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

[Mark200]

Sorry, seems I was not clear enough (English is not my first language). We can't connect to the IFI app in Tidal mode (3). However, Mr IFI told me (after he checked with IFI engineers) that if we put all toggles off (except Tidal of course) in the IFI app and use AIO mode (1), it is the exact same thing than using the mode 3 and we still have access to the app. So this is what I did.

Thanks for the clarification. I will do the same.

 

[iFi audio]

that if we put all toggles off (except Tidal of course) in the IFI app and use AIO mode (1), it is the exact same thing than using the mode 3 and we still have access to the app.

Yes, settings inside the app override ZEN Stream's rear knob, thanks!

 

[Mark200]

Yes, settings inside the app override ZEN Stream's rear knob, thanks!

Although I have been sometimes able to run the Tidal app on my iPhone to control the streaming to my Zen Stream with wired ethernet connection, I have been having all sorts of connection problems and it usually takes me many tries to get it to work after the unit is powered down and restarted. Basically the Tidal app on my iPhone often times does not see the ZEN Steamer as an option. I just recently purchased the ZS and was thinking of returning it because it takes me about one hour each time to get it working.

Then I finally decided to use the reset button on the back of the unit, and this time I did not first upgrade the firmware to v2.30.7. I followed the ethernet connection instructions using the factory installed firmware and now everything connects perfectly each time I power down and power back up. The ZS shows up as an option on my Tidal app running on iPhone.

But I noticed that the version of the factory installed firmware (prior to an upgrade) does not handle MQA passthrough, and the color on the knob of my ZEN DAC Signature V2 is now magenta instead of blue (with Tidal Hi-Res recordings). The upgrade notes for the new v2.30.7 firmware release says that it added MQA Passthrough for Tidal (2.30.1 -- Added MQA device auto detection to Tidal Connect, enabling 'Passthrough MQA' setting from UI).

So with the factory installed firmware on the ZS, the magenta color on my DAC indicates that the "original sample rate" is being used from the Hi-Res Tidal recoding, according to the DAC manual. How does that compare in quality to MQA Passthrough available on the new ZS firmware, and using ZEN DAC Signature V2?

Now that my ZEN Stream and ZEN DAC Sig V2 are setup and working fine with the factory installed firmware installed on the ZS (and Tidal is controlled from a iPhone with Wi-Fi access to the same router as the ethernet connection to the ZEN Stream), I "might" try and upgrade the ZS firmware and see if the configuration still works. Do you know anything about a problem in setting up the ZS and Tidal via ethernet connection from scratch after the new firmware is upgraded?

 

[endless402]

Any way to delay the start of the next song by 1 second to give the dac a chance to switch frequencies ? My Hugo 2 is connected via spdif and it misses the first 1 second of the song since it takes a second to change frequencies.

 

[iFi audio]

How does that compare in quality to MQA Passthrough available on the new ZS firmware, and using ZEN DAC Signature V2?

This narrows down to whether your DAC does all the unfolding via its hardware, or is it done in Tidal's software layer. The core process in both cases looks exactly the same so it's up to one's own ears to try both and determine when a setup sounds better. That said, to some folks this makes no difference at all and others will say that they're happier when ZEN DAC V2 is used as a MQA decoder. But again, the entire unfolding process is alike regardless of where it's executed, thanks!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Although I have been sometimes able to run the Tidal app on my iPhone to control the streaming to my Zen Stream with wired ethernet connection, I have been having all sorts of connection problems and it usually takes me many tries to get it to work after the unit is powered down and restarted. Basically the Tidal app on my iPhone often times does not see the ZEN Steamer as an option. I just recently purchased the ZS and was thinking of returning it because it takes me about one hour each time to get it working.

Then I finally decided to use the reset button on the back of the unit, and this time I did not first upgrade the firmware to v2.30.7. I followed the ethernet connection instructions using the factory installed firmware and now everything connects perfectly each time I power down and power back up. The ZS shows up as an option on my Tidal app running on iPhone.

But I noticed that the version of the factory installed firmware (prior to an upgrade) does not handle MQA passthrough, and the color on the knob of my ZEN DAC Signature V2 is now magenta instead of blue (with Tidal Hi-Res recordings). The upgrade notes for the new v2.30.7 firmware release says that it added MQA Passthrough for Tidal (2.30.1 -- Added MQA device auto detection to Tidal Connect, enabling 'Passthrough MQA' setting from UI).

So with the factory installed firmware on the ZS, the magenta color on my DAC indicates that the "original sample rate" is being used from the Hi-Res Tidal recoding, according to the DAC manual. How does that compare in quality to MQA Passthrough available on the new ZS firmware, and using ZEN DAC Signature V2?

Now that my ZEN Stream and ZEN DAC Sig V2 are setup and working fine with the factory installed firmware installed on the ZS (and Tidal is controlled from a iPhone with Wi-Fi access to the same router as the ethernet connection to the ZEN Stream), I "might" try and upgrade the ZS firmware and see if the configuration still works. Do you know anything about a problem in setting up the ZS and Tidal via ethernet connection from scratch after the new firmware is upgraded?

Glad your up and running!

I have recently downgraded to Tidal hifi so unfortunately I have very little input anymore on three MQA end, although I still get it on some albums!

Cheers!!

 

[zeiv]

I connected 5tb usb 3.0 disk (no power supply nedded) to ZS, and it tried to update music library for an entire day and it couldn't do it. What's the problem? Any ideas how to fix this?

 

[Mark200]

This narrows down to whether your DAC does all the unfolding via its hardware, or is it done in Tidal's software layer. The core process in both cases looks exactly the same so it's up to one's own ears to try both and determine when a setup sounds better. That said, to some folks this makes no difference at all and others will say that they're happier when ZEN DAC V2 is used as a MQA decoder. But again, the entire unfolding process is alike regardless of where it's executed, thanks!

I have opened a case with iFI on the problem of not connecting consistently with Tidal app if I upgrade Zen Stream firmware before initial ZS setup. From comments on this forum, it sounds like others may be having the same problem. But it works fine with the firmware shipped with the ZS (purchased about a week ago).

 

[iFi audio]

I have opened a case with iFI on the problem of not connecting consistently with Tidal app if I upgrade Zen Stream firmware before initial ZS setup. From comments on this forum, it sounds like others may be having the same problem. But it works fine with the firmware shipped with the ZS (purchased about a week ago).

Understood, thanks! Let's wait what our support has to say on the matter and please feel free to update us here.

I connected 5tb usb 3.0 disk (no power supply nedded) to ZS, and it tried to update music library for an entire day and it couldn't do it. What's the problem? Any ideas how to fix this?

If I may ask, can this drive be externally powered by any chance? And what is its file structure? Thanks!

 

[nekky]

First post about my ZS as it's been great for a while and sounds wonderful. The problem now is that my unit won't illuminate either the connection nor the bitrate LEDs on the front, merely the leftmost small white power LED. I've gone through hard resetting it, only setup by ethernet, etc multiple times and am genuinely pretty persistent with technical troubleshooting... Unit was working fine the last couple months until I powered it up the other day, and now I am having nothing but problems to the point where I believe the unit may now be bricked. I've let my local, Canadian distributor know about this and am waiting for some advice from them but I am of course a little nervous. Anyone else had a unit replaced under warranty for a locked up device?

 

[Zaurux]

Even if I am a bit irritated by the hardware limitation of ZenStream (DSD128 in dop mode) and by the absence (for the moment) of updates to Bullseye, Kernel 5, NAA 4.20, etc; the result is really very good.
So there is (still) room for improvement.

According to iFi audio (a brand I like), here is the exclusive NAA mode: "individual settings dedicated to specific modes of operation to deliver the purest possible performance. All other programs are shut down - to minimise 'software jitter'.

After installing Htop (more visual than top, already installed), here is the exclusive NAA "out of the box" mode.


After some modifications, my version... more "black screen"
Under htop :


And with Glances (installed for the occasion) :
For fun (and without interest... it costs 10% of cpu : python, etc) you can launch Glances in web mode and follow the operation from your sofa


And as I like to launch in one click without necessarily opening a terminal, with a small shortcut (glances ON/OFF) and the use of "plink", everything is done from the sofa.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

First post about my ZS as it's been great for a while and sounds wonderful. The problem now is that my unit won't illuminate either the connection nor the bitrate LEDs on the front, merely the leftmost small white power LED. I've gone through hard resetting it, only setup by ethernet, etc multiple times and am genuinely pretty persistent with technical troubleshooting... Unit was working fine the last couple months until I powered it up the other day, and now I am having nothing but problems to the point where I believe the unit may now be bricked. I've let my local, Canadian distributor know about this and am waiting for some advice from them but I am of course a little nervous. Anyone else had a unit replaced under warranty for a locked up device?

Couple things to try...

If the unit is not producing sound try another power supply to see if that corrects the problem any 9v -15v will work just don't goo over the 15v.

If the unit is producing sound the button on the right is for the lights/hotspot. Press the button once quickly for lights, long press is for hotspot settings.

Let us know what happens!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Any way to delay the start of the next song by 1 second to give the dac a chance to switch frequencies ? My Hugo 2 is connected via spdif and it misses the first 1 second of the song since it takes a second to change frequencies.

I know of no settings in the menu for this on the ZS itself, in Roon and some other third party software this is an option to my knowledge.

Cheers!!

 

[nekky]

Couple things to try...

If the unit is not producing sound try another power supply to see if that corrects the problem any 9v -15v will work just don't goo over the 15v.

If the unit is producing sound the button on the right is for the lights/hotspot. Press the button once quickly for lights, long press is for hotspot settings.

Let us know what happens!

Cheers!!

Ah I’m sure I should’ve been more thorough in writing. I know what the buttons do re: lights + hotspot, and an iFi iPower Elite 12v is feeding it.

In some surprising news, I’ve actually gotten it working as of late last night, with another (after at least four or five already) hard reset in AIO mode (switch position 1). I then changed some settings, saved and restarted no problem. Then during the software update to 2.30.7, it froze at 50% on the web gui. I let it sit a good while, and reluctantly reset the page and the unit. It booted back up and seems to actually work now, and indicates that the update was applied successfully…. This is so strange. I did some listening last night via Susvara and all of the wonderful music was there again - it is so much better than USB from my gaming pc.

When I have some more time later today, I will power down the unit and flip the switch to Roon exclusive: that is what seemed to render the unit useless the last few times. I should note that I’m in AIO mode but did successfully turn off every other method of functioning other than Roon in the web interface, so it is effectively the same, as I have read before. Nevertheless I will of course want all of the functions to work, so we’ll see!

The unfortunate thing is that this all started seemingly at random a few days ago, and I hadn’t done anything different than the last few months. For example, the first time I updated to 2.30.7, it went perfectly and I was impressed how smoothly it applied the update.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Ah I’m sure I should’ve been more thorough in writing. I know what the buttons do re: lights + hotspot, and an iFi iPower Elite 12v is feeding it.

In some surprising news, I’ve actually gotten it working as of late last night, with another (after at least four or five already) hard reset in AIO mode (switch position 1). I then changed some settings, saved and restarted no problem. Then during the software update to 2.30.7, it froze at 50% on the web gui. I let it sit a good while, and reluctantly reset the page and the unit. It booted back up and seems to actually work now, and indicates that the update was applied successfully…. This is so strange. I did some listening last night via Susvara and all of the wonderful music was there again - it is so much better than USB from my gaming pc.

When I have some more time later today, I will power down the unit and flip the switch to Roon exclusive: that is what seemed to render the unit useless the last few times. I should note that I’m in AIO mode but did successfully turn off every other method of functioning other than Roon in the web interface, so it is effectively the same, as I have read before. Nevertheless I will of course want all of the functions to work, so we’ll see!

The unfortunate thing is that this all started seemingly at random a few days ago, and I hadn’t done anything different than the last few months. For example, the first time I updated to 2.30.7, it went perfectly and I was impressed how smoothly it applied the update.

I would also open a ticket with @iFi audio just in case...

I do know if one instance where support had the person him it up via USB C to do some kind of reset/troubleshooting but they didn't rely many details on it, other than he was having no issues after, what exactly was done I do not know.

I always start simple with troubleshooting lol

I cantt tell you how's many people have simple turned off the lights by accident

Cheers!!