There’s a new firmware version - 3.01.4 - that can be installed via APP (iFi Nexis). I believe it can do Spotify Lossless now.
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I may have been critical of this device and iFi over the course of the last 5 years. But credit where it’s due, giving a proper update to a product this old has reduced that. Should it have been better on the software and features from the start? Yes. Has it always sounded really good? Also yes. It’s now the product it probably always should have been.
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I think Many of us said that it was released a year too early, not sure we were genuinely thinking it was released 5 years too early though 
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I have kept mine in the man cave driving a headphone system and I have to say it has really improved, with the reason 3 release. Especially if you don’t need to use the interface at all and use Roon, HQPlayer and the Connect services
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Is there any information yet on when iFi will make the new .NET 10 Roon Bridge available?
It shouldn’t need it as it became Roon Ready (originally Roon Bridge) a few years ago
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Exactly. @iDomiJi, Roon Ready and Bridge are entirely different things and implementations. No update is necessary for Roon Ready, as it’s a design principle of Roon Ready that updating RR devices is not necessarily possible/easy.
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@Michael_Harris @Suedkiez
Thank you very much for your help and explanation. I didn’t know that 
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No problem at all.
It started out life being a Roon Bridge device and I imagine many people don’t know that eventually it gained Roon Ready status.
If you haven’t updated it to the latest V3 firmware (need to request it from iFi support), that’s well worth doing as it brings it into line with the latest models on sale now
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Hi all,
Just fast forwarded to 2026.
Bought (a demo of the ) iFi Audio Zen Stream (original version) and installed firmware 3.x (most “old” worries addressed). I also use a DC iPurifier 2 for power (with a decent Leicke 12v 2A unit) + a QED “reference” USB cable to a R2R DAC + I switched the unit to Roon reserved mode after connecting to USB. Works nicely with my BBC monitor LS3/6 speakers.
Just my way to listen to my music. All of you will have found your own ways. 
Cheerio, (cheers to younger people)
Hans
P.s. I therefore do not need the new Zen Stream 3. I do not use telephone apps anyway…with my old eyes I need a 27" monitor to control the iFi. 
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Have you compared the sound to any other streamers?
I always thought the original Stream even with the early firmware sounded great and adding an additional iFi PSU and USB filter improved it more, but I have not really done a detailed listening test, and mainly use mine with headphones through an original iFi DAC
Hi Michael,
I have compared to the other “pure streamer”/“Roon ready” device I own, the FiiO SR11. I must say that the more expensive Zen Stream is much better sounding to me. But, it is more than 3.5 times the price. I now use the FiiO in my home office and the Zen Stream in my living room.
However, I make them sound more or less equal because in my office I use the more expensive DAC set TEAC UD-505 (DAC+balanced headphone amp + pre-amp) + TEAC CG-10M (master clock)
Kind regards,
Hans
P.s. (for audiophiles/tech geeks only)
Living Room setup:
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Original Zen Stream with all modernizations and Roon reserved/USB
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iFi Audio DC iPurifier 2 + Leicke 12v 2A DC adapter
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FiiO BR15 R2R (used purely as USB-DAC) + as pre-amp with QED reference USB cable.
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iFi Audio iPurifier 3 USB
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iFi Audio iPower X 5V 3A
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Stirling Broadcast (BBC certified) LS3/6 large monitor speakers
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Cambridge Audio Azur 851A Integrated amp/balanced connection to the DAC; since I use the BR15 as pre-amp the pre-amp section on this AMP is bypassed so that I only use the power amp section (double mono architecture)
Office setup:
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FiiO SR11 Roon ready streamer/USB
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TEAC DAC/pre-amp set
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Ruark MR1 Mk2 class A/B (little) speakers + Monitor audio 10" Sub.
In my living room I chose the (inexpensive) BR15 R2R DAC because I (personally) want to compare my streaming (Roon) sound with my vinyl record player Cambridge Audio Alva TT mk1.
Connection to the amp is single ended + pre-amp is active in this case.
Some people will hate this analog + analog sounding setup, but hey it is my home with my music.
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I’ve had the ZS since early 2022 and never had major problems with it. I know it’s not so simple to operate, but once you understand it it’s fine. Roon has always worked very well with the ZS, since it’s been Roon Ready. I used it for a while in the main rig, connected via coax to the Hegel H95, then replaced by a Hegel H120 (w/Revel Performa 3 M106 speakers) and always liked the clean and clear sound, for the lack of a better description. Later on, the Hegel was also Roon certified and I could hear no difference in sound between the ZS and the H120’s internal streaming engine. Using the H120 as an AIO amp has some funcional advantages, so I moved the ZS to the office headphone setup - with a Zen Dac v2 and HD600. The PSU is Ifi Ipower2 12v. This yields beautiful sound, at least to my ears. So, I’m very happy with both hifi systems (streaming amp + speakers; Headphone system) and grateful to iFi for keeping the OG ZS up to date with the latest firmware after 5 years. Would I recommend the ZS to someone who is shopping for a new streamer? I don’t know. There’s so many options out there. I’m not even sure streamers make a difference in SQ. The two I own give me equal results. Do I like the ZS? yes I do. It has served me well for almost 5 years and I have no intention to replace it any time soon. Cheers
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