Upgraded streamer from iFi Zen Stream to ND5 XS2

[gEd]

I’ve been using an Ifi Zen Stream since they were released a few years ago and I felt that it offered a decent uplift compared to an Raspberry Pi + Digi+ when output via SPDIF into nDAC>SN3>Proac response reference 8 signature speakers (a speaker who’s name is inversely proportional to their size).

However (like many others) I’ve been plagued by brief drop-outs from the Zen every 10mins which become annoying and detract from enjoying the music as 50% of your brain is focused on wondering when the next drop-out is going to happen instead of listening to the music.

Realising that this wasn’t going to get fixed and having read many (many) positive comments about using an ND5 XS2>nDAC, I decided to scratch the itch and so 2 weeks ago I bought a 6 month old one off flea-bay for £650 below retail.

Firing up the XS2 and connecting with the app on my phone was very simple and I was immediately greeted with the firmware update that just came out which was nice. Roon detected the XS2 immediately.

Given the vast price difference, whilst I was certainly hoping for a discernible uplift in sound quality, I was at the same time also a bit sceptical given that “bit are bits” and if a streamer just delivers the bit to the dac at the right time in the right order, we’re all good right? Plus the nDAC has a ring-buffer which re-clocks the SPDIF input and so should make it immune to jitter and noise.

So, I sat down and hit play on SRV and 30 seconds later muttered to myself “you are…[deleted]…kidding me…” It sounds utterly amazing!

The bass is far deeper and music much more detailed and coherent. In particular, I noticed that the soundstage is clearer and musicians have a much more clearly defined place in the mix. With the Zen, soundstage width was fine but the central image was “wobbly” and you were never always entirely sure where the musician was supposed to be located in the mix. The acoustics of the recording space are far more evident (both in the recording studio as well live locations).

I’m very not experienced at describing how hifi sounds so I’ll leave it at that and just add that I’m absolutely blown away and delighted by the XS2.

Like all of my gear, the XS2 was bought without any audition. I bought the nDAC and Proac’s used off ebay about 15 years ago and the SN3 as a heavily discounted new “open-box” 2 years ago. A potentially reckless approach I admit but I think I’ve chosen carefully (after a lot of research) and acquired some nice gear that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to justify/afford.

BTW (as it’s a topic that might come up about the nDAC) both the SN3 and nDAC have outboard 3rd-party power supplies that I’m very happy with.

Meanwhile the Zen has been relegated to the study, connected to my RME ADI-2 DAC > ncore amp > Neat IOTA speakers. Sounds great except for the brief cut-outs every 10 mins…!

[Pete_the_painter]

I suppose you get what you pay for, the iFi stuff is pretty good for its price. Moving up to a Naim streamer you’d expect it to sound better and every right to be disappointed if it didn’t.

Happy streaming.

[NO-QUARTER]

I also owned an Ifi Zen stream for a while. I found it almost unusable without Roon,dropping out, very poor App. It definitely sounds better than streaming direct from a Laptop to a Dac for sure.
I also migrated to an Nd5xs2 eventually, which is night and day better. Bits are not just bits, the method of getting them to a Dac does matter.

[feeling_zen]

This is actually the first time I am hearing about the drop outs. I’ve had the Zen Stream for about 3 years now and it’s never dropped out even once. I run mine with a MCrU power supply and a Furutech digital connect, either of which cost more than the Zen Stream - but obviously neither play any role in whether it is reliable or not. Oddly enough I moved to the Zen because I had stability issues with Audirvana and when they went to subscription pricing it was the nail in the coffin.

My main issue with the Zen is the build quality of the case is naff. And the shape is stupid. But functionally, I’ve not really had any issues yet.

[IainO]

naim streamer into a naim nDAC+PSU is a potent combo, an excellent digital source.

The new firmware you applied sounds excellent, especially with HiRes content. It’s great when two lights show on the nDAC

Enjoy!

[gEd]

For people such as yourself who are not experiencing this problem, the Zen Stream is a really great bit of kit for the money. I’m keeping mine for use in the study for the time being.

There was a period in the past when I didn’t have any dropouts at all and then it just started some time ago. I don’t recall if it was related to a firmware update or a Roon update. However a google for “ifi zen stream dropout” indicates that there are people not using Roon who are experiencing the same problem.

I think the build quality is ok but I agree the styling is a bit “meh” unless you have a desktop iFi system with streamer, dac and headphone amp that share the same design.