iFi Zen Air Blue - High Resolution Bluetooth Streamer - Update Your System with high res Audio Streaming

I shouldn't have had to buy this product. I owned it's big brother, the iFi Zen Blue V2, which is a couple of years older and also supports balanced output. But then I was an idiot when re-installing an integrated amp, and plugged the wrong power supply in the the V2, causing smoke signals and eau du plastique. Since I wasn't using balanced in this application, I was pleased to see this new Zen Air Blue at half the price.While waiting for delivery, I brought in a FIIO K9 PRO ESS I had because well, it can also Bluetooth. Hey, I guess I should explain that in my office (a real professional office, not at home) I decided I wanted sound, and I stream high-resolution from an iPad to an amplifier to speakers. Not cheap stuff, but good enough for critical listening. The weakest link in the system is the Bluetooth link over BT 5.1 for about 8 feet.Both the older V2 and the FIIO use external BT antennae and the Zen Air Blue does not. Everything is internal. Nevertheless, I'm getting BETTER connectivity with the new Zen Air Blue. This is exceptional.The Zen Air Blue is a very light box, and comes with a short USB-A adapter cable for power. I guess they expect you to use a spare 5V power supply. I had the 5V from the older unit so I just used that. Build quality of the unit is well - light plastic, but it doesn't need anything more than that. Two RCA outlets on the back, they work fine. Easy to hook up.Pairing was quick and easy. I can stream high res Qobuz or Apple music with no issues. The sound has no artifacts, and is very neutral. It seems to be every bit as good as the older by almost 2 years V2 if you are in single-ended use. I thought the FIIO was a bit warmer and smoother, but then the FIIO is an $800 buck desktop DAC/AMP which also happens to be able to stream Bluetooth. I use the FIIO to power headphones, not generally as a line-out unit dedicated to streaming.Yes, the Zen Air Blue provides streaming and LINE OUT, designed for volume control by other devices or applications. I run it into an AUX line in on my integrated amp. It does not need or want a volume control. In my use case, I set a volume I do not wish to exceed on the amp, but use the iPad to control volume all of the time.If this is the item you need, then it serves it's purpose very well. If you aren't sure you need to spend more money, then you don't need to.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I am able to stream from my phone and hi-res portable audio player to my main audio system using LDAC. FLAC files and 320kbps internet radio sounds excellent. Pairing is easy, and I have experienced no drop-outs. The upstairs area of our house where this is located is <1000 sq ft., and I have had no issues maintaining connection anywhere on the floor. At first I was worried that the Bluetooth pairing light would keep blinking nonstop after I disconnected, but the unit goes to sleep and the blinking stops after 5 minutes. The lack of a power block and adequate connections is annoying, as almost everyone has noted. Fortunately I had spare RCA cables laying around, as well as an old 5V block from a previous cell phone. The USB power cord is ridiculously short. For the record and since I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned anywhere, the supplied power cord is 65.5 cm., or a little under 26 in. I used it for a temporary connection while I waited for Amazon to deliver an inexpensive 4-ft. cord that allowed for more flexible placement. Highly recommended product. I do see that Amazon seems to be selling all of these from third-party Amazon Marketplace vendors. That may or may not affect your service. I ordered a unit from one vendor and it never arrived. Second time around with a different vendor, it arrived in 2 days. Track your shipping.

Could not possibly be happier with this purchase. The correct implementation of the LDAC codec produces superb sound quality through my vintage Denon receiver and old-school Polk speakers (from the 90s, back when they were truly a superb value) - really, astoundingly good high-resolution audio. CD-quality thanks to what seems to be true 990 kbps LDAC (the level you always hope for, but do not get with lesser streamers).If you are shopping for a basic streamer, you have discovered the best kept secret out there: the sound quality from this unit is the same as their (excellent) units costing 3x as much. The only thing it lacks is an external antenna and a metal shell, neither of which are an issue in my application (living room).If you are shopping for a high-resolution streamer, you have just found gold: this unit is an astounding value and does exactly what I wanted it to do: get high-quality LDAC output from my phone to my stereo, easily, and at an astonishingly good price. Setup is a snap.Cons: shell is plastic, not metal, if that matters to you (I don't care, as it is hidden away in a cabinet), but it still looks great. The included USB power cable is ridiculously short - you will need an extension or something VERY nearby to plug it into (within a foot or so). Lack of an external antenna may mean range is limited. I use it in my living room, and have encountered no issues at all up to about 25' away, which is as far as I am likely to go. Also, be warned - the internal voice which announces changes in connectivity (disconnected/connected/codec change) over your speakers is ridiculously loud. Even with the volume low, it is very, very loud.Highly recommended. A superb value, and a very high quality unit. Thrilled, tbh.

This was easy to install and works as promised. My older equipment is now capable of streaming. The supplied cable is too short and requires a usb connection. This would be 5 stars if not for the supplied cable. I bought the iFi 5v Silentpower ipower2 cable for an additional $70 to use with it.Update-after 15 months of ownership, this unit has failed. My devices show Bluetooth has linked, but no sound comes through my system. I have tried other inputs on my integrated amp, different cables, resetting the Bluetooth link and tried hooking it up through another system. Nothing works. The units outputs bo longer seem to work. Very disappointing end to a promising product. Not sure I will try another of their products now