Turn your existing Hifi Into a Hi-Res Music Streamer? - iFi Zen Blue Ldac Bluetooth Receiver Review

As many of you know I have never been a fan of Bluetooth although I always liked it simplicity and integration with so many devices the low audio bit rate, but with newer codec like Aptx-HD and Ldac i am finally ready to use Bluetooth. Today I will be unboxing, reviewing and sound testing the ifI Zen blue which is currently the only Hi-res Ldac Bluetooth receiver featuring a Sabre DAC. This £120 Receiver is perfect for adding High Resolution audio to an aging amplifier or powered speakers and although it has some flaws I can fully recommend it.
Purchase the iFi Zen Blue Here:
US- amzn.to/3cfctt7
UK- amzn.to/2yZkqo3
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[@darrellross8609]

You are over thinking it. Mine is on all the time, ready to play every time. This unit is untouchable, perfect sound.

[@scottbennett3119]

Agree. The sound is very close to WiFi. I use Zen Blue most of the time. It's that good!

[@damayor62]

Excellent review! I bought my Zen Blue 6 months ago and love it. I hooked it up to my vintage Adcom GTP-400 running into an Adcom GFA-5200 pushing a pair of 1st gen Paradigm Studio 20's and the system sounds incredible. I can use both my old iPhone 3 and my current iPhone 8. If you have an old/vintage 2 ch. system the iFi Zen Blue is the way to go.

[@scottbennett3119]

This is the best sounding Bluetooth receiver I have heard when using wirh an outboard DAC. I feel aptx is actually better sounding than LDAC. I heard processing artifacts with LDAC (might be my phone's fault, though) Amazing sound! I use it most of the time.

[@jonpatrick66]

Thank you for this video. It helped me a lot. And I enjoyed the music you played as well. Thanks again from Michigan 🙂

[@ivanteo1973]

i have this. is coaxial or optical connection better on this for apple lossless music? or it doesn't matter because they are digital?

[@oscarmarfori613]

How does it sound if connected to AAC codec?

[@steven2809]

It’s a nice device and LDAC is the ‘best’ Bluetooth codec at 990 Kbps (max) but no way is it Hi-res……it’s not even CD quality which is 1411 Kbps!

[@patrickhermon1052]

Always struggle between finding optimum volume on device and amp to keep muffling out. Any tips?

[@cyberbarbaro]

Hello. Can i use the switch on the back to connect the blue with an old amp with RCA cable and at same time to connect to a headphone amp via coaxial?

[@thefullsetup]

Yes

[@MarkBurghouwt]

TheFullSetup I have Inno3D single fan gtx 1650 super. My power limit cant go above 100%, my memory is unstable above +1300, and my core clock is stable at +210. How do i make my power limit go above 100%, I use 6-pin cable...

[@TheRicardo28]

It's possible to use this dac with a bluetooth speaker like JBL Extreme 2 via 3.5 mm that exists in the back of the speaker with the correct cable for better sound quality? From Portugal. Best regards.

[@mxjoaoo]

honestly, i dont know if a speaker like JBL Extreme 2 would reveal any audio quality gains from a quality DAC, but yes, theoretically you should get better audio quality with zen blue as source

[@nenadmilanaminic]

Thank You.

[@franchisefred4066]

It’s amazing how im using a cheap $15 eBay bt 5.0 reciever and the quality is just the same 😂

[@cyberbarbaro]

is a LDAC receiver ? It has also an integrated DAC ?

[@artfuldodger5707]

yeah.... right 😂

[@kickamatus]

update has on and off double click

[@thefullsetup]

Nice thanks for sharing the info

[@kickamatus]

@@thefullsetup its work very well , but to be able to use double click on/off your device need to be connect , 2nd good news if you disconnect , blue will search for5min to connect and after 5min tehre is no LED light blink

[@jakubkubicki8284]

@@thefullsetup do you have a double click on and off in your zen blue ? im asking because in my double click do nothig i still didnt now how to turn off

[@toddhofer5491]

question to anyone out there that has the ifi zen blue.. would I be able to connect to a vintage Yamaha stereo via RCA jacks and transmit to a wireless blue tooth speaker such as a JBL Charge 4?

[@NateEll]

The Zen Blue is strictly a Bluetooth receiver- it doesn’t transmit anything wirelessly

[@dennisduran8500]

Made in China is a deal breaker. Unless it's discounted