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iFi Zen Stream (No USB output in Roon exclusive mode)

I recently purchased an iFi Zen Steam. The Zen Stream is connected via Audioquest Diamond USB to a Chord Cutest DAC. I was able to set the output to USB (Chord Cutest), but as soon as I turn on the Roon Exclusive mode it automatically switches to the default SPDIF. The GUI can not be accessed while in exclusive mode so I can change to usb output or used the Roon exclusive mode that is suppose to enhance sounds quality. What am I doing wrong? I also tried to change the output in Roon to USB, but it won’t let me. Thank you in advance for any help! Thank you! 
 

Roon Core is a MacBook Pro with Tidal & Qobuz

Ethernet to switch then splits to MacBook Pro & Zen Stream

rick_hilton

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,647 posts
 

@tksteingraber  Unfortunately Roon does not support the Pi 4 except as a stream end point. You'll notice there is no Core for Arm64

I use an ifi Power X for the Pi but can't say it's made a huge difference.

erik_squires
15,647 posts
 

@tksteingraber Too much for here and too much for me to type, but I’ll explain a little.

  • Memory: 2 GB should be sufficient but Roon recommends 4 GB for Linux
  • The cooling fans vary a lot, but you can get cases which are fanless which perform well. The end point doesn’t stress the CPU at all so it stays pretty chill anyway.
  • You flash Ubuntu server on a microSD card. 16 GB is plenty. Look online for those instructions. Stick the card into you Pi and go through the initial installation process.  Then install bzip. Then add the requirements and follow the Easy Installer instructions from Roon.

Make sure you use Ubuntu for Arm64 and get the Roon for Arm64 as well. Intel/AMD binaries won’t work here.

Fanless cases:

https://amzn.to/3ZBeVDe

erik_squires
15,647 posts
 

Just FYI, my Pi 4 works great as a USB Roon endpoint with Ubuntu.

Recently upgraded to iFi X 5V supply.

Install Ubuntu core and the Bzlib and then follow directions for automatic setup of Roon. 20 minutes.

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