[iFi audio]

Thanks Bubba et al.,

Support offered refresher tool for PC or send to Service Center.

They cited more than one issue.

I am going to elect the later option-will keep you apprised of status on return.

Thanks again one and all!

Best,

Sean

You are quite welcome Sean, you chose the best route let them make sure it's in good working order!

Do keep us informed!

Cheers!!

 

[Lvivske]

So I ended up upgrading to the latest firmware (2.32.9), the tech OCD in me just had to be on the latest. Some issues off the bat:

- Started noticing more consistent one-time-one-second dropouts within the first 5 minutes of playing, then it'd go away, like before
- Was going nuts and spitting out garbled/choppy audio (like I described and took a video of) after the upgrade. I hadnt seen this behavior since I posted about it here, but it was much more aggressive this time and forcing me to do a lot of reboots. Last couple days though have been more solid. It's weird how both initial setup and now post-firmware have been the same where the Zen Stream had to "settle down" its internal errors...
- I noticed they changed "ifi.local" to "ifi-zen.local" or something. I just rebooted it again and now its "ifi-.local" with a dash. What is going on here and why does the URL keep changing?
- the .local URLs still have never worked on my Windows computer, and since the name keeps changing, its a good thing I have the IP DNS locked and bookmarked
- I dont like how they changed the device naming. Before I could set the device name, in my case "iFi Zen Stream" and that would show up on my network devices. Now it uses the name in the field as a 'username' and the device shows up as "iFi-[NAME]'s Streamer". So after upgrading my device was literally "iFi-iFi Zen Stream's Streamer" and if it's blank it's "iFi-'s Streamer"....lol....who thought this was a good idea?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I am not too sure about some of those things you mentioned, mine still show Zen Stream One and Zen Stream Two, now if you are referring to network stuff that's beyond my itty-bitty comprehension level,

Don't forget you can always go back to the firmware that shipped with the Zen through the menu and factory reset.

I am the oddity here as I rarely look to "update" my firmware unless I am having an issue or there is some new function I was looking forward to, lol

Cheers!!

 

[Lvivske]

I am not too sure about some of those things you mentioned, mine still show Zen Stream One and Zen Stream Two, now if you are referring to network stuff that's beyond my itty-bitty comprehension level,

Don't forget you can always go back to the firmware that shipped with the Zen through the menu and factory reset.

I am the oddity here as I rarely look to "update" my firmware unless I am having an issue or there is some new function I was looking forward to, lol

Cheers!!

This is how the device name appears now (before I coudl name it whatever I wanted)

I dont want to get into rolling it back if its stable right now, plus didnt older versions not have Airplay? May end up with less stability by messing with it more just to get the naming feature back

 

[ruhtrare]

I had an issue with my ZS, as it had some distortion on some tracks. After raising a ticket with Ifi, discussions with the vendor I got it from, my unit was diagnosed for replacement/change unit. While waiting for the replacement, I got another streamer. When my replacement ZS became available, I tested it, and it was Ok and working but I boxed it for storage as my newer streamer had more features.

Fast forward and I'm thinking of a bedroom setup and using my ZS. However, it would no longer work using Tidal Connect. Message is "Server not reached or available, please check internet connection..... " or something very similar to that. Mconnect and Bubble UPNP work, but not Tidal Connect.

Here's what I have tried so far:
1. Factory Reset
2. Updated latest firmware
3. Used wired and wireless
4. Used 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as DNS
5. Followed the instructions on the first few pages of this thread.
6. Used the different modes at the back
7. Disabled some modes on the app.
8. Have used different versions of Tidal app on mobile phone.
9. Used another phone and tablet.

All of the above steps and their combination would not fix my Tidal Connect issue.

I don't think it's my mobile phone with the Tidal app that is the issue as it works perfectly with my other streamer.

While going through the replacement process of my original ZS unit, my receipt/Doc was lost. So now I would not be able to raise a new ticket for my problem. I believe details in the receipt would be needed to raise a ticket with Ifi.

Hope users in this thread could help in fixing this Tidal Connect issue.

 

[Lvivske]

After experiencing a ton of the "USB audio cracking up and distorting" I experienced infrequently pre-upgrade, I've filed a ticket and got the tool to roll back to the previous firmware. :/ See how it goes

Also got a new PSU coming in today, fingers crossed there's a worthwhile difference over the iPower 1.0

 

[iFi audio]

Hopefully, everything will be sorted out now for you.

Keep us updated!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I had an issue with my ZS, as it had some distortion on some tracks. After raising a ticket with Ifi, discussions with the vendor I got it from, my unit was diagnosed for replacement/change unit. While waiting for the replacement, I got another streamer. When my replacement ZS became available, I tested it, and it was Ok and working but I boxed it for storage as my newer streamer had more features.

Fast forward and I'm thinking of a bedroom setup and using my ZS. However, it would no longer work using Tidal Connect. Message is "Server not reached or available, please check internet connection..... " or something very similar to that. Mconnect and Bubble UPNP work, but not Tidal Connect.

Here's what I have tried so far:
1. Factory Reset
2. Updated latest firmware
3. Used wired and wireless
4. Used 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as DNS
5. Followed the instructions on the first few pages of this thread.
6. Used the different modes at the back
7. Disabled some modes on the app.
8. Have used different versions of Tidal app on mobile phone.
9. Used another phone and tablet.

All of the above steps and their combination would not fix my Tidal Connect issue.

I don't think it's my mobile phone with the Tidal app that is the issue as it works perfectly with my other streamer.

While going through the replacement process of my original ZS unit, my receipt/Doc was lost. So now I would not be able to raise a new ticket for my problem. I believe details in the receipt would be needed to raise a ticket with Ifi.

Hope users in this thread could help in fixing this Tidal Connect issue.

I am sorry I missed this,

I don't believe a receipt is needed to raise a ticket especially as you were already in the system. Please try to open a new ticket and let us know how you make out.

Cheers!!

 

[tuyen]

If you are getting two red lights then the unit may need a USB C redo thru the port on the back.

This is the best method to reset the unit and reinstall the operating system.

You well need a Windows computer for this as there is no version for MAC.

If they don't provide this solution for you, let me know I may be able to help.

Sorry the unit had given you so much terrible, I can promise we will try to get you going.

What I meant was some folks had trouble as you finding the proper IP address in their system, honestly do not even know what this means but somehow it was different than the one provided in the manual.

It is almost impossible to diagnose her this issue becomes complicated by VPN and other things firewalls and so forth, even security settings.

This is why I'm my first post I tell folks to connect directly to the modem for initial setup if issues arise.

Cheers!!

Hi Mr BubbaHyde,

I am currently got the issue where both red lights during hard reset and then no lights on after at all (except power light). Basically bricked. Would very much appreciate instructions to reinstall the operating system using the usb-c cable/windows. Would you be able to help please?

I've logged a ticket with ifi support and have not had a response. The annoying this is I was doing a factory reset so I could prepare the unit to post off to it's new owner... so frustrating!

Hoping you could help!

Thanks in advance,
Tuyen

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Hi Mr BubbaHyde,

I am currently got the issue where both red lights during hard reset and then no lights on after at all (except power light). Basically bricked. Would very much appreciate instructions to reinstall the operating system using the usb-c cable/windows. Would you be able to help please?

I've logged a ticket with ifi support and have not had a response. The annoying this is I was doing a factory reset so I could prepare the unit to post off to it's new owner... so frustrating!

Hoping you could help!

Thanks in advance,
Tuyen

Hi, Tuyen I will send a PM that may be able to help you.

Cheers!!

 

[tuyen]

Hi, Tuyen I will send a PM that may be able to help you.

Cheers!!

All sorted now. Have managed to reload factory image back on and tests OK. You are an absolute legend. Thanks for helping the community out!

 

[iFi audio]

All sorted now. Have managed to reload factory image back on and tests OK. You are an absolute legend. Thanks for helping the community out!

I am glad to hear that!

You are quite welcome, and glad to do what I can!

Cheers!!

Bubba

 

[bagwell359]

It is odd how Tidal Connect is buggy according to quite a few folks.

Odd indeed, do these folks just find this true on the "Zen"?

On my Cambridge Audio MX10 TIDAL Connect works perfectly since day 1.

 

[iFi audio]

Odd indeed, do these folks just find this true on the "Zen"?

On my Cambridge Audio MX10 TIDAL Connect works perfectly since day 1.

I think it varies.

I had a Cambridge CXN V2 (think that's right) years ago and only occasionally had hiccups with TC.

I see from my Wiim mini firmware updates that almost everyone includes some type of "Tidal Fix" but I rarely have issues with it. Same with both my Zens and NEO rarely.

I think there are so many variables, connections, speed, things that can interfere, that it's almost impossible to narrow it down. One thing holds true though is you rarely hear folks complain about Tidal thru Roon or Spotify connect, or Qobuz and MConnect, but the always seems to be issues of some varying degree here with Tidal Connect.

Realistically we may never know!

Cheers!!

 

[Lvivske]

Also got a new PSU coming in today, fingers crossed there's a worthwhile difference over the iPower 1.0

So I ended up getting the LPS (Topping P50) to see how the Zen Stream scales after finding the iPower was a good upgrade but was still wanting more.

My initial reaction was there was a further increase in impact on drums - this was after listening to the new Judas Priest album a dozen times so I was pretty used to how it sounded - first few minutes I was like 'whoa' and thought about turning down the bass (but opted to just leave everything untouched and get used to it). After that I felt it would be too hard to go back n forth so I lived with the P50 for a week before spending some time looking at them all.

Another thing I noticed right away was that my issue about vocals sounding too "recessed" or soft now was gone and everything was 'balanced' but crystal clear. My previous fix was to find a sharper sounding filter on my DAC, but now I dont need to worry about finding the right synergy and went back to my old settings. With the iPower I got the impression that vocals were either further back (softer) or undefined in location, more in between my ears than in front of me - the LPS solved that and were more obviously out in front of me with better texture as well, too.

The impact improvement was notable on a song like Traitors Gate (by Judas Priest, I was on a kick the past few weeks) where in the intro there's this drum line that goes from right to left and bouncing all over the place. With the LPS it was 3D and and really felt like those drums were jumping around the room, while with the SMPS it was more linear and less fun. For clarity, this didn't just affect the center stage but stereo details as well. On Hell Patrol, there's one guitar in each channel - with the LPS honestly they sounded like the same 1 guitar, but with the LPS it was obvious there was one guitarist on the left playing different things than the right, and the drums and vocals were all in a defined space. Same notes on As God Is My Witness, where on the SMPS I could barely make out what was going on with the left channel guitar (since they're playing the same notes with high gain) but with the upgrade I could differentiate the picking better. This also boosted the ability to hear other vocal tracks buried in the mix or off in the wings that I normally wouldn't notice until I throw it on vinyl w/ speakers.

Another thing that popped up on the Zen recently was noticing how sibilant S's are on tracks, and this is a big factor on the Painkiller album. It got pretty annoying at times when the S's were resonating louder than any other sound, and I think that was smoothed a bit and nothing was annoying me anymore.

Anyhoo, one last test I did was checking out the David Lee Roth solo album since I remembered the vocals on the mastering being especially soft in the mix. Used Ladies Nite in Buffalo as my test track. With the SMPS I had trouble understanding some of his lyrics as gibberish with the volume I had set, but with the upgrade the words were clearer and I could actually type them out correctly. So wrap that in with the previous vocal notes.

disclaimer: these are minor changes at the end of the day, my first thought going back to the SMPS was "yeah this is still good" before digging into specific things


TLDR; The negatives I noticed with the previous SMPS upgrade were gone, and the Zen Stream benefits got better. Happy camper, endgame satisfied for now.