Which is always a good sign, methinks. I returned to the balanced Pentaconn and added an the external iPower switch-mode power supply to the Zen. It was easy for the piano to be tracked throughout by the ear. Have you tried the Zen DAC hooked up to the Zen blue? You could let the whole experience wash over you or, if you wished, pick out every detail within. Seems that was set to On as a default for my unit. It just needs the four tall, spindly legs. 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. 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. Find out more! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. See above then. 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. 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. This detail enhancement was more noticeable in the jazz outing from Sonny Rollins. 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. Sidney Greenstreet transformed into Twiggy before my very ears. As a pre-amp and DAC combined, the Zen proved to be a wholehearted winner. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Single-ended RCA outputs are also provided. 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. 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. However, the ZEN CAN isn’t a hybrid of any kind. 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 Vocals now offered a softer presentation, infused with emotion and slightly more fragility and finesse. SGD $189. How, I have to ask, does iFi do it? 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. 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. 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. Hi Paul, I’ve read both this review and your review for the ifi blue Zen Bluetooth unit. It includes the striking-looking bamboo-clad, architect-inspired Aurora all-in-one network system alongside no fewer than eight DACs in the lineup. My favourite, shy, guitar strums now manifested itself to a fully formed acoustic guitar performance instead of strummed inserts. 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. If so, was there any noticeable sound difference? Plugged into your USB output this should provide the best sound from your laptop or tablet. 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. He walked into a room and he became the room, such was his physical bulk. 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 iFi Zen DAC is an excellent DAC and amp for the price. In the bluetooth unit review you used your topping e30 as the DAC. The was even an organic flavour to the drum machines, which was unexpected. 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]. Actually, the ZEN DAC can be tailored to your playback priorities. Translating this sonic mess into something rather more civilised is a job. You can even download and install different versions of iFi firmware to experiment with different digital filters. I thought the new breed of Chinese hi-fi brands were the low cost specialists here but apparently not. 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. Rather than relying on firmware supplied off-the-shelf, iFi’s continuous software development allows features to be added or optimised via firmware updates. It is priced at $129.99. The Zen DAC is no exception, a gorgeous curvy number with balanced headphone and line output. The front panel of the novelty is extremely laconic – only the encoder of the switchable volume control was left on it. 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. And it wasn't just a little bit, it was quite a difference. Indeed, the ZEN DAC stands just 30mm tall. An included XMOS chip processes audio data received at the USB input and is programmed in-house. There’s no DSP with iFi gear. Zen DAC — DAC/headphone amplifier Ace of Bass. Bass never bloomed and masked this area. 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. The headphone amp stage has switchable gain, called PowerMatch. iFi is most likely the first name to come up when pondering on a go-to amp/DAC. The presentation was focused and precise yes but the bass was super dominant, front and centre. Recently they’ve released the ZEN CAN, a follow up to the popular ZEN DAC. For such a modestly-priced device, the ZEN CAN offers plenty of set-up flexibility. 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. This DAC accompanies the Zen Blue DAC unit I reviewed recently to form the first in a series of Zen devices. The guitar had a great overall presence now. TrueBass enhances the bass but does not muddy the mid-range. I currently write for national magazines in the subjects of business, music, hi-fi and general technology. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! 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. It is asynchronous, meaning that the data rate is regulated solely by the ZEN DAC’s audio clock circuitry. Blimey, there was serious bass here. I could, of course, have switched that to Fixed and allowed the YU4s to control the volume. Right next to the button called True Bass. 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..
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