Since I’m a Roon user, I turned the little rotary setting-dial on the back of the Zen Stream to “Roon,” connected the Ethernet input and the USB or SPDIF output (depending on the DAC), plugged in the Stream’s power supply, turned it on, opened up my Roon app, activated the Zen Stream, and I was good to go. The Zen Stream ranks as the easiest to configure streaming device I’ve had the pleasure of setting up. For users with both Tidal and Qobuz, the Roon mode can fully integrate both services.
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The Zen Stream includes a feature iFi calls “exclusive modes.” IFi claims that way it can accommodate “individual settings that deliver fully optimized performance by focusing operation on one particular mode of use.” Options include: “All-in-One,” which is a non-specific mode that is great for all platforms, audio formats, and devices “DLNA streaming,” which optimizes performance when using the Zen Stream with DLNA-compatible apps and devices “NAA streaming” for using the Zen Stream as a Network Audio Adapter in conjunction with Signalyst HQPlayer software “Roon Bridge streaming” for integrating the Zen Stream into a Roon environment and “Tidal streaming” for subscribers to Tidal’s Masters tier. While not yet officially certified by Roon, the review sample was recognized by Roon and even supported MQA (by allowing you to specify whether you want the DAC connected to the Zen Stream to be used as a renderer, a decoder, a renderer and decoder, or without MQA support).
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With both Apple AirPlay (now available) and Google’s Chromecast (available via a free firmware update) capabilities, as well as integrated Spotify and Tidal compatibility, the Zen Stream will support virtually any streaming source. One device you will not find in the Zen Stream is a fan instead, iFi has designed low-profile heatsinks to prevent overheating while maintaining the unit’s compact footprint.īecause it is DLNA certified, the Zen Stream can be supported and accessed by any DLNA-aware device (such as a smartphone player app), and iFi plans to introduce its own dedicated player app. The Zen Stream also employs a synchronous, 1.5MHz, high-speed power-supply controller. To complement the ARM processors’ capabilities, iFi employs DK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors, inductors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata, and regulators with high PSRR (power-supply rejection ratio), low idle current, and low dropout voltage. The Zen Stream supports PCM up to 384/32 and DSD up to DSD256 over both Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
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(Depending on the OS chosen for a Pi, the setup can be fairly simple or quite complicated.) Also, unlike most Pi systems, which do not automatically update when new software is available, the Zen Stream has provisions for OTA (over the air) updates.
Its operating system is an open source, just like that of a Raspberry Pi, but unlike a Pi, the Zen Stream comes all set-up for streaming. The Zen Stream utilizes a 64-bit ARM Cortex processor as its platform. For much less than the price of a pair of premium one-meter cables it allows you to access a universe of music. The Zen Stream supports both hard-wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. You can even plug in a hard drive or thumb drive to use as a music source. The Zen Stream supports many streaming sources including Spotify, Tidal, Roon, AirPlay, Chromecast, DLNA, and NAA (Network Audio Adapter) for use with Sygnalist HQPlayer software. If you have a great DAC that doesn’t provide a USB input for use with networked sources, the Zen Stream makes that possible. As an endpoint with both USB 3.0 and SPDIF outputs, the Zen Stream can deliver Internet and networked music sources to any DAC with either USB or SPDIF inputs. As you might surmise from its name, the Zen Stream is a streaming endpoint. I Fi has added another component to its Zen s eries of entry-level offerings, the $399 Zen Stream.
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