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

[iFi audio]

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 !

It is enough indeed

 

[ainzz]

Help!! I've owned the ZS since it came out and never had any problems. Exclusively use it for Tidal and/or Spotify connect.
Now I can't get Tidal connect to work. ZS appears in my Tidal list of devices but when i select it nothing happens and it doesn't connect. Done the usual things like restarts on the ZS and on the Tidal app but still no good. Super fustrated.

It works flawlessly with Spotify connect so can I assume there is something up with Tidal?? Anyone having the same problems with Tidal connect?

 

[ainzz]

Help!! I've owned the ZS since it came out and never had any problems. Exclusively use it for Tidal and/or Spotify connect.
Now I can't get Tidal connect to work. ZS appears in my Tidal list of devices but when i select it nothing happens and it doesn't connect. Done the usual things like restarts on the ZS and on the Tidal app but still no good. Super fustrated.

It works flawlessly with Spotify connect so can I assume there is something up with Tidal?? Anyone having the same problems with Tidal connect?

Solved. Uninstalled the Tidal app and reinstalled. All working fine now.

 

[hakunamakaka]

All guys having issues switching between spotify/tidal/aiplay or zen stream disappearing from found devices and etc.. Forget controlling your zen stream via web ui, use connection via ssh and simply restart your services there. It is by far the best and quickest fix to majority of your issues with this streamer. Zen OS is volumio which has lot's of quirks and works well if you don't touch and switch between connections, but otherwise you can quickly run into issues.

First enable ssh connection via developer mode. I think it's --> http://ifi.local/dev or http://ipaddress_of_your_zen/dev
You can find ip address of zen stream running "arp -a" command via cmd windows/terminal mac os or find ip address via web interface somewhere in the settings.
For windows you will have to install putty, mac users can simply use terminal --> via putty "volumio@ip_address_of_zen"
via terminal "ssh volumio@ip_address_of_zen" Password is "volumio" as well

You can list all services and read of what things do --> systemctl list-units --type=service
If you have issues with tidal -->

systemctl stop ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
systemctl start ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
or simply:
systemctl restart ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service

For spotify just replace it with "ifi-streamer-spotify-connect.service", airplay "shairport-sync.service". I have 0 issues controlling zen stream via ssh. You can reboot it via ssh and do lot's of stuff there. It is stable and responsive unlike access via http.

By the way airplay 2 is released on shairport beta deamon, but I was not able to get it running as volumio has missing dependancies and I couldn't work around them

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

All guys having issues switching between spotify/tidal/aiplay or zen stream disappearing from found devices and etc.. Forget controlling your zen stream via web ui, use connection via ssh and simply restart your services there. It is by far the best and quickest fix to majority of your issues with this streamer. Zen OS is volumio which has lot's of quirks and works well if you don't touch and switch between connections, but otherwise you can quickly run into issues.

First enable ssh connection via developer mode. I think it's --> http://ifi.local/dev or http://ipaddress_of_your_zen/dev
You can find ip address of zen stream running "arp -a" command via cmd windows/terminal mac os or find ip address via web interface somewhere in the settings.
For windows you will have to install putty, mac users can simply use terminal --> via putty "volumio@ip_address_of_zen"
via terminal "ssh volumio@ip_address_of_zen" Password is "volumio" as well

You can list all services and read of what things do --> systemctl list-units --type=service
If you have issues with tidal -->

systemctl stop ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
systemctl start ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
or simply:
systemctl restart ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service

For spotify just replace it with "ifi-streamer-spotify-connect.service", airplay "shairport-sync.service". I have 0 issues controlling zen stream via ssh. You can reboot it via ssh and do lot's of stuff there. It is stable and responsive unlike access via http.

By the way airplay 2 is released on shairport beta deamon, but I was not able to get it running as volumio has missing dependancies and I couldn't work around them

Thank You for the info!!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

All guys having issues switching between spotify/tidal/aiplay or zen stream disappearing from found devices and etc.. Forget controlling your zen stream via web ui, use connection via ssh and simply restart your services there. It is by far the best and quickest fix to majority of your issues with this streamer. Zen OS is volumio which has lot's of quirks and works well if you don't touch and switch between connections, but otherwise you can quickly run into issues.

First enable ssh connection via developer mode. I think it's --> http://ifi.local/dev or http://ipaddress_of_your_zen/dev
You can find ip address of zen stream running "arp -a" command via cmd windows/terminal mac os or find ip address via web interface somewhere in the settings.
For windows you will have to install putty, mac users can simply use terminal --> via putty "volumio@ip_address_of_zen"
via terminal "ssh volumio@ip_address_of_zen" Password is "volumio" as well

You can list all services and read of what things do --> systemctl list-units --type=service
If you have issues with tidal -->

systemctl stop ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
systemctl start ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service
or simply:
systemctl restart ifi-streamer-tidal-connect.service

For spotify just replace it with "ifi-streamer-spotify-connect.service", airplay "shairport-sync.service". I have 0 issues controlling zen stream via ssh. You can reboot it via ssh and do lot's of stuff there. It is stable and responsive unlike access via http.

By the way airplay 2 is released on shairport beta deamon, but I was not able to get it running as volumio has missing dependancies and I couldn't work around them

Thanks a lot, that's very handy

 

[kenjamin0523]

Err.....yeh....works fine now.
Helps if Tidal option is selected
This brings SQ up another level!

Can you tell me how you fix it? I have a same problem with you and more. My dac/amp becomes too small whenever I switch to other modes, and I need to go to volume option to adjust it. But when I choose tidal only mode I cannot go to ifi local system to change volume option, this is annoying.

 

[Vangelo]

Can you tell me how you fix it? I have a same problem with you and more. My dac/amp becomes too small whenever I switch to other modes, and I need to go to volume option to adjust it. But when I choose tidal only mode I cannot go to ifi local system to change volume option, this is annoying.

It was explained to me.....app only works in AIO mode............

 

[Johnjc1]

You do have the option of using 1 and having the volume control or the better sound quality in Tidal only

 

[m usicguy]

so I started a tidal subscription. I then went into my ifi local and turned on tidal connect. I don't see my IFI. streamer in tidal connect. Any tips to see it. I use m connect with my Qobuz. But int he tidal app I don't see any connection to IFI streamer. Ive turned the IFI steamer on and off I have it in. all mode.

Update. I deleted the app and reinstalled it on my devices and now it sees the ifs streamer.

m usicguy

 

[iFi audio]

Update. I deleted the app and reinstalled it on my devices and now it sees the ifs streamer.

Good stuff, I'm glad to read that it works for you now, thanks and enjoy

 

[Vangelo]

so I started a tidal subscription. I then went into my ifi local and turned on tidal connect. I don't see my IFI. streamer in tidal connect. Any tips to see it. I use m connect with my Qobuz. But int he tidal app I don't see any connection to IFI streamer. Ive turned the IFI steamer on and off I have it in. all mode.

Update. I deleted the app and reinstalled it on my devices and now it sees the ifs streamer.

m usicguy

I am trying to test the use of my own music files, Tidal & Qobuz via my tablet.
If I want to use all three, I need to go via Bubble and store the files on SD card on tablet. AIO mode needs to be used with DNLA + UPNP switched on.

This has worked reliably for a couple of weeks now....and I switch off all equipment at night.

However, I dont like using Tidal or Qobuz via the bubble interface. Searches & access to new music is difficult and nowhere near as good as using app direct. This rules out Qobuz so I am now testing Files + Tidal using AIO mode, but only Tidal connect switched on. The files are on a USB stick connected to one of the USB inputs on the back of the ZS.

I think I am preferring this method as Tidal can be used direct from the app, and files accessed via the iFi app. Qobuz will be ditched.

Again, switching off at night & rebooting in the morning, Tidal needs to be directed to the iFi renderer every time initially (minor inconvenience) but the other issue I had was the ZS kept defaulting to SPDIF, even though I was saving the Amanero configuration. I discovered this is not enough, and the iFi app needs to be rebooted after selection is saved in order to remember to default to USB.

The other thing I had to do as m usicguy figured out is Tidal needed to be reinstalled.

Anyway....all working now. Remains to be seen how stable this configuration will be over time............

 

[Vangelo]

.....take that back.
Had to do Amanero ceremony this morning..................GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

......seems if power disconnected from ZS for any length of time, Output Device needs to be reset. Surely, this can be fixed?

HMMM.....actually, I am using USB lead with only data. Maybe ZS need power connectors as well to recognise USB port initially?
Will test with different lead...........

 

[iFi audio]

HMMM.....actually, I am using USB lead with only data. Maybe ZS need power connectors as well to recognise USB port initially?
Will test with different lead...........

Aftermarket USB cables can be out of spec and cause signal dropouts. Those with only data lines can be troublesome too. If I were you, I'd use a basic $1 USB cable and see whether this changes anything. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Hi everyone, I've used Tidal Connect with the Zen Stream for 8 months. Rock solid. Now, I'm experimenting Quobuz with Roon, partly due to the suggestion of @Mr BubbaHyde, and it's been rock solid too. Not one single dropout or flaws of any kind and Roon is a fantastic platform. This brings me to a question, that reflects my ignorance about the way Roon operates. If I'm using my notebook as a Roon Core and the Zen Stream as a Bridge, what is the Zen doing other than transmitting the signal to the DAC in the best possible way? In this set up isn't the notebook doing the streaming proper? if so, wouldn't it make the biggest impact in SQ to have a dedicated, standalone, Roon Core (Nucleus or others)? Conversely, does the Bridge (Zen Stream) make any difference in the final sound quality? Cheers.