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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
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
563 posts
 

Bluesound 2i was all the rage a couple years ago. So got refurbished. $420 + Topping D90 $630 + PD Creative power supply. 132 coax 40. Cord $100. After the power supply upgrade is when it really shines. I did not get the Pardo LPS much more $$. I will leave this alone until something breaks. The iFi looks great idea. Optical may be an option. So much easier to keep noise out.

shooter41
76 posts
 

I may try the OP's combo once the Zen Stream is Roon ready. I know it apparently works with Roon now, but apparently Roon ready status is coming soon according to the ifi website. I just tried a Bricasti M5 streamer and it couldn't send audio to my Yggdrasil via USB, despite both components being Roon ready. I tried it via SPDIF/BNC and it frankly sounded worse (in your face and fatiguing) than just sending the signal directly from my M1 Mac Mini to the DAC. USB is most definitely the input of choice for any Schiit DAC with their Unison technology. Got a refund and decided to maybe just keep things as they are, after all, it sounds great! But I can't help but wonder if the right dedicated renderer/streamer might sound even better. Honestly, probably not but I'd like to have some experience with a few to know for sure.

bonzobasher
1 posts
 

I too, have an ifi zen stream. I was having connection issues with wifi like others have had using my iPhone 11 Pro but I picked up a MacBook Air M1 and any connection issues disappeared. Sounds fantastic with my Pontus 2 and an audioquest  diamond usb cable connecting the two. 

unsound
7,329 posts
 

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.

joshindc's avatar
joshindc OP
30 posts
 

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.

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