iFi audio ZEN Stream

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by iFi audio, Jun 25, 2021.

  1. roscoeiii

    roscoeiii Acquaintance

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    How is that iFi Streamer in Chromecast applications? I was very close to pulling the trigger on an ELAC Discovery, and then I stumble on this thread...

    Will be going into an LS50W, and hopefully the iStremer lets me side step that speaker's software controls, which i hear are not so hot...
     
  2. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Lovely stuff @jexby, thank you very much!

    1. I'm not aware of any such issues.
    2. I'll ask about that internally!
     
  3. toddrhodes

    toddrhodes Friend

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    Huge fan of my Zen Stream. I took a flyer on it from Amazon, fully expecting it to be no better, and likely worse, than my battery-powered Pi4, DDC combo being fed DSD256 from HQ Player. And to those who feel high rate DSD and PCM are unnecessary, I subjectively disagree.

    Anyway, Zen Stream rather easily handed my battery powered stack it's ass. Better clarity, sharper transients, better separation and better recovery of plankton. Basically all the trappings of a device that isn't noisy and is basically free from jitter or interference. Having to use USB into a Venus II or May KTE likely makes this more pronounced for me than other input options.

    And the best part is it's simplicity. I got rid of a setup that had no problems but was a pain to live with. So anyway, I have nothing but good things to say about it, and am glad I gave it a shot.
     
  4. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    New FW for you guys!

    ZEN Stream: V2.29.8 is live for update, (v2.29.7beta -> v2.29.8stable, fixed the auto USB bug in 2.29.7).
     
  5. sharpie101

    sharpie101 New

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    Just picked up recently a iFi Zen Stream.
    I updated the firmware and then did a factory reset as that is what I have done in the past to some other devices.
    Recommended for some of them, so thought it may be good practise.
    I noticed when it came back up it had firmware 2.25 on it instead of the latest with a notice to update firmware.

    Is that how this Zen works? As in if you reset back to defaults it also goes back to the original firmware?

    Currently now firmware 2.29.8.

    I messed up the settings with network and rest again and its back to 2.25 and then updated again.
     
  6. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    I believe that ZEN Stream doesn't go back to its original FW and any updates have to be applied by users. But I assume that yours is now 2.29.8 without any issues?
     
  7. sharpie101

    sharpie101 New

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    Yes when reset, I then can update again to the latest offered and then installs all ok.
    Working well so far with the latest 2.29.8.

    But I think if I do a factory reset again it will show firmware 2.25 and say there is an update when I check for updates.
    I was wondering if that is the same for others, that the update is lost in a factory reset.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2021
  8. sharpie101

    sharpie101 New

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    Ok Just did another test.
    My iFi Zen stream in the settings - System Page had System version: 2.29.8.

    Did a factory Reset on that page and waited for it to finalize and start back up.

    Then in my settings- System page it now says System version: 2.25
    Can now check updates and says there is a new Update v2.29.8

    I thought it may be a built in Firmware to protect against a failed firmware update maybe? Can then go back to the original one?

    Just hoping someone else could confirm what there unit does after a Factory reset if they have done one.

    Mainly so there is no use ever doing a factory reset after doing an update as it then looses the updates.
    Unlike my other items eg Dahua CCTV cameras, where it is recommended sometimes to do a reset after a firmware.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2021
  9. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    This is common for many electronics devices (e.g. phones, tablets and routers) where a "factory reset" restores the device to the original state as shipped from the factory. Original firmware is burned into read-only ROM and current firmware is stored in erasable EEPROM.
     
  10. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Upon asking internally I confirm that that's how ZEN Stream works indeed. After reseting it a base firmware kicks in that's not removable on purpose, but it can be replaced upon installing a newer version.
     
  11. Hash70

    Hash70 New

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    Jst got my zen stream a few days ago and not to pleased as I got a cheap chinese generic power adaptor in the box instead of the ipower adaptor,emailed ifi support but no replie
     
  12. Hash70

    Hash70 New

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    Done the same to me
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    @iFi audio any response to this? I just got my Zen Stream in the mail from the official iFi Amazon store and didn’t get the iFi power brick either.

    Lots of reports on other forums about this too. What gives?
     
  14. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Is it supposed to have something else? From ifis site looks like a generic adapter to me
    ZEN-STREAM-ACC3.jpg
     
  15. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    I can see this in a review :
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Mine came with a cheap looking adapter, too. I think it’s normal.
     
  17. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Looking more into it, they quietly changed the adapter and took it out of the marketing material at some point late August without a word.
     
  18. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Should update all the reviews that mention otherwise.
     
  19. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    when iFi North America shipped me a loaner (new factory sealed) Zen Stream it did have the iFi iPower supply included.
     
  20. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    I asked a reviewer as well and, as stated by @jexby, he also got the iFi iPower included. This is something that i really dislike, these "silent changes", specially when they are this significant.
     

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