iFi ZEN Blue v3 | Bluetooth DAC + Lossless Transmitter / Receiver

Experience Limitless + Lossless Bluetooth Transmission with iFi's ZEN Blue Version 3

• (x3) Operational modes for versatile deployment
• Flagship Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.4 QCC5181 chipset
• Switchable low-latency mode
• Balanced 4.4mm output
• Discrete ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC chipset with jitter eliminator, discrete oscillator and 112dB dynamic range
• Rx or Tx CD quality lossless Bluetooth via aptX Lossless and Hi-Res 96kHz via LDAC
• Stream CD-quality music from mobile phone to your Hi-Fi system or enjoy high-quality audio with Hi-Res Bluetooth headphones

Audiophile Sound. Wireless Freedom

The wired world is changing. Where once cables were king, Bluetooth audio is now carving out a place for itself, and with the advent of Lossless Bluetooth audio, the gap between wired and wireless audiophile options is narrower than ever.

IFi's ZEN Blue 3 brings these two worlds together in spectacular fashion, building on the resounding success of their existing ZEN Blue lineup. Where aptX Lossless was their ‘small step,' iFi's ‘giant leap’ came with the addition of USB DAC capability and Bluetooth transmission. With USB, optical and even analog inputs available, there have never been more ways to connect to the music you love, while enjoying the freedom of wireless Hi-Res audio.

Cut the Cord. Keep the Quality

The ZEN Blue 3 offers wireless audio free of compromise courtesy of Qualcomm’s Flagship QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip and the aptX Lossless codec. Offering a maximum bitrate of 1200kbps, aptX Lossless is the first and only Bluetooth codec currently capable of wirelessly sending and receiving CD-quality audio without losing data during compression.

Not ready to join the Lossless party just yet? No worries! The ZEN Blue 3’s extensive backwards compatibility ensures that all current major Bluetooth codecs are supported: aptX Lossless, LDAC™, LHDC/HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC and SBC.

Forging New Connections

In this increasingly wireless world, high res BT and TWS headphones and earbuds are essential for audio enthusiasts. However, the need for Bluetooth can often make them incompatible with your home audio setup.

The ZEN Blue 3 tears down this wall with Bluetooth transmission in all supported codecs. Connect your ZEN Blue 3 to audio sources such as laptops, mobile phones or TVs, via USB-C, SPDIF or even analog RCA, and introduce your favorite Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to the rest of your audio world. Enjoy late-night vinyl sessions and Netflix binge-watching without disturbing the family and with audio bliss!

Versatility Breeds Possibility

Leveraging the Qualcomm QCC518x chipset paired with a dedicated ESS Sabre DAC and Hi-Fi circuitry, the ZEN Blue 3 outperforms most BT transmitters and receivers and can function as a fully wired DAC with 96kHz/24Bit audio via USB-C, or 192kHz/24Bit audio via SPDIF.

Let That Sync In

Whether you’re getting lost in a great movie or immersing yourself in your favorite video game, few things take you out of the moment quite like audio delay, a notorious problem with other Bluetooth products. But for the ZEN Blue 3, this is another place to excel: when using the Low Latency mode feature with a device's receiver that supports aptX Low Latency, the time taken to send and receive audio is drastically reduced.

When your eyes see it, your ears hear it... putting you right back in the moment where you belong.

Balance in All Things

By including a balanced line output, users with a balanced audio setup can look forward to significantly reduced signal noise and crosstalk between channels, bringing all the clarity with none of the audio clutter. Performance can be further enhanced with the optional SilentPower iPower2 power supply, featuring proprietary Active Noise Cancellation II technology.

Specifications

• Chipsets
  • Bluetooth: Qualcomm QCC518x Series
  • DSP: CT5302
  • DAC: ESS Sabre ES9023
  • Amp: MAX97220
• Inputs
  • RX Mode: Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC)
  • TX & DAC Mode: USB, Optical, Coaxial, RCA L/R (Analog)
    
• Outputs
  • TX Mode: Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC)
  • RX & DAC Mode: Optical, Coaxial, RCA L/R, 4.4mm Balanced
• Max Sample Rate: 96kHz/24Bit (RX + TX + DAC USB Mode) | 192kHz/24Bit (Optical/Coaxial)
• Output Voltage: 4.1Vrms (0dBFS@1kHz), BAL 4.4mm | 2.05Vrms (0dBFS@1kHz), RCA
• Output Impedance: ≤102Ω, BAL 4.4mm | ≤51Ω, RCA
• SNR: 109dB
• DNR: 109dB (0dBFS @ 1kHz) +A
• THD+N: < 0.005% (10K Load) @ (20-20kHz)
• Power Supply: USB-C, DC 5V/≥0.5A (centre +ve)
• Power Consumption: <1W
• Dimensions: 6.2" x 4.5" x 1.4"
• Net Weight: 1 lb
• iFi 1 Year Limited Warranty

In the Box

• ZEN Blue v3
• USB-A to USB-C Cable 4'
• USB Power Adapter (5V)
• Quick Start Card + Instruction Card