I have the “Iffy” stream and the sound quality is stunning for its size and price. Not far off from my main system’s Bricasti M5. I have resisted to move onto something else even though it is finicky to connect. I have to reset my Dac and hardware selection each time i turn in on to use it. Not a big deal. Mine experiences a little network hiccup on occasion I can’t explain. The Holo Red is on my radar once they are in stock. Good luck!
Problems with the IFI Zen Stream.. What's a better Alternative?
I own two Zen Streams and use them in different systems. I have used them for approximately two years. On the positive side they both deliver excellent sound quality. The problem is, as of the last few months, they both drop the network signal frequently for seconds to minutes. The red light comes on, then goes back to green. They are both running through ethernet cable, not wirelessly. After hours of trouble shooting, I have concluded that the problem is with the streamer, not something else. I suspect they might be failing due to the heat they generate. That's just a guess.
My question is: what produces of similar or better sound quality with better reliability new or used? I would like to stay under $1,000.