[Kingrex]

Farad. Or Sbooster

 

[iFi audio]

I tried both the sBooster and iPower Elite with my Zen Stream. Both give a significant improvement over the stock ps. Bass feels more precise and instrument separation is better. Also prior to using the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs on some tracks were a little harsh and I sometimes felt the need to use a filter on my Hugo 2 to handle this. With the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs don't really feel harsh. I no longer feel the need to apply filtering.

I didn't detect any significant difference between the sBooster and iPower Elite. I'm impressed with both of them.

It should be noted the sBooster had previously been powering my router for well over a year 24/7 so is burnt in. The iPower Elite has about 10 hours so far. So I wouldn't consider it burnt in.

I'll be putting the sBooster back on my router and have the iPower Elite on the Zen Stream. I really like the small form factor of the Elite. It sits next to the Zen Stream.

Thanks a lot for your feedback. We got many comments about ZEN Stream being susceptible to power supplies so yours confirms that. Thanks again!

Also, some users who tried several voltages did say that ZEN Stream works better if it's powered by a PSU closer to its upper DC range (15V)

 

[GuyM]

Thanks a lot for your feedback. We got many comments about ZEN Stream being susceptible to power supplies so yours confirms that. Thanks again!

Also, some users who tried several voltages did say that ZEN Stream works better if it's powered by a PSU closer to its upper DC range (15V)

As per Sbooster, both 12-13v and 15-16-v will work with the ZS. However, I was wondering if it would be safer to go with the 12-13v and set the Sbooster to 13.5v (I plan to buy next week)? I don’t know.

PS Another question for Mr IFI : As I am using Exclusively Tidal, I set the ZS in the mode 3 and I disable wifi as per IFI suggestion to reduce at minimum any interference from other modes. However, as you know, I have to return once in a while to mode 1 for updates as we do not have access to the IFi app in exclusive modes. Therefore, I was wondering : If I disable wifi / all modes (except Tidal) in the IFi app, is it the EXACT SAME THING, technically speaking, than using the Tidal mode (setting 3) or should I continue to use the exclusive mode for optimal sound. Thanks…

 

[iFi audio]

As per Sbooster, both 12-13v and 15-16-v will work with the ZS. However, I was wondering if it would be safer to go with the 12-13v and set the Sbooster to 13.5v (I plan to buy next week)? I don’t know.

ZEN Stream isn't fussy about DC and will safely work with every PSU within the 9-15V range.

Therefore, I was wondering : If I disable wifi / all modes (except Tidal) in the IFi app, is it the EXACT SAME THING, technically speaking, than using the Tidal mode (setting 3) or should I continue to use the exclusive mode for optimal sound. Thanks…

In 99% it's not the same thing, but I'll double-check with our engineers and will get back to you once I know for sure

 

[GuyM]

ZEN Stream isn't fussy about DC and will safely work with every PSU within the 9-15V range.



In 99% it's not the same thing, but I'll double-check with our engineers and will get back to you once I know for sure

Super. Thanks a lot for your help…

 

[iFi audio]

Super. Thanks a lot for your help…

Sure, anytime, we're to help wherever we can here on HF

 

[iFi audio]

Super. Thanks a lot for your help…

Just a small update for you: ZEN Stream's modes engaged via its rear dial and software settings result in the same exact effect and there's no difference between them. Actually, software mode adjustments override dial settings. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[GuyM]

Just a small update for you: ZEN Stream's modes engaged via its rear dial and software settings result in the same exact effect and there's no difference between them. Actually, software mode adjustments override dial settings. Hope this helps, thanks!

Super…Therefore, I will keep my ZS in Mode 1 (re updates)… which is a good thing as the back of my streamer is not easily accessible. Merci.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

In my mind Mode 1 can’t be the same as Mode 3 with all other sources turned off except Tidal. I have access to firmware updates and the hotspot feature in Mode 1. These capabilities are disabled in Mode 3, so if I had to guess, the exclusive modes are still the best option as far as sound quality is concerned.

In a perfect world, I’d prefer to keep the ZS in Mode 1 all the time and just enable whatever mode I need at the time instead of having the use the physical mode selector on the unit. I’m only ok with this though if sound quality is not affected negatively versus the exclusive modes.

 

[BLacklWf]

It makes no difference to ZEN Stream what DC voltage it gets as long as it's within the 9V/1.8A-15V/0.8A DC range

Hi iFi,

A quick question please. Can I use iPower Elite 12V for Zen Phono? The stock power adapter for Zen Phono was 5V. But, currently I don't see 5V iPower Elite in stock. Also, I thought 12V will be more versatile down the road. I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

Hi iFi,

A quick question please. Can I use iPower Elite 12V for Zen Phono? The stock power adapter for Zen Phono was 5V. But, currently I don't see 5V iPower Elite in stock. Also, I thought 12V will be more versatile down the road. I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

Hi there! ZEN Phono was designed to be used with 5V power supplies, so we don't recommend using any higher voltages that 5V. Thanks!

 

[ALRAINBOW]

over the years I’ve used many of there power supplies all very good for time and usage. I have two phono pre amps phono 2/3. even if I used and very high end LPS was marginal to me. I feel for the price it’s very worth it

 

[BLacklWf]

Hi there! ZEN Phono was designed to be used with 5V power supplies, so we don't recommend using any higher voltages that 5V. Thanks!

Thanks for the quick feedback! One more question while I have your attention please. I'm curios about voltage stability (fluctuation in the mV) of iFi Power Elite because I'm going to use it with my turntable. How does/well Power Elite regulate the fluctuation in the milli voltage? I'm obviously not an expert on this topic. But, I think many people tend to turn to a linear power supply for the voltage regulation since it's another name is a linear voltage regulator. I'm even less familiar with a switching type power supply, which I assume Power Elite is. Still, I think the noise floor of 1μV just impressive, if not unheard of. I guess the question is whether the voltage fluctuation is considered as a noise or not with iFi Power Elite. Or, if you happen to know how Power Elite performs on the voltage regulation, I would very appreciate if you can share your insight. Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for the quick feedback! One more question while I have your attention please. I'm curios about voltage stability (fluctuation in the mV) of iFi Power Elite because I'm going to use it with my turntable. How does/well Power Elite regulate the fluctuation in the milli voltage? I'm obviously not an expert on this topic. But, I think many people tend to turn to a linear power supply for the voltage regulation since it's another name is a linear voltage regulator. I'm even less familiar with a switching type power supply, which I assume Power Elite is. Still, I think the noise floor of 1μV just impressive, if not unheard of. I guess the question is whether the voltage fluctuation is considered as a noise or not with iFi Power Elite. Or, if you happen to know how Power Elite performs on the voltage regulation, I would very appreciate if you can share your insight. Thanks.

I'd have to ask our tech staff about voltage fluctuations and perhaps they'll share some info on the subject, so thanks for asking! If it's of any use, many our customers into turntables have been very happy with iPower Elites and there's some talk about how these power supplies do against linear PSUs

 

[BLacklWf]

I'd have to ask our tech staff about voltage fluctuations and perhaps they'll share some info on the subject, so thanks for asking! If it's of any use, many our customers into turntables have been very happy with iPower Elites and there's some talk about how these power supplies do against linear PSUs

Thanks for the quick feedback. It's great to hear that iPower Elite works great with turntables. Please share with us when you hear back from your tech staff.