Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue

John
Administrator

Posts: 15,592

Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 17, 2020 17:26:43 GMT

Quote

Post by John on Jun 17, 2020 17:26:43 GMT

I am trying out the IFi Zen Blue

I am trying it for a few reasons
1) I want a cheap way to experience Amazon Music to see if I like it. I have a month free trail
2) To see how good it is with YouTube. In the past latency issues make playing YouTube impossible via Bluetooth
3) To see how much the technology has moved on

Set up
5v Powerbank to the IFi Zen I have to power another device to maintain power to the Zen. I know this is not ideal
Coherent Digital cable to the Topping D70 A grounding Lead to the Zen

The Good and Bad
No latency issues with YouTube Vocals seem in sync with the sound
Amazon shows good potential I am sure I am hearing a bit more detail
However its all a bit to harsh and I find it fatiguing to listen to

What next
Run it in over night and tomorrow
Try with the QP-1 powering up the Zen
Add USB grounding lead from DAC to RTZ
Place on some Black Ravioli pads

I shall update over the next few days

Last Edit: Jun 18, 2020 5:39:04 GMT by John

Music is where I find my solace
Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two. – Fredric Chopin

MartinT Administrator Posts: 54,702 Member is Online	Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 17, 2020 21:52:06 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by MartinT on Jun 17, 2020 21:52:06 GMT It seems like its closest to the Limetree? Keep us apprised!
	TP-Link MR-600 router > Uptone EtherREGEN reclocker > Sonore Signature Rendu SE streamer > Coherent modded Gustard U18 DDC > Gustard X26 Pro DAC > Belles SA-100 power amp > Usher Dancer Be-20 speakers. 2 x AfterDark master clocks. PS Audio P3 & P12 regenerators. 2 x Uptone JS-2 & Coherent QP-2 LPSUs.

julesd68 Global Moderator Posts: 19,135	Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 17, 2020 22:22:41 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by julesd68 on Jun 17, 2020 22:22:41 GMT I must have missed something John - what issues are you having with the Tinker?
	Spotify Premium > Sonore ultraRendu > Gustard U18 >Topping D70S > Cambridge Audio Edge W > Sonus Faber Venere 2.5

John
Administrator

Posts: 15,592

Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 18, 2020 4:48:04 GMT

Quote

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 4:48:04 GMT

No issues with the Tinkerboard. It is an experiment!
The Limetree Bluetooth option was reasonable with sound due to the resampling, but had synch issues with YouTube as it uses BT 4.2 whilst the Zen is using BT5. The difference is the latency issue being a lot better with the Zen, but so far the sound quality is not as good. The Zen actually shows potential but I need to get a cleaner sound from it.
The Tinkerboard does Bluetooth, the sound quality is actually better at present with the Tinkerboard but latency issue bad, I prefer not to use as still a few steps down in sound quality.

Last Edit: Jun 18, 2020 5:33:23 GMT by John

Music is where I find my solace
Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two. – Fredric Chopin

John Administrator Posts: 15,592	Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 18, 2020 5:48:13 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 5:48:13 GMT I know I am not helping by running another device from the powerbank. I suspect a decent power supply will help a lot
	Last Edit: Jun 18, 2020 7:24:36 GMT by John Music is where I find my solace Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two. – Fredric Chopin

MartinT Administrator Posts: 54,702 Member is Online	Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 18, 2020 7:02:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2020 7:02:38 GMT The Tinker with Bluetooth would be hampered by having it in a metal case.
	TP-Link MR-600 router > Uptone EtherREGEN reclocker > Sonore Signature Rendu SE streamer > Coherent modded Gustard U18 DDC > Gustard X26 Pro DAC > Belles SA-100 power amp > Usher Dancer Be-20 speakers. 2 x AfterDark master clocks. PS Audio P3 & P12 regenerators. 2 x Uptone JS-2 & Coherent QP-2 LPSUs.

John Administrator Posts: 15,592	Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 18, 2020 7:31:18 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 7:31:18 GMT The Limetree also had similar latency issues with YouTube, but the sound quality was better via Bluetooth.
	Music is where I find my solace Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two. – Fredric Chopin

John
Administrator

Posts: 15,592

Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue Jun 18, 2020 19:51:58 GMT

Quote

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 19:51:58 GMT

Using the QP-1 really helps the unit. It has improved quite a lot. I would no consider it good enough for a second system
I still hear a higher noise floor. I mostly experience this as not being able to relax into the music more and not wanting to listen to long periods. My friend does not have the same issues as me using a similar setup.

Music is where I find my solace
Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two. – Fredric Chopin

The Audio Standard

The Friendly Hi-Fi and Music Forum

The Audio Standard
Connecting People through Hi-Fi and Music

Lock-down Experiment Number 2 IFi Zen Blue

Post by John on Jun 17, 2020 17:26:43 GMT

Post by MartinT on Jun 17, 2020 21:52:06 GMT

Post by julesd68 on Jun 17, 2020 22:22:41 GMT

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 4:48:04 GMT

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 5:48:13 GMT

Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2020 7:02:38 GMT

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 7:31:18 GMT

Post by John on Jun 18, 2020 19:51:58 GMT