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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

No it is my Mac which I use for Apple Music, YouTube etc into the RME. The Matrix Audio mini has been relegated to a bedroom system as I preferred my RME for my desktop system. With a built in streamer the Matrix is a great all in one DAC/Headphone Amp. It looks like iFi will be coming out with a similar device with the Neo Stream.

Wow, the things you learn, lol

I did not know the ZS could be used in this way, unless I am completely missing something, which again is completely possible as well as probably! I thought the ZS only had a USB port for output to a DAC or input in the upper port for an SSD or other USB type thumb drive! I had no idea!

This is why I love to chat about this unit, I'm still learning, Thanks!!

Cheers!!

 

[fordski]

Wow, the things you learn, lol

I did not know the ZS could be used in this way, unless I am completely missing something, which again is completely possible as well as probably! I thought the ZS only had a USB port for output to a DAC or input in the upper port for an SSD or other USB type thumb drive! I had no idea!

This is why I love to chat about this unit, I'm still learning, Thanks!!

Cheers!!

Yes I think we have a little confusion here. My Mac is plugged directly into the USB input of the RME ADI-2 DAC and doesn't involve the ZS at all. All I use the ZS for is Roon streaming with the ZS connected via Coax to my RME ADI-2 DAC. There's nothing connected to the USB output/input on the ZS.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yes I think we have a little confusion here. My Mac is plugged directly into the USB input of the RME ADI-2 DAC and doesn't involve the ZS at all. All I use the ZS for is Roon streaming with the ZS connected via Coax to my RME ADI-2 DAC. There's nothing connected to the USB output/input on the ZS.

Ahh, yes I'm sorry I was confused, when I asked about a USB connection I meant to the ZS, my bad!

Thanks for clearing it up as I have been looking for my USB A to USB A cable for a few minutes!!

Don't wanna mis anything, whew...

I also love my RME, one of my favorite DAC/Headphone units!

Cheers!!

 

[fordski]

I also love my RME, one of my favorite DAC/Headphone units!

Yup it's a great piece of gear. I ordered one and returned it as I found it too finicky, but missed the Loudness and EQ functions, so I got another one. Thank goodness for Amazon return policies! The ZS in combination with it makes for a great desktop system.

 

[Vangelo]

Would you happen to have another DAC on hand you could connect with USB?

I ask this because that just may be a case of non-reporting/USB handshake issue, which I thought was addressed awhile ago. This selection process as far as I can tell it's happening with Spdif as well.

Just trying to narrow it down until we get word.

Cheers!!

Just to add another piece to this puzzle regarding USB/SPDIF output selection

I went back to DNLA exclusive mode / Bubble UPNP to use TIDAL + Files (SD Card). It all worked when I switched on this morning, so it must have automatically defaulted to USB in this mode. Just as well, because in this mode there is no access to the iFi App to select output!

To recap, I was using AIO mode with only TIDAL Connect activated and when I switched system on, it automatically defaulted to SPDIF (even though USB Amanero was saved and the ZS rebooted as per Bubbas advice). So I would have to manually re-select the output everytime I restarted the system.

Not a big deal, but would be nice if iFi figured a way to save a configuration so it actually remembers after the system is switched off.

 

[iFi audio]

So I would have to manually re-select the output everytime I restarted the system.

Not a big deal, but would be nice if iFi figured a way to save a configuration so it actually remembers after the system is switched off.

I can ask whether saving the original configuration is possible. Thanks!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Just to add another piece to this puzzle regarding USB/SPDIF output selection

I went back to DNLA exclusive mode / Bubble UPNP to use TIDAL + Files (SD Card). It all worked when I switched on this morning, so it must have automatically defaulted to USB in this mode. Just as well, because in this mode there is no access to the iFi App to select output!

To recap, I was using AIO mode with only TIDAL Connect activated and when I switched system on, it automatically defaulted to SPDIF (even though USB Amanero was saved and the ZS rebooted as per Bubbas advice). So I would have to manually re-select the output everytime I restarted the system.

Not a big deal, but would be nice if iFi figured a way to save a configuration so it actually remembers after the system is switched off.

Yes, as with all exclusive modes access to the app for switching is cut off.

Have you done any side-by-side A/B tests to determine if in your case it may be better to stay in AIO, and select/Deselect services at will from within the app menu?

I know when using Roon I hear a difference between these settings.

Cheers!!

 

[Vangelo]

Yes, as with all exclusive modes access to the app for switching is cut off.

Have you done any side-by-side A/B tests to determine if in your case it may be better to stay in AIO, and select/Deselect services at will from within the app menu?

I know when using Roon I hear a difference between these settings.

Cheers!!

Cant hear any obvious differences between AIO mode with only relevant services selected.
At the moment DNLA/Bubble seems to remember settings and sounds same as AIO/Tidal Connect, so will stick to this for now.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Cant hear any obvious differences between AIO mode with only relevant services selected.
At the moment DNLA/Bubble seems to remember settings and sounds same as AIO/Tidal Connect, so will stick to this for now.

Thank you for the insight!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

@Vitor Goncalves

Just did a power-off for 5 minutes on a timer...

Roon Ready Mode #2, Front button power off/on, also Roon was left open so I could see when the ZS was back (from the select audio zone screen) RME on spdif only connection, also left on. Roon updated to Roon 2.0

The connection was there and active for me from the moment I pressed play.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Update:

I just finished a 10-minute power test, my results were the same. Woking as it should, not having to select output.

Cheers!!

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Update:

I just finished a 10-minute power test, my results were the same. Woking as it should, not having to select output.

Cheers!!

I've tried again. Same thing. I have to go back to Settings, Audio, and click again on SAVE (although SPDIF is showing as selected), to get sound back.

 

[iFi audio]

I've tried again. Same thing. I have to go back to Settings, Audio, and click again on SAVE (although SPDIF is showing as selected), to get sound back.

If yours and @Mr BubbaHyde's FW are the same, perhaps this is related to your network. I know it's a broad statement, but no changes were made to ZEN Stream platforms, they're all in 100% the same.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

If yours and @Mr BubbaHyde's FW are the same, perhaps this is related to your network. I know it's a broad statement, but no changes were made to ZEN Stream platforms, they're all in 100% the same.

I don't mean to be rude, but how can an issue related to the selection of outputs be "network related"'? Does it make any sense that my network only has "issues"with the coaxial output of the Stream in Roon Only mode? Could you please provide the technical details that underpin such hypothesis?

 

[iFi audio]

I don't mean to be rude, but how can an issue related to the selection of outputs be "network related"'? Does it make any sense that my network only has "issues"with the coaxial output of the Stream in Roon Only mode? Could you please provide the technical details that underpin such hypothesis?

My bad, for a second there I thought that the discussion wasn't about S/PDIF. And you're of course correct, your network has nothing to do with it.