I also, as I wrote, reset the streamer.
Thanks for the quick reply Mr. BubbaHyde, but, short of not connecting the dac before the light turns green I've done nothing different than your procedure.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'm not in front of the unit at the moment, but I did not attach the wi-fi antenna as I don't plan to use it. I did follow the other steps except that I connected the dac before I turned the unit on. As I noted in my previous post, I did see the left light turn green. But I'm never able to connect from my computer browser (win 11, edge) to the streamer. I also, as I wrote, reset the streamer.
Thanks for the quick reply Mr. BubbaHyde, but, short of not connecting the dac before the light turns green I've done nothing different than your procedure.

That's fine, I completely understand.

We here have seen this before, many have had to find an altered IP address but usually "Green" indicates you have a local connection but not an internet one.

You do not have to leave the antenna attached after the setup is done. When you get a chance try that link to see if you can access the unit directly with it, this link has also worked for many.

I know it's basic and repetitive but please give it a shot, and by all means, do not use the "Hotspot method" unless you are forced to. lol

Let us know when you can.

Cheers!!

 

[dubtown]

I currently have the ZEN Stream with the ZEN DAC 2 Signature and the ZEN CAN Signature 6xx. I am very happy with it. What if I bought the NEO Stream and operated it together with the ZEN CAN Signature 6xx?

Would that bring me forward in terms of sound? Does anyone have this combination?

 

[tald]

Please report this issue here, and I will also pass it along for you so we may get it looked at.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Cheers!!

New DC Blocker+

IFi support has no solution. All they suggest was to try other coax cable to replace my $11cable. So i bought $100 cable that made no change. I also tried to convert wav files to uncompressed flac files, also no help.

 

[AVMiii]

That's fine, I completely understand.

We here have seen this before, many have had to find an altered IP address but usually "Green" indicates you have a local connection but not an internet one.

You do not have to leave the antenna attached after the setup is done. When you get a chance try that link to see if you can access the unit directly with it, this link has also worked for many.

I know it's basic and repetitive but please give it a shot, and by all means, do not use the "Hotspot method" unless you are forced to. lol

Let us know when you can.

Cheers!!

Well, I've just about had it with this POS! I spent hours this evening trying to connect by both wired and wireless internet with no luck at all. For the wired, I followed your instructions (wireless antenna now installed) and turned on the unit with only power attached, waited for a solid red lite, reset with a paperclip for 2 sec (I tried it longer once and got 2 red lites and couldn't turn it off --had to remove power cord), Then once reset, turned off, attached ethernet cable (not SPDIF) abd turned on, Got red left light, and could not access with ifi.local/setting or anything else. I even turned off my router wireless and tried this again. SoI guess I'm the 3 percent that this procedure doesn't work for?

Then I tried wireless after resetting, and with my phone and hot spot turned on, hit the right button for 2 sec (still no color) and in phone I could see the if streamer, but my cell said that there was no internet connection. This is getting pretty damn frustrating. For my cell I was using 5g.

I did register a help ticket this am.

 

[AVMiii]

Well, I've just about had it with this POS! I spent hours this evening trying to connect by both wired and wireless internet with no luck at all. For the wired, I followed your instructions (wireless antenna now installed) and turned on the unit with only power attached, waited for a solid red lite, reset with a paperclip for 2 sec (I tried it longer once and got 2 red lites and couldn't turn it off --had to remove power cord), Then once reset, turned off, attached ethernet cable (not SPDIF) abd turned on, Got red left light, and could not access with ifi.local/setting or anything else. I even turned off my router wireless and tried this again. SoI guess I'm the 3 percent that this procedure doesn't work for?

Then I tried wireless after resetting, and with my phone and hot spot turned on, hit the right button for 2 sec (still no color) and in phone I could see the if streamer, but my cell said that there was no internet connection. This is getting pretty damn frustrating. For my cell I was using 5g.

I did register a help ticket this am.

Oh, and what do you mean by an "altered ip". I've looked at all the wired and wireless connections in my router and no ifstream is listed. Because it isn't connecting!

 

[tald]

Hi all,
So i bought two ZS units and very pleased with the SQ.
I use it with external SSD disk. Lan cable.
Most of my album on the disk are wav files albums, few flac.

I have few issues with it:
1. ZS won't index wav albums. same disk with roon, jriver and blueos: no problem. i open a ticket. (no problem with flac albums index).
2. ZS stop playing from time to time. its stop for 20 sec and then play again. maybe i should try change the ZS buffer size ?
3. All my files are PCM, 2 channels, 16bit, 44100hz. according to the manual the right led should be green but its always yellow. on the app the ZS recognize the files
as 16bit 44100hz but as said, led is always yellow.
TNX

Update:
1. Sadly i don't think any solution soon. Ifi support didn't return to me at all.
2. Problem solve by increasing buffer size to 64mb and buffer before play to 50%.
3. Was my mistake as i read at old manual.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Oh, and what do you mean by an "altered ip". I've looked at all the wired and wireless connections in my router and no ifstream is listed. Because it isn't connecting!

If you are getting two red lights then the unit may need a USB C redo thru the port on the back.

This is the best method to reset the unit and reinstall the operating system.

You well need a Windows computer for this as there is no version for MAC.

If they don't provide this solution for you, let me know I may be able to help.

Sorry the unit had given you so much terrible, I can promise we will try to get you going.

What I meant was some folks had trouble as you finding the proper IP address in their system, honestly do not even know what this means but somehow it was different than the one provided in the manual.

It is almost impossible to diagnose her this issue becomes complicated by VPN and other things firewalls and so forth, even security settings.

This is why I'm my first post I tell folks to connect directly to the modem for initial setup if issues arise.

Cheers!!

 

[AVMiii]

If you are getting two red lights then the unit may need a USB C redo thru the port on the back.

This is the best method to reset the unit and reinstall the operating system.

You well need a Windows computer for this as there is no version for MAC.

If they don't provide this solution for you, let me know I may be able to help.

Sorry the unit had given you so much terrible, I can promise we will try to get you going.

What I meant was some folks had trouble as you finding the proper IP address in their system, honestly do not even know what this means but somehow it was different than the one provided in the manual.

It is almost impossible to diagnose her this issue becomes complicated by VPN and other things firewalls and so forth, even security settings.

This is why I'm my first post I tell folks to connect directly to the modem for initial setup if issues arise.

Cheers!!

Thanks for your continued response Mr B, I do appreciate it. Although as you can tell I'm pretty frustrated I will try a few more things.
Ifi responsed to my ticket and as you might guess suggested that I try to connect directly to the router. I'll try that, or as you suggest maybe even the modem to bypass the router. Tech support is also asking for other info such as is router set to VPN or other security measures (no), the brand switch (netgear with a smart TV attached, working fine) and to check in file explorer on my computer in network. I'll investigate further this weekend, but I no longer ever get a green left light as I once did. Always red now, so it seems worse. I will do the reset again as well. Router is a Tenda AC-15 circa 2019 if that matters.