It supports several popular audio streaming protocols, including Roon R.A.A.T., Signalyst HQPlayer NAA, DLNA, Spotify and TIDAL Connect, and AirPlay. Enter the ZEN Stream from iFi Audio.Įssentially, the ZEN Stream network-enables any DAC with a USB or COAX S/PDIF input. While a few external DACs have Ethernet inputs, most do not. In 2021, external DACs are still central to hi-fi, but we want them tethered to our home networks instead. Fast forward a decade or two, and CD transports begin to give way to computer audio and streaming. In the hi-fi context, they were initially a popular way to improve the sound of a CD player with digital output or to separate sensitive analog circuits from the mechanical vibrations and stepper motors in a CD transport. Well-done, ifi.Įxternal DACs have been around for several decades. I can’t imagine what those multi-thousand dollar player/streamers sound like if a consumer can get this much technology in a product at this price point. My score: A-Plus, 10 out of 10, knocked out of the ballpark. I bought this as a solution to play my music from ssds, and it succeeds big time. JRiver has some services built into it’s interface that sound pretty good. I haven’t tried any of the streaming services, as I don’t have a subscription. The ifi is built specifically for music files versus a multipurpose laptop, outshining the laptop mainly in terms of clarity of instruments and voices. The sound is so good with zero dropouts that i’m not worrying about connecting with ethernet for now.
ISTREAM IPAD SOFTWARE
Ifi has a free control interface for phones, tablets, laptops, but the JRiver software on my control laptop had no problem finding and connecting with the ifi streamer over wifi. The wifi antenna was attached, the ifi connected to the Exogal Comet dac via usb, and the ifi plugged into the Shenyata Hydra for power. It arrived five days later, and was installed in minutes. It’s also priced cheaper than any of the prospective laptops that I was considering. Lo, and behold – I found a bunch of reviews about this streamer on internet audio sites, also reading about it on the ifi site before purchasing it on Amazon. The laptop started acting flaky after four years, so it was time to buy another one.
I was using a laptop as a music source for my stereo, with JRiver Media Center as the controlling interface. Some reviewers have made a big deal about the software, but these issues must have been resolved in the latest version because I’ve had no issues whatsoever.
ISTREAM IPAD UPDATE
You do need to update the software via the included ethernet cable first before connecting wirelessly to your home internet, but it’s really not that difficult. I have heard that additional improvements can be had if you power the unit with an upgraded power supply, so that’s where I’m going next. Compared to the sound I was getting from my Bluesound Node 2i through its coaxial output, the Zen Stream is significantly improved: more detailed sound and the sound stage appears to be a bit deeper and more focused. Coming from a Bluesound Node 2i, I wanted a streamer that sounds great, doesn’t waste money with a built-in DAC that I will bypass to my own external DAC, outputs to USB, and let’s me connect seamlessly to Tidal through Tidal’s application and Tidal Connect.
ISTREAM IPAD UPGRADE
This product is exactly what I was looking for to upgrade the sound of my stereo.
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