#IFI ZEN STREAM TIDAL CONNECT UPGRADE#
#IFI ZEN STREAM TIDAL CONNECT BLUETOOTH#

Zen Stream will suit audiophiles owning a large library of hi-res music with all kinds of format as the Zen has a wider file format compatibility, including native DSD 256 and PCM 384kHz. Meanwhile on the Zen Stream, a 3rd party app is required to stream DLNA-most of the well-known DLNA apps like Bubble UPNP and Mconnect are not free, and they are also not as versatile as the BluOS. Node has a more premium price tag, but in return, it gives you a more mature and versatile BluOS that combines everythings together. It’s around 30% or RM700+ cheaper than Node. Zen Stream is a more budget-friendly choice. The difference of sound quality between Zen Stream and Node is actually quite close but still noticeable. Node has warmer tuning, the mid is more meaty and lush, but the separation and micro details are slightly weaker than Zen Stream. It creates a more solid imaging, lively ambience and ariness in the 3-dimensional sound stage, which is also deeper and taller than Node. If you really want to pick out a winner, I would say Zen Stream is the better one. Besides, the app is completely free.īoth of them sound very natural, smooth and musical. The interface is smart, beautiful and user friendly. You may search, play, create a playlist, and save your own collections from different platforms, including music files from Tidal and your own hard disk. It is an ecosystem that combines your Tidal account, local library, NAS and all of the BluOS supported devices (like Bluesound and some NAD streamers) together. Node is using an all in one system called BluOS to master everything in one app.

A 3rd app is required for DLNA playback if you want to play music from a local or NAS library. The user interface is still quite simple and crude. You have to access it via a correct IP or URL, like the Volumio on Raspberry. The current operating system of Zen is modified by Volumio. Node supports those popular voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa.īoth are Roon ready, support Airplay 2 and mainstream music streaming platforms like Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect. Zen doesn't come with a voice control function. If you want to power it with your own LPS, you have to purchase a third party DC module and modify it.

#IFI ZEN STREAM TIDAL CONNECT UPGRADE#

You may upgrade the power cable for a better sound. Node is powered by a figure-8 AC power cable. You may upgrade to a better linear power supplier (LPS) in the future. Zen is powered by a 9-15V DC power supply. Node features a built-in DAC with RCA (fixed or variable), subwoofer and headphone output.īoth are using a quad-core ARM processor, support dual-band Wifi (2.4/5G) and Ethernet.

#IFI ZEN STREAM TIDAL CONNECT BLUETOOTH#

Node supports HDMI eArc (for TV), optical and Bluetooth 5.0 aptX input. Node supports USB 2.0, coaxial, optical and Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD output. Zen supports USB 3.0 with iFi’s Active Noise Cancelling technology and coaxial output with built in iPurifier. Zen supports DSD native up to 11.2MHz and PCM up to 384k. ✒️ Written by Hai Wei | 📷 Photo credit : Hai Wei⠀

Ifi zen stream tidal connect