If you’ve heard an iFi Zen stream, anything better under $1k?

Hi. Think we must have posted on this topic at the exact same time, but your posting has 22 comments and mine has none :(

haha. In any case, I think the Zen stream plus an upgraded power supply is a fantastic combo, and if you paired it with a digital to digital device like the Denafrips Iris, that outputs I2S and has a great clock, I don't really see how it wouldn't be the equal or better of much more expensive streamers. But, in fairness, I've never heard an Auralic or Aurender or any of those other $$$ streamers. I have heard the Zen Stream fed by an upgraded linear power supply from McRU ($350) into a Denafrips Ares II via USB, and streaming Tidal, and it sounds great to my ears.

I have a streamer that is not well known but which I believe is a great value for a little over 1000 new.  The Metrum Acoustics ambre streamer.  It is only a streamer and has to be connected via ethernet.  From what I know it is a pi based streamer with upgraded clocks, linear power supply and better parts in one unit.  It has digital outputs for usb, rca, aes/ebu and an optional I2s board can be purchased.  the I2s board is really only compatible with a few DACs including Metrum which I own.

I've tried both Roon and Volumio as the software and prefer the sound of Volumio so that's what I use for Tidal and Qobuz listening.

I owned the original Node 2i, using it ONLY as a streamer into my PSAudio DSD DAC. I upgraded to the new Node Gen 3, modded with an external LPS. New Node was incrementally cleaner, clearer than original. I then moved to the iFi Zen Stream with an iPower external SMPS.  Noticeably better audio here than Node. Lower noise floor, tighter bass and more midrange clarity. To me anyway, hard to beat for anything in the $1000 price range.

@thegm what cable(s) are you using and USB or Coax? I'm a/b testing my current node (N130) with a new zen stream now and I cannot hear the difference. I was expecting the Zen Stream to be just a tiny bit better based on reviews.

However, it did not ship with a better power supply. I also had zero setup issues with the Zen was very easy, just not hearing the sonic benefits yet. Tried both USB and COAX and put it in Roon Dedicated mode. Going to try the Tidal mode any feedback is appreciated and thank you!

zenstream definitely benefits from an lps (a true lps is better than ifi’s own filtered wall wart ’upgrade’ ps) - ideally fed at 12 v dc input

even better, additionally, is to feed the zs with a filtered ethernet signal via an etherregen or similar device