Beneath its sleek exterior, the ZEN Stream is a high-tech streamer and has one purpose: to send music from the Internet to your DAC without loss of quality.
True high-resolution performance in PCM384 / DSD256 over Wi-Fi or LAN cable. Simply use your mobile or tablet as a remote control and you're ready to go.
iFi software developed with open source Volumio as a starting point, then coded and optimised to give the ZEN Stream one of the most optimised software platforms in the world.
Compatibility with Roon environment features allows you to add this quality to any related DAC.
An ingenious part of the ZEN Stream design is the ability to select from 'Exclusive' modes: individual settings dedicated to specific operating modes to deliver the purest possible performance. All other programs are closed, to minimise "software jitter", an often overlooked aspect that negatively affects the quality of computer playback.
Stream directly from Spotify / Tidal apps with Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. Works with any DLNA certified streaming app and integrates Airplay and Google Chromecast (in upcoming software update).
Smart Ethernet: The device uses a high-performance Ethernet switch with an integrated low-power 5-port Giga-PHY.
The circuit design has been carefully engineered to deliver excellent sound, with processing power delivered 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 eliminate audio signal distortion. Similarly, the S/PDIF coaxial output incorporates iFi's iPurifier signal purification technology. Both the asynchronous USB and coaxial S/PDIF digital outputs, which provide connectivity to an external DAC or amplifier with digital inputs, are regulated by iFi's femto-precision GMT (Global Master Timing) circuitry to eradicate digital audio signal jitter.
Carefully selected circuit components, including high-quality discrete surface-mount devices such as TDK C0G multilayer ceramic inductors and capacitors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata, add to the build quality of this product. We have used high PSRR, low quiescent current and low dropout voltage regulators with soft start. This means maximised efficiency and minimised system noise. Add to this, a 1.5MHz high speed synchronous power supply driver for great noise reduction and even less distortion.
Features:
- 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex quad-core processor.
- PCM384 / DSD256 support on LAN and WiFi.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi reception supporting 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 5Ghz for fast and reliable wireless connection.
- Roon and MQA support.
- Compatible with Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and other music platforms.
- Built-in Airplay and Chromecast for easy streaming from Apple and Android devices.
- Femtoprecision GMT clock-regulated USB and S/PDIF interfaces to eradicate jitter.
- Active Noise Cancellation II and iPurifier technologies for USB and S/PDIF interfaces respectively
- Incorporates two USB3.0 SuperSpeed ports.
- Power supply with Silent Power technology.
- DLNA streaming, NAA, Roon Bridge, etc.
- C0G capacitors and high quality ESR Taiyo Yuden and Murata ESR inductors.
- Audio inputs: Ethernet RJ45, Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 type A.
- Audio outputs: USB 3.0 type A and digital coaxial RCA.
- External power supply included.
- Dimensions: 158 x 100 x 35 mm.
- Weight: 578 grams.
