Sound to match Zen iFi Stream

Holo Red and JPlay for IOS.  

I’m similarly suffering with my Zen Stream. 😖😖😖  I’d look at the Innuos PULSEmini paired with an upgraded LPS from LHY, Teddy Pardo, or SBooster.  I’m sure it’s at least on par with the iFi performance wise, and it comes with their outstanding Sense app that is so good some have even dropped Roon.  And very unlike iFi they offer excellent customer support.  Best of luck. 

I actually had two iFi ZS streamers serving my two rigs, both powered with iFi iPower X. I replaced the streamer in my first rig with a WiiM Ultra paired with a Gustard U18, using DH Labs USB Mirage and HDMI 2.1 cables—and the improvement in sound was significant. The WiiM Ultra truly benefits from being paired with a DDC, and it synergizes well with the U18. I also tried pairing the ZS with the U18 but not impressed with the pairing.

This combo—the Ultra and U18—has excellent synergy with my Harmony Micro DAC. The sound can be described as effortless, transparent, and depth-dealing. I believe it can outperform many higher-end streamers.

For my second rig, I used the Cambridge Audio MXN10, which also sounds better than the ZS but still doesn’t match the performance of the Ultra/U18 combo. I’m currently in the process of upgrading it.

Interestingly, a trustworthy reviewer who previously gave the ZS a high score of 9.5/10 has recently revised it down to 7.0 or 7.5, reflecting the increased competition. That says something.

There are many choices at different price point.  I will encourage you to look for recommendation(s) from persons that actually own the gears and have a substantial auditioning experience with them.

Nice post timing!  My iFi Zen Stream stopped working just tonight - I tried for hours to get it to be recognized by Tidal Connect and something bricked it.  I tried everything to get it going again - which it had been working fine for years.  Oh well... time to move on to something else.  I need something as a stop gap and am hoping the upcoming Laiv streamer will be my next piece.

@tubeguy76 Wha’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?

@soix Did you just start having issues with your Zen Stream?  Mine was fine until this weekend and I didn't change anything.

@tubeguy76  Mine was fine when hardwired to my router, but when not I’ve had problems (as have many others) and no support from iFi even when the US distributor got involved to try to help.  And their software/website absolutely sucks as well.  

I just ordered a WiiM Ultra from Amazon as a stop gap.  Who knows, maybe it will be permanent.

Mine was fine when hardwired to my router, but when not I’ve had problems (as have many others) and no support from iFi even when the US distributor got involved to try to help.  And their software/website absolutely sucks as well.

Ah ok, I had mine hardwired as well but it just lost connection and I couldn’t get it back. I even tried setting a static IP and no go. Was weird. It’s a shame as it does sound good but the software is a tragedy. 

@tubeguy76 

Did you try doing a factory reset and re-doing the setup from scratch?

@jackd 

Yep I tried all that and didn't have any success.  

@tubeguy76  Just to make sure that you have gone through the 'unbricking' process with the tool send by the Ifi supporting team and get the firmware reinstalled. 

The term “iFi supporting team” is an oxymoron. 

I submitted the ticket online and they replied within reasonable turnaround time sending the unbricking tool.  I was able to follow the instruction and resolve the  issue.

@lanx0003  Well good for you.  Their service still sucks and is an embarrassment compared to most of the industry. 

@lanx0003  I haven't tried the iFi tool, I'll reach out to them and see if I can get them to send me one. 

On another note, I received the Wiim Ultra and setup was flawless and fast, zero connection issues with Tidal.  Sounds pretty good too.  I have a feeling my Zen Stream was still a bit better (used it with the iFi Power Elite power supply) but it might just be all in my head.

I still have a Zen Stream. A Neo Stream also as I just picked one up on the cheap. I've tried a lot the budget types outside of the Halo Red. Though that one is well over $1k now. I personally liked the Zen over the MXN10 & CXN2..as well as the WiiM Ultra. I've never used a DDC before so that might be all one needs to better the SQ of the low priced Zen Stream. I have always used a Sbooster of IFI Elite for power supply though. Which both are very similar. 

I've had the ZEN twice. First one I sold due to connection issues. Someone gave me a tip to run it with its own phone (old unused phone) & that's what I did with my 2nd Zen Stream. Pretty flawless after that. Well not flawless..sometimes when I start the first track direct from Tidal it wants to start it in the middle of the track. But after that it's flawless lol. I wonder if it has to do with my regular phone getting constant notifications, texts, emails, phone calls that it throws off the connection. I've had no issues with the Neo Stream. 

I felt that the Primare Prisma NP5 was comparable in sound quality to the Zen. Slightly different presentation but still very good compared to the other cheapies. Little more spacious, airy compared to Zen. Not as bassy or thick as the Zen. The Prisma is very limited in outputs..no USB even. It's about as basic as one can get. 

I really liked the WiiM Ultra. Loved everything about it & really wanted to keep it longer than I did. I should have tried a DDC. It wasn't even on my radar though. I'd like to know what's all involved with incorporating something like Jriver or other upsampling software into the signal. 

After many years of only analog I'm basically streaming all the time now & really need to learn/figure out how to get the best from digital streaming. 

@mattw73  Ultra + VG ddc is transformative. Ultra+ok ddc like smsl po100 pro is noticeable. Zen + ddc demo only marginal imp on my system.  Ultra by itself does not outperform Zen but sounds more natural.  Just share my experience. 
How do you like Red?  Hans rated mid 1b, on par with Rivo plus + good LPS.  Hans also commands Red clean almost all sibilance.  Can you confirm?  Are you bothered by the need to control Red by PC?  Thx.