iFi Audio Zen Stream - Open Box

Our take: The iFi Audio Zen Stream is an instantly affordable option for any audiophile to add streaming to their favourite headphone or speaker setup. Pair it with your favourite DAC (like the iFI Audio Zen DAC V2) and enjoy your music in its purest form with the convenience of streaming.

Just add Remote Control

Beneath its classy exterior, the ZEN Stream is a technological streamer-de-force. It has one purpose – to send music simply from the Internet to your DAC with no loss of quality.

True hi-res performance of PCM384/DSD256 via WiFi/LAN. Just add your smart device as a remote and away you go.

Optimised open-source architecture – works with multiple dedicated platforms, completely and perfectly future-proofed as it is constantly updated.

Ease of use + audiophile implementation.

Warp speed tech

ZEN Stream is a true ground-up design by iFi — the hardware and software implementation is quite exceptional:

Two SuperSpeed USB3.0 ports with Active Noise Cancellation II

• S/PDIF out with the iPurifier built-in
• iFi software developed with Volumio open-source as the starting point, then coded and optimised by us to achieve the purest streaming software bar none

These are some of the factors behind why the ZEN Stream is at the cutting-edge handling PCM384/DSD256 on LAN and WiFi (802.11n, with 100Mbps on 5Ghz).

‘Exclusive’ for your ears only

The ZEN Stream has one of the most fully-optimised software platforms in the world.

From the device’s drivers, to the kernel (the heart of the operating system), to the shell (which interfaces with the kernel), to the applications and the user interface — everything is fully optimised for seamless operation and excellent sonic performance.

An ingenious part of the ZEN Stream’s design is the ability to select between ‘Exclusive’ modes – individual settings dedicated to specific modes of operation to deliver the purest possible performance. All other programs are shut down – to minimise ‘software jitter’ — an often overlooked aspect that negatively impacts the quality of computer audio playback.

This ensures that the ZEN Stream is not merely a ‘jack of all trades’, but a master of all too.

1. All-in-one (AIO) covers all modes
2. Roon only – feature coming soon – ROON ready
3. Tidal streaming
4. NAA streaming
5. DLNA streaming

Who’s who of Streaming

Hot off the press, the ZEN Stream has the following connectivity options:

• Stream straight from Spotify/Tidal apps with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect
• Works with any DLNA certified streaming app (our own app is imminent!)
• Integrated Airplay and Chromecast* – easy streaming from Apple and Android devices
• ROON Ready functionality to be added in a future update.
• NAA operation in conjunction with Sygnalist’s HQPlayer software

*Chromecast to come in a future update.

Tech savvy

Beneath the unassuming casework sits some serious horsepower in terms of both technologies and components:

• Powerful 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex microprocessor
• USB and S/PDIF interfaces regulated by femto-precision GMT clock to eradicate jitter
• Active Noise Cancellation II and iPurifier technologies for USB and S/PDIF interfaces respectively
• Intelligent Ethernet switch controller
• High-PSRR, low idle current, low-dropout voltage regulators with soft start
• Synchronous 1.6MHz high-speed precision power supply controller
• C0G capacitors and Taiyo Yuden and Murata low ESRinductors

This is a true hi-res device. It uniquely supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz over Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet cable, plus DSD up to 11.2MHz (DSD256). Highly unusual in a Wi-Fi streamer.

This is a true hi-res device. It uniquely supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz over Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet cable, plus DSD up to 11.2MHz (DSD256). Highly unusual in a Wi-Fi streamer.

Exclusive Modes

Our ‘exclusive modes’ give you individual settings dedicated to specific modes of operation to deliver the purest possible performance.

• All-in-one – is non-specific mode is great for all platforms, audio formats and devices.
• DLNA streaming  – Select this mode to optimise performance when using the ZEN Stream with DLNA-compatible apps and devices.
• NAA streaming – Select this mode when using the ZEN Stream as a Network Audio Adapter in conjunction with Signalyst HQPlayer software.
• Feature coming soon: ROON Ready – ROON Ready functionality to be added in a future update. Select this mode when integrating the ZEN Stream into a ROON environment.
• Tidal streaming – If you are a subscriber to Tidal’s Masters Tier, this is the mode for you.

Other features

	Use the ‘hotspot’ button on the front to join a Wi-Fi network. Dual-band Wi-Fi reception supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac for a fast, reliable wireless connection.
	The circuit design has been painstakingly engineered to deliver superb sound, with processing muscle supplied by a 64-bit, quad-core ARM Cortex microprocessor.
	The USB ports – both input and output – support the SuperSpeed USB3.0 standard and benefit from iFi’s Active Noise Cancelling technology to remove distortion from the audio signal. Similarly, the coaxial S/PDIF output incorporates iFi’s iPurifier signal purifying technology.
	Both of the two digital outputs – asynchronous USB and coaxial S/PDIF – that provide connectivity to an external DAC or an amp with digital inputs are regulated by iFi’s femto-precision GMT (Global Master Timing) circuitry to eradicate jitter from the digital audio signal.
	Intelligent Ethernet. The device uses a high-performance Ethernet switch with a low-power integrated 5-Port Giga-PHY.
	We’ve utilised high-PSRR, low idle current, low-dropout voltage regulators with soft start. This means maximised efficiency and minimised system noise.
	Add to this, a synchronous 1.5MHz high-speed power supply controller for even great noise reduction and even less distortion.
	Carefully chosen circuit components including discrete, high-grade surface-mounted devices such as TDK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors and inductors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata add to the quality build of this product.

Specifications

Input voltage	DC 9V/1.8A-15V/0.8A AC 100 -240V, 50/60Hz
Input	Wi-Fi / Ethernet / USB HDD (Firmware updates via OTA and USB-C at rear)
Formats	PCM384 DSD256 (MQA-fully compatible)
Output	USB3.0 (Type-A Socket) x2 SPDIF (Coaxial)
Power consumption	No Signal ~6W Max Signal ~10W
Dimensions	158 x 100 x 35 mm 6.2" x 3.9" x 1.4"
Net weight	578g (1.14 lbs)