iFi Zen Dac Hi-Res Headphone Amp and DAC
iFi Zen Dac Hi-Res Headphone Amp and DAC

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iFi Zen DAC Hi-Res DAC & Headphone Amplifier (Store Demo)

$189.99

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    Categories: , , , , , , SKU: ZEN DAC

    Hot on the heels of the ZEN Blue hi-res Bluetooth streamer, iFi expands the ZEN family of desktop-sized audio products with the ZEN DAC – a USB DAC/headphone amp offering a level of specification and performance that belies its super-affordable.

    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 of phones, via USB. Its hi-res digital-to-analogue conversation technology processes all forms of digital audio to a super-high standard, while the integrated analogue headphone amplifier delivers superb sound with all headphone types, from in-ear monitors to larger on- and over-ear deigns. Compared to simply plugging headphones directly into a computer or smart device, the ZEN Blue transforms the listening experience – sound is clearer, more detailed, more expansive and engaging, making the most of whichever headphones are connected.

    As well as driving headphones, the ZEN DAC can be used as a USB DAC in a home audio system, with or without its volume control engaged. What’s more, whether you’re hooking up headphones, an external amp or active speakers, you have a choice of single-ended or balanced connection – a remarkable facility.

    In common with other ZEN Series products, the ZEN DAC sports a sturdy, smartly finished aluminium enclosure. Even the rotary volume control is aluminium, giving a reassuringly solid feel. Behind the volume control resides an LED that changes color to indicate the sampling rate of the audio data received.

    PowerMatch

    The headphone amp stage has switchable gain, which iFi terms ‘PowerMatch’. This matches the level of drive to the load presented by the headphones, by adjusting input sensitivity and thereby signal strength. With high-sensitivity headphone types such as in-ear monitors, leave PowerMatch at its lower setting for ultra-low-noise performance. But if your headphones are a tougher load – for example, on/over-ear types with relatively low impedance – press the PowerMatch button on the front panel to increase the level of drive.

    Inputs and Outputs

    The ZEN DAC sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs, both front and back – this is a relatively new type of interface, designed to enable balanced signal transfer between compact products that cannot accommodate traditional XLR connections. The front-mounted 4.4mm output sits alongside a standard, single-ended 6.3mm headphone socket – thus, the benefits of balanced headphone designs are fully utilized, whilst also accommodating every type of headphone, both balanced and single-ended.

    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. Single-ended RCA outputs are also provided.

    In-House

    A circuit feature setting this and other iFi DACs apart from competing designs is iFi’s in-house programming of the XMOS chip. While other manufacturers simply use the firmware that comes with the chip off-the-shelf, which is not typically optimised for audiophile-grade sound, iFi programs its own bespoke firmware to boost audio processing power.

    iFi’s in-house software development program allows features to be added or optimized via firmware updates, enabling the ZEN DAC to be tailored to the user’s playback priorities and ensuring it stays cutting-edge over time. Users can even download and install different versions of iFi firmware to experiment with different digital filters should they so desire.

    Features & Specifications

    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

    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: < 0.0015% @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL) L)

    THD+N:< 0.0015% @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)

    Headphone section

    Output
    • 6.3mm (UnBal): 1V / 3.3V max. (variable)
    • 12 Ohm – 300 Ohm Headphone
    • 4.4mm Pentaconn (BAL): 2V / 6.2V max. (variable)
    • 12 Ohm – 600 Ohm Headphone
    Output power

    UnBAL: > 280mW @ 32R, > 36mW @ 300R

    BAL: > 380mW @ 50R, > 70mW @ 600ROutput 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)

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