ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
I have one more question. Spotify connect and Airplay works only in AIO mode or is there any exclusive more for these two?
Eversolo DMP A6 vs IFI Zen Stream
- Thread starter gurujee
- Start date
There is no exclusive mode for them. I use the Zen Stream in AIO mode only.
Second that!
Arvind Mathur
Member
I have been using iFi Zen Stream for about a year or so mainly to stream Spotify through Spotify Connect and playing FLAC / DSD and WAV files through a connected HDD. Replaced the stock power adopted by one from IFi itself, purchased separately. Zen stream is connected to my Luxman DAC through USB as well as co-axial cable. The presentation is clean and coherent. However, playing ripped FLAC / WAV / DSD files through HDD carries weighter sound compared to playing same file through spotify. I think this phonomenon is same with all streamers. Exclusive connection options available for Tidal Connect and Roon. Chromecast still not available though announced at the beginning of launch.
Now looking to upgarde the streamer and stuck up between Lumin U2 mini vs Audiolab 9000N. Since Audiolab 9000N has inbuilt Sabre pro DAC that gives the option to even replace the Luxman DAC. Both options being expensive weighing value for money considerations.
Fellow memebers may throw some light on choosing the option.
Excluded Eversolo after initial research, though very positive reviews.
Now looking to upgarde the streamer and stuck up between Lumin U2 mini vs Audiolab 9000N. Since Audiolab 9000N has inbuilt Sabre pro DAC that gives the option to even replace the Luxman DAC. Both options being expensive weighing value for money considerations.
Fellow memebers may throw some light on choosing the option.
Excluded Eversolo after initial research, though very positive reviews.
gurujee
Active Member
Thanks so very much for the guidance.
Finally got the Zen stream. Connected and initial impression is very good- definitely better than Wiim. Pondering over the Topping p50 LPS, if that can improve the sound further.One doubt that - i have read online that turning off unused functionalities improve the sound. I have turned off the wifi networking and using Ethernet only. Which of these below should be turned off if i use only Spotify connect and Airplay (Apple Music) along with USB (Pen Drive). Thank You.
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Yelamanchili manohar
Well-Known Member
Thats a really difficult choice to make. A Lumin U2 mini to a separate dac will give future flexibility. Where as an integrated dac cum streamer will have better implementation compatibility, so by default might sound better sometimes. The best of both worlds, would be a streamer cum dac with high quality digital outputs, so that we can still upgrade the dac in the future if desired.
Congratulations on your new kit - i can see HPZ has run out of Zen StreamsThanks so very much for the guidance.
@ajuvignesh - you can check with the OP regarding differences between the Zen Stream and Wiim Pro.
Not sure about that. I use the iPowerX with the Zen Stream and I don't remember getting an improvement but that could be due to the lack of A/B testing. Then again, I remember not perceiving any difference with the Allo Shanti LPSU connected to the Allo Digione Signature over its stock supply either.
Maybe a comparisom of the Zen Stream with its stock PSU vs the Eversolo A8 is in order to see if the former still sounds identical to the latter without the iPowerX (since they both sound identical otherwise).
Keep spotify connect and Shairport-Sync active.
muralimmreddy
Well-Known Member
I have used topping p50 with zen stream. It certainly made difference.Thanks so very much for the guidance.
One doubt that - i have read online that turning off unused functionalities improve the sound. I have turned off the wifi networking and using Ethernet only. Which of these below should be turned off if i use only Spotify connect and Airplay (Apple Music) along with USB (Pen Drive). Thank You.
Just turn off everything and enable just what you want if that give you peace of mind
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
Jis Siddat se you have started this thread, at least couple of photos make sense.
Please let us know why did you decide against Eversolo
gurujee
Active Member
@DB1989 @muralimmreddy Thanks so much
@ajuvignesh Thank you. From the sound quality perspective, the diffrence is subjectively huge. Better soundstage, separation and not only more details but the effortless rendering of the those details. On certain songs on on the Wiim, you have to be keen to hear the details, but not on the Zen stream. It is the best improvement I get with the Zen. It is more mature, open, have depth and clarity. To me Wiim sounds ok, does everything right but the sound lacks soul, emotion, and the involvement - somewhat lifeless. Also I like warmth in the midrange and little sparkle and brightness on the top end. Zen fulfils it for me. I feel Wiim has warmer tonality, with rolled off highs even on its digital out. The ease of setup, interface, and the bass is better on the Wiim though.
I must say that I have not faced any connection problem with the Zen stream even on the first setup. The setup is little confusing for sure, especially for a non-techie like me. The webpage did not open at first. Every changes in the web page menu takes time (and reboot) to take effect. But it is a winner in my book for the SQ. (I would say, Zen stream is the teacher and Wiim is the student...
Experience & Mastery vs know-all-do-all attitude, old school letter-writing vs instant messaging)I must mention the remarkable built quality of the Zen stream, in comparision to the plastic Wiim. Zen stream feels heavy for its size, and the moment you first hold it, you will feel positive about the purchase.
@CKumar Sure, will post some pics soon once I hide all the wires and make the rack look clean and beautiful
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
Wow. Thank you for the detailed review.@DB1989 @muralimmreddy Thanks so much
@ajuvignesh Thank you. From the sound quality perspective, the diffrence is subjectively huge. Better soundstage, separation and not only more details but the effortless rendering of the those details. On certain songs on on the Wiim, you have to be keen to hear the details, but not on the Zen stream. It is the best improvement I get with the Zen. It is more mature, open, have depth and clarity. To me Wiim sounds ok, does everything right but the sound lacks soul, emotion, and the involvement - somewhat lifeless. Also I like warmth in the midrange and little sparkle and brightness on the top end. Zen fulfils it for me. I feel Wiim has warmer tonality, with rolled off highs even on its digital out. The ease of setup, interface, and the bass is better on the Wiim though.
I must say that I have not faced any connection problem with the Zen stream even on the first setup. The setup is little confusing for sure, especially for a non-techie like me. The webpage did not open at first. Every changes in the web page menu takes time (and reboot) to take effect. But it is a winner in my book for the SQ. (I would say, Zen stream is the teacher and Wiim is the student...
I must mention the remarkable built quality of the Zen stream, in comparision to the plastic Wiim. Zen stream feels heavy for its size, and the moment you first hold it, you will feel positive about the purchase.
@CKumar Sure, will post some pics soon once I hide all the wires and make the rack look clean and beautiful
Congratulations once again. Hope an LPS would make it even better.
gurujee
Active Member
I can’t control myself and added a linear power supply topping p50 to the zen stream. My first order with HPZ was for a FIIO pl50, but for some weird reason the payment got stuck at the gateway and returned after 5 days. Taking it as a sign or something and to save 2000 bucks I got the topping with another goal that it can simultaneously connect my router too (so that - one less cable) I had read routers too benefits from LPS!!
First impression was somewhat discouraging. I was kind of hoping for an unreasonable 40/50% improvement, particularly tighter lows and cleaner, more pronounced spacious upper ranges.
There is an obvious change in mid range- it has more body, some instruments like background orchestra pieces are prominent, sounds natural & effortless but I feel the lower end has been subdued/muffled slightly and the upper end is slightly rolled off. Then I disconnected my router from the LPS and found subtle positive change to the previous sound.
I had an immediate urge to sell off the thing and be settled with the adapter zen stream originally came with, then I read about burn-in of lps.
Does LPS too need time to open up? Isn’t this just a power supply, to provide adequate power to the streamer, would there be an audible difference if I had gone for the FIIO PL50!
First impression was somewhat discouraging. I was kind of hoping for an unreasonable 40/50% improvement, particularly tighter lows and cleaner, more pronounced spacious upper ranges.
There is an obvious change in mid range- it has more body, some instruments like background orchestra pieces are prominent, sounds natural & effortless but I feel the lower end has been subdued/muffled slightly and the upper end is slightly rolled off. Then I disconnected my router from the LPS and found subtle positive change to the previous sound.
I had an immediate urge to sell off the thing and be settled with the adapter zen stream originally came with, then I read about burn-in of lps.
Does LPS too need time to open up? Isn’t this just a power supply, to provide adequate power to the streamer, would there be an audible difference if I had gone for the FIIO PL50!
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ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
You have only one router at home? You need to connect lps to all the routers because the noise can be baked into the signal itself from the top most router itself where the optical data is converted into Ethernet. So, it will only add up the cost for subtle changes.
Yelamanchili manohar
Well-Known Member
In Audio everything needs burn-in including our ears. So better to leave it for a few days running, and then switch out the LPSU for the Ifi power supply and see how it goes. If connecting two components at once, we have to make sure that the combined amperage of the ifi and the router is within the amperage of the topping. I have a feeling that the LPS is struggling to power both simultaneously. But then i dont know their power ratings, so better to check once.
gurujee
Active Member
Patience is the key my friend, hold on to it ,keep LPS running all the time and may be start critical listening may be a week later
Hum intezaar karenge , khuda kare ki Qayamat ho, aur photos aa jayeJis Siddat se you have started this thread, at least couple of photos make sense.
do hazaar rupay ki bacchat mehengi pad gayi
On a more serious note, adding an LPSU should not detract from any aspect of the music. Adding the LPSU has been the other way around for me - from the get go, i was pleasantly surprised with the jump in performance. If its a give and take, its better avoided in my books.
amitanubha
Member
Won’t using iPhone or iPad usbc and dac usbb/usbc ports allow lossless hires 24/192 output from Apple Musicdo hazaar rupay ki bacchat mehengi pad gayi
On a more serious note, adding an LPSU should not detract from any aspect of the music. Adding the LPSU has been the other way around for me - from the get go, i was pleasantly surprised with the jump in performance. If its a give and take, its better avoided in my books.
Why eversolo or r7 exists if this can be true ?
Or which dac can provide this functionality ?
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