iFi Zen StreamerFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 53 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%
PROS 54%
CONS 46%

Rank based on 53 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a clean, affordable USB/S-PDIF transport to feed an existing DAC
  • You mainly use Roon, Tidal Connect, or AirPlay and don't need a fancy app
  • You're willing to upgrade the power supply for best sound quality

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You rely on Qobuz or Amazon Music as your primary streaming service
  • You need rock-solid WiFi and a polished companion app out of the box
  • You don't want to deal with potential setup headaches or spotty customer support

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature
Powerful driving power for demanding headphones
Premium packaging and build details
High price relative to value for many users
Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility
Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
Best value
2Mid
FiiO M21
Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ
FiiO M21
Cassette case design
Musical, warm sound signature
Desktop mode with battery bypass
Crackling/popping between tracks
Button/port layout debate
Weak or fiddly EQ
3Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality sound
Broad connectivity and service support
Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem
Treble can sound bright or harsh
App usability issues
Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
4Premium
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike sound
Attractive, understated design
Improvement over the R7
High price
Missing features some wanted
Buggy app and Bluetooth
5Mid
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviews
Analogue-like sound signature
Works well as a preamp with separate amps
Unanswered compatibility questions
Fiddly menus and login entry
File format playback errors
6Premium
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound quality
Flexible digital connectivity
Works well as preamp with external power amps
Unclear Roon and DSD support
No HDMI ARC input
No headphone output
7Mid
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound Quality
Hi-Res and MQA Playback
Broad Storage Format Support
Confusing Streaming App Setup
Slightly Muted Treble vs CD
Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player
8
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer Integration
Versatile Digital Connectivity
Internet Connectivity Failures
9Premium
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound quality
Physical buttons and dedicated music focus
Premium build and design
Poor battery life
Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations
High price for the value
10Premium
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound quality
Powerful desktop mode & transport use
Build quality and design touches
Buggy, laggy software
Battery life and battery quality concerns
Track playback glitches
You are here
12Mid
iFi Zen Streamer
Excellent sound quality over USB/S-PDIFNative Tidal Connect, AirPlay and Roon integrationBig upgrade over noisy PC/laptop transportsWiFi connectivity problemsConfusing or difficult initial setupReliability and defective units
iFi Zen Streamer
Excellent sound quality over USB/S-PDIF
Native Tidal Connect, AirPlay and Roon integration
Big upgrade over noisy PC/laptop transports
WiFi connectivity problems
Confusing or difficult initial setup
Reliability and defective units

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is the Zen Stream's biggest strength, according to owners. Multiple users compared it directly against laptop USB, the BlueSound Node 2i, SOTM sms200, Auralic Aries Femto, and Pro-Ject Stream Box, consistently finding the Zen Stream cleaner, more detailed, and more engaging. Several noted it 'smoked' their previous streamer, especially once paired with a revealing DAC and system, making it a strong value at its price point.

An upgraded power supply is described as almost mandatory for best performance. Several commenters said swapping the stock power supply for iFi's Power Elite or Power X produced a dramatic, easily audible improvement — one estimated the stock unit only delivers 40% of its potential sound quality. Reviewers suggested iFi should offer this upgrade at checkout, since the base configuration seems deliberately priced to be more accessible.

Software, WiFi reliability, and support are the recurring pain points. Numerous owners reported confusing initial setup, WiFi dropouts, unreachable or bricked units, buggy apps, and difficulty finding files on NAS/SSD drives. Some needed two replacement units due to PSU defects, and several described iFi's customer service as slow or unresponsive, though many said once set up correctly the device worked reliably from then on.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?