iFi ZEN Stream – Network Audio Transport Streamer – Inputs: Ethernet/Wi-Fi/USB - Outputs: USB/SPDIF

Product Information

Several different settings allow users to tailor the NEO Stream’s performance to suit their system and the way they like to stream. For example, users can select between Exclusive Modes – individual settings that optimise performance by focusing operation on one mode of use. There are specific settings for Roon, Tidal Masters, DLNA and NAA, as well as a general mode for multi-platform use. The iFi ZEN Stream supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD up to 11.2MHz (DSD256) over Wi-Fi, as well as over Ethernet cable. There are multiple ways in which the device can interface with your music collection or favourite streaming service, depending on the user’s preference, and thanks to the ZEN Stream’s open-source architecture these will expand over time. Here are some of the options provided at launch: The graphical environment looks quite similar with the original Volumio but with a practical customization done by the iFi software developers. ZEN Stream (hereinafter ZS) is a network player and/or a wi-fi audio transport which main purpose is to transmit a signal to a DAC within a home network, both wired and wirelessly, from both streaming services and local sources. Stream straight from Spotify/Tidal apps with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect § Roon, DLNA and NAA compatible

Then, as we reach this section of the review, it’s time to cover the more unusual bits of the specification. First up, if you choose to use the Stream as a transport, you have multiple connection options. The iFi will output over USB, coax, optical, AES and there is an i2s connection too. The USB over a Wi-Fi network – has become the dominant method of listening to music at home. For those who care about Almost" because for some strange reason we didn't manage to configure it through the Ethernet connection but instead we used the WiFi hotspot method that worked like a charm. DLNA streaming Select this mode to optimise performance when using the ZEN Stream with DLNA-compatible apps and devices.There’s not much to report sound wise. The ZEN is a network bridge that takes digital audio and offers it up to a DAC of your choice. It shouldn’t impart any sonic character of its own, and it doesn’t. I tried the DLNA exclusive mode to see if I could validate the claims made in preference of using the ZEN in its ‘all-in-one’ mode, but I couldn’t. Even running the ZEN digitally into a Focusrite Clarette+ 8Pre interface, recording the output and comparing it against an original high-resolution PCM audio file, there was absolutely no difference what-so-ever. The Claret is renowned for being extremely flat, with conversion as close to a straight-wire approach as it gets and the equal of digital converters at any price. I don’t have an audio analyser to measure the ZEN Stream, but if I were a betting man I’d say the exclusive modes cannot be objectively validated.

One of my favourite characteristics of the zen stream are the low noise outputs, specially the usb type A ports. They have ANC audio tech inside and the differences between using your computer to power the DACs and using the Zen stream are notorious: there's no noise and DACs like Zen DAC or khadas tone 2 pro get the right amount of power to sound at its best, thing that dont happen by using a regular USB PC port. In case that you want to use the S/PDIF out, you'll be also enjoying the iPurifier tech so don´t worry about noise or hiss with this streamer. Since you are reading this, you most likely already know what a streamer is, but you might not be sure whether you need one. Streaming is possible straight from your computer to your DAC, but a dedicated streamer will completely separate your music server connection from your computer, eliminating all kinds of electronic noise from your audio chain which you might not even realised was there. I find it important to note that the level of noise can vastly differ from computer to computer. DAC inputs, galvanic isolation, quality cables, power supplies, conditioners further filter noise so the same streamer may improve sound to different extent on different computers. In my opinion you need to have a relatively good DAC/amp to consider buying a streamer for sound quality improvements. If you only use a USB dongle, you are probably fine with streaming from the computer. The user can choose between the USB or the Coaxial outputs but one at a time because they cannot be active together.Any DLNA-compatible streaming app – including iFi’s forthcoming Stream-iFi app – can be used to control the ZEN Stream and access audio content from online services and DLNA-certified network storage devices. well-known single-board computer, which can be used as a music streaming device. After all, an audio streamer is I could see my DAC in Audio Settings (under ZX as a bridge) connected via USB and the SPDIF of the ZS itself. With regards to my personal use case for the Zen Stream, I must say that it is a great little device. Yes, there are a couple of things that stop it from being perfect for my personal set up, which I admit is far from a normal system anyway, but they are not things that I can hold against the Stream.