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

[Vangelo]

Thanks for the testing, as a note for you you do not have to power off the ZS when switching modes, it can be done with no harm in its power-on state, perhaps this may alleviate some of your issues. Just be sure to give it a moment to calibrate itself and be ready for the switch you have selected.

Cheers!!

Good to know.....cheers Bubba!

 

[naum]

^^ I dint try local files. Drops are on streaming, Tidal and Qobuz. When option "use proxy" on Qobuz in rendering settings is on, drop offs disappeared, but then the sound is noticeably worse than without that option. Although bubble says that this proxy is without quality loss.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

^^ I dint try local files. Drops are on streaming, Tidal and Qobuz. When option "use proxy" on Qobuz in rendering settings is on, drop offs disappeared, but then the sound is noticeably worse than without that option. Although bubble says that this proxy is without quality loss.

I am sorry, I am not a DLNA expert, perhaps someone else can lend you a hand.

Does this issue also occur in say AIO Mode #1? Or only in DNLA mode?

If you could try it in AIO with only the DNLA service set to on in the iFi-app menu.

Cheers!!

 

[naum]

I only used upnp mode, because that's when the sound is definitely the best.
I will try today to see if it happens in AIO mode.
Is there any information about the sound quality with AIO mode but when only let's say Upnp renderer is on? i.e. does turning off the other channels in AIO mode affect the SQ?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I only used upnp mode, because that's when the sound is definitely the best.
I will try today to see if it happens in AIO mode.
Is there any information about the sound quality with AIO mode but when only let's say Upnp renderer is on? i.e. does turning off the other channels in AIO mode affect the SQ?

My understanding of this is that the exclusive modes turn off everything else, resulting in the best SQ.

When in AIO mode this is a "Can-do" everything mode in case you have two needs. An example would be Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect both services. So inside the menu, you can then turn off other unneeded functionality giving AIO mode a "close to" exclusive mode, but with the convenience of not having to use the selector on the back to change services.

I will always say SQ can only be judged by you, we can only tell you what we think we hear!

Cheers!!

 

[naum]

Thanks,
I will report here if there is (in my opinion) a difference between: 1. DLNA exclusive mode and 2. AIO mode with only enabled UPNP renderer.

 

[naum]

I tested today and the following concluded:
In terms of sound quality (Bubble Upnp + Qobuz) : DLNA exclusive mode >> Roon mode>> AIO mode with only UPnP option enabled..
But still only in AIO mode on every fifth song (approximately) sudden interruptions occur.
I wish someone would help me solve the problem, because I really think IFI deserves to stay with me.
Is there a possibility to send a error log file to some support?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I tested today and the following concluded:
In terms of sound quality (Bubble Upnp + Qobuz) : DLNA exclusive mode >> Roon mode>> AIO mode with only UPnP option enabled..
But still only in AIO mode on every fifth song (approximately) sudden interruptions occur.
I wish someone would help me solve the problem, because I really think IFI deserves to stay with me.
Is there a possibility to send a error log file to some support?

Yes absolutely contact support, although I would think they would tell you to investigate network issues being the cause you should absolutely let them know you are having issues.

Most dropout issues are a result of this, even if you have no issues with other platforms. At least that's what we have found here. Have you tried the DNS trick, it's listed somewhere here,

If I find it I'll post it, may be somewhere in first post, when I can I will look, it's something like DNS server 8.8.8 something like that.

If you are using any kind of VPN you may way try it with that off, there's so many possibilities of what it could be.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Figured I'd post it up now that it's official and we await a new thread!

Not a Zen Stream replacement but a Step Beyond...

https://ifi-audio.com/products/neo-stream/

 

[Vangelo]

Figured I'd post it up now that it's official and we await a new thread!

Not a Zen Stream replacement but a Step Beyond...

https://ifi-audio.com/products/neo-stream/

For enthusiasts looking for a streamer with built in DAC probably an option.....but not for me. Nice to see iFi keeping busy though!
I just hope they keep working on ZS to eliminate its foibles which I am sure Neo-stream will also have! Oh....and still waiting for chromecast......

About to turn system on....lets see what this morning brings

UPDATE: YAY!!! ZS played right away from Tidal Connect after selecting iFi renderer!
Phew..........

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

For enthusiasts looking for a streamer with built in DAC probably an option.....but not for me. Nice to see iFi keeping busy though!
I just hope they keep working on ZS to eliminate its foibles which I am sure Neo-stream will also have! Oh....and still waiting for chromecast......

About to turn system on....lets see what this morning brings

UPDATE: YAY!!! ZS played right away from Tidal Connect after selecting iFi renderer!
Phew..........

That's good news!

Cheers!!

 

[naum]

Yes absolutely contact support, although I would think they would tell you to investigate network issues being the cause you should absolutely let them know you are having issues.

Most dropout issues are a result of this, even if you have no issues with other platforms. At least that's what we have found here. Have you tried the DNS trick, it's listed somewhere here,

If I find it I'll post it, may be somewhere in first post, when I can I will look, it's something like DNS server 8.8.8 something like that.

If you are using any kind of VPN you may way try it with that off, there's so many possibilities of what it could be.

Cheers!!

Thank you for your help.
I also tried the dns trick, but nothing helps.
And I can't agree that anything could be the cause of the problem I'm having with my ZS.
Considering that in AIO mode everything works perfectly, and in DLNA mode only Qobuz interrupts, we can claim that the problem is in some internal setting that is activated with DLNA mode. So the problem is in some internal setting that cannot be changed with the existing interface. Maybe in that mode the DNS server is predefined and it doesn't work well with my provider's DNS.
Ifi engineers would surely know what is causing the problem.
It would be nice if in the next firmware update they include a correction for this (for example, the DNS set in the options remains active in DLNA mode).
if there will be a next update at all, after the Neo stream has appeared..

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thank you for your help.
I also tried the dns trick, but nothing helps.
And I can't agree that anything could be the cause of the problem I'm having with my ZS.
Considering that in AIO mode everything works perfectly, and in DLNA mode only Qobuz interrupts, we can claim that the problem is in some internal setting that is activated with DLNA mode. So the problem is in some internal setting that cannot be changed with the existing interface. Maybe in that mode the DNS server is predefined and it doesn't work well with my provider's DNS.
Ifi engineers would surely know what is causing the problem.
It would be nice if in the next firmware update they include a correction for this (for example, the DNS set in the options remains active in DLNA mode).
if there will be a next update at all, after the Neo stream has appeared..

Well although I do not know for sure, there isn't one single thing that points to the Neo Stream being in anyway shape or form a ZS replacement, different beasts altogether.

In terms of updates of firmware, most of these quirks/issues/bugs that are occurring are all being kept tabs on I can assure you off that, as I have reported many of these on behalf of you guys myself, even if I'm not having them.

Now, from everything I have read so far the Neo will be using the same app for setup and firmware that the ZS uses (Stream-iFi) so that may very well be the reason that we have not seen any recent updates to the ZS. Maybe now that the Neo has launched and things start to settle down updates will start flowing again.

But again I will point out that in no way shape or form is the NEO a replacement for the Zen, that would just be nonsense. The Neo is clearly an entry into the mid-high end steamer market for iFi, after all it is 3x the prices and more than likely their answer to things like Lumin and that ilk, in other words meant for a while different level.

Cheers!!

 

[naum]

I doubt neo will be much better than ZS. I'm talking about the streaming part. The Zen is already a mid-high device in terms of sound quality.
I feel that people who already own a great DAC get a lot more with buying a good DDC for ZS, compared to the neo stream.
As I write this, Zen has been working for two hours without interruption. Because it is in AIO mode.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I doubt neo will be much better than ZS. I'm talking about the streaming part. The Zen is already a mid-high device in terms of sound quality.
I feel that people who already own a great DAC get a lot more with buying a good DDC for ZS, compared to the neo stream.
As I write this, Zen has been working for two hours without interruption. Because it is in AIO mode.

That very well could be, I'm sure we will see!
I for one am excited too see what comes!

Cheers!!