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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: I actually really enjoyed having the Zen Stream in my office. It is a great option for those who want (or need) to keep their music separate from their phone or PC. Hooked up to a DAC that feeds both a headphone amp (or two) and a ceiling speaker set up, it is very easily controlled by anyone in the office (that is on the office network of course), allowing people to override the current music with music of their own. Denafrips Ares II (kindly provided on a long term loan by the official distributor www.denafrips.eu) iFi software developed with Volumio open-source as the starting point, then coded and optimised by us to achieve the purest streaming software bar none. So the ZEN Stream basically covers all popular services, such as Qobuz, QQMusic, YT Music, J River, Audirvana, Foobar3000, VLC, MediaMonkey and many more. This is simply great and incredible for a streamer at this price level.
over a Wi-Fi network – has become the dominant method of listening to music at home. For those who care about 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.
What To Think About
The USB output is active and can successfully power any USB powered DAC so it can be paired with all kinds of USB DACs and not only the ones with internal power supplies. Often they were incredibly complicated, hard to set up, hard to work with or just overly expensive. I also haven’t always had a need to go wireless but times change and so I have two excellent little streamers here with me now. Both will be covered on Headfonia as they are excellent and affordable compact streamers. Now, in the ZEN Stream’s Linux ALSA (audio system), we want the best sound, so we employ the most direct bit-perfect mode whenever possible. There was no data conversion at all. The disadvantage is that it will not have sound if the format is not supported (or not stated correctly). What a letdown!
NAA streaming Select this mode when using the ZEN Stream as a Network Audio Adapter in conjunction with Signalyst HQPlayer software. For quite a while I was interested to know if there is any reason in getting rid of the signal coming from the computer directly to you DAC? The second interesting feature is the ease of use of most apps and streaming music services with the zen stream. In a matter of seconds you can use tidal and spotify without losing audio quality unlike IFI Zen Blue and most bluetooth transmitters. Just notice that the compatible apps vary according to the device you use, for example with IOS you can use Youtube Music and Qobuz apps but not in an android device.Beneath the unassuming casework sits some serious horsepower in terms of both technologies and components: Both USB and Coaxial outputs perform with the same quality so it depends on your DAC implementation of which one to choose. I find the zen stream a very useful device, it has plenty of connectivity options, good quality components and a very important thing to me is that IFI´s team keeps improving it by adding new features. While i was writing this post iFi launched a google play store app for improving the wifi use and also the chromecast service and roon ready are to be added in the next weeks. Du Hast” – Rammstein (What? This WASN'T just cool because it's loud? There's subtlety in there?!?!?)
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