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iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport
  • iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport — photo 2
  • iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport — photo 3
  • iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport — photo 4
streameriFi audioL072%

iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport

streamer+transport only · in: USB host, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay · out: coaxial, USB audio · PCM 32/384, DSD256, MQA · Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon, Internet radio; AirPlay 1; DLNA; Roon Ready; neutral · entry

39,525 RUBeachin stock· Moscow (warehouse)

Instalment: Buy now, pay later: 0-0-10 at our expense

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prices and stock as of 2026-11-05

Audiomania expert verdict

A compact network transport without a DAC: Roon Ready, Tidal/Spotify Connect, AirPlay, DLNA and NAA for HQPlayer, PCM 32/384 and DSD256 over USB. Buyers praise its stability and “clean, detailed” sound versus a laptop, but criticise the native app and the OEM power supply. For owners of a good DAC with a Roon/Tidal subscription; no native Chromecast or Qobuz. AI draft, under review

Ask about iFi audio ZEN Stream

Will it suit your amplifier or room, what else to buy, what to compare with.

03

In brief

Best if you are looking for:

  • owners of a good external DAC or an amplifier with a USB/coax input — “with a good DAC, an excellent budget network transport” AI draft, under review
  • Roon, Tidal and Spotify subscribers: Roon Ready, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect work from the native apps AI draft, under review
  • iPhone/iPad owners — AirPlay is officially supported, incl. for Yandex Music AI draft, under review
  • Hi-Res and DSD: PCM 32/384, DSD256 over USB (native) and DoP over coax, full MQA decoder AI draft, under review
  • replacing a laptop as the source: buyers report cleaner, more detailed sound AI draft, under review

Keep in mind:

  • no DAC and no analogue output: it cannot feed an amplifier without digital inputs directly AI draft, under review
  • Chromecast never arrived (“expected after a firmware update”); Qobuz, Deezer and Yandex Music are not natively supported AI draft, under review
  • the native app is “not very convenient”; specialists find the WiiM and Bluesound apps better — many owners control it via Roon or mconnect AI draft, under review
  • from Android there is no Wi-Fi path for Yandex Music (AirPlay from Apple only; the streamer has no Bluetooth) AI draft, under review
04

Product DNA

L072%

A structured sound passport: every value carries a source and a confidence.

Role in the system
streamer, transport onlycalculated0.75
Services
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon, Internet radiospec sheet0.75
± 1

Alternative value

  • Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon spec sheet1

    Строго по таблице (без интернет-радио)

Protocols
DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Roon Endpoint, HQPlayer NAA; AirPlay: 1; no: Chromecast, bluetooth rxspec sheet0.75
Use scenarios
good: Home stereo, Background listening; acceptable: Multiroom wireless, Near-field desktop; less suitable: TV sound, Vinyl systemcalculated0.5
Optimal room area
not enough data to calculate
Tier
entrycalculated1
What else you need
DAC, USB cable, amplifiercalculated1
05

Sound profile

The profile appears after an Audiomania expert audition.

08

Sound character

No audition or professional review yet — below are only facts from the specs and calculations.

Technical reference

Formats
PCM up to: 32/384; DSD up to: DSD256; MQA: full; files: FLAC, DSF/DFF (DSD), MQAspec sheet0.75
± 1

Alternative value

  • PCM up to: 32/384; DSD up to: DSD256; MQA: full; files: spec sheet1

    Строго по таблице: типы файлов не перечислены

Role in the system
streamer, transport onlycalculated0.75
09

Use scenarios

Suits:

  • a streamer for an existing system with a good DAC or a USB/coax-equipped amplifier AI draft, under review
  • Roon systems and HQPlayer (NAA): Roon Ready certified with an NAA mode AI draft, under review
  • Tidal (MQA) and Spotify from their native apps via Connect AI draft, under review
  • internet radio and AirPlay for background — “a huge base of internet stations” AI draft, under review

Less suited to:

  • a system without a DAC or digital inputs — an extra DAC is required AI draft, under review
  • TV: no HDMI ARC or optical input AI draft, under review
  • Android + Yandex Music over Wi-Fi, Chromecast, native Qobuz/Deezer AI draft, under review
  • those who want a polished native app — WiiM or Bluesound are easier AI draft, under review
10

Technologies and construction

  • Open architecture and 5 operating modes

    What it is: Open-source, continuously updated (OTA) firmware; a rear switch selects one of five modes: AIO (all-in-one), Roon only, Tidal streaming, NAA (HQPlayer), DLNA streaming.

    Practical benefit: A dedicated mode switches off unneeded services and, per the description, gives “maximum performance and sound quality”; in practice owners simply set the Roon mode.

  • ANC II on USB, iPurifier on coax, GMT clock

    What it is: Both USB ports (storage input and asynchronous output) carry Active Noise Cancellation II; the coax output has the iPurifier circuit; clocking is by the Global Master Timing generator.

    Practical benefit: Less noise and jitter in the digital stream to the external DAC — behind owners' praise of “clean” sound that “does not spoil what it carries”.

  • Dual-band Wi-Fi and gigabit LAN

    What it is: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and a gigabit LAN port; PCM 32/384 and DSD256 are rated over both.

    Practical benefit: An owner: “works over both Wi-Fi and copper, I kept the wired link”; reviews confirm stability at high bitrates.

  • Roon Ready and NAA for HQPlayer

    What it is: Roon Ready certification and a Network Audio Adapter (NAA) mode for Signalyst HQPlayer.

    Practical benefit: Control from Roon Remote and mconnect instead of the native app; “works great with Roon”.

  • Components: TDK C0G, Murata, Taiyo Yuden, LDO regulators

    What it is: Surface-mount build with TDK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors, Murata and Taiyo Yuden inductors; regulators with high PSRR, low quiescent current, LDO and soft start.

    Practical benefit: Clean power for the digital circuits; the stock PSU is a plain OEM unit, though, and owners consider an iPower upgrade worthwhile.

  • 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex

    What it is: A 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex processor; a front LED shows sample rate and file type by colour.

    Practical benefit: Headroom for DSD256 and over-the-air updates.

11

Amplifier requirements

Inputs
USB host, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay
Outputs
coaxial, USB audio

iFi audio ZEN Stream → Audiolab 6000A: via the coaxial digital input.

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

12

Recommended system connection

iFi audio ZEN Stream → Audiolab 6000A: via the coaxial digital input.

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

14

Recommended right now

over the 45-product sample

In-stock, current models only; refreshed with prices (2026-11-05). Not indexed.

rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0

16

Comparison with similar models

  • How it differs from Audiolab 6000N Play network player

    iFi audio ZEN Stream and Audiolab 6000N Play are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.

    Full comparison →

  • How it differs from Premiera SX1 Pro network streamer

    iFi audio ZEN Stream and Premiera SX1 Pro are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.

    Full comparison →
17

Specifications

Main

Formats
PCM up to: 32/384; DSD up to: DSD256; MQA: full; files: FLAC, DSF/DFF (DSD), MQA
± 1

sources disagree

  • PCM up to: 32/384; DSD up to: DSD256; MQA: full; files: spec sheet1

    Строго по таблице: типы файлов не перечислены

Volume control
fixedAudiomania specialist
Storage playback
folder navigation; fs: Audiomania specialist
Power supply
внешний адаптер (обычный OEM блок питания; потребление 6 Вт без сигнала, до 10 Вт)
± 1

sources disagree

  • внешний адаптер OEM (не iFi iPower) Audiomania specialist0.5

    «Обычный OEM блок питания»

Construction

Finishes
Black/Silver

Connection

Sample rate by input
Ethernet: PCM 32/384, DSD256, MQA; Wi-Fi: PCM 32/384, DSD256, MQA; USB host: PCM 32/384, DSD256, MQA
DSD mode by output
USB audio: native; coaxial: DoPAudiomania specialist
Inputs
USB host, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay
Outputs
coaxial, USB audio
Analogue output
none
Digital outputs
coaxial, USB audio
HDMI ARC
none
Bluetooth
codecs: ; no: receive, transmit
± 1

sources disagree

  • codecs: ; no: receive, transmit Audiomania specialist0.5

    «Беспроводным способом через Wifi можно передать только по Airplay»

Wi-Fi
yes
Network
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA; AirPlay: 1; app: Stream-iFi; no: Chromecast, HEOS, NAS (SMB)
± 1

sources disagree

  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA; AirPlay: 1; app: Stream-iFi; no: Chromecast, HEOS, NAS (SMB) customers0.5

    Покупатель (2025-08): «iFi не поддерживает Chromecast»

Remote
no: IR remote

Dimensions

Dimensions (W×H×D)
158 × 35 × 100 mm

Weight

Weight
0.578 kg

Box contents

Warranty
12 months
In the box
Внешний блок питания (OEM)Audiomania specialist
18

Documents

19

FAQ

›How do I play Yandex Music on the ZEN Stream?
Not natively (“no such option”). From an iPhone/iPad — via AirPlay over Wi-Fi; from Android there is no Wi-Fi path, only Bluetooth to another component (the ZEN Stream has no Bluetooth). One owner plays Yandex Music from an iPad over AirPlay “for background”.
›Does it support Qobuz and Deezer?
Not natively: “no information on Qobuz support; workarounds are Roon, UPnP or AirPlay”; Deezer — “support not declared”. Through Roon, owners stream Qobuz without issues.
›Is there Chromecast?
No. The card says “expected after a firmware update”, but as of 2025 a buyer confirms “iFi does not support Chromecast”. For Chromecast look at the WiiM Pro Plus.
›Is DSD output native or DoP?
“DSD can only be output over USB” — a DSD-capable USB DAC decodes it natively (up to DSD256); “the coaxial output will only carry DoP”.
›My amplifier/receiver has only analogue or optical inputs — what do I add?
The ZEN Stream has only coax and USB outputs, so a DAC goes in between. A specialist recommends the iFi ZEN One Signature DAC with this transport; from the catalogue, the Audiolab D7 (coax/USB → RCA/XLR) and the iFi ZEN DAC Signature V2 (USB → RCA) fit.
›Can I control volume from the phone if the DAC has no volume control?
“Not a declared feature” — plan on volume control in the DAC or the amplifier.
›What USB drive size is supported and how do I control playback?
“The manufacturer does not specify a maximum size.” Control is via the app on a phone/tablet; ANC II is built into both USB ports; “practically no format limitations”. An owner: Hi-Res from a USB drive “works great”.
›Which is better — the ZEN Stream or the WiiM Pro Plus?
Specialist: “the players are similar in sound level”, but the WiiM Pro Plus is “more interesting, both in sound and in daily use — a convenient and reliable app”. A buyer adds: WiiM has Chromecast and a built-in DAC. The ZEN Stream wins on Roon Ready, NAA/HQPlayer and DSD256 over USB.
›How do I control Tidal playback?
“Via Tidal Connect. With a Roon subscription you can control it through Roon Remote.” An alternative is the mconnect app: “it will see the player; enter your Tidal login”.
›Will it improve on a laptop with a USB DAC?
Specialist: the gain is “substantial, especially if you were taking the analogue signal” from the laptop; with a good USB DAC “there will be a gain, but how big I cannot say”. Buyers: “better than a laptop over USB”, “clean, detailed, spacious”.
›Which power supply is in the box?
“A regular OEM power supply”, not an iPower. One buyer replaced it with an iFi iPower X right away — “subjectively, it affected the sound positively”.
›Does it work over USB with the Cayin CS-55A amplifier's DAC? FLAC over DLNA?
“I remember connecting the Zen Stream to the CS-55A — everything worked. DLNA is supported, incl. FLAC.”
20

Customer reviews

4.8 of 5 · 12 ratings

  • Михаил Д., Раменское · 2025-06-02Excellentverified purchase

    Я прочитал всё, что смог найти на тему установки и работы ifi audio zen stream. Поэтому подключение прошло без проблем. Хороший аппарат, звук понравился. Спасибо Максиму Бабынину за ответы на вопросы, которые у меня оставались. Не понимал, как обновить, но с помощью Максима разобрался. Спасибо!

  • Денис Х., Москва · 2025-03-24Excellentverified purchase

    Устройство интересное, качественное и вполне стоит своих денег. Из незначительных минусов: скудная документация (компенсируется форумами, где можно почерпнуть нужную информацию) и не очень удобное официальное приложение. Из перекрывающих эти минусы плюсов: устройство не портит транспортируемый звук, работает устойчиво, хорошо справляется с высокими битрейтами. Первоначальное подключение не вполне тривиально, но делается лишь раз. Комплектный блок питания - очень простенький и лёгкий - был сразу заменён на iFi iPower X, по субъективному ощущению на звуке это сказалось положительно. Вместо родного приложения пользуюсь Roon, с которым ZEN Stream будучи Roon Ready работает отлично. Музыкальная библиотека обитает на Synology NAS, управление воспроизведением - с ПК, iPad и Android-смартфона. Всё очень удобно. Стриминговыми сервисами не пользуюсь, оценить работу с ними не могу. К усилителю с DAC ZEN Stream подключен по USB. Пробовал и коаксиальное подключение, оба варианта дают отличное звучание с широкой информативной сценой. Устройство рекомендую с оговоркой, что потребуется некоторое время разобраться и всё отстроить. Но итог - достойный звук и удобное управление (в моём случае через Roon). Традиционное спасибо Аудиомании!

  • Владимир Д., Астрахань · 2024-03-20Excellentverified purchase

    Звук лучше, чем с ноутбука по usb.

  • Сергей Б., Минск · 2024-01-28Excellentverified purchase

    Ifi zen stream для меня-это лучшее решение, если сравнивать звук источник которого был ноутбук. Первое, это качество звука, он стал чистым, детальным, пространственным. Второе, это функционал. Третье, это качество сборки. Я очень доволен такой покупке.

  • Геннадий Б., Москва · 2023-01-17Excellentverified purchase

    Превосходное устройство. Перевел его в режим Roon и подключил к Rotel RA-1592 MKII через PC-USB, все работает, идет стрим Qobuz и домашней коллекции через Roon. Качество отличное, ибо вся конвертация идет в усилителе.

  • Владимир Г., Омск · 2022-09-20Excellentverified purchase

    Отличный способ обеспечить в существующей системе доступ к сетевым источникам. В сочетании с ЦАП RME ADI-2 DAC работает замечательно по коаксиалу и USB. Подключил и запустил все без проблем за 15 минут. Проверил, работает и по WiFi и по меди, оставил проводное, WiFi отключил. Управление и доступ ко всему контенту через приложение Stream-iFi (поставил на iPad). Hi-Res с USB SD диска все отлично. Для фона и ознакомления Я.Музыка с iPad по AirPlay, у самого iFi Stream огромная база интернет станций. В общем, при наличии хорошего ЦАП отличный бюджетный вариант сетевого транспорта. По сравнению с ноутбуком удобство пользования системой значительно повысилось, звук субъективно показался лучше чем через Foobar. Первые впечатления от iFi очень положительные.

  • Радик Г., Москва · 2022-08-04Goodverified purchase

    Пока только тестирую.

  • Константин Б., Красноярск · 2021-12-12Excellentverified purchase

    Не всем по душе дизайн его лицевой панели (но это только на фото), зато в живую он просто-СИМПАТЯГА ! ПРОСТО КРАСАВЧИК !

21

AI summary of customer reviews

Based on 8 customer reviews.

Most often noted:

  • better than a laptop: cleaner, more detailed, with a wide stage AI draft, under review
  • works reliably over USB and coax with different DACs (RME ADI-2, Rotel RA-1592 MKII, a DAC-equipped amplifier) AI draft, under review
  • works great with Roon; many control it through Roon rather than the native app AI draft, under review

Sometimes mentioned:

  • the native app and documentation leave something to be desired AI draft, under review
  • the stock power supply is basic — some replace it with an iPower right away AI draft, under review
22

Audiomania expert opinion

Audiomania specialists put the ZEN Stream on the same level as Bluesound and the WiiM Pro Plus — the difference is in the control app, not the sound; as a transport it “does not spoil the sound it carries”. AI draft, under review[3]

Its strength is a digital feed into a good DAC: native DSD256 over USB, DoP over coax, Roon Ready. If you need Chromecast, a built-in DAC or Yandex Music from Android, look at the WiiM Pro Plus or Premiera SX1 Pro. AI draft, under review[4]