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twotone
11-12-2018, 18:32
Just bought this below guys, been on the lookout for ages but they've been going for stupid money recently and a LIV version recently went for about £450.

I'd much rather have bought a MK2 version but frankly I couldn't afford to spend £600 or £700 on one, an ex demo one sold on Sunday for just over £600, think it was a 1TB version.

I spotted a 4TB Zoneripper for £399 but the reviews are patchy plus I think that they are pretty old now, I think, but it is being sold by a HiFi mob as an ex demo so who knows?

I got lucky with this one, spotted it this afternoon but I don't think that the seller had an idea what he was really selling as he said it only had a 500gig drive but reading the Innous site it mentions that the WD red drive is 2TB while the WD blue drive is 1TB and there's a sticker on the back saying WD Red drive.

It was initially on a BIN for £300 plus £20 postage but the seller dropped the BIN price to £250 about twenty minutes ago so I bit the bullet and bought it.

Can someone tell me the difference between the MK1 & Mk2 and btw this one that I've bought must be a pretty early one as there's no Innous on the case.

Looking forward to getting this although I think I'd have much preferred a Bluesound Vault two but this is a good opportunity to dip my toe into one of these Ripnas's.

I'm going to hook it up to my SEG/Dorado via USB and also connect it to my Dennon streamer (or do I need to do that?) as I listen to a lot of internet radio and the wife's delighted as it means I can get rid of about the 400 odd CDs that are lying about the house:D

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Innuos-Zen-Mk1-NAS-used-new-power-lead-and-updated-software-summer-2018-/123535137264?nma=true&si=Juz1L8FfsS8UHaLQdzXtyxe1XTk%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Thanks

Tony

Frazeur1
11-12-2018, 21:28
I do not know what the differences are, but you might send a mail to Innuos, ask them, they are very good at customer support, they would know!

twotone
11-12-2018, 23:42
I do not know what the differences are, but you might send a mail to Innuos, ask them, they are very good at customer support, they would know!

Thanks Timothy, I'll maybe do that once it turns up, I'm interested in how old it is but apparently the software was updated by Innous in July this year along with the power lead, there's a photo showing the postage label to Innous.

Tony

Jimbo
12-12-2018, 06:32
Tony have a word with Steve at Sonority HIFI he will be able to tell you.

http://www.sonoritydesign.co.uk

twotone
12-12-2018, 11:03
Tony have a word with Steve at Sonority HIFI he will be able to tell you.

http://www.sonoritydesign.co.uk

Thanks James.

Tony

Lawrence001
12-12-2018, 20:51
Darn it I was watching this, I planned to use it in my second system. It's a great little device, I have a very similar one in my system. The only issue I found was you can't install USB dac drivers like on a PC as it's not user customisable.

If you can't get it running just ask I might be able to help as I spent some time getting mine to work. Also, if you ever pass it on, please give me first dibs!

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

Andy831
12-12-2018, 21:23
Looks to be in an identical case to the one I use Tony. I have had mine maybe 3 years. Mine is 2Tb. Currently has about 2k cds ripped on it and it's less than 30%full.

twotone
12-12-2018, 23:35
Thanks guys, Lawrence how long was it up for sale?

I only spotted it late afternoon yesterday when it was £300 BIN then I did a bit of research and had another look and it was down to £250 plus £20 postage.

According to the advert it works fine but it just needs 'some software' to use which is presumably a programme for the iPhone/PC in order to run the software on the server.

"excellent NAS. Need to download some software to computer or mobile device to use"

Here's the LIV one that sold last month, looks more or less like the one that I bought but mine has extra inputs on the rear panel from the LIV version.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIV-ZEN-MkI-INNUOUS-Music-Server-and-Ripper-Black-2TB-HDD-/163314771280?nma=true&si=Juz1L8FfsS8UHaLQdzXtyxe1XTk%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

twotone
15-12-2018, 20:02
Hi guys, well the server turned up today and I hooked it up to my router so that I could have a look at the operating system which is the latest version for the mk3 servers.

The server is a mk1 Zen with 2Tb of storage and it has come with over 380 albums on it which I might just delete, I tried to see how to format the drive as I don't really fancy deleting all those albums one by one so if anyone knows how to delete them in batches or format the drive that would be very helpful.

Here's the operating system manual below.

I also bought ipeng for my iPhone and I've played some music from the Zen via my Denon streamer but it didn't sound great to be honest but I don't know what format the existing albums are and it was wireless so tomorrow I'll hook the Zen up to my hifi via the Seg/Dorado.

Also, I can't see how to play internet radio on the Zen yet but I'm sure I'll work all of that out.

http://www.innuos.com/en/go/manual-managing-server-dashboard

struth
15-12-2018, 20:26
Sure one of the zen guys will be able to help Tony

They get a good name

Tim
15-12-2018, 21:04
If the server only has one hard drive Tony, you won't be able to format it without wiping the operating system as well, unless their firmware update is a complete install. Assuming they have a firmware update? Not sure how good you are with tech, but you could pull the drive out and hook it up to another machine to see what's on there too.

Have you tried accessing the server from another computer on the same network? That way you should be able to see what files/albums are on there, what format they are and you should be able to bulk delete if you wish.

I'm totally guessing here as I have no working knowledge of these, but if they are similar to a Bluesound Vault you should be able to manage the files from another PC. You can do this with a Bluesound Vault, which I do have a good knowledge of as I'm constantly troubleshooting my mates one (MK 1 Vault). From that experience I would say you are better off with the Innous.

twotone
15-12-2018, 21:16
If the server only has one hard drive Tony, you won't be able to format it without wiping the operating system as well, unless their firmware update is a complete install. Assuming they have a firmware update? Not sure how good you are with tech, but you could pull the drive out and hook it up to another machine to see what's on there too.

Have you tried accessing the server from another computer on the same network? That way you should be able to see what files/albums are on there, what format they are and you should be able to bulk delete if you wish.

I'm totally guessing here as I have no working knowledge of these, but if they are similar to a Bluesound Vault you should be able to manage the files from another PC. You can do this with a Bluesound Vault, which I do have a good knowledge of as I'm constantly troubleshooting my mates one (MK 1 Vault). From that experience I would say you are better off with the Innous.

Hi Tim, I can access everything with my MacBook pro, I've just played around a bit tonight but I'll get into it properly the seller has left a load of music on the drive but it only takes up 9% of the drive total, he said in the advert that the operating system was updated by Innous in the summer and it looks decent compared to the MK1 operating system but that system looked as though you could do a lot more than the newer version.

I'm delighted with the Zen and for the price it's a complete steal as it was half the price of a second hand Mk1 Zen mini.

Can't wait to hear it in my system proper but I need to drill a hole in the floor of the lounge, which has beautiful porcelain tiles on the floor, for the Lan cable but not looking forward to doing that though. I do have two Lan cables at the hifi one is for an apple TV and the other one is for the Denon streamer and are built into the wall but unfortunately I can't get another cable in there beside them so it will have to be through the floor for the Lan cable.

struth
15-12-2018, 21:22
Could use a power plug type. They do work

twotone
15-12-2018, 21:29
Could use a power plug type. They do work

Thanks Grant, it's no big deal mate I need to use a diamond drill bit to cut through the tiles but it's only a 12mm hole although I would have preferred to not to have touched the floor but there's easy access underneath and I already have the cable in from the router in preparation for this so should only take about half an hour hopefully.

struth
15-12-2018, 21:33
Other option is a lan switch. 1 in several out. Ive got 2 of them. Work a treat

struth
15-12-2018, 21:35
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000E5SES/ref=asc_df_B0000E5SES57498937/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22110&creativeASIN=B0000E5SES&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232043227663&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2862747373779886198&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007406&hvtargid=pla-385651681862&th=1&psc=1

ianlenco
15-12-2018, 21:43
Like you I'm using iPeng but you don't have to as the Zen system is based on Logitech Media Server so you can use your browser to view and play files and it also makes it easy to find your favourite radio stations and save them in your favourites list. If you open your Zen server software and click on system you should get a screen something like this.

https://i.imgur.com/YUoyTAmh.png#gWPQG (https://i.imgur.com/YUoyTAm.png)

From here you can see what version of the software you are using and also the IP address. If you put that IP address into your browser and add :9000 to the end like this 192.168.0.31:9000/ you'll see the Logitech Media Server view of your music library.

https://i.imgur.com/vwDFfdeh.png#gWPQG (https://i.imgur.com/vwDFfde.png)

I presume you know you can delete albums from the zen server software but I don't know any way of deleting them more than one at a time.

Incidentally, I presume the ethernet cables you have already installed in the wall are coming from your router? You don't need the Denon streamer for your Zen, just plug it straight into your DAC but if you need the Denon streamer for some other reason then why not add a ethernet switch. Just plug one of your existing ethernet cables into one port and you'll have several other ports to plug in devices. Amazon has plenty on offer. If you know all this then my apologies.

Lawrence001
15-12-2018, 21:58
I think I was watching it a week or so before it sold. I bulk deleted the data on mine with my laptop, I forget how possibly just Windows explorer? I use those power line adaptors instead of drilling through walls. Actually I need to get some more for the second system, hope you can pair two to the one at the router...


Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

ianlenco
15-12-2018, 22:10
Of course Lawrence is right - forgot the easy way of doing it. :doh: You should be able to see the Zen mini on your laptop via your network. Just drill down to the music folder and delete away.

Another :doh: Grant had already posted about using an ethernet switch while I was grabbing images for my post.

twotone
15-12-2018, 22:58
Thanks guys, I have an excellent router so would prefer to use it rather than a switch it's a Draytek Vigor 2862.

struth
16-12-2018, 00:44
It doesn't get switched . Anyway good luck[emoji3]

Edward
16-12-2018, 09:34
Thanks guys, I have an excellent router so would prefer to use it rather than a switch it's a Draytek Vigor 2862.

What Grant is recommending is an additional switch rather than a replacement for your Draytek Vigor. Just place an (unmanaged) switch on one of the ethernet ports near where you have your hifi and then plug your nas thing into the new switch and whatever you unplugged in as well. This way no need for extra cables back to your main router. You only need say a 5 port switch which you can get for say £15. Here is one for less (https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-GS205-100UKS-Gigabit-Ethernet-Desktop/dp/B00AYRZYG4/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1544952378&sr=1-7&keywords=netgear+switch) than £12.

twotone
16-12-2018, 12:16
Like you I'm using iPeng but you don't have to as the Zen system is based on Logitech Media Server so you can use your browser to view and play files and it also makes it easy to find your favourite radio stations and save them in your favourites list. If you open your Zen server software and click on system you should get a screen something like this.

From here you can see what version of the software you are using and also the IP address. If you put that IP address into your browser and add :9000 to the end like this 192.168.0.31:9000/ you'll see the Logitech Media Server view of your music library.

I presume you know you can delete albums from the zen server software but I don't know any way of deleting them more than one at a time.

Incidentally, I presume the ethernet cables you have already installed in the wall are coming from your router? You don't need the Denon streamer for your Zen, just plug it straight into your DAC but if you need the Denon streamer for some other reason then why not add a ethernet switch. Just plug one of your existing ethernet cables into one port and you'll have several other ports to plug in devices. Amazon has plenty on offer. If you know all this then my apologies.

Thanks Ian, that's really helpful. The Logitech Media Server interface is much easier to use than the Innous interface I think and I'm not so sure about ipeng either I'm using it but it's a bit clunky.

I'm going to buy one of those Lan switches that you guys linked to, thanks for that.

I've hooked up the Zen to my hifi but I've just got a cheap printer USB cable and the music that's already on the server sounds fine but it's not anything special sound wise IMO however I can see that a lot of the music is Flac or CD quality and the guy has left a lot of stuff on there, radio playlists for about six different people etc.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on a USB cable guys but can someone recommend a decent one but not too expensive or should I connect the Zen player up to the SEG via one of the optical inputs and if so can you recommend a USB to Coaxial Converter?

Well I've just ripped my first CD and it was painless and sounds excellent too, John Coltrane Blue Train, love that album but I've not heard it for a while as I've no CD player now, also you can listen to music and rip something else at the same time, pretty cool this thing.

Thanks

Tony

mikeyb
16-12-2018, 12:47
I tried iPeng and didn't get on with it at all, on my Android phone for controlling LMS I use Orange Squeeze and on my iPad I use mPad, both work great and easy enough to set up.

Jimbo
16-12-2018, 12:59
I tried iPeng and didn't get on with it at all, on my Android phone for controlling LMS I use Orange Squeeze and on my iPad I use mPad, both work great and easy enough to set up.

How are you finding the Zen Mike?

mikeyb
16-12-2018, 13:02
How are you finding the Zen Mike?Hi,

Not me, I use an SoTm SMS 200 streamer which can use Squeezelite so I use that as LMS can link to Spotify and Bandcamp ( which I use ), it can use many other add-ons but those are the two I use

twotone
16-12-2018, 17:37
i ordered the Netgear switch linked to above guys and this cable below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00624AUJ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

twotone
17-12-2018, 19:22
The switch works great guys, it turned up today I only ordered it last night and it's tiny but it does the job so thanks.

Tony

twotone
17-12-2018, 19:28
I tried iPeng and didn't get on with it at all, on my Android phone for controlling LMS I use Orange Squeeze and on my iPad I use mPad, both work great and easy enough to set up.

Thanks Mike, I'm not keen on ipeng but I've bought it now, there's another add-on at £4.99 which lets you play the music from ipeng on the iPhone and then stream to whatever I might buy that.

mikeyb
17-12-2018, 21:07
Thanks Mike, I'm not keen on ipeng but I've bought it now, there's another add-on at £4.99 which lets you play the music from ipeng on the iPhone and then stream to whatever I might buy that.I think I've tried it about 4 or 5 times and every time just took a refund as I couldn't get it to work properly for me, user error I know but I just couldn't work it out.

Google the iTunes App Store refund system and you can get a full refund if you're not that keen on it either.

Edward
17-12-2018, 21:31
The switch works great guys, it turned up today I only ordered it last night and it's tiny but it does the job so thanks.

Tony


Great. Tiny is good. Set and forget. Also you now have two spare ethernet ports for extra stuff near your hifi should you need it.

twotone
17-12-2018, 21:40
Great. Tiny is good. Set and forget. Also you now have two spare ethernet ports for extra stuff near your hifi should you need it.

Yes it's an excellent bit of kit Edward, I would have had to buy a 12mm diamond drill bit to drill the tiles and that would have cost easily as much as the switch but I really didn't want to drill the tiles so this was a very good work around.

Tony

twotone
17-12-2018, 21:44
I think I've tried it about 4 or 5 times and every time just took a refund as I couldn't get it to work properly for me, user error I know but I just couldn't work it out.

Google the iTunes App Store refund system and you can get a full refund if you're not that keen on it either.

Thanks Mike, I'll maybe look into that. I'm using the Logitech Media Server page on my MacBook pro but even that isn't that great IMO but it is much better than ipeng.

Still not that impressed with the sound output from the Zen, I mean it's fine and it all depends on the CDs that are on the server but I was expecting better, the music is a bit lifeless, well some of it is but all of the files (from the previous owner) are flac.

struth
17-12-2018, 21:49
Nothing wrong with flac , it's lossless so shouldn't be the issue.
Hard to say where issue is

Edward
17-12-2018, 21:53
Agree with Grant, being FLAC should not be the issue.

Grab a CD and rip it to wav and flac and see if any difference (there should be none imo). If the wav also sounds 'lifeless' than something else other than file format is at issue.

twotone
17-12-2018, 22:08
Nothing wrong with flac , it's lossless so shouldn't be the issue.
Hard to say where issue is

Think maybe the ZEN>USB>Seg is the problem Grant.

Some of the discs I ripped sound decent enough though but even they aren't 'wow!' just okay, I get better sounds with my Denon streamer streaming some internet radio stations.

Here's one of my CDs that I ripped yesterday.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
The Freedom Rider (1998)
1074kbps VBR, flc

And this is one of from the previous owner.

Radiohead
The Bends (1995)
1030kbps VBR, flc

struth
17-12-2018, 22:25
Don't know the seg or its USB capability tbh. No doubt a lot can go right or wrong with music when doing this until you get it right. Sometimes u get lucky and it works first time.
I am sticking with my pc based for now

struth
17-12-2018, 22:25
The vbr stands for variable bit rate by way

Edward
17-12-2018, 22:33
Tony, if your Zen has another USB port try that.

I assume you shut down the Zen completely and then booted it up with the Zen connected. Sometimes things just need syncing up again.

But perhaps also contact Stan of Caiman to see if he can provide some troubleshooting ideas. Sounds def should not be sounding 'lifeless'. Or contact the Zen guys?

twotone
17-12-2018, 22:53
The vbr stands for variable bit rate by way

So are those two files Flac Grant? The Zen is set up to rip to flac BTW.

twotone
17-12-2018, 23:13
Tony, if your Zen has another USB port try that.

I assume you shut down the Zen completely and then booted it up with the Zen connected. Sometimes things just need syncing up again.

But perhaps also contact Stan of Caiman to see if he can provide some troubleshooting ideas. Sounds def should not be sounding 'lifeless'. Or contact the Zen guys?

Thanks Edward, I've tried another USB port but I'm listening through headphones with the SEG at the moment so I'll not be able to listen to the hifi until tomorrow however I'm listening to a Flac rip I did earlier on of K.D. Lang and it sounds fab through the headphones. I also ripped the CD (Ingenue) to WAV but that copy has gone into the quarantine folder in the Zen media sever web page however I can't find that copy in the LMS webpage I can only find the Flac file in there which is what I'm listening to at the minute.

Found the WAV copy of K.D. Lang you have to save it with a sightly different name or change something (disc number) so that it will go into the music folder so I have the two copies now and they both sound excellent through the headphones.

twotone
18-12-2018, 19:36
Hi guys, I listened to the ripped CDs today, the same CD in Flac and Wav and I couldn't really tell any difference and the sound is better however I suspect that the Zen isn't a top of the line playback device like a decent CD player is but it's okay and it's also very flexible with internet radio, subscription services, streamer etc etc so for £270 it really is a bargain don't know if I would be happy paying circa £1200 for a Zen mk3 though if the sound quality is the same as the Zen mk1.

I did a bit of research last night regarding deleting files etc and so I can see the Zen music folder in the Finder on my MacBook pro so can I just delete a load of the seller's Flac files, as in a batch of say 100 at time, from the music folder in Finder?

Thanks

Tony

Edward
18-12-2018, 20:02
What is the sound quality like when you play the same wav and flac files from your macbook to the seg?

ianlenco
18-12-2018, 20:12
I did a bit of research last night regarding deleting files etc and so I can see the Zen music folder in the Finder on my MacBook pro so can I just delete a load of the seller's Flac files, as in a batch of say 100 at time, from the music folder in Finder?

Thanks

Tony

Yep, you can do this. The Zen should re-index your files with no input from you. I'm surprised you are not getting very good results from your Zen. I've got a Zen Mini Mk2 feeding an Eastern Electric Minimax DAC (with upgraded opamps) and it sounds quite excellent.

twotone
18-12-2018, 20:16
What is the sound quality like when you play the same wav and flac files from your macbook to the seg?

Hi Edward, I'll do that later on however listening to the files though my headphones>SEG they sounded excellent so I don't think the sound issues is down to the SEG and my Denon streamer, which is pretty basic, sounds pretty good with internet radio via the SEG>AMP>SPEAKERS with some radio stations the sound is really very good.

The amp is a Creek 5350SE integrated amp and the speakers are Spendor S3/5r2s.

twotone
18-12-2018, 20:18
Yep, you can do this. The Zen should re-index your files with no input from you. I'm surprised you are not getting very good results from your Zen. I've got a Zen Mini Mk2 feeding an Eastern Electric Minimax DAC (with upgraded opamps) and it sounds quite excellent.

Thanks Ian, I'm surprised too, from what I've read the Zen is a big step up in sound quality from a Zen mini.

twotone
18-12-2018, 21:53
Just listening to some of my rips and the Zen is sounding pretty good, pretty easy to listen to, no fatigue.

The sound issues must be down to the poor recordings that the seller had cause my CDs do sound much better.

The Zen is still not blowing me away but maybe my expectations were a bit too high however I've had some decent CD players in the past, the speakers might be bookshelf speakers but they're superb and easily as good as Harbeths IMO and the amp is decent too I think.

twotone
19-12-2018, 17:44
Well guys, I've replaced the 'printer' USB cable with an inexpensive 'Fishal' Usb cable and the difference in sound quality is remarkable.

Tony

mikmas
19-12-2018, 18:23
Well guys, I've replaced the 'printer' USB cable with an inexpensive 'Fishal' Usb cable and the difference in sound quality is remarkable.

Tony

Yep - had a similar experience when I swapped out a 'freebie' USB cable for an Atlas version between my Mac and DAC. Was initially very sceptical but am now convinced that although digits are digits, the construction and materials of the cable that carries them can (and does) make a difference.

Incidentally, I also have a fair few Fisual cables and find them spot on - extremely high VfM ;)

twotone
19-12-2018, 19:30
Yep - had a similar experience when I swapped out a 'freebie' USB cable for an Atlas version between my Mac and DAC. Was initially very sceptical but am now convinced that although digits are digits, the construction and materials of the cable that carries them can (and does) make a difference.

Incidentally, I also have a fair few Fisual cables and find them spot on - extremely high VfM ;)

Hi Mike, thanks, I think the cable thing in general is complete bollox but clearly the change of cable in this instance made an amazing difference and I'm stunned to be honest.

The Fishual cable cost me £7 delivered:cool:

This is like listening to a different media player, amazing sound quality.

Innous I apologise for doubting you:eek:

struth
19-12-2018, 19:48
if its bollocks just put the old one back in:ner:

twotone
19-12-2018, 20:01
if its bollocks just put the old one back in:ner:

Indeed mate, any suggestions for an even better cable than the cheap Fishual one?

Honestly I'm sitting here gobsmacked.

struth
19-12-2018, 20:24
used fisual cables myself and they are pretty good. probably as good as you need imo. after that it gets expensive for small changes.

twotone
31-12-2018, 15:50
Hi guys, a Happy Christmas to you all and a good New Year when it comes:cool:

I've been playing about a lot with the Zen mk1 this past week or so and overall I'm pretty pleased with it.

I've ripped all of my CDs and in the main the player sounds pretty good in my set up via the Caiman Seg and the LMS is pretty easy to use too and it's easy to set up playlists and compilations and the like. I've also being using Ipeng and Ipeng playback on my iPhone X-R and that works fine but one of the issues that's bugging me a bit is that if I don't use the LMS/Innuous webpage for a day or so then I have to re-boot the Zen mk1 to get it to play otherwise I can't get it to play music however I can use the Ipeng playback on my iPhone to stream music from the Xen>Iphone>Bose wireless speakers but then the playback thing also hangs and I have to go through a re-boot on the Media player to get things back to normal.

It's not a huge big deal but it is a bit annoying and I also do get some dropouts when I'm using my iPhone to stream music from the Zen to the Bose speaker even after a re-boot of the music server.

I also find that the My Innous: Zen music Server doesn't actually let me play music, except in the quarantine area where I can hear individual tracks, but I can't play music from the Music Library or at least I can't see a way to play music in there however the LMS lets me do everything but it does seem a bit of a faff to have two web pages open at the same time and only be able to really use one effectively.

I think I'm on the latest version of the Zen Music server web page ie for Zen Mk3 and Zen Mini Mk3 players.

Edit: I've just updated the My Innous: Zen Music Server to version 1.4.1 from 1.3. something so I'll see if that improves anything.

wee tee cee
02-01-2019, 10:35
I use a Lavri reference usb with my zen....its very good IMHO.

Purchased one of theyre two headed cables-separates the signal and power lines-another incremental improvement.

What length of usb do you require?

twotone
02-01-2019, 16:13
I use a Lavri reference usb with my zen....its very good IMHO.

Purchased one of theyre two headed cables-separates the signal and power lines-another incremental improvement.

What length of usb do you require?

Hi Tony, I bought a cheap Fishual USB cable last week which seems to be very good to my ears, it's a 0.9mt length I think.

The Zen is starting to take over from my Denon DNP-720AE streamer which I think is a very decent sounding streamer but the Zen is much more versatile, the only thing the Denon does that the Zen doesn't is FM radio but in all honesty I can get most 'FM' internet radio stations with the Zen so as a consequence the Zen is slowly edging out the Denon.

I've not even tried subscription music services yet either however I am having to re-start the Zen every day before I can use it although it's not a big deal I would prefer it to be a bit more stable but once it's been reset it works fine all day.

struth
02-01-2019, 16:20
Might be a change of ip address causing it

twotone
02-01-2019, 17:24
Might be a change of ip address causing it

How would I know Grant?

struth
02-01-2019, 18:38
How would I know Grant?

if you use fing on a mobile, it will tell you the ip's of all your equipment running. if when you have to reboot to get it to work then check fing and see if its ip is either changing or that it is not sharing an ip address.

twotone
02-01-2019, 18:41
if you use fing on a mobile, it will tell you the ip's of all your equipment running. if when you have to reboot to get it to work then check fing and see if its ip is either changing or that it is not sharing an ip address.

I can see the router's webpage on my MacBook pro Grant, I'll check that out. Thanks

Just checked the Zen IP address is still the same as the webpage of the My Zen music server.

struth
02-01-2019, 18:47
I can see the router's webpage on my MacBook pro Grant, I'll check that out. Thanks

Just checked the Zen IP address is still the same as the webpage of the My Zen music server.

was just thought Tony. Ive had that before with things on wifi. router just changes ips on you. had conflicted ips too where 2 items are down on same ip. fing is a great free resource for finding whats going on.

twotone
02-01-2019, 21:01
was just thought Tony. Ive had that before with things on wifi. router just changes ips on you. had conflicted ips too where 2 items are down on same ip. fing is a great free resource for finding whats going on.

Thanks Grant, I'll try fing out, cheers.

Mand
03-01-2019, 19:10
Happy new year all, I’m also a Zen mk1 user.
Normally I use a network switch to send flac to moon mind 180 then digital coaxial to my dac.
Sold the mind 180, so currently have zen to dac via usb. To me the sound if not as good as it was before.
I think the zen mk1 doesn’t have usb galvanic isolation like newer versions, so maybe this is why it doesn’t sound as good as you thought it would.
Maybe worth trying a usb reclocker, or isolator thingy to improve sound via usb.
I’ve no experience of these things just what I’ve read.

wee tee cee
04-01-2019, 15:39
You could try a high quality usb like the lavri reference.

I use the two headed one which seperates the power from signal utilising two usb ports on the zen.

takes a good 150 hrs to burn in but worth it IMHO.

twotone
06-01-2019, 16:39
Thanks guys, it does seem to be a wee bit more stable lately.