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

[Vangelo]

Had interesting experience last night trying a new USB cable from AliExpress.
Very nicely made cable, not excessive cost.
The cable connected my ZS to my Audio-GD DDC.

.......then I got this message (excuse pic) and nothing worked.
Well, took me 2 hours to figure out it was the cable. Spent the time resetting router/ZS/DDC, reinstalling software etc.
Then I put old cable back & function restored

What? Faulty cable, right?

Well.....no. All the connection were fine & no shorts. I plugged it into my printer and it worked.

I messaged seller and he said cable only USB2, not USB3. Is this possible?
Does anyone have a clue?


Other thing I was gonna ask re ZS reset button at the back. As I am using ethernet cable and DNLA mode, can I just reset in this mode?

Just tried this. Seemed to work.....but no sound . Finally sussed defaulted to SPDIF, so have to go back to AIO mode and set to USB. C'mon iFi......fix this!

Also just realised you need access to app to update to latest firmware.

Thanks for any help!

Cheers

V

 

[hackstu]

Odd behavior for sure, keep us posted please!

Gone back to the demo unit, seems OK for now but don't know why, after leaving it on for roughly 15 minutes with no music playing, it turned itself off.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Gone back to the demo unit, seems OK for now but don't know why, after leaving it on for roughly 15 minutes with no music playing, it turned itself off.

To my knowledge there is no standby on the Zen Stream. What is the voltage of the Power supply you got with the unit? Way back last year My first unit had a power-related issue, I only discovered it by realizing I was the only one I knew that had to hold the power button for 3 seconds to power on the unit. My 9v power supply was faulty, since then I have only used 12-15v for the ZS and have had no issues.

Don't remember if you said what you were using but if it's 9v perhaps test another PS as long as it's not over 15v see what you find...

Cheers!!

 

[Vangelo]

Gone back to the demo unit, seems OK for now but don't know why, after leaving it on for roughly 15 minutes with no music playing, it turned itself off.

Not sure if this is related.....but I experience my unit locking up and freezing if not used for several hours. The front button does not switch off, so I need to unplug power supply. Once reboots works again......

.......so annoying!

EDIT: Just realised with last reset I forgot to update ZS so I been using on original firmware. Could be why its hanging up when not used for a while. Will monitor and report back.

Left overnight & worked next morning, so I guess bug in factory firmware fixed.

 

[hackstu]

To my knowledge there is no standby on the Zen Stream. What is the voltage of the Power supply you got with the unit? Way back last year My first unit had a power-related issue, I only discovered it by realizing I was the only one I knew that had to hold the power button for 3 seconds to power on the unit. My 9v power supply was faulty, since then I have only used 12-15v for the ZS and have had no issues.

Don't remember if you said what you were using but if it's 9v perhaps test another PS as long as it's not over 15v see what you find...

Cheers!!

I'm using a ipowerx 9v I've used for several years on a project streambox ds net. Had no issues with the psu. The psu with the demo unit is 12v, havn't tried it yet.

Is there some secret advanced setting somewhere?I know there is a sleep menu.

 

[iFi audio]

Left overnight & worked next morning, so I guess bug in factory firmware fixed.

Yup, that's the most likely scenario, thanks for the update!

I'm using a ipowerx 9v I've used for several years on a project streambox ds net. Had no issues with the psu. The psu with the demo unit is 12v, havn't tried it yet.

To chime in, the product should behave the same way no matter its PSU, of course as long as it's within the recommended range (DC 9V/1.8A-15V/0.8A).

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I'm using a ipowerx 9v I've used for several years on a project streambox ds net. Had no issues with the psu. The psu with the demo unit is 12v, havn't tried it yet.

Is there some secret advanced setting somewhere?I know there is a sleep menu.

Not That I am aware of bud, lol

My experience in regards to power supplies is simply I have found that the 9v has had more issues than the 12 or 15v versions in most instances, why this is, I do not know.

as @iFi audio just stated theoretically the unit should perform the same under all of them. However, I have measured the temp of the external temperature of the units previously and found that in every case the unit's external temp is lower with 12 or 15v supplies running on it.

Now that was done over a year ago and posted in the main thread, so my working theory has always been giving it a little higher than 9 "seemed" to equate to fewer instances of issues.

As always I could be wrong, but that has been my experience.

Cheers!!

 

[hackstu]

@Mr BubbaHyde do you suggest a 12v PSU. If so I would go for a ipowerx? What PSU do you have hooked up?

 

[Vangelo]

@Mr BubbaHyde do you suggest a 12v PSU. If so I would go for a ipowerx? What PSU do you have hooked up?

If you are in UK, I would suggest Temple Audio's fine Supercaps power supply:

https://www.templeaudio.net/supercharger.html

I use 12v supply on my ZS. It's among the best sounding and reasonable price.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@Mr BubbaHyde do you suggest a 12v PSU. If so I would go for a ipowerx? What PSU do you have hooked up?

I currently have both in the 15v version as I have 2 ZS's

My honest opinion is that iPowerX is the best bang for your buck. I have always thought the X brought a slightly meatier sound to the Zen.

I originally posted my love for the 12v X in the other thread, but I now have both in 15 and am normally running the elite at my main desk in my studio. As I have stated before I think the 15v version gives you a slightly cooler operating temp on the Zen, and to me that can't be a bad thing.

Long winded story short, if I did it all over again, I would buy the iPower X hands down, as I could also get three of them for the same price as the Elite, lol

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

If you are in UK, I would suggest Temple Audio's fine Supercaps power supply:

https://www.templeaudio.net/supercharger.html

I use 12v supply on my ZS. It's among the best sounding and reasonable price.

Thanks for the tip!

Definitely going to try one of those when my funds are in a better place!

Think I will be ebaying some stuff soon...

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I think I have posted these before. If you are not averse to Mega links this link contains a folder with 3 files in WAV format.

They were taken directly from the ZS via USB to my studio board, and untouched, I made them for those that hear subtleties perhaps these can help any PS questions.

https://mega.nz/folder/aDpQGZhI#WPGoNGEEacdXMtwDKqb4rQ

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I have always thought the X brought a slightly meatier sound to the Zen.

That's a spot on observation. The quieter a PSU is, the meatier sound is and its background gets also darker. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

as @iFi audio just stated theoretically the unit should perform the same under all of them.

It should make no difference in the sense of usability and general operation. But you and several other users reported us that higher-voltage PSUs make better sound, so there might be something there too. It's always cool seeing what new discoveries folks here on HF stumble upon

 

[Zaurux]

It should make no difference in the sense of usability and general operation. But you and several other users reported us that higher-voltage PSUs make better sound, so there might be something there too. It's always cool seeing what new discoveries folks here on HF stumble upon

Well, I won't say that I use a power supply outside the specification range... maybe because with a NAA mini and without wifi, it's enough !