Looks interesting - I don’t suppose it supports 5.1 by any chance?
I don’t think so, but it has optical and spdif out so it’s possible at least.
Probably not for Roon anyway.
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Argon Solo lack USB audio output. Not perfect device… USB only can emit 384k which is very important with external upsampling Roon can do.
But close to perfect, indeed.
I am still hesitating… to replace my Allo USBridge (gentooplayer + shanti).
Not sure of the positive jump…
Another challenger (with its power supply).
Too bad there is no comparative test (yet).
Will not be better than USBridge + Shanti on USB output, but nice aluminium case. USBridge is remotable with Flirc dongle and Ropieee, (and you have the choice of software), not Link I presume. Another valuable alternative : https://magnahifi.com/fr/mano-ultra-music-streamer-high-res/ with I²S output.
Merci Jean-Christophe. 
It is true that I had forgotten the evolutions of the MagnaHifi streamer.
I use Roon only as a HQP remote control with DSD upsampling.
It has the advantage of the I2S output which can be used on my Pegasus (provided I have the right cable)… result?
To be discussed with MagnaHifi which has a very good support.
Nevertheless, just for HQP and NAA, this Zen seems unbeatable (considering the price).
Hi all!
Has anyone ever tested the connection with NAA and HQPlayer is running?
I’m facing errors during start of play via Roon.
Oh, no answer needed. I switched back to my Lindemann Limetree Bridge II. The sound quality of the Zen Stream is terrible. I’ll send back to Amazon.
Any other suggestions for a renderer with Roon endpoint and HQPlayer endpoint capability? Beside Lumin U1, actual I’m missing 5000 bucks to buy this one…
Hey Stef!
Try out the Lindemann Limetree Bridge II. Way better than the ZS and much better than the USBridge Signature with Shanti (I had before buying the Limetree)
Ok, no USB out and actual no NAA support, but I think soon they will implement.
I swapped out my allo usbridge signature with shanti power supply for the zenstream with 9v sbooster. In my network setup all components are isolated using optical fiber with upgraded cisco switches. The zenstream imo sounds far better than the allo. The allo in comparison was cold and distant to the zenstreams warm delivery.
I havent heard the limetree so I can’t comment on it.
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Thank you for this information.
The Allo works with which OS and is used as Roon endpoint or (like me) HQP / NAA endpoint ?
What is your dac ?
Allo is cold or dark or neutral than a Zen more colored ? Or is it Zen that is more just and alive than Allo ?
The Allo works with a Raspian derivate or Linux because its based on a raspi. There are ready to flash/use images available. Search for ropieee XL or better moOde. With these images the USBridge works as Roon endpoint and HQPlayer NAA support/endpoint.
USBridge is very crisp and detailed, yes. Zen is missing this details. If you not like analytic sq then USBridge maybe not your way.
Limetree is as analytic and neutral, but sounds a lot more “relaxed”. Limetree always tells you: “Keep cool, I’ll manage this, don’t care. Lay back and enjoy music” 
I get mine also this week. Sold the Ambre. I also ordered the Bastei cable.
The Auralic option is of the table. I ordered, out of curiosity, a Loxije D50 dac and it is so good that don’t want to return it. What my original plan was.
I’ve had my ZEN Stream for almost six months, and I just want to say that I continue to be by delighted by the sound. I’m having a blast this morning listening via E-MU Wood Series Teak headphones with my coffee. Highly resolving without being fatiguing. Completely reliable (after iFi Audio sorted the bad batch of SMPSs). The 
is good too.
I would totally buy it again, even without the kernel update needed to support native DSD support on my Khadas Tone2 Pro balanced DAC. At $399, the ZEN Stream the most recommendable Roon network bridge I’ve evaluated. It’s especially great value for people who don’t wish to build a Raspberry Pi solution.
Even for tinkerers like me, there’s value since the ZEN Stream sounds better than my RoPieee, DietPi, piCorePlayer, and VitOS builds.
I’ve watched a movie and a few YouTube videos on my MacBook Pro with audio from the ZEN Stream via AirPlay. A/V sync was perfect and there were no issues. However, besides that experiment and firmware updates, it stays where it belongs: on Mode 2 - Roon exclusive mode.
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I warmly welcome,
In the current version of Zen Stream on Roon, it is stable and useful. Switching to the exclusive position 2 gains even more quality.
Other streaming channels such as Tidal Connect, or Spotify have childhood diseases.
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Well said David and for Roon that is 100% true.
It’s a great sounding endpoint and works great for me as well. I have had less luck with other casting protocols but I have turned them off for now to get closer to Roon only mode.
I’m Away for a couple of weeks but look forward to the new update coming out
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I just hope they will support native DSD to ADI-2 in the future. Will buy it again if it will be available in ZS 2…
ifi released a beta firmware update today with a mqa passthrough switch in the app settings,unfortunately all this does is enable passthrough to a mqa dac for the dac to decode,mqa to a non mqa dac is still broken
There’s this great software / service called Roon. Suggest you check it out. May solve all of your problems.
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@Stef_Dahl ; I’ve been an avid allo user since the first usbridge and now the signature version with moode as the os. I was an early adapter of the signature series into the chord hugo 2 using hqplayer and upsampling. Try as I might there was something about the top end and soundstage that just didn’t feel right. It was missing that wow factor.
With the coming of the 2go I decided to ‘retire’ the usbsig to the headphone rig. I found the 2go and h2go combo with a wired connection more musical and fulfilling than the usbridge sig, lack of naa notwithstanding. With the purchase of the zenstream 6 weeks ago ( purely on a lark), I was happy to hear a fuller, deeper and detailed presentation through my stax srs 007’s. The current dac in the headphone rig being the topping d10 balanced. A little gem if you ask me.
Personally I am much preferring the soundstage and musicality the zenstream brings to the table along with the details. In comparison the signature is a bit thin, lacking in soundstage and dare I say, noisier? I have great respect for allo as a company. They brought solutions to the market at a time when raspi’s were the only cheap n nasty alternatives. Maybe its time for a signature plus!
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