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

[500Homeruns]

I’m in on this product.
Should be delivered today.

 

[iFi audio]

I’m in on this product.
Should be delivered today.

Awesome, please let us know how it works for you

 

[George Hincapie]

Mr Bubba. I think that the point that I and other contributors have made is that your defence uses google searches to evidence a confirmation bias, instead of listening to the evidence presented by those who obviously have a greater scientific and engineering background. For instance, as I have said, I have connectivity issues when NOT using Tidal, but a fact that you ignore.

And I have brilliant wifi - we frequently stream 4K across a number of TVs in the house with ZERO issues. I also have ZERO issues with other devices that rely on wifi. I recognise that this hasn't always been the case, but devices nowadays are pretty stable.

I personally have experience in software systems for over 30 years, albeit in the complex domain of aerospace and defence. These tend to be of high quality and deterministic. Where I see the nature of the issues that are reported around the ZS, I know that the development environment is poor such that these issues manifest themselves in the delivered products. Others on here have also offered their professional insights. Reputations are easily lost through poor software quality. For instance, someone is selling a ZS on ebay for parts, at great loss, due to connectivity issues. They will not be buying another iFi product.

So this message needs to get through to the iFi development team. Plenty of sound advice and detailed problem reports has been provided over these 62 pages. I suggest that they get professional help in maturing their development organisation, invest in some knowledge and improve their test environments. The fact that they haven't done this suggests that they no longer care for the product, or that there is a systemic hardware or quality issue that would cost them to recall and replace.

Cheers.

Why waste energy typing this out? There are a million and one streamers - sell iFi and buy Holo Red or Mano or, or, or...

 

[500Homeruns]

I received my ifi Zen Stream and got everything up and running pretty quickly. I haven’t had time for extended listening sessions, but from what I have heard, it sounds really good.
One question that I have:
I set it up using Wi-Fi, but I would like to use it hardwired with Ethernet. Do I have to do a reset and start over again?
Which settings should I change once I go hardwired?
Will the Stream-ifi app still work without Wi-Fi?
Thanks and if these questions have been answered previously, please let me know which post and I will refer to that.

 

[Snach]

Yesterday I tested it with NAA and hqplayer with Roon. I must say that it works great.

The NAA function is a game changer in this hardware.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I received my ifi Zen Stream and got everything up and running pretty quickly. I haven’t had time for extended listening sessions, but from what I have heard, it sounds really good.
One question that I have:
I set it up using Wi-Fi, but I would like to use it hardwired with Ethernet. Do I have to do a reset and start over again?
Which settings should I change once I go hardwired?
Will the Stream-ifi app still work without Wi-Fi?
Thanks and if these questions have been answered previously, please let me know which post and I will refer to that.

Welcome to the Club!

You should just be able to connect your LAN cable and the ZS should recognize and use that, nothing in the settings "needs" to be changed but most will turn "Off" the WiFi in the settings menu while running it wired, you just need to remember to turn it back on if you move the ZS to a "WiFi Only" spot for access.

The Stream-iFi app works in wired mode.

Good luck and enjoy!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Yesterday I tested it with NAA and hqplayer with Roon. I must say that it works great.

The NAA function is a game changer in this hardware.

That's great to hear!

Please keep us updated with your thoughts, and especially any tips for HQplayer here as there are not a ton of those "Tips" in this thread!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Yesterday I tested it with NAA and hqplayer with Roon. I must say that it works great.

The NAA function is a game changer in this hardware.

That's awesome to hear and thanks for your feedback

 

[saloco]

Hi all- this thread has been an amazing help. Long time reader first time caller sort of thing. "Another ZS/Tidal/android user"
Bubbahyde and Ifi Audio - you both certainly have your work cut out for you.

Alas - I am here for help after what has been a incredibly frustrating several months of ZS ownership.

Wired connection.

A brief background:
I bought the ZS in about November 2022. Set it up per the set up card (via hotspot etc) and it worked perfectly. Nil issues. Seamless. Used exclusively with Tidal.
We moved house in January 2023. I set everything up as before but this resulted in (and commenced my journey in) the dreaded "Tidal failed to connect to server" pop up when trying to connect to the ZS via the Tidal android app.

Cue seemingly endless 'support' discussions between me and Tidal, and me and Ifi. I discovered this thread at this time too and followed everything/all suggestions. I must have reset the ZS 50 times trying to "make sure I'm doing it right" again (and yep - i think i tried all the guidance on here too - including DNS settings, individual power outlet etc, Tidal "nearby devices and unrestricted battery settings".). I also bought a new router. Tidal genuinely tried to sort me out and reviewed many many screen shots of all my settings pages (including the ZS). Ifi gave me generic "please reset" guidance, and "this s a known issue with Tidal - please contact them" type of response. I tried connecting with Spotify (following Bubba's suggestions - i 'trialed' spotify - but that didn't work either. A friends apple airplay worked intermittently, but not reliably.

After being on the brink of seeking a refund, the ZS magically worked - seemingly out of no where- after I turned Wifi "Off" in the ZS settings (notwithstanding that the connection was wired, and the wifi wasn't actually connected to the network.). This was after 6 weeks of not working. Since - it has been stable - working well - and I've never turned it off out of pure fear.

The current problem:
So - after the last 4 4agical weeks of having convenient, good sounding music, seemingly stable operation between Tidal and the ZS this happened:
1. I turned off the ZS (to install a new TV unit), and turned off all stero equipment and the router.
2. I installed the TV unit.
3. I re-installed all the equipment (Stereo, ZS, router etc.) - exactly as it was previously.
4. Turned it all on.
5. Now I'm back to the "failed to connect to server error" when connecting to the ZS from Tidal (android) app. I've gone through all the setup crap again to no avail.

Bear in mind the ONLY thing I I actually did to the whole setup was turn it off, and then on again.

I've since checked all settings, and gone through everything I've done prior - again to no avail!

Wo is me, and golly in this day and age this is the most frustrating piece of hifi gear I've ever experienced!

Any help IFI and Bubba - a magical, forever fix would be so amazing! Such a great product in theory - reality is that theres 64 pages of problems, many "unique" but with all one thing in common - the ZS/Tidal/android.


(while I'm here I may as well groan about there being no Android youtube music functionality - the advertising mislead me that the product worked with youtube music (because it included a youtube music logo on its packaging) - when I raised this with Support, they replied generically "thanks for the suggestion - will keep that in mind for the future" type of response. I had to discover through this forum (and a reddit thread) that it only supports youtube music over apple. The two reasons I bought this device was for Tidal connect and, as a back up - youtube music. Bluh)


Thanks for any help!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi all- this thread has been an amazing help. Long time reader first time caller sort of thing. "Another ZS/Tidal/android user"
Bubbahyde and Ifi Audio - you both certainly have your work cut out for you.

Alas - I am here for help after what has been a incredibly frustrating several months of ZS ownership.

Wired connection.

A brief background:
I bought the ZS in about November 2022. Set it up per the set up card (via hotspot etc) and it worked perfectly. Nil issues. Seamless. Used exclusively with Tidal.
We moved house in January 2023. I set everything up as before but this resulted in (and commenced my journey in) the dreaded "Tidal failed to connect to server" pop up when trying to connect to the ZS via the Tidal android app.

Cue seemingly endless 'support' discussions between me and Tidal, and me and Ifi. I discovered this thread at this time too and followed everything/all suggestions. I must have reset the ZS 50 times trying to "make sure I'm doing it right" again (and yep - i think i tried all the guidance on here too - including DNS settings, individual power outlet etc, Tidal "nearby devices and unrestricted battery settings".). I also bought a new router. Tidal genuinely tried to sort me out and reviewed many many screen shots of all my settings pages (including the ZS). Ifi gave me generic "please reset" guidance, and "this s a known issue with Tidal - please contact them" type of response. I tried connecting with Spotify (following Bubba's suggestions - i 'trialed' spotify - but that didn't work either. A friends apple airplay worked intermittently, but not reliably.

After being on the brink of seeking a refund, the ZS magically worked - seemingly out of no where- after I turned Wifi "Off" in the ZS settings (notwithstanding that the connection was wired, and the wifi wasn't actually connected to the network.). This was after 6 weeks of not working. Since - it has been stable - working well - and I've never turned it off out of pure fear.

The current problem:
So - after the last 4 4agical weeks of having convenient, good sounding music, seemingly stable operation between Tidal and the ZS this happened:
1. I turned off the ZS (to install a new TV unit), and turned off all stero equipment and the router.
2. I installed the TV unit.
3. I re-installed all the equipment (Stereo, ZS, router etc.) - exactly as it was previously.
4. Turned it all on.
5. Now I'm back to the "failed to connect to server error" when connecting to the ZS from Tidal (android) app. I've gone through all the setup crap again to no avail.

Bear in mind the ONLY thing I I actually did to the whole setup was turn it off, and then on again.

I've since checked all settings, and gone through everything I've done prior - again to no avail!

Wo is me, and golly in this day and age this is the most frustrating piece of hifi gear I've ever experienced!

Any help IFI and Bubba - a magical, forever fix would be so amazing! Such a great product in theory - reality is that theres 64 pages of problems, many "unique" but with all one thing in common - the ZS/Tidal/android.


(while I'm here I may as well groan about there being no Android youtube music functionality - the advertising mislead me that the product worked with youtube music (because it included a youtube music logo on its packaging) - when I raised this with Support, they replied generically "thanks for the suggestion - will keep that in mind for the future" type of response. I had to discover through this forum (and a reddit thread) that it only supports youtube music over apple. The two reasons I bought this device was for Tidal connect and, as a back up - youtube music. Bluh)


Thanks for any help!

I wish I had some instant information for you regarding this, but unfortunately, you have two things I can't check here, Tidal and Using it on an Android platform.

That being said, I do plan to resub to Tidal, and I also will see if I can borrow at a minimum an Android tablet, to see what happens on my end with use in this way.

In the meantime, (I hope) by next week to get this accomplished. I know you have been thru it all, but I have a few questions...

1. Are you in AIO mode or Tidal connect mode on the Dial in the back, and does either one work now for you?
2. When you say reset were you doing a soft reset (Thru Stream App) or did you do the Back Button reset procedure?
3. Has anyone at iFi support mentioned doing a complete reset using the "back" USB C port?

Let me know when you can, and please feel free to communicate to me thru PM if for some reason this gets lost in my daily shuffle!

Hopefully, we can get this resolved!

Cheers!!

P.S. If you are willing to do one more (And haven't already) please try a software reset and then follow this video to see how you make out, and "don't use the hotspot option"

 

[saloco]

Thanks so much for your fast response bubba.

Yes, in AIO mode (on the back). I've also tried turning off other modes via the ifi.local page, but not tried the "hard" tidal only mode on the back of the Zen. Will try and report back.

On this occasion I have only done "soft" resets through the ifi.local page (in the past I did many hard resets as well). I will try a hard reset and report back.

I haven't done a "usb reset" ever.

I'll try both hard and soft resets and follow your video (again he he ) and report back.

Thanks again, really appreciate your interest/motivation in supporting the ZS community.

Interestingly- and for any tidal users out there- in the tidal App the quality is set at hifi (I don't have mqa gear). The word "hifi" displays just above the play button when playing songs, as normal. But.... as soon as I connect to the ZS, the word hifi changes to "normal" (lower quality) and then says "failed to connect to server". When the ZS is working, the word "hifi" remains.

 

[saloco]

Thanks so much for your fast response bubba.

Yes, in AIO mode (on the back). I've also tried turning off other modes via the ifi.local page, but not tried the "hard" tidal only mode on the back of the Zen. Will try and report back.

On this occasion I have only done "soft" resets through the ifi.local page (in the past I did many hard resets as well). I will try a hard reset and report back.

I haven't done a "usb reset" ever.

I'll try both hard and soft resets and follow your video (again he he ) and report back.

Thanks again, really appreciate your interest/motivation in supporting the ZS community.

Interestingly- and for any tidal users out there- in the tidal App the quality is set at hifi (I don't have mqa gear). The word "hifi" displays just above the play button when playing songs, as normal. But.... as soon as I connect to the ZS, the word hifi changes to "normal" (lower quality) and then says "failed to connect to server". When the ZS is working, the word "hifi" remains.

Ok- this morning (in Australia), I:
Checked ZS was in AIO mode on back.

1. Restarted my router, and waiting 10 mins to allow to "do its thing".
2. Did a hard reset on ZS (button on back).
3. Followed the above video.

Same result In tidal.

.i then did:

1. Soft Reset (through ifi.local).
2. Followed above video.

Same result.

Then I:

1. Turned zS wifi "off" to ensure ethernet only connection.

Note that each time I did the above I uninstalled/ reinstalled Tidal app, and activated "nearby devoce" permission and "unrestricted" battery permission.

Same result.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks so much for your fast response bubba.

Yes, in AIO mode (on the back). I've also tried turning off other modes via the ifi.local page, but not tried the "hard" tidal only mode on the back of the Zen. Will try and report back.

On this occasion I have only done "soft" resets through the ifi.local page (in the past I did many hard resets as well). I will try a hard reset and report back.

I haven't done a "usb reset" ever.

I'll try both hard and soft resets and follow your video (again he he ) and report back.

Thanks again, really appreciate your interest/motivation in supporting the ZS community.

Interestingly- and for any tidal users out there- in the tidal App the quality is set at hifi (I don't have mqa gear). The word "hifi" displays just above the play button when playing songs, as normal. But.... as soon as I connect to the ZS, the word hifi changes to "normal" (lower quality) and then says "failed to connect to server". When the ZS is working, the word "hifi" remains.

Thank you! and No problem!

I originally started in the other thread and then started this one in hopes I could help with the way I used the ZS. I do the best I can to sort out issues, sometimes though stuff just doesn't work as it did for me...

Hopefully, we can get you sorted, by the way, do you pay for the MQA Tier and just don't use it? Or HiFi only?

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I think we were answering each other at the same time, lol

Did you happen to notice when you did the hard reset what firmware version it took you to?

 

[saloco]

I think we were answering each other at the same time, lol

Did you happen to notice when you did the hard reset what firmware version it took you to?

Thanks!

I only pay for hifi teir - if/when I upgrade my DAC I will explore mqa I suppose.

ZS firmware is 2.31.7 (from April 2022). "Check updates" button indicates I'm "already on the latest version'. This version has been the only version available since purchase.