Exceptional Digital Audio Streaming
When it comes to hi-res audio, analog enthusiasts shouldn’t have all the fun. That’s why digital audio fans here at Sweetwater are raving about the new Zen Stream 3 from iFi. With native support for 384kHz PCM and DSD256 formats plus easy connections to streaming services like Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon, Apple AirPlay, and more, the Zen Stream 3 makes it effortless to listen to your digital audio libraries and playlists in all their unadulterated audio glory. What’s more, you can stream from your existing NAS and USB HDD libraries, and DLNA support lets you use a wide range of players and controllers. The Zen Stream 3 also boasts JVCKENWOOD’s K2 Technology and iFi's Active Noise Cancellation technology, which work together to both restore harmonic content and remove noise, while the Zen Stream 3’s coaxial S/PDIF output uses iFi's iPurifier signal-purifying technology as well as a femto-precision clock for astonishing low-distortion performance. Finally, an all-new IoT chip pairs the Zen Stream 3 and your home Wi-Fi via the iFi Nexis app, so getting up and running with the Zen Stream 3 is simple and straightforward. Simply add the Zen Stream 3 to your setup, connect your favorite DAC, and prepare to be amazed by how good your digital audio can sound.
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Digital files with analog-like quality
Much like scaling the eponymous peak, JVCKENWOOD’s K2 Technology is nothing short of a mountainous achievement. One of the primary longtime criticisms of digital audio has been its overall stale sound relative to analog audio. This criticism has some merit, as some harmonic content is lost during the digitization and encoding of original master audio tracks. However, K2 Technology restores much of that harmonic content while retaining the tracks’ original sample rate. Combine this with the Zen Stream 3’s upgraded polymer and ELNA Silmic II caps that provide clean power with a smooth treble response, and you now have digital audio that is a much warmer, much more honest representation of the original music.
No more jitter bugs
Another standard critique of digital audio is jitter, or timing errors in the signal that manifest as artifacts like audible pops, clicks, and distortion. The ZEN Stream's USB ports feature iFi's Active Noise Cancellation technology, while its coaxial S/PDIF output is equipped with iFi's iPurifier signal-purifying technology to remove noise and distortion from the audio signal. Additionally, both outputs use a femto-precision clock, which limits timing errors to the femtosecond range, thereby rendering jitter essentially inaudible. Want more? Explore the user-selectable Exclusive Modes, which shut down unnecessary operating system processes for even lower noise and jitter. If you know anyone who thinks digital audio can’t sound as pristine as analog, invite them over for a listening session with the iFi Zen Stream 3… then watch their jaw hit the floor.
No-cable connectivity
While Ethernet offers the most stable streaming experience and the fastest initial setup, the Zen Stream 3, coupled with iFi’s Nexis app, provides a wireless audio option that sounds just as excellent. The Nexis app also grants you access to streaming settings, connected storage devices, and updates, all from one convenient location.
iFi Zen Stream 3 Features:
- High-resolution streaming engine that enables streaming hi-res audio over Ethernet and Wi-Fi
- Native support for 384kHz PCM and DSD256 hi-res audio formats
- Easy connections to streaming services like Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon, Apple AirPlay, and more
- Stream directly from your existing NAS and USB HDD libraries
- DLNA support works with many different players and controllers
- JVCKENWOOD’s K2 Technology restores harmonic content lost during digital encoding while retaining sample rates of the original tracks for a rich and true-to-life sound
- Upgraded polymer and ELNA Silmic II caps provide cleaner power with smoother treble response
- iFi's ANC technology on the USB output and iFi's iPurifier signal-purifying technology on the Coaxial S/PDIF output remove noise and distortion
- Femto-precision clock reduces timing errors (jitter) down in the femtosecond range for astonishingly low distortion
- User-selectable Exclusive Modes shut down superfluous OS processes for even less noise and jitter
- All-new IoT chip pairs the Zen Stream 3 with your home Wi-Fi via the iFi Nexis app for plug-and-play operation
- Nexis app also provides a wireless audio option, as well as streamer settings, access to connected storage devices, and updates right from your mobile device
