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

[iFi audio]

Hi,
I'm currently testing the SMSL SU-1 DAC. It sounds wonderful, but...
When I switch songs from Tidal, it always cuts off the first second or so. Very frustrating and kills the entire musical experience. This happens on coaxial. On USB it is less apparent, but still exists.
My streamer is IFI Zen Stream. Can something be done about it, any ideas?
I also own SMSL SU-9n and it works perfect with this streamer. Nothing similar happens.

Yes, this has been reported as an issue with Tidal and some DACs, please take a moment to inform our support by filing a ticket here...

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

And hopefully, we can get this resolved quickly for you.

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

No, but what would you recommend?
Hard reset to factory.? I did it around 10 times.
iPad crashes
Android mobile apps not working on Android 13
browser to 192.168.211.1 randomly connecting
Any other suggestions?
Once again, as soon as the new firmware was installed, everything went back as what you said on the "user manual."
Once again, a repository with current firmware and a download with a self-extracting USB key would be so easy. There is a USB port on the unit.
What is the use of this port, then?
Cheers
Mac

That is exactly what you need to do. File a support ticket so they can provide you with the proper tools to reset using the USB-C port on the back of the unit.

All ZS updates have always been done thru the unit, and not by downloading one from our site. Sorry, you had issues getting yours to do this.

Here is the link, and tell them you were here and I recommended re-flashing the unit and the tools to do this.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Cheers!!

 

[Yeahnahrighto]

Hi all,
I was really hoping I wouldn't have to make a post here but It seems I don't have another choice unfortunately.

I've been using my new zen stream relatively problem free with tidal connect for a few weeks now (at least after initial set up debacle).

After turning it on this morning, tidal will not play through the ZS at all, from either mac, windows, or android tidal applications. Sometimes I'll get a "server error please try again" on the MACOS version of tidal, but usually no error code or message.

This issue persists in AIO or Tidal exclusive mode.

The ZS is connected to wifi and receiving ~100mbps connection. I can see the zen as an option on the tidal apps but it refuses to play on the zs.

Spotify etc works fine, this is an issue with tidal only. I have not updated anything so cannot see how anything changed overnight.

Have tried turning on & off, hard resetting, first post of this thread, etc. etc. tidal still a source of annoyance and refuses to cooperate but is functioning fine on other devices & outputs.

The ZS is trying to output to my mojo2 via usb for context.

As a side note, It is very frustrating how confusing set up for this device is. As of December 2023 IFI has 3 andriod apps for configuring streamer-like devices (that i could find). Two on google play & one as a raw apk on their website, none of which function properly. One of which you can find by scanning the physical in-box qr code but it's completely deprecated on current android??

I'm ~30 and a software developer and I found this like an 9/10 in difficulty setting up, I can't imagine what it is like for someone not tech savvy. Not a great experience so far.

Appreciate any and all help to get tidal functioning again.

Cheers.


UPDATE:

After the 6th or 7th time restarting it just decided to work?? After reading around it seems this issue can happen after turning it off and back on again so for now it looks like I'll be keeping it on indefinitely.

Would still really appreciate any input if anyone knows why this happens.

Cheers.

 

[Mac Arthur]

My dear friend, it took me 16h set-up ZS when I got it...
Firmware was date August 2021 and no way to update it properly. Random crashes, a real nightmare.Contact them with a ticket, they have a tool to reset everything through an USB-C key. But it's not available online

 

[iFi audio]

Hi all,
I was really hoping I wouldn't have to make a post here but It seems I don't have another choice unfortunately.

I've been using my new zen stream relatively problem free with tidal connect for a few weeks now (at least after initial set up debacle).

After turning it on this morning, tidal will not play through the ZS at all, from either mac, windows, or android tidal applications. Sometimes I'll get a "server error please try again" on the MACOS version of tidal, but usually no error code or message.

This issue persists in AIO or Tidal exclusive mode.

The ZS is connected to wifi and receiving ~100mbps connection. I can see the zen as an option on the tidal apps but it refuses to play on the zs.

Spotify etc works fine, this is an issue with tidal only. I have not updated anything so cannot see how anything changed overnight.

Have tried turning on & off, hard resetting, first post of this thread, etc. etc. tidal still a source of annoyance and refuses to cooperate but is functioning fine on other devices & outputs.

The ZS is trying to output to my mojo2 via usb for context.

As a side note, It is very frustrating how confusing set up for this device is. As of December 2023 IFI has 3 andriod apps for configuring streamer-like devices (that i could find). Two on google play & one as a raw apk on their website, none of which function properly. One of which you can find by scanning the physical in-box qr code but it's completely deprecated on current android??

I'm ~30 and a software developer and I found this like an 9/10 in difficulty setting up, I can't imagine what it is like for someone not tech savvy. Not a great experience so far.

Appreciate any and all help to get tidal functioning again.

Cheers.


UPDATE:

After the 6th or 7th time restarting it just decided to work?? After reading around it seems this issue can happen after turning it off and back on again so for now it looks like I'll be keeping it on indefinitely.

Would still really appreciate any input if anyone knows why this happens.

Cheers.

Sorry for the issues,

In the past when folks have received that error usually it's something going on in the network. A long time ago I implemented a practice in my home network to try and help these situations, and have passed it on many times.

Once a week on Sunday I reset my entire network, modem routers, and switches by unplugging everything and starting at the modem to reapply power to all in order. I can tell you since I started doing that I have very, very few network issues. Think of it as a big reset, doesn't take long and less trouble.

This is a good practice!

Cheers!!

Also please reach out to support if you are still getting errors,

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Cheers!!

P.S. The app you want for the Zen Stream is the Stream-iFi app

 

[JO2T]

Once I turn off the led light,tidal will stop playing after few minutes(Mode1 or 3)

 

[huhhhhh]

Hello all !
1es post for me here, i bought a ifi zen stream and install it.

With ethernet link, no problem.

But i didn't succed to use wifi. I tried all the ways i think, my main wifi and shared connection of my phone, try with or without ethernet link, but nothing : no wifi connection.
Anyone can try to help me please ?
Maybe there's somewhere a toturial with all possible troubleshots and solutions ?

Thank you for your help
Matthieu

 

[iFi audio]

Once I turn off the led light,tidal will stop playing after few minutes(Mode1 or 3)

Hello,

if by turn off the LED you mean by using the tiny button on the right then you may be accidentally putting it into "Hotspot" mode.

It is a very quick press of the right button to turn off the lights, anything longer than a single press will go into hotspot setup mode and disconnect.

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Hello all !
1es post for me here, i bought a ifi zen stream and install it.

With ethernet link, no problem.

But i didn't succed to use wifi. I tried all the ways i think, my main wifi and shared connection of my phone, try with or without ethernet link, but nothing : no wifi connection.
Anyone can try to help me please ?
Maybe there's somewhere a toturial with all possible troubleshots and solutions ?

Thank you for your help
Matthieu

Hi Matthieu,

If you are connected via ethernet cable simply open you Stream-ifi app or go to, http://ifi.local/settings

Click on network and enter your wi-fi info while still on LAN connection. Once completed disconnect LAN cable and give 1 minute for unit reset.

That should be all you need to do!

Cheers!!

 

[JO2T]

Hello,

if by turn off the LED you mean by using the tiny button on the right then you may be accidentally putting it into "Hotspot" mode.

It is a very quick press of the right button to turn off the lights, anything longer than a single press will go into hotspot setup mode and disconnect.

Cheers!!

I did a quick press on right button to turn off the led. It also hv same issue with playing usb ssd. I’m using Ethernet with lastest firmware. Even after few hard reset,still hv same issue. No issue if I leaves the lights On.

 

[iFi audio]

I did a quick press on right button to turn off the led. It also hv same issue with playing usb ssd. I’m using Ethernet with lastest firmware. Even after few hard reset,still hv same issue. No issue if I leaves the lights On.

That is odd indeed, I have honestly never heard of this!

Please take a moment and report this to our Support folks, perhaps they can calm this issue.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Please let us know how you make out so we can perhaps add it to the first post.

Cheers!!

 

[JO2T]

That is odd indeed, I have honestly never heard of this!

Please take a moment and report this to our Support folks, perhaps they can calm this issue.

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Please let us know how you make out so we can perhaps add it to the first post.

Cheers!!

Filed a ticket,At the moment,I just leave the led on or use mconnectLite to play tidal if I want to turn off the led.

 

[huhhhhh]

Hi Matthieu,

If you are connected via ethernet cable simply open you Stream-ifi app or go to, http://ifi.local/settings

Click on network and enter your wi-fi info while still on LAN connection. Once completed disconnect LAN cable and give 1 minute for unit reset.



That should be all you need to do!

Cheers!!

Hello,
Thank you for your help !
I tried that a lot, but after the yellow window, there's a red one where there's : "failed to connect to wifi network please try again later".
But my wifi is normally ok, without problem ...

I use a router, maybe have i to configure something for the streamer ?

 

[iFi audio]

Hello,
Thank you for your help !
I tried that a lot, but after the yellow window, there's a red one where there's : "failed to connect to wifi network please try again later".
But my wifi is normally ok, without problem ...

I use a router, maybe have i to configure something for the streamer ?

Honestly not sure there, have you filed a ticket already?

Normally it would go yellow save settings then would connect either way LAN or Wifi depending on what you have plugged in.

Cheers!!

 

[huhhhhh]

Hello, no ticket for the moment ... Maybe i will try that