[evanescent]

I'm very impressed with the bass, especially the slam. It sounds like there is a proper amp inside.

The audio is better than I'd expect from a 2021 $200 desktop system. It's vastly better than I can get from a 2021 USB dongle.

I'll probably use it 90% for Spotify Lite. With a decent interface, control via desktop app (Spotify connect) and downloading of playlists for offline playback, it's very practical.

 

[SebaE2012]

I'm very impressed with the bass, especially the slam. It sounds like there is a proper amp inside.

The audio is better than I'd expect from a 2021 $200 desktop system. It's vastly better than I can get from a 2021 USB dongle.

I'll probably use it 90% for Spotify Lite. With a decent interface, control via desktop app (Spotify connect) and downloading of playlists for offline playback, it's very practical.

While I mostly listen to local files, I do stream on occasion and I was getting a little frustrated with the way the ZX2 handles Spotify. I hadn't heard about its lite version, so I will definitely give it a try. It might well add a new lease of life to my good old ZX2 as a streaming device.

 

[evanescent]

Tweaks that have made my ZX2 responsive with long battery life in 2021:

* Switching to Spotify Lite, setting storage location to app external storage (the 128Gb), and downloading playlists
* Enabling Developer mode, and setting window, transition and animator animations off
* Disabling the pre-installed google apps (gmail, maps, contacts etc). Only Play Store and Google Settings Remain


Tweaks that might have helped, but I'm not sure:

* Factory reset
* Erase internal memory
* Remove SD Card
* Root (very easy by enabling Unknown Sources in Security, and then opening KingRoot-5-3-7.apk and running)
* Installing OPG Pro

 

[Death_Block]

I've recently factory reset the Sony dap, whilst it's not the zx2, it made a world of difference. . Still frustrating the beans in me with offline tidal. But the battery life is more acceptable. Just make sure the screen is left off

 

[SebaE2012]

Tweaks that have made my ZX2 responsive with long battery life in 2021:

* Switching to Spotify Lite, setting storage location to app external storage (the 128Gb), and downloading playlists
* Enabling Developer mode, and setting window, transition and animator animations off
* Disabling the pre-installed google apps (gmail, maps, contacts etc). Only Play Store and Google Settings Remain


Tweaks that might have helped, but I'm not sure:

* Factory reset
* Erase internal memory
* Remove SD Card
* Root (very easy by enabling Unknown Sources in Security, and then opening KingRoot-5-3-7.apk and running)
* Installing OPG Pro

Thanks for sharing. Switching to Spotify Lite has enabled, for me at least, sending downloaded files to SD storage which helps a lot. I'm going to try the developer mode trick.

 

[TooFrank]

Congrats!

Really good little unit. I suggest loading it up with some quality files.

Not sure what the limit is on SD card support size-wise is. Mine currently rocks a 200 GB card.

Mine is doing fine with 400 GB.

 

[slainte]

Mine is doing fine with 400 GB.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[evanescent]

The ZX-2 works great as a UPNP Renderer. I'm using Audirvana to stream Tidal and my music library. VLC also works.

The UPNP software running on the ZX-2 is BubbleUPNP 2.8.15 installed via the apk file.

 

[ZX2Fan]

At last! Last week my replacement battery from Ali express arrived. Was a bit sceptical for I do not trust chinese companies. However, looking at the original battery (from my first zx2, that I crashed) reveals, it's from China as well. Meanwhile, battery, that arrived with level of 19%, i. e. no deep discharge, and is claimed to have the same capacity as the original, is in my zx2, And I'm happy, the battery life reminds me of the time, when the

device was new, the lovestory can go on..

 

[SebaE2012]

Tweaks that have made my ZX2 responsive with long battery life in 2021:

* Switching to Spotify Lite, setting storage location to app external storage (the 128Gb), and downloading playlists
* Enabling Developer mode, and setting window, transition and animator animations off
* Disabling the pre-installed google apps (gmail, maps, contacts etc). Only Play Store and Google Settings Remain


Tweaks that might have helped, but I'm not sure:

* Factory reset
* Erase internal memory
* Remove SD Card
* Root (very easy by enabling Unknown Sources in Security, and then opening KingRoot-5-3-7.apk and running)
* Installing OPG Pro

Hi...any other tip to make zx2 snappier? Even with Spotify Lite streaming has become a rather clumsy business...

 

[evanescent]

Mine is pretty responsive after all that

The only other tip is to use Spotify on another device (phone, laptop) and set output device to WALKMAN. That way you have all the responsiveness of the modern interface, but playback happens on the zx2.

 

[mainguy]

Do you guys think this is a good buy in 2021 for 290?

 

[slainte]

Do you guys think this is a good buy in 2021 for 290?

Good source for local rips. But if you seek balanced out and true DSD, they might be deal breakers. With good battery life and great sound, I still enjoy mine.

 

[Caruryn]

Still enjoy mine with Andromedas next to Ibasso DX312 and AK 1000M.Great sound,battery and value for that money.

 

[emilsoft]

It's still the kind with Andromeda's one of the best synergies - especially if you follow instructions on how to disable dsp