Sound to match Zen iFi Stream
After 4 years or so, I finally hit a brick wall with iFi's amazing sounding machine, and equally awful interface & software. I use only Tidal Connect (I have a FLAC library but rarely if ever use it now), and I send digital out via coax to my Meridian speakers which contain all the DAC I need (besides, they will accept only digital signal).
But I am at a loss regarding what to replace it with. I would like to get equivalent sound (same sound... that's probably not going to happen, sound signatures will always vary), but that spaciousness, black background, and balance are what made me fall in love with the Zen. But it has been unfaithful... (sorry for the drama).
I'm considering the Cambridge Audio line, but from the AXN10/CXN10 and up, they bring a bunch of doodads that I don't need and don't particularly want to pay for. All I need is coax out! (And great sound)
Does such a unicorn exist? One that has reliable connectivity?
Alternatively, I read about the Zen handling Roon well. I don't have Roon and would need to be convinced to spend that much money. But if it's the only way to get that sound...
Those who have had a Zen Stream but then found happiness elsewhere, how did you do it?
@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. |
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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. |
