Does your IFi Zen Steam have Low Gain?

@ricevs yes I do have the max volume set at 100.  I didn’t see the start volume setting.  I’ll look into that setting.  That might be my issue.  I use the Roon setting and control my volume with my amp volume controls and don’t use the iFi ap.

If you are using roon, go through all the options and make sure you don't have a DSP option enabled and turned way down. for this streamer.  Roon saves different settings for each device.

@carlsbad  @ricevs thanks for your suggestions…I got it solved…it was an oversight in the iFi software.  I had the settings set at 100%  volume but didn’t realize you have to go into the actual play app and also set the volume to 100% even if you are using roon as your control app. Live and learn!

It's the glitchy software. I had that issue with USB digital out with non-iFi DACs. I had to go into the setting and manually adjust the output to !00% but it would often change next time around.

It seemed to work fine with the matching iFi DAC.

I ended up returning it.

I do not have access to individual product reviews or user experiences. However, I can provide some general information that may be helpful.

Firstly, the IFI Zen Stream is designed as a digital audio transport, which means that it is not intended to have an analog input or gain control. Instead, it relies on the output level of the connected source device, such as a computer or smartphone, to provide the signal level to the downstream audio system. Therefore, it is possible that the lower gain you are experiencing may be due to the output level of your source device rather than an issue with the IFI Zen Stream itself.

If you have tested the IFI Zen Stream with multiple source devices and still notice a significantly lower gain compared to other input devices, it is possible that there may be an issue with your unit. In this case, you may want to contact IFI customer support again to request a warranty repair or replacement. MyAARPMedicare

It is also worth noting that different audio systems and devices may have different gain levels and output impedances, which can affect the overall volume and sound quality. It may be helpful to consult with an audio expert or technician to optimize your system for the best possible performance.