In the present day, Louis opinions the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3, a Third-gen inexpensive compact desktop DAC/Amp with as much as DSD512 and 390mW of output energy. It’s priced at $229.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank iFi Audio for his or her assist.
Extra details about iFi Audio merchandise we now have beforehand reviewed on Headfonics might be discovered right here.
This publish adheres to our present scoring guidelines, which you will discover right here.
Presently, the iFi audio ZEN DAC line of drugs has taken the spot as one of the standard finances items of audio gear.
I wager a lot of you both have already got one or have heard one earlier than. It’s a neat, one-box answer that gained’t break the financial institution since it may be had at a modest value.
I simply acquired the newest within the collection, the ZEN DAC 3. It has some distinguishable visible cues up entrance. It additionally has the current iFi audio facelift and a few fascinating function adjustments.
In comparison with the unique ZEN DAC, the brand new ZEN DAC 3 appears to have acquired three seen adjustments on the skin. Nonetheless, I’m extra interested by what’s inside and if there’s a acquire in efficiency at hand right here, I’m certain you might be too.
Options
The one function that stood out essentially the most to me, comparatively talking is that the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 now comes with the XBass+ function as an alternative of TrueBass which was just like the Xbass+ function however not pretty much as good, in my view.
One other change was made on the USB enter stage and this time round, iFi Audi determined to modernize and swap out the previous, rugged USB sort B for a sort C.
It appears iFi goes the common European customary route, however extra importantly, USB-C is superior in information switch so we’re technically getting a quicker port.
The third new function is beauty in nature. The brand new iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 acquired the two-tone entrance panel replace to match the collection 3 element line. It doesn’t completely match with most of their different elements, however the normal design nonetheless pairs properly.
What else has modified? All the opposite options remained the identical as earlier than on the skin so we’ll need to look on the within for that info.
DAC
Persevering with the above dialog, that change is just not on this part as a result of the digital elements remained the identical so far as I can see from the final ZEN DAC. I do see some rearrangements of elements.
The DAC part nonetheless makes use of iFi’s {custom} Burr-Brown chips from Texas Devices. This DAC chip is custom-ordered by iFi and is then additional custom-made by iFi audio with {custom} firmware.
It appears the Burr-Brown DAC is fed by an XMOS 16-core and it appears to be the XU216 however don’t quote me on it. Nonetheless, capabilities have elevated so far as decoding and dealing with digital recordsdata and that’s why I make that assumption.
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 appears to make use of the newest 2000MIPS XMOS with a 512KB inner reminiscence financial institution and makes use of an up-to-date SuperSpeed USB customary.
I do recommend downloading iFi’s newest driver from their web site which can open up a lot of inner adjustable settings like bit-rate choice, buffer settings, and different inner DAC settings.
Decoding
Right here, the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 acquired a small tick upward in functionality and might now deal with PCM at as much as 768kHz, bit-perfect DSD at as much as DSD512, DXD at as much as DXD768, and MQA rendering on the {hardware} degree.
There’s additionally point out inside iFi’s web site that the ZEN DAC 3 can be suitable with many modern-day sport consoles like Sony’s PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Change however I couldn’t affirm that since I’m a PC gamer and don’t personal any of these consoles.
Amplification
The amplification appears to be just like what the opposite ZEN DACs had. Energy output remained the identical, at 390mW off the 4.4mm port however the single-ended aspect misplaced 20mW and is now rated at 210mW in comparison with 230mW off the 6.35 faucet.
One fascinating side of the ZEN DAC’s amplification part is inside the specs. iFi audio posts the identical 0.0005% distortion ranges however this time they measured at 2 volts and 600Ω as an alternative of at 125mV and 64Ω.
The ZEN DAC 3 makes use of a downscaled model of the ZEN CAN 3’s energy output part that makes use of two of their {custom} OV collection Opamps, often known as their Operationsverstarker Opamp elements.
It provides sufficient energy for many headphones however will battle with a handful of hard-to-drive variants. Environment friendly headphones and IEMs are finest suited.
The ZEN DAC 3 does have iFi audio’s balanced topology on each enter and output circuits. Twin-mono circuitry is extra widespread these days and is a confirmed means of bettering crosstalk. However simply 10 years in the past dual-mono was reserved for unique elements.
Design
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 has lastly acquired a facelift. I keep in mind the ZEN CAN receiving one and the unit’s colour scheme went from a silver entrance panel to an all-blue colour scheme, however the earlier ZEN DAC variations didn’t get such remedy.
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 acquired the collection 3 two-tone entrance panel design. The rounded trapezoid-shaped shell stays. It’s a seamless steel shell. The rear panel can be steel and color-coded. That covers the skin.
What intrigues me essentially the most are the few tweaks in inner elements and construction. If you happen to look intently, the amount knob makes use of a separate circuitry board as carried out in model 2, however this time the facility match and Xbass+ buttons are additionally mounted on a separate board.
I/O
To additional collaborate on all of the adjustments, the 4.4mm IO ports appear to be beefed up ports with iFi branding now. I did get a crunchy feeling 4.4mm entrance port on my first ZEN DAC however these new ports appear rock strong and clean on insertion.
The I/O remained related aside from the USB-C enter port. The rear IO consists of two line-output ports. One is a 4.4mm balanced port and the opposite is a set of RCA ports that can be utilized in both variable or mounted output. This function is selectable by way of a rear-mounted change.
The remainder of the rear I/O consists of the already talked about USB-C port together with a 5.5mm 5v jack able to obtain exterior energy. Talking of exterior energy, the ZEN DAC 3 can run off simply the USB enter alone however I recommend acquiring an influence adapter.
The unit stays on whereas there’s a USB sign current since there’s no energy change however when you’ve got the USB related to your PC, for instance, the unit shuts down with the PC.
Controls
On the heart lies a big analog quantity knob that also does current some preliminary channel imbalance firstly of the amount. It appears iFi improved that implementation a smudge nevertheless it’s nonetheless there.
On the left aspect, you’ll discover a two-position Energy Match function alongside the Xbass+ selector. Every function has its LED indicator proper under every button. So does the amount knob nevertheless it signifies bitrate and format.
On the precise aspect, you’ll discover the 2 headphone ports. One is a single-ended 6.35mm connection and there’s additionally a 4.4mm balanced connector. Each ports are gold-plated.
My solely gripe with the design is that I want that iFi would colour within the quantity knob place indicator as a result of the dimple is simply too faint to see in a darkish room and even beneath some well-lit situations.
Firmware
The ZEN DAC 3 might be up to date by iFi’s firmware updates posted on their foremost webpage and beneath the assist and obtain hub tab. Every downloaded folder will embrace two distinct recordsdata.
The 2 variations are designated as V1.10 and the opposite could have a C prefix. The V1.10 makes use of the default digital filter. Nonetheless, the C prefixed variant makes use of the Gibbs Transient Optimized filter or GTO filter.
You’ll need to flash each recordsdata one after the other and examine them to see which one will go well with you finest. I just like the GTO filter on days once I favor a smoother, hotter sonic presentation.
Nonetheless, the usual is finest for on a regular basis use because it produces a cleaner and livelier finish product with a impartial/pure character.
Packaging & Equipment
If you happen to’ve seen iFi audio’s packaging you’ll acknowledge this packaging a mile away. It’s the similar as the primary ZEN DAC’s packaging and most of their different related elements just like the ZEN CAN 3, the ZEN ONE, and the ZEN Blue
Inside you’ll discover a USB cable, a set of iFi branded RCA cables, and a 6.35mm to three.5mm adapter. There’s additionally a fast information and an MQA setup information. That’s it.
I do want they’d embrace considered one of their iPower adapters or any energy adapter, for that matter to make the most of the additional efficiency acquire out-of-the-box.
The worth tag has elevated over different ZEN DACs from the previous and iFi ought to take into account together with an influence brick. The ZEN CAN 3 and the ZEN Blue 3 got here with one, so why not with this mannequin?
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions & selected comparisons.
Trending Merchandise
