A power supply is included as standard with the ZEN Blue (which has no USB input) but not with the ZEN DAC, enabling iFi to keep the base price at £129. Hence, instead of drawing power from my laptop, I was drawing power from the mains. The front panel of the novelty is extremely laconic – only the encoder of the switchable volume control was left on it. It is asynchronous, meaning that the data rate is regulated solely by the ZEN DAC’s audio clock circuitry. So, I turned it off. There’s also a bass boost option called TrueBass. The vocals tended to peep around the sides of the bass. Perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones which often lose out on bass. Blimey, there was serious bass here. And it wasn't just a little bit, it was quite a difference. All product manuals are available by navigating the the appropriate product page and scrolling down to the Support section where you will find them under the Documents tab: & If that is the case, would you recommend the zen DAC over the topping e30?? The iFi Audio Zen CAN and iFi Audio Zen DAC is one of our favourite headphone amplifier and DAC combos for the audiophile on a budget. Translating this sonic mess into something rather more civilised is a job. The ZEN DAC’s USB Type B input supports the USB 3.0 standard as well as USB 2.0. With an RRP of just £149 (€129, $149), it sports many features usually reserved for high-end headphone amps at many times the price. And if anyone was labouring under the delusion that these were devices designed to tackle non-existent problems – you know, the old 'digits is digits' thing – the company has since expanded into making everything from complete systems to some of the most cost-effective DACs and headphone amps around. Sidney Greenstreet transformed into Twiggy before my very ears. Bass after a course at Weight Watchers, then. The Zen DAC is no exception, a gorgeous curvy number with balanced headphone and line output. Designed for home use – on a desk or in the living room – the ZEN DAC connects to PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones via USB. The 4.4mm output to the rear enables connection to amps and active speakers equipped with a balanced input – either a Pentaconn 4.4mm input or XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable. The iFi Zen CAN is an impressive headphone DAC with a built-in amp that will be enough for easy-to-drive headphones. In addition to the integrated DAC, it also offers a headphone amplifier, which may well offer fine performance data, but is nevertheless clearly inferior to the new ZEN CAN by iFi Audio. This proprietary tech is a switchable ‘bass boost’ operating in the analogue domain. Clock-locking is used throughout the digital stage to reduce jitter and parts include a custom iFi op-amp, TDK C0G class 1 ceramic capacitors and a low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments. This is a quality piece of kit but, hey, what more would you expect from iFi? If so, was there any noticeable sound difference? Find out more! With an RRP of just US$149 (€165), the ZEN CAN offers features usually reserved for high-end headphone amps at … Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The iFi Audio Zen DAC is an entry-level desktop integrated DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with MQA support. Here, bass was Sidney Greenstreet. Some of the filters originally used in the company's Pro iDSD [HFN Sep '18] can be downloaded as part of firmware 5.3C, and it's also possible to load v5.2 'Limoncello', which removes MQA capability, but makes it possible for the ZEN DAC to handle DSD512. Now it approaches the clarity, breath and stage image of my main system, apart from some slight limitations is the extremest bass, due to the size of the room and the frequency response of the speakers. I played the file through my MacBook, via Audirvana Plus and used the HD800 headphones through the 6.35mm socket for this test. Plugged into your USB output this should provide the best sound from your laptop or tablet. Power Matters It's actually a DAC/headphone amp combo with an USB input and several outputs: single-ended line out, balanced line out, single-ended headphone out and balanced headphone out. The ZEN DAC’s analogue stage is a balanced design – highly unusual in a DAC/headphone amp anywhere near this price point. Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs are fitted, both front and back. Launched in 2020, iFi’s ZEN CAN extended the ZEN Series with an all-analogue headphone amplifier housed in the same compact aluminium chassis. The Zen DAC, a desktop USB DAC/headphone amp, can be powered by USB or mains. You could use a simple plug-top PSU (such as that provided with the ZEN Blue DAC), with such devices available online for around £10 or so, but iFi Audio also offers two upgrade power supplies, the iPower and iPower X, at £49 and £99 respectively. Hi Colin – I would recommend separating the Blue and Zen DAC instead of running them through each other. Designed & Developed by SoloPine.com, By using this website you agree to accept our Privacy Policy In the meantime, I can confirm that if someone were to ask for a recommendation, I would (amongst others) suggest the Ifi Zen Dac. They will not cost you your left kidney and will offer you incredible value and transparency. The iFi Zen DAC and Zen CAN - a DAC and headphone amplifier respectively - have been released worldwide in a Signature version. St Thomas, played at 24bit/96kHz provided enough space around the soundstage for the complex percussion sequences to be heard in toto while the upright bass acted as a firm foundation to the track overall. This is the perfect combo for any looking for a desktop amp / DAC combo and has the ability to power most headphones. An MQA DAC and headphone amplifier that will talk to a Mac, a PC and a smartphone* for a hundred quid (ish)? SGD $189. and Terms & Conditions The USB connection also carries 5V power for the ZEN DAC but there's a separate DC input on the back of the unit should you wish to upgrade with an aftermarket 5V/500mA supply. So even that will help. Even when it comes with a reasonable price like this iFi Audio Zen DAC. Vocals were distinct, though. Actually, make that triple functions as, due to its variable-level analogue outputs, it could even be used straight into a power amp or a pair of active loudspeakers, hilarious though the combination of this tiny unit and a hulking great power amp might seem. Also on the front panel are the headphone outputs comprising a standard 6.35mm unbalanced connection or a 4.4mm 'Pentaconn' type for balanced headphones. The unit has support for most major hi-fi audio formats as well as balanced connections, which is rare for entry-level audio products. Big, big guy. Now, iFi expands the product range with the ZEN CAN – an all-analog headphone amplifier in the same compact aluminum chassis and offering the same exceptional value-for-money. Disclaimer: The iFi Audio Zen DAC sent to us for the purposes of this review is a sample and does not have to be returned. Right next to the button called True Bass. High energy and bass-heavy soul pop, any DAC tackling this lot has to get its backside into gear pretty pronto. Low cost and small in stature, there’s others on the way too: expect to see an analogue headphone amp and a phono stage. Bass was fattened here, strengthened and pushed towards the ear a tad, adding to the overall tonal balance. I have switched my current digital preamplifier for a ifi zen dac, that simultaneously plays the role of preamplifier for my stereo office system (Apple laptop linked to the ifi via USB and then a rotel 1506 [6 channels], 2 Revox Shelf 02 (front), 2 Revox magic cube (rear) and 1 Revox sub passive 01) and headphone amplifier for the evening work session. We've come a long way since iFi Audio was started as an offshoot of high-end brand Abbingdon Music Research, building its initial reputation with its 'Purifier' products, designed to clean up digital signals. Power-wise you can drive almost every headphone with the ZEN CAN as I shared the figures on the first page already. The New iFi Zen DAC and Zen Blue: A Killer One (and Super Affordable) – Two Punch! How, I have to ask, does iFi do it? See above then. For such a modestly-priced device, the ZEN CAN offers plenty of set-up flexibility. You switch that to a low setting for in-ear monitors while on/over-ear designs will need PowerMatch to provide a higher gain. iFi is most likely the first name to come up when pondering on a go-to amp/DAC. iFi has always been strong on value but has also recently hit a sweet spot in the style stakes too. iFi Audio ZEN DAC USB DAC/Headphone Amp Review: Andrew Everard , Lab: Paul Miller | Aug 24, 2020 With its eye-catching looks, flexibility, solid engineering within and a remarkably grown-up sound, this entry-level DAC from iFi Audio is a conspicuous hi-fi bargain The ZEN DAC boasts TrueBass. The DSD experience was smooth, the music flowed very easily indeed. Compact, desktop DAC with a built-in headphone amplifier is very popular today. The DAC itself is based around a Burr-Brown DAC chip plus custom circuitry, that handles PCM, native DSD and MQA. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Headquartered in Stockport, Merseyside, and using a number of outside consultants as well as its own team to design and engineer its products in the UK, these days iFi Audio has expanded its catalogue, which now runs to some 30 components. A powerful desktop DAC with a headphone amplifier is always a pleasure to see in our test lab such as this iFi Audio ZEN DAC in the review. Rear-panel inputs are unbalanced on RCA and 3.5mm sockets, plus … The was even an organic flavour to the drum machines, which was unexpected. And that sound response? Firmware Options Vertex AQ Aletheia DAC-1: Looking For a Quiet Life? The hardware handles up to 32bit/384kHz, alongside DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz (DSD64, 128 and 256). However, the ZEN CAN isn’t a hybrid of any kind. The Grandstand at Ascot Welcomes The UK Hi-Fi Show. Dear Paul, I fully agree with your review. Not the AudioQuest DragonFly Black but the forthcoming ZEN DAC from iFi that eschews the dongle in favour of a quarter-width aluminium chassis more becoming of a desktop rig.. Designed with substantial input from industry designer John Curl, who joined the company as a technical consultant last year, it employs Burr-Brown/TI's DSD1793 'True Native' DAC, downstream of a customised XMOS USB input, enabling it to handle LPCM at up to 384kHz/24-bit, as well as DSD256/11.2MHz 'quad DSD' in native form, and also MQA-encoded data. Because you can add the character of your headphones on top of that flat and neutral signature. There is an awful lot of features packed into this small chassis, a lot of quality (all that balanced gubbins), the Pentacon socket (I know plenty of expensive DACs that don’t offer that), the useful pre-amp option and analogue gain control. The iFi Zen DAC is an excellent DAC and amp for the price. I began with a bright, hard-edged CD rip from The Sugababes called Blue. With the iPower in place the tonal balance improved by a magnitude, actually. iFi Audio has been in the business of creating some of the best products available in personal audio. I finished the test by connecting the Zen to my power Kanto YU4 stand-mounted speakers and put the Zen into Variable mode, so the Zen could control the volume. It depends on your proposed use. Actually, the ZEN DAC can be tailored to your playback priorities. The NEO iDSD is iFi’s latest DAC/Amp Combo, and as usual, they have come up with a well-built, well-designed piece of gear. The front-mounted 4.4mm output sits alongside a standard, single-ended 6.3mm headphone socket. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! An included XMOS chip processes audio data received at the USB input and is programmed in-house. ], Harmonic Resolution Systems Noise Reduction Components. The most recent arrivals are the tiny pocket-sized hip-dac (£149), designed for music on the move, and the very affordable ZEN models, including the £129 ZEN DAC that we have here. For a partnering DAC, and to maintain the affordable ethos, iFi Audio naturally suggests its ZEN DAC or ZEN Blue. They're clad in high-quality aluminium casework that not only looks good but feels remarkably substantial for products so compact. The headphone amp stage has switchable gain, called PowerMatch. Now, iFi has expanded the Zen range with the Zen Can – an all-analogue headphone amplifier in the same compact aluminium chassis and in the same, sub-£200 price category.. It was easy for the piano to be tracked throughout by the ear. Overall the ZEN CAN presents a detail-oriented and flat sound and this is the good thing about it for me. iFi’s new ZEN CAN Signature isn’t just a fantastic headphone amp, it also sports a unique feature called ActivEQ which, when engaged, tailors the amp’s performance to suit a specific… ZEN DAC wins ‘Best Value DAC’ EISA Award 2020-21 In practice the ZEN DAC's maximum (headphone) power output can only be guaranteed with an external PSU because computer USB hub reserves can vary quite widely. A power supply is included as standard with the ZEN Blue (which has no USB input) but not with the ZEN DAC, enabling iFi to keep the base price at £129. That push didn’t swamp any of the midrange detail, though. Most users are more likely to use the ZEN DAC's entirely conventional unbalanced RCA outputs that can be set to fixed or variable, the latter under the control of the front panel knob. The choice is yours. Recently they’ve released the ZEN CAN, a follow up to the popular ZEN DAC. I found that allowing the Zen to control the volume was preferred. iFi does make two additional power supplies that have been created to lower noise when compared to standard switch-mode ‘wall warts’ – the iPower and new, higher-spec iPower X. I tried the former in this review, priced at an extra £49, to see how that performed. The variable setting applies volume control to the audio signal, enabling the ZEN DAC to perform as a preamp feeding a power amp or powered speakers. And all at a low, low price. With this EQ turned off, bass retained its impact and strength, it didn’t lose its power. Remember one of the baddies in that one, played by Sidney Greenstreet? Let me preface this bit by saying that I noticed an improvement in sonics with a bog standard power supply. Accept. iFi Audio ZEN DAC Signature edition and ZEN CAN Signature 6XX edition. The company, based in Southport, England, says the Zen Can sports many features usually reserved for high-end headphone amps at many times the price. Who’d have thought? If you want my views on iFi’s True Bass? The sole input here is a USB 3.0 Type-B socket, of the 'double-decker' kind rather than the smaller USB 2.0 square design more common on USB DACs, and a suitable A-to-B cable is included. Eric Bibb’s Meet me at the Building at DSD128 was calm, collected, easy paced, accurate and offered enough focus to prevent the paced and complex soundstage. You could let the whole experience wash over you or, if you wished, pick out every detail within. They don’t reach the high finish quality that iFi provides either. The iFi Zen DAC is a $129 Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converter and headphone amplifier that is bound to get some interest for entry-level audiophiles and people looking for a small unit to use at work or to take with them on the go. Easily one of the best, affordable options on the market for a desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier. In what way? Buy NEW IFi Audio USB-DAC (USB Pre-Amplifier & Headphone Amplifier) iFI-Audio ZEN-DA from only $286.00 Ifi Audio Usb-Dac (Usb Pre-Amplifier & Headphone Amplifier) Ifi-Audio Zen-Dac DescriptionCompact Desktop Dac (Also Usb Preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier) Packed With All 'Ifi' Design; Designed For Use On Desktops And Living Rooms Connected Via Usb To A Pc Mac Or … This output also pushed the soundstage left and right, providing more space for the midrange detail to work within. Bass was lively, nimble and punchy while the upper frequencies benefited from the low noise around the soundstage, enhancing the accuracy from guitars and honing vocal deliveries. And then I looked again at the front fascia…and literally saw the light. It's also possible to download different firmware options from iFi Audio's website to optimise the DAC in various ways, and experiment with alternative digital filter settings. There’s no DSP with iFi gear. I plugged the Zen it into the mains to see if that affected noise too. Simaudio MOON 780D v2 Network Attached DAC, Lehmannaudio Linear USB II USB/DAC Headphone Amp, Balanced Audio Technologies REX 3 DAC USB Tube DAC, Novafidelity HA500H USB DAC/Headphone Amp, Mytek Brooklyn Bridge Network-Attached DAC, AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC/Headphone Amp, Klipsch Heritage Headphone Amplifier headphone amp/DAC, Matrix Audio Element X Network Attached DAC, Marantz SACD 30n/Model 30 SACD/Network Player/Amp, Franco Serblin Accordo Essence Loudspeaker, Denon DCD-A110/PMA-A110 SACD Player/Amplifier. Triple Surprise If you want to raise the bar still further, though? A bit like seeing someone’s head pop around the corner of the wall, you see more wall than human being. Of course, the glitz and glamor would be nothing without great sound and, let me assure you, the Zen offers great sound. The presentation was focused and precise yes but the bass was super dominant, front and centre. Instead, the DAC has lost the on-board headphone amplifier that was present in the original iFi ZEN DAC. At a small form factor and an equally small price, Paul Rigby reviews this dinky DAC/Headphone amp combo [To Buy, Check Links Below! Swopping the HD660 S cable to basic single-ended 6.35, the bass retreated, noise increased just a tad, very slightly but enough to prevent you upping the gain to search for those elusive upper midrange details. Almost too much. Bass never bloomed and masked this area. Designed for home use - on a desk, perhaps, or in the living room - the ZEN DAC connects to PCs and Macs, or smart devices such as tablets or phones, via USB. I returned to the balanced Pentaconn and added an the external iPower switch-mode power supply to the Zen. More of the lyrics could be understood too. You can even download and install different versions of iFi firmware to experiment with different digital filters. They can be switched between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’. The Zen DAC, a desktop USB DAC/headphone amp, can be powered by USB or mains. GOOD: build and finish, overall sound quality, features, portability, price, [Don’t forget to check out my new Patreon Page at www.patreon.com/audiophileman, for exclusive postings, giveaways and more! The guitar had a great overall presence now. So if you own a high-quality D/A converter, the new ZEN CAN by iFi Audio is just the right solution. Within, the ZEN DAC certainly belies its budget pricing, and not simply by virtue of that balanced topology. I will let you know what my thoughts are again when the Polaris is here. Bass was chagrined because it stepped back into line, became part of the mix and reduced its force to a more tonally balanced part of the soundstage. Seems that was set to On as a default for my unit. TrueBass enhances the bass but does not muddy the mid-range. The soundstage also allowed the secondary percussion to push forwards, adding complexity to the prevention as a whole. Which is always a good sign, methinks. It glows green for LPCM up to 96kHz, yellow for 176.4-384kHz, cyan for DSD64/128, blue for DSD256, and magenta to indicate MQA. I thought the new breed of Chinese hi-fi brands were the low cost specialists here but apparently not. The relief! Built for desktop use, both the ZEN DAC and its Bluetooth counterpart, the ZEN Blue [see boxout, p67] have a striking look unlike anything else in the company's range. I’m looking to upgrade my Bluetooth receiver to my hifi to make the most of streaming Amazon hd from my aptx hd smartphone. Rollins expansive sax work also didn’t swamp the playful yet restrained piano. Indeed, iFi Audio's preferred analogue output is the tiniest connection here, a little 2.5mm socket on the rear panel that can be broken out into a pair of balanced XLRs via a suitable (third party) adapter cable. iFi has made quite the name for themselves within the sphere of quality headphone amplifiers and DACs. Indeed, the ZEN DAC stands just 30mm tall. iFi’s audio products are aimed particularly at those with digital leanings; whether DACs, Bluetooth, wifi or headphone amps. Rather than relying on firmware supplied off-the-shelf, iFi’s continuous software development allows features to be added or optimised via firmware updates. The fixed option bypasses the volume control, fixing the output at 4.2V (balanced) or 2.1V (single-ended) for connection to an external preamp or integrated amp. Actually, after a while, I forgot I was reviewing this part of the set up and just listened to the music. It just needs the four tall, spindly legs. © 2015 - Solo Pine. Bass was also less aggressive. This detail enhancement was more noticeable in the jazz outing from Sonny Rollins. It combines a fully-balanced headphone amp section with a USB and S/PDIF DAC that handles all the hi-res formats (PCM768, DSD512, Full MQA Unfold). A small LED next to the volume control changes colour to indicate the incoming file format. Are my ears good enough to know the difference?!!! It is priced at $129.99. This DAC accompanies the Zen Blue DAC unit I reviewed recently to form the first in a series of Zen devices. Behind the volume control resides an LED that changes colour to indicate the sampling rate of the audio data received. Vocals now offered a softer presentation, infused with emotion and slightly more fragility and finesse. Both are scheduled to be launched this summer. Sitting at the 'even more affordable' end of the iFi Audio range, the compact ZENs show that building down to a budget doesn't mean the company cuts corners, whether on the engineering or industrial design. I had been using an AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt, but I wanted to try the CAN (combined with the Zen Amp) to experience balanced input on my HiFiMAN Ananda headphones. There was enough clarity for the diction to remain clear while the synth runs were recognisable and the shy acoustic guitar strums in the chorus were there although squashed against the walls of the soundstage. You’d have trouble keeping a vase of flowers on it, though, because this unit only spans a dinky 117 x 100 x 30mm and weighs a mere 491g. I’ve been a journalist and editor for 30 years and still retain my good humour. After all, its excellent xDSD [HFN Jul '18], was a 2018-19 EISA Award-winner, following on from the 2014-15 winning footsteps of the nano iDSD [HFN Dec '14]. Single-ended RCA outputs are also provided. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), BRAINWAVZ B200 EARPHONES: DUAL BALANCED ARMATURES. BTW, it also acts as a high-quality Bluetooth receiver,… He walked into a room and he became the room, such was his physical bulk. The Zen provided more immediate and finer volume changes. Have you tried the Zen DAC hooked up to the Zen blue? Hi Paul, I’ve read both this review and your review for the ifi blue Zen Bluetooth unit. All Rights Reserved. With True Bass off, the air and space was better infused into the soundstage. This air meant that the strummed guitar provided a greater part of the chorus instrumentation, giving that part of the song sparkle and upper midrange life, contrasting with the lower frequencies. This song offers a veritable crowd scene of voices and instruments, all analogue in nature. Kennerton Odin headphones: Did They Go To Planar? Lowering the noise floor allowed more midrange detail to be tracked by the ear. The iFi Audio Zen DAC is just $129.99. A pair of RCA jacks for unbalanced connection to the amplifier was complemented by a balanced Pentaconn 4.4 mm output. This little ifi zen dac has finally allowed me to reveal the quality of the other components of the system, that were completely hidden by my former digital preamplifier. I could, of course, have switched that to Fixed and allowed the YU4s to control the volume. The relative low noise performance provided a clean and open overall presentation, no matter what genre of music you pushed through it. Ever see the classic old Oscar-winning, Humphrey Bogart film Casablanca? I can’t get past the fact that, to me, looking heard on, the chassis of the iFi Zen DAC looks like an art deco console table. Zen DAC — DAC/headphone amplifier Ace of Bass. Again, thank you for your review, the best and cheapest upgrade I ever did. ZEN DAC Headphone DAC/Amplifier. I have worked within a range of industries, writing for hundreds of national magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe and the USA covering: aviation, music, computer technology, computer gaming, hi-fi, mobile technology, home automation, lady’s lifestyle, plastic model making, antiques and more. I was considering a Zen Can, but I have decided on a Garage 1217 Project Polaris, which I hear the Zen Dac pairs well with. Despite the toy-like dimensions, this is actually a potent and flexible digital device, both in its handling of data and its ability to fulfil its dual functions of DAC and headphone amplifier. Such firmware changes are carried out via the USB connection. It includes the striking-looking bamboo-clad, architect-inspired Aurora all-in-one network system alongside no fewer than eight DACs in the lineup. Instead, the bass enhancement under-pinned the midrange, giving it confidence and strength. Whether it's the flask-inspired hip DAC, the angular wood and metal lifestyle audio sculpture known as Aurora or the undulating form of the xCAN and xDSD, there's no denying the attraction. Features abound in all directions so let’s keep it simple with four to the floor: Playing my HD660 S headphones via the Pentaconn connection did what balanced connections often did, raised the volume for the same gain so down went that gain. In the bluetooth unit review you used your topping e30 as the DAC. Both the Ifi Zen Dac AND the Ifi had less detail and sharpness, while the RME Fireface is 'limited' to 192 kHz 24BIT and as I said, doesn't do MQA unfolding, but apparently the software unfolding (also tested on Tidal Master with same outcome) didn't do as much as just a better sound chip. Yet the Zen provided a calm rendering of the soundstage. The E30 is great for coax/optical use but the Zen DAC is superior for USB use. Zen DAC is one of the latest iFi products and it's their most affordable desktop DAC to date. My favourite, shy, guitar strums now manifested itself to a fully formed acoustic guitar performance instead of strummed inserts. It formed a firm foundation for the entire song, created a rhythmic impetus for the music and acted as grammatical punctuation to the vocal performance. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The ZEN DAC is a combination USB DAC/headphone amplifier that connects to PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets via USB to take your audio experience to a higher plane. As a pre-amp and DAC combined, the Zen proved to be a wholehearted winner. But only because the Zen DAC doesn’t have a coax/optical built in. Reference 80S Power Amp From Audio Research. I currently write for national magazines in the subjects of business, music, hi-fi and general technology.