iFi Audio - ZEN Stream

If you are new to music streaming and willing to get into the world of audio streaming then the iFi Audio Zen Stream is a perfect match for you. Featuring a powerful 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex microprocessor, the ZEN Stream is Hi-Res compatible and provides up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and 11.2MHz DSD256 over Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection. It is a flexible open-source Wi-Fi audio transport that acts as a bridge between your audio system and the Wi-Fi network to deliver high-quality wireless sound. It also houses High-PSRR, low idle current, low-dropout voltage regulators with soft start, that empowers the ZEN Streamer to enhance efficiency and reduce the system noise. Pair the Zen Stream with the Zen DAC and ZEN CAN or any other DAC for a high-performance Wi-Fi streaming audio system.

Being a Volumio open-source streamer, the ZEN Stream is coded and optimised for purest streaming. It is compatible with almost any streaming platform or application and is carefully designed to be future proof, ensuring that additional features and functions can be added to the Streamer over time with OTA (Over-The-Air) updates. Access optimised power supply with a Synchronous 1.5MHz high-speed precision power supply controller. Engineered thoroughly with custom-designed hardware & software, the ZEN Stream is your one-stop solution for high-quality audio streaming.

You can keep a constant check on the status of your Wi-Fi network with the dedicated Network status LED that changes the colour based on the strength of your network. Similarly, there is an audio format LED indicator that changes colour based on the format of the audio that you are currently playing.

Using a DAC that isn't Roon compatible? The ZEN Streamer has got your back. Using the ZEN Streamer is the convenient way to transform any DAC into a Rooncompatible DAC. To make it more seamless, the ZEN Streamer supports Roon Bridge software making the entire setup suitable for the Roon environment. Full Roon certification is a work in progress. While you can easily stream music from Apple and Android devices, the ZEN Streamer is compatible with NAA and DLNA as well.

The use of the Femto-precision GMT (Global Master Timing) clock plays a crucial role in managing dual SuperSpeed asynchronous USB3.0, coaxial S/PDIF interfaces and eliminating jitter. The USB3.0 is equipped with Active Noise Cancellation, while the SPDIF comes with iPurifier built-in, allowing the ZEN Streamer to remove any sort of distortion from the audio signal. Additionally, the power supply supports Silent Power tech, leaving no stone unturned for pure and high-quality audio. There is the ‘hotspot’ button on the front of the ZEN Stream to join a Wi-Fi network. Get Dual-band Wi-Fi reception (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac support via future firmware update. Moreover, the ZEN Stream is coupled with TDK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors and Taiyo Yuden and Murata low ESR inductors.

In conjunction with HQPlayer software developed by Sygnalist, the iFi Audio ZEN Streamer can also function as an NAA (network audio adapter). This simply allows the Streamer to deliver audio data, which it gets from the Wi-Fi or the ethernet cable, directly to the DAC without the need for processing.

Get the best possible performance out of the ZEN Streamer using ‘exclusives modes’ that are designed for specific modes of operation. 1. All-in-one: For all platforms, audio formats and devices 2. Roon Bridge streaming: For connecting ZEN Stream into the Roon environment. 3. Tidal streaming: For subscribers of Tidal’s Masters Tier 4. NAA streaming: For the Network Audio Adapter mode in conjunction with HQPlayer software. 5. DLNA streaming: For optimised performance with DLNA-compatible apps and devices.

The ZEN Streamer comes with a host of inputs and outputs. This includes the antenna input for Wi-Fi and an intelligent Ethernet switch controller with a low-power integrated 5-Port Giga-PHY, to connect the router. It also has a power input, USB output to pair it with other DACs, USB input to connect with storage devices and a Coaxial SPDIF output for AIO, Roon, Tidal, NAA and DLNA. You can use the ZEN Stream music on Spotify, Spotify Connect Tidal, Tidal Connect, YoutubeMusic, QQMusic, Airplay and Chromecast.