iFi ZEN Stream

[Confused]

Hi Confused,
I also have the 1000 pro, the Zen sounds much better compared to the Ci board. Both using the same Ethernet connection via OCXO switch and optical.
A friend with a 440 pro is of the same opinion. I had 2 stacked Mutec MC3 USB with the REF 10 which was not really better as the CI board for my taste.
Maybe I did something wrong with the Mutecs, wrong clock cable, who knows. But the Zen alone gives the best SQ so far...

So that is with the Zen to Devialet direct via USB, which is not something I have ever tried. (I only tried S/PDIF direct to the Devialet)

Maybe I should try this. If my ears say Zen USB better, or as good, as the Mutec / REF10, then I have a system simplification opportunity!

Regarding the REF10. I have seen lots of measurements for the REF10, but never any measurements that show the actual improvement for the device that it is connected to.

So it is a fabulously accurate 10MHz clock, but by how much does this actually improve the MC3+USB? Not even Mutec offer such measurements, which is a little strange as one device is specifically sold to be used with the other.