I'm considering waiting for the MK II version. By then it should have a genuine Roon endorsement. And there certainly seems to be enough real estate on the front panel for individual indicator format lights instead of that silly color-coded system. and perhaps HDMI and I2S ports.
Ifi Zen Streamer plus upgraded power supply - the streamer to beat??
Hi Fellow Audiophile nerds,
I know everyone likes to put a plug in for whatever products they happen to have in their system. I'm no better. But, I thought it would be worth sharing my experience with the ifi Zen Stream paired with an upgraded linear power supply, because it sounds great and seems like a really good value for what you get.
The ifi Zen stream is a small device, purpose built, with USB output. It cost me $400 USD on Amazon. Has been favorably reviewed by many including Absolute Sound, Audio Excellence Canada, and others. Some reviewers mentioned issues connecting to wifi, but I haven't had any problems. Ifi claims the product downloads firmware updates automatically. Streaming via Tidal Connect has been rock solid for me thus far.
I added a linear power supply from a British company called McRU - recommended by the British Audiophile. McRU makes a power supply for the Zen Stream and it costs around $350.
So, with this $750 combination, it seems I have a streamer with most of the features that you would find in high-end streamers from Auralic or Aurendor, and they retail from something like $3500 and way up. What I don't yet have is I2S output and a really good internal clock to reduce jitter before going into my DAC. But, Denafrips offers 3 digital to digital units, with their entry level Iris going for about $550 USD. So that's another option for those wanting to improve performance further.
How does it all sound? Going from a Bluesound Node 2i using coaxial output into a Denafrips Ares II, to the Zen stream with upgraded power supply USB output into the Denafrips Ares II the upgrade was very significant. More clarity, darker (less noisy) background, better instrument separation, and overall the sound seems to have a bit more weight to it.
Just thought I'd share this, and would love to hear others' opinions and experiences.
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Hi Unsound (like the name). The only thing to be aware of with I2S output is that whatever device outputs I2S is responsible for clocking the signal. So if a MK II version of the Zen Stream were to have I2S output, it would also need to have a very good clock to be a true audiophile streamer. If your DAC has a great internal clock, you'll probably get better results feeding it with a USB signal. The Denafrips Iris (and their other more expensive D2D devices) do have very good clocks (probably better than what is found in most DACs) and that's why the I2S output from the Denafrips Iris, to a DAC that accepts I2S, can be an enhancement. But it all depends upon the quality of the different parts in the signal chain. |
Decided to try the Zen Stream and received it today. Just using the included wall-wart, which is indeed a bit of a joke. Biggest disappointment is that, like the Bricasti M5, it also won't send audio to my Yggdrasil via USB. At this point it's obvious Schiit has a USB compatibility issue and I've sent them a message to see if they intend to do anything about it. So, I'm resigned to using SPDIF once again (the SPDIF cable I have is BNC on the other end). But here's a little shocker. It sounds MUCH better than the M5 did with the same connection. This thing costs 1/6 of what the M5 typically retails for, uses a power supply that looks like it should be for a calculator (M5 has a built-in linear PS), and yet fairly blows the M5 away in SQ. I agree with unsound that the aesthetics and functional design leave a lot to be desired, but it's hard to argue with the performance. It seems to work just fine with and is recognized by Roon. @unsound, is it known that a MK II version is coming or are you just speculating? I'm tempted to get a nice PS for it and cross my fingers that USB functionality eventually comes via a FW update from either Schiit or ifi. But if there's a MKII version on the horizon I'll return this one and hope for a better design soon. |
@joshindc Seems like your buddies over on DIY Audio don't share your enthusiasm and BTW don't tell people that it's better than an Auralic or Aurender unless you have personally demoed them side by side with your wonder box. |
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