iFi ZEN DAC | Desktop DAC and Amp
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Our Take
The iFi Zen DAC is a powerful, versatile desktop DAC with a small footprint. In addition to it's smooth DAC it features a capable amp that can power a good range of IEMs and over-ear headphones. Team it up with the iFi Zen CAN for the incredible entry level audiophile power and versatility. You can read more about the Zen DAC in our Zen CAN Review. |
From iFi Audio
This superb hi-res USB DAC/headphone amp delivers a level of specification and performance that punches above its super-affordable price tag. Compact enough to use as a USB DAC/amp on your work desk with your much-loved headphones. Stylish enough to use in your home system as a USB DAC. Just add your favorite active speakers or amp.
The ZEN DAC supports PCM and DXD to 24-bit/384kHZ, DSD256 and MQA. DSD remains ‘bit-perfect’ thanks to the True Native Burr Brown chip design. Our R&D maxes out the circuitry with bespoke, easy to install firmware to bring you the joyous musicality of hi-res. The ethereal music quality will leave you grinning ear to ear.
We’ve used a balanced design for the analogue stage – rare and not found at this price point. This makes it pretty special for the best sound quality. With super-low noise performance, it will remain quiet even in noisy situations such as yachts or RVs. The ZEN DAC sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs at both the front and back. On the front, there’s also the popular 6.3mm headphone socket. You get both headphone options.
Switch effortlessly between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’. Set to ‘Variable,’ use the ZEN DAC as a pre-amp to feed a power amp or active speakers. On ‘Fixed’ to bypass the volume control. Connect to an external pre-amp or integrated amp.
Our headphone amp has PowerMatch – switchable gain to perfectly match your headphones. IEMs are high-sensitivity, Leave PowerMatch at its lower setting for hiss-free listening. On/over-ear types with relatively low impedance require more oomph – press PowerMatch to increase the level of drive.
The ZEN DAC boasts TrueBass. This proprietary tech is a switchable ‘bass boost’ operating in the analogue domain. There’s no DSP with iFi gear. TrueBass enhances the bass but does not muddy the mid-range. Perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones which often lose out on bass. So, in the words of the great Eric Clapton and from the film Back to the Future, Heaven is One Step Away. Go find your ZEN.
Specs
| Input | USB3.0 B Socket (USB2.0 compatible) |
| Formats | 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/384kHz PCM 2.8/3.1/5.6/6.2/11.2/12.4MHz DSD 353/384KHz DXD |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
Line Section |
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| Output | Audio RCA (UnBAL) — 2.1V fixed 1V / 3.3V max. (variable) 4.4mm Pentaconn (BAL) — 4.2V fixed 2V / 6.2V max. (variable) |
| Zout | <= 100 Ohm (UnBAL) <= 200 Ohm (BAL) |
| SNR | < -116dB(A) @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL) |
| DNR | > 116dB(A) @ -60dBFS (UnBAL/BAL) |
| THD+N | < 0.0015% @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL) |
Headphone Section |
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| Output | 6.3mm (UnBAL) — 1V / 3.3V max. 12 Ohm - 300 Ohm Headphone 4.4mm Pentaconn (BAL) — 2V / 6.2V max. 12 Ohm - 600 Ohm Headphone |
| Output Power | UnBAL > 280mW @ 32R, > 36mW @ 300R BAL > 380mW @ 50R, > 70mW @ 600R |
| Output Impedance | < 1 Ω (UnBAL/BAL) |
| THD & N | < 0.005% (125mW @ 32R) |
| SNR | > 113dBA (3.3V UnBAL / 6.2V BAL) |
| Power consumption | < 1.5W |
| Dimensions | 117(l) x 100(w) x 30(h)mm |
| Weight | 491g (1.08 lbs) |
| Warranty period | 12 months |