Marc I use both USB to my Zen DAC and SPDIF to a FIIO K5 Pro
Both sound great though I mostly use USB at DSD256 and that gives me a sweet sound.
But it’s a choice and pick the one that makes you the happiest, and that means more testing 
Thanks. So I looked up your previous post with the picture. I had seen the “device info” before on some of the sources, but now none of them show that option to click on it.
Anyways, I’m still waiting for the update to finish. Still have a spinning circle on the website, and the unit has powered off and won’t power back on. I’m going to meditate and come back later to check it.
Thanks again.
I was able to reconnect to ifi.local. It looks like the device is updated. At first it showed up in roon, now it doesn’t. I’ll take it upstairs and hook it up and see if it works there.
Wish me luck!
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The device info is only for Roon Only mode.
In All In One Mode you just use the ifi.local web page and set the output to USB.
Good luck with the move and hopefully it all works fine. Not so many people have had teething problems recently, at least not like we did in the early days.
Is there a current „recommended steps“ summary for setup, tweaking the ZS either for USB or SPDIF?
Some may find this test, suggestions helpful:
https://www.hifistatement.nethttps//www.hifistatement.net/tests/item/3118-ifi-zen-stream?showall=1
If using Roon Only mode try this link below.
If using AIO mode then just got to ifi.local on the web and change the audio output (which now defaults to SPDIF).
Sorry not at home to share any screenshots.
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How do I reset the firmware back to the factory settings?
http://ifi.local/plugin/system_controller-system → Factory Reset
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Thanks, right now even though it’s showing as SPDIF with the update, my system seems to work even though I have it connected with the USB. I’ll try putting the Zen on roon only to see if it still works. If not, I can set it up with a coax cable, but then I’d have to connect my CD player via Optical.
Thanks
Marc if you got to ifi.local and set the output to USB how does that seem?
Once I updated to the recent firmware, mine does not output on both, maybe that is because I have something plugged into both USB and SPDIF.
If you only want to use Roon, I would recommend Roon Only Mode and and then try the setting linked above to change it between SPDIF and USB (SPDIF is the default)
Okay. On the ALO setting the USB works even though the settings show SPDIF, but let me try the roon only setting and see if that works now. I’ll let you know.
Just see if it is for you.
I think you will have to go to the Settings->Audio (find the Zen and click on device Info to launch the Web Page). You can then select USB and be off and running.
Hopefully everything works for you.
Hi,
I’m a beginner using ifi streamer and HQPlayer. After having a defective ifi exchanged and finally get everything fixed I’m happy with my set up as an NAA for DAC-60 on Accuphase 280 amp.
My Roon runs on an old 2012 Mac mini, 16gb ram, 1TBSSD. I’m having an issue that when I turn off the amplifier and then turn it back on I need to adjust on iFi the volume output to hardware again otherwise no sound.
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Hi Moises and welcome to the thread.
Nice setup there.
Do you have the same problem with Roon or just HQPlayer?
How are you outputting sound, is it through USB or SPDIF?
I did not think that there is pre amp in the Stream so it just receives the data and outputs it through the selected output.
I have tested HQP a bit with it feeding my Zen DAC and I had no issues at all (HQP in my long term plan’s but no time at this point in my life).
I’m on holiday so as for Settings on ifi.local have you tried tweaking those?
Hi @Michael_Harris many thanks for the welcoming!
This is just with HQPlayer using iFi Streamer as NAA and the output sound is through USB (screenshot of HQPlayer settings below)
The iFi feeds my DAC-60. So when I turn only off my amplifier and then turn it on again I need to open the iFi app and change the Mixer Type to hardware again, otherwise, no sound will come out.
Many thanks again!
Moises my guess is when you turn the Amp off it is disconnecting the USB from Stream and it doesn’t fully know it’s there when you turn it back. Can you try it with Roon to see if the same thing happens in AIO mode.
In my setup it comes right back on (but that is in Roon) are you Also able to test it with SPDIF and see if it is the same.
Hi, I’m currently using it on AIO, with Roon and AIO no problem. I’m going to try to give it a few seconds after I turn it on. Is there any feature that keeps locked the Volume to “Hardware mode”?
It’s always just been on on mine, but I am feeding it into a DAC that has only got volume control
Sadly I am away for a couple of weeks or I would put it back into AIO and have a look for you.
Lets see if @Piotr_Pekala or @Steven_Klemow can add some information while I am away
Unfortunately there is no such possibility.
That’s an ugly bug or deficiency in ifi software - those settings (Mixer Type) are being reset each time Zen Stream loses control of DAC over USB (for example when it turns off).
I tried a few times to get any response from ifi - whether they plan to fix that - but they ignore such questions 
For the “Software mode” there is a workaround (stay on version 2.30.7 or lower and select DSP Volume Control in Roon). I don’t see any workaround for “Hardware mode”.
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I switched it to Roon only mode, and then plugged in the Coax SPDIF cable, and NOW IT WORKS! And as you said, it seems to sound better than with USB. In the settings I can switch it to USB but it doesn’t recognize it and only works in ALO mode. So I’ll leave the setting in the iFi.local for SPDIF. Thanks for all of your help.
Now the next thing my installer and I are working on is getting my Control4 to work with Roon and the Nucleus on my Media Room AVR downstairs.
Marc
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