WiFi streaming — streamer vs. through iPad

@soix

The iFi Zen Stream is a great streamer, you will enjoy it. It does Wi-Fi very well, but I have mine hard wired and connected to an extender. But before that, the Wi-Fi worked great.

Now, to get the best sound quality, get yourself an external hard drive and load all your music on it, connect to the Stream via the USB port, and use the iFi app to play your music. This eliminates the need to use AirPlay, which is the biggest degradation in SQ. If you have Tidal, it also has Tidal Connect for best sound quality directly through the Tidal app.

If you use AirPlay, you are going to defeat the purpose of a dedicated streamer IMO.

@soix

From all I have read, iFi is working on a connect feature like they offer with Tidal.

They are not ignoring it, but the development has to be a two way street it seems. Hopefully soon.

As I use Tidal, not an issue for me (and use the lower tier membership without MQA). But, until then, there is a workaround, an app called MConnect, that allow Qobuz to play directly through the Zen Stream. Downside is you have to use their (MConnect) interface. Roon is the other alternative, but personally, I’m not making that investment yet.

The Zen is a great streamer, not sure you are going to find better for the money. It’s streaming quality is constantly compared to more expensive streaming units.

@soix

You are welcome. It is ultimately only in iFi’s best interest to get a connect feature with Qobuz, as they already have with Tidal.

I have no reason to doubt they are working on it and will get this sorted out. But again, probably have to have the help/collaboration directly with Qobuz to incorporate within the Qobuz’s app. Something Tidal obviously did.

No doubt iFi and Tidal were working on the integration well before the Zen Stream was released, as it is so much incorporated into the actual unit.

@marco1

I just explained how it can be used without Roon.

Agin, per an iFi rep, they are working on it. A rep who also acknowledged the MConnect app is indeed a workaround to use Qobuz directly through the Zen Stream until they get it sorted out. Or, as stated, use Roon, with the Zen Stream as an end point.

@marco1

No, I don’t use Qobuz, but have thought about it. May get a trial one of these days.

In terms of MConnect, I have downloaded it, and checked it out, (for the use of the Zen and Qobuz), and looks likes a direct connection between the iFi Zen and the app is pretty straight forward.

Select Qobuz, log into your account, select the iFi as the streaming source, play music without the need for AirPlay or Roon.

Why not download it and try yourself?