iFi Audio ZEN DAC

Features

Overview: The ZEN DAC is a stylish, compact desktop DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and headphone amplifier. Like it's cousin, the ZEN Blue, ZEN DAC is housed in a blue aluminum enclosure with brushed aluminum front and rear panels. It has a USB 3.0 Type B input, with RCA stereo and 4.4mm Pentaconn line outputs on the back, and 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced headphone jacks on the front. USB (3.0) and RCA cables are included.

Digital-to-Analog Conversion: ZEN DAC plays Hi-Res audio in the original format, including DSD (up to 256 MHz), DXD (up to 384 kHz), and PCM (up to 384 kHz). You can also listen to MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. It uses a Burr-Brown "True Native" chipset which sends PCM and DSD signals down separate pathways so each format remains "bit-perfect" all the way to its conversion to analog. The ZEN DAC is compatible with the following audio formats:

• DSD: 256, 128, 64 MHz
• DXD: 384, 352.8 kHz
• PCM: 384, 352.8, 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz
• MQA

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated): The ZEN DAC includes MQA rendering technology, which enables you to play back MQA files and stream MQA audio from sites such as Tidal Masters. MQA delivers the sound of the original master recording, so you'll hear the music exactly the way the artist intended.

LED Indicator: The ZEN DAC's analog volume control is backlit by an LED that indicates the sampling frequency received from the source. The LED color scheme is as follows:

• Green: PCM 44.1 / 48 / 88 / 96 kHz
• Yellow: PCM 176 / 192 / 353 / 384 kHz
• Cyan: DSD 64 / DSD 128
• Blue: DSD 256
• Magenta: MQA

Headphone Amplifier: The iFi ZEN DAC's headphone amplifier can drive most headphones and in-ear monitors rated at 16 to 600 ohms. The balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output uses inverse positive/negative electrical paths to deliver equal and opposite audio signals to each side of the headphone driver voice coil. The balanced output offers double the voltage output for driving bigger and more difficult-to-drive headphones. It also produces reduced THD distortion and crosstalk, compared to unbalanced, single-ended outputs. The ZEN DAC also features a single-ended 1/4" (6.3mm) unbalanced headphone output with iFi's S-Balanced circuit topography, which is specially suited for IEMs (in-ear monitors). S-Balanced features a dedicated negative wire for each channel, and supports both TRS and TRRS headphones. For headphones with a 3.5mm plug, you can use the included 3.5mm-to-1/4" plug adapter.

PowerMatch: The headphone output is equipped with iFi's PowerMatch technology. You can turn PowerMatch on or off as needed to match the level of the drive to the load presented by the headphones. When switched on, PowerMatch adjusts the input sensitivity and signal strength, which works best for less sensitive large headphones. Leaving PowerMatch off works best for the more sensitive IEMs.

TrueBass: The iFi ZEN DAC features iFi's switchable analog TrueBass circuitry that adds back the lost bass response to give you a more accurate reproduction of the original music. TrueBass' High Setting works well for many IEMs and open-back headphone designs, while the Low Setting should be adequate for most closed-back over-ear headphones.

USB Input: The ZEN DAC has a Type B USB 3.0 input that connects to your computer audio source. The input supports the "SuperSpeed" USB 3.0 standard, and is also compatible with USB 2.0. It also supplies power to the unit.

Analog Outputs: The rear panel offers both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The balanced output has a 4.4mm Pentaconn jack, which can be used with 4.4mm-to-XLR or other balanced interconnects. This output can be used for an active speaker or amplifier. The unbalanced output is an RCA stereo pair.

Variable/Fixed Output: ZEN DAC offers switchable variable or fixed line outputs. If you wish to use the unit's analog rotary volume control on the front panel, you should set the Variable-Fixed switch to the "Variable" position. This is recommended for connecting ZEN DAC to a power amplifier or active speakers. If you are connecting ZEN DAC to a receiver, integrated amplifier, or other device with a volume control, setting the switch to "Fixed" will provide the best results. This switch does not affect the front panel headphone outputs.

5.0V DC Power Input: A 5-volt DC input is provided for a DC power supply (not supplied). ZEN DAC can be powered by either a DC power supply or via the USB 3.0 input.

Specifications:

• Input: USB 3.0 Type B (USB 2.0 compatible)
• Formats:
  • PCM: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz
  • DSD: 2.8 / 3.1 / 5.6 / 6.2 / 11.2 / 12.4 MHz
  • DXD: 353 / 384 kHz
• DAC: Bit-perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
• Line Section:
  • Output:
    • Unbalanced (RCA): 2.1V fixed; 1V - 3.3V max variable
    • Balanced (4.4mm): 4.2V fixed; 2V - 6.2V max variable
  • Z-out: <= 100 Ohm (unbalanced); <= 200 Ohm (balanced)
  • SNR: < -116dB (A) @ 0 dBFS (Unbal/Bal)
  • DNR: > 116dB (A) @ -60 dBFS (Unbal/Bal)
  • THD+N: > 0.0015% @ 0 dBFS (Unbal/Bal)
• Headphone Section:
  • Output:
    • Unbalanced (1/4"): 1V / 3.3V max (12 - 300 Ohm headphone)
    • Balanced (4.4mm): 2V / 6.2V max (12 - 600 Ohm headphone)
  • Output Power:
    • Unbalanced: > 280mW @ 32R; > 36mW @ 300R
    • Balanced: > 380mW @ 50R; > 70mW @ 600R
  • Output Impedance: < 1 ohm (Unbal/Bal)
  • THD+N: < 0.005% (125mW @ 32R)
  • SNR: >113dBA (3.3V Unbal / 6.2V Bal)
• Power Consumption: ~ 2.5W (max); ~0.5W (no signal)
• Dimensions: Width 6.215", Height 1.375", Depth 4.709"
• Weight: 17.85 ounces