iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2

Especially for music lovers who want to enjoy streaming audio in the highest possible high-res sound quality, iFi Audio has developed the iFi ZEN DAC. This very affordable DAC / headphone amplifier delivers incredibly good sound quality and achieves audiophile performance that is rarely achieved in this price segment.

This iFi ZEN DAC is intended both as a DAC / headphones amp for the desktop, as a high-quality USB DAC for a conventional Hi-Fi set or as a functional preamplifier / DAC for a set of active speakers. The analog line stage of the iFi ZEN DAC is fully balanced and has a dual mono structure. This ensures maximum channel separation and the noise level remains ultra low.

The applied Burr Brown DAC chip has a maximum resolution of 24 bit and 384 kHz with PCM, supports this MQA and thanks to the True Native chip design, this iFi ZEN DAC delivers a bit-perfect DA conversion to DSD256. It does not matter how you want to use this ZEN DAC, with every application and every music format this ZEN DAC delivers excellent high-quality sound.

Balanced design

If you want to use the iFi ZEN DAC exclusively as a headphone amplifier, you can plug it into the conventional 6.3mm headphones jack or use the balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn output. Depending on the type of headphones you can switch the gain from low to high via the PowerMatch switch. The layer display can also be increased a fraction with the TrueBass function, without affecting the neutrality in the midrange. This is especially intended for open-back headphones that sometimes lack some power in the low end.

The balanced Pentaconn connection is certainly unique in this price range. A balanced output has the great advantage that it is relatively insensitive to receive noise or interference. For this reason, with a balanced connection you can effortlessly bridge larger distances. This makes the balanced technique very suitable for professional studio application and for home use.

Multifunctional concept

The analogue line signal is also output via the two single-ended RCA connectors and the second balanced 4.4 mm Pentacon jack on the rear. The output signal of these single-ended and balanced outputs can be set to fixed or variable with the switch on the rear. If you want to control a set of active speakers with the ZEN DAC, set this to variable. If you use the DAC in a conventional hi-fi set, then the fixed position is sufficient.

The iFi ZEN DAC is easily powered via the USB port of the computer, so that you keep your desktop free of power cables. If you prefer to use the iFi as a standalone USB DAC in your Hi-Fi set, you can order an optional iFi iPower power supply for this. This low-noise power supply is specially designed for use with high-quality iFi Hi-Fi components.

Are you looking for a high-quality DAC / headphone amplifier that you can also use as a full-fledged MQA / DSD DAC, then iFi offers the perfect solution with this very complete USB DAC. The iFi ZEN DAC can be ordered quickly and safely online via the Wifimedia webshop. If you want to know more about this good sounding DAC, please contact one of our skilled experts.