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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Ya, my router was a mess to get to, too! The result of going through that hassle was easily worth it to me based on the result I’m listening to right now! Hopefully neither me or you will have to do updates/resets too often!
I was concerned that I was going to have issues with the ZS from just after i ordered it and started researching it (I know - backwards) until it was set up.
Now, though, I’m thrilled with the ZS - the sound quality I’m hearing with Tidal as well as the convenience and ease of operating Tidal via my iPhone!!! My reason for buying the ZS (and a Zen DAC Sig 2 to go with if) is that Tidal through my old Dell Studio with Windows 10 would just stop every three or four songs, meaning I had to get my lazy self off the couch every 3-4 songs, sometimes more often, to hit pause and then hit play before resuming couch time - aggravating!
The ZS has not given me any problem like the above or otherwise. Instead, I’m very much enjoying music again!
I hope you try Mr. Bubba Hyde’s instructions, as well as restarting/resetting your router and MacBook, and installing the iFi app before you begin, and that you enjoy your new ZS as much as I’m enjoying mine as soon as you do!!!

Glad you guys got it, so sorry I have honestly been a bit backed up here!

That first post setup has fixed so many issues and quirks I am glad you found it!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

so sorry

Given your tremendous input and help there's no need for that, really

Thanks. I saw that but haven't tried it yet because the modem is a bit of a pain to get to. But I'll do it. Sounds like it might work.

Sure, please keep us updated

 

[rfprice]

Given your tremendous input and help there's no need for that, really



Sure, please keep us updated

I followed the ethernet setup guide and got the ZS connected and running. Was also able to set up the wifi that way. However in the few hours that I've been playing it, it has already powered itself down one time, and has dropped the connection a couple of times.

So far I'm only playing internet radio, and I've noticed that the first time I press play, the Frequency LED lights up to indicate that the ZS is receiving the signal, but it doesn't send the signal on to the DAC. (I know this because the DAC has its own signal light to indicate whether a signal is present at that input.) So I have to wait a few seconds, then stop playback on the app, wait a few seconds, then hit start again, and then it will play. Though always after a delay of about 10-15 seconds.

 

[brandtacious]

I followed the ethernet setup guide and got the ZS connected and running. Was also able to set up the wifi that way. However in the few hours that I've been playing it, it has already powered itself down one time, and has dropped the connection a couple of times.

So far I'm only playing internet radio, and I've noticed that the first time I press play, the Frequency LED lights up to indicate that the ZS is receiving the signal, but it doesn't send the signal on to the DAC. (I know this because the DAC has its own signal light to indicate whether a signal is present at that input.) So I have to wait a few seconds, then stop playback on the app, wait a few seconds, then hit start again, and then it will play. Though always after a delay of about 10-15 seconds.

Oh no…! I’m only streaming Tidal, and I’m using an iFi DAC - I don’t know the first thing about internet radio or how to ensure entire systems play well together…
You got it going, though - I bet you’ll find assistance to get you fully running and enjoying music here.

 

[rfprice]

Oh no…! I’m only streaming Tidal, and I’m using an iFi DAC - I don’t know the first thing about internet radio or how to ensure entire systems play well together…
You got it going, though - I bet you’ll find assistance to get you fully running and enjoying music here.

An update, now that I've played with it a while longer. The unit didn't power itself down. The left LED turned red, which means it lost the signal. It recovered before too long. I'll have to run the machine through its paces to get a feel for how it's working. When it's working, it does sound great, much better than I anticipated.

 

[brandtacious]

An update, now that I've played with it a while longer. The unit didn't power itself down. The left LED turned red, which means it lost the signal. It recovered before too long. I'll have to run the machine through its paces to get a feel for how it's working. When it's working, it does sound great, much better than I anticipated.

Right on! Mine seems to keep sounding a little better each day since installing it 5 days ago. I couldn’t be more pleased…

 

[ruhtrare]

Hello! Anyone using Ifi ZS with Hegel H190 via USB and Tidal Connect? I noticed that some songs have some crackling sound, an example would be "One More Sleep" by Leona Lewis. I reported this to Ifi support and was advised to check other H190 units. So far I have tested 2 ZS and 2 H190 through the help of their respective dealers and the combination always result to some crackling sound. I have also tested the same songs (using my phone and playlist) with a totally different rig and there was no crackling sound. I was then advised by Ifi support to have my ZS checked by my dealer possibly to claim warranty. The Ifi dealer suggested to play around with the MQA settings of the ZS. On the 2nd ZS unit, a demo unit (not on my unit), the crackling sound was gone when MQA Passthrough is "On". However, with this setting, my sampling rate went down from 96khz to 44.1khz, even if the track is MQA, and ZS LED is blue. Setting MQA back to "Auto" or "Off" the crackling sound goes back and the sampling rate goes back to 96khz for a Masters/MQA track.

Anyone else had a similar experience? I just want to understand if the issue is with the H190, or with the ZS, or if there is a compatibility issue between the 2.

I am glad that at least a particular setting has no crackling sound with it, but at the same time not too happy about not getting the (first?) MQA unfold.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Hi

Hello! Anyone using Ifi ZS with Hegel H190 via USB and Tidal Connect? I noticed that some songs have some crackling sound, an example would be "One More Sleep" by Leona Lewis. I reported this to Ifi support and was advised to check other H190 units. So far I have tested 2 ZS and 2 H190 through the help of their respective dealers and the combination always result to some crackling sound. I have also tested the same songs (using my phone and playlist) with a totally different rig and there was no crackling sound. I was then advised by Ifi support to have my ZS checked by my dealer possibly to claim warranty. The Ifi dealer suggested to play around with the MQA settings of the ZS. On the 2nd ZS unit, a demo unit (not on my unit), the crackling sound was gone when MQA Passthrough is "On". However, with this setting, my sampling rate went down from 96khz to 44.1khz, even if the track is MQA, and ZS LED is blue. Setting MQA back to "Auto" or "Off" the crackling sound goes back and the sampling rate goes back to 96khz for a Masters/MQA track.

Anyone else had a similar experience? I just want to understand if the issue is with the H190, or with the ZS, or if there is a compatibility issue between the 2.

I am glad that at least a particular setting has no crackling sound with it, but at the same time not too happy about not getting the (first?) MQA unfold.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I use the ZS with Hegel too. Never had any problem using Tidal Connect and Roon with my H95. Last week I moved to a H120 with the same ZS unit and the sound level is very low, which is odd given that the H95, H120 and H190 share the same DAC and streaming engine. I decided to stick to my Zen DAC signature V2 as a DAC, connected to the analog input of the H120 (it works perfectly and there's a slight improvement in the already excellent SQ; I actually bought it when I was using TIDAL MQA because the ZEN DAC signature V2 is a full MQA Decoder and Renderer). Anyway, with regard to your specific question, it sounds like it's an issue related to the first unfold of the MQA file that is done by the ZS.

 

[Zaurux]

@iFi audio : The NEO having taken its place and with the arrival of new competitors as "pure streamers" (ex: RED Hollo, Volumio Rivo...), no upgrade of the ZS (kernel like NEO and 768PCM / DSD512 output) ?

 

[rfprice]

Right on! Mine seems to keep sounding a little better each day since installing it 5 days ago. I couldn’t be more please

Right on! Mine seems to keep sounding a little better each day since installing it 5 days ago. I couldn’t be more pleased…

Having played with the ZS for several days now, I think I can say that it's working as it should. However yesterday it actually did power itself down. And then it wouldn't turn back on. To get it to power on again, I had to turn off the PSU and disconnect the cable for about 10 seconds. Then it came back on and has steady ever since. Should I worry about that or is it a typical quirk with the model? I could probably still get an exchange if I asked.

 

[kramos]

Having played with the ZS for several days now, I think I can say that it's working as it should. However yesterday it actually did power itself down. And then it wouldn't turn back on. To get it to power on again, I had to turn off the PSU and disconnect the cable for about 10 seconds. Then it came back on and has steady ever since. Should I worry about that or is it a typical quirk with the model? I could probably still get an exchange if I asked.

I also had this issue. It started sporadically, then got more frequent. I ended up getting a replacement from my retailer. The new unit did this once, but thankfully it has not since. As a precaution, I do power it down at night. One other thing the old one did is not letting me power it down with a long press. I had to disconnect the cable to turn it off. Does yours do that too?

 

[rfprice]

I also had this issue. It started sporadically, then got more frequent. I ended up getting a replacement from my retailer. The new unit did this once, but thankfully it has not since. As a precaution, I do power it down at night. One other thing the old one did is not letting me power it down with a long press. I had to disconnect the cable to turn it off. Does yours do that too?

Thanks, kramos. Mine might have done that once. I'm not entirely sure because I was still figuring things out at that time. I do power it down at night. In fact, it's probably on for only about 6 hours a day, and I'm listening to it for about half that time. So it hasn't had a lot of time to fail. I'm starting to sense that most of these ZS units are quirky. Maybe I should hang onto this one for now.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio : The NEO having taken its place and with the arrival of new competitors as "pure streamers" (ex: RED Hollo, Volumio Rivo...), no upgrade of the ZS (kernel like NEO and 768PCM / DSD512 output) ?

Although I don't have any new info about any updates at this time, we haven't said the last word regarding ZEN Stream, so as soon as I know something I'll update everyone. Thanks!

 

[Zaurux]

Although I don't have any new info about any updates at this time, we haven't said the last word regarding ZEN Stream, so as soon as I know something I'll update everyone. Thanks!

Thank you.
I don't have all the technical descriptions of each device but the cores are identical and the developments have been parallel.
There are very specific references to the Neo inside the ZS. Without further information, this does not seem impossible.
LbreELEC has developed Debian Buster images under kernel 5.10 for the Firefly ROC-RK3328-CC cards.
Of course they are not exactly the same as the FireFly AIO-3328-JD4 cards but... 3328.
You sold "the best of open source" and the LibrELEC developers are doing better.
iFi developers are good and can take the challenge !!

https://libreelec.tv/downloads/rockchip/

 

[Big man on the Fox]

I have been running successfully into new Audio GD R7 HE mkII dac for 5 weeks using both spdif and usb On ZenStream . I have IFi power x 9v.
Have had no issues with wifi or direct internet connection. Have Xfinity with speeds as high as 150 mbs. Running 2012 MacMini. With Roon.
Problems started yesterday when connecting to new Audio GD DI 20-HE, which is ddc. Running Ethernet into ZenStream and usb into DI 20-HE. Now ZenStream is intermittently disconnecting from Roon end point. I have tried different Ethernet cables from switch. Moved ZenStream to different location. Sometimes it looses hand shake with Roon while still connected to Ethernet or looses connection with Ethernet and then comes back. Tried powering down devices. I’m running latest non- beta version of firmware.