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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. 

 

128x128joshindc
badgerdms
158 posts
 

I jumped on the Zen Stream early, so mine came with the iPower included.  Mine uses a wired ethernet connection and I use it exclusively in Roon Mode feeding a Chord Qutest DAC (which has an SBooster).  I haven't gone crazy comparing and contrasting outside of saying that it's noticeably better than the Node 2i in the same setup that it replaced and that in my implementation, it's been bulletproof--no connectivity issues, Roon always finds it, music never drops.

I've got a Innuos Zenith Mk3 (feeding a Border Patrol DAC) in another room, and while I think the Innuos is better, I've never felt the urge to swap things back and forth.  All I'll say is that I'm really happy with the Zen Stream, even as I upgrade the rig that's in in--it's damn good, and I imagine really hard to beat at up to three or four times it's price.

soix
9,456 posts
 

I was able to upgrade luckily over the years, now my name would be 991GTS!

@blkwrxwgn You bastard! I’m so jealous as Porsche is my absolute fave car.  At the time right outta business school I couldn’t afford a 944 turbo much less a 911, hence the Corrado  

@unsound Big +1 on that!!!

@badgerdms Thank you, that’s hugely helpful. Have you thought about getting the Phoenix? I really want the Zen Mk3 so I can load my CDs into it but, alas, it’s not in the budget right now so it’s hugely helpful to know the Zen Stream isn’t all that far off in the meantime.

unsound
7,329 posts
 

@soix, off topic: And as of yesterday Subaru announced there will be not a new update of the STI on the latest WRX platform.

temmple's avatar
temmple
120 posts
 

What about a Aune XP2 power supply? Would that work with the ifi Zen Stream? It outputs 9v at 1amp but not sure the barrel connectors are the same. 

jorjlien's avatar
jorjlien
52 posts
 

for $300+ budget actually should go for iPower Elite, then add-on 3 more stuffs for the USB conditioning, 

1. iDefender for Zen Stream 

2. another iPower-X 5V for iDefender. 

3. lastly an ipurifier3 reclocker for the dac. 

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