iFi Audio ZEN Stream Wi-Fi / Ethernet / USB Streamer

Released July 2021, ZEN Stream by iFi Audio is a technological streamer-de-force. It has one purpose – to send music from the Internet to your DAC with no loss of quality. Ease of use + audiophile implementation. ZEN Stream is the bee’s knees of streamers.

Get true hi-res performance of PCM384/DSD256 via your WiFi / LAN connection. Just add your smart device as a remote and away you go. ZEN Stream offers optimised open-source architecture, it works with multiple dedicated platforms, is completely and perfectly future-proofed as it is constantly updated.

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.

Beneath the unassuming casework sits some serious horsepower in terms of both technologies and components, including a 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. An 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 ESR inductors too.

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.

Features

• Two SuperSpeed USB3.0 ports with Active Noise Cancellation II
• S/PDIF out with the iPurifier built-in.
• Power supply with Silent Power tech.
• iFi software developed with Volumio open-source as the starting point, coded and optimised to achieve the purest streaming software, bar none.
• DLNA streaming.
• DNAA streaming.
• Roon Bridge streaming (Roon Ready coming soon).
• Tidal streaming.
• Stream straight from Spotify/Tidal apps with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect.
• Works with any DLNA certified streaming app.
• Integrated Airplay and Chromecast* – easy streaming from Apple and Android devices.
• Roon compatible – basically, it adds Roon to any DAC.
• NAA operation in conjunction with Sygnalist HQPlayer software.

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, S/PDIF (Coaxial)
• Power Consumption: No Signal ~6W, Max Signal ~10W
• Dimensions: 158 x 100 x 35 mm
• Net Weight: 578 g

Included

• ZEN Stream
• Detachable Arial
• iPower Power Supply
• Ethernet Cable
• Warranty Card

More Information

• iFi Audio ZEN Stream