iFi audio ZEN DAC 3

iFi ZEN DAC 3 Review

DISCLAIMER: The iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 was sent to us free of charge by the iFi Audio team. We are truly humbled and would like to thank the iFi Audio team for this opportunity and their continuous support to Aural Café.

Introduction: -

Today at Aural Cafe we are reviewing iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 which is the upgraded version of the very popular and multiple award-winning ZEN DAC series featuring advanced proprietary features such as XBass+ and loaded with a versatile USB-C Port.

iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 is the upgraded version of the very popular and multiple award-winning ZEN DAC 2 featuring advanced proprietary features such as XBass+ and Power Match. Equipped with much needed USB-C port along with Bit-Perfect DSD and DXD DAC by Burr Brown, ZEN DAC 3 now supports PCM formats up to 768kHz and native DSD support up to DSD 512 to cater the needs of discerning audiophiles who appreciate ultra-high-definition audio quality. The Zen DAC 3 for a change also provides full MQA decoding capability but we delve a bit more into ZEN DAC 3 like always let's tell you first about iFi Audio, the team behind the ZEN DAC 3. iFi Audio is a British brand and is a subsidiary of Abbington Music Research (AMR) which is one of the UK's largest manufacturers of high-end audio products: Amplifiers, Active Buffer/Preamplifiers, DACs and USB filters. Founded in 2000, AMR is based in London, United Kingdom. It is a subsidiary of the Abbington Global Group. iFi Audio is one of the most respected brands in the audiophile world with hiFi products across different prices and product categories with one aim to cater to the needs of every audiophile out there who eats drinks and sleeps music. Founded in 2012, iFi oversees the design, development and manufacture of more than 50 products from its headquarters in Southport, UK. What makes iFi Audio a bit unique and special is that all iFi Audio products and their packaging are made from recyclable materials, including Aluminium, Paper and Recycled plastics. There are no hazardous toxins in their components, and they ensure that every product released meets environmental standards. iFi Audio prides itself on being an eco-friendly company. We at Aural Cafe had the honour of reviewing various iFi Audio products which our followers can read by clicking on the following links:

• https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link-max.27729/reviews#review-36260
• https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-bar-kensei.27123/reviews#review-34760

The IFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 is priced at 229 USD and can be bought from IFi Audio authorized distributors located all over the world.



Loaded with a USB-C port, iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 exudes a fresh new stylish yet elegant look from the outside. The ZEN DAC 3 as a product is positioned as a versatile hi-fi DAC/amp that flawlessly works with headphones, preamplifiers, integrated Amplifiers and even active speakers. The smart sleek and transportable ZEN DAC 3 now supports PCM formats up to 768kHz and native DSD support up to DSD 512, along with full MQA decoding, with all these improvements at the helm ZEN DAC 3 now can cater to the needs of tasteful audiophiles who are more into ultra hi-fi audio quality. The added USB-C port streamlines cable management and provides USB input overvoltage protection, safeguarding it against potential harm. Moreover, a significant reduction in DC offset minimizes audio clicks when adjusting settings. In ZEN DAC 3 the True Bass feature of ZEN DAC2 has been upgraded to XBass+ in ZEN DAC 3 for more thumping and engaging lows. iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 uses the same Power Match switchable gain button which has been seen in the earlier version to ensure the optimal power for the power-demanding headphones. We at Aural Cafe feel that we wouldn’t do complete justice to the ZEN DAC 3 review if we didn’t add a table comparing ZEN DAC 3 technical Specifications with its Predecessor ZEN DAC 2 side by side so here it is:

Specifications: -

ZEN DAC 3 ZEN DAC 2

Input: USB -C USB -B

Formats Supported: PCM32Bit up to 768kHz PCM32Bit up to 384 kHz

DSD and DXD up to 512 DSD and DXD up to 256

Full MQA Decoding Full MQA Decoding

DAC: Single Burr-Brown True Native® chipset Single Burr-Brown chipset

Line output section:

Output: Balanced 4.4mm: 2V / 6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed Same as ZEN DAC 3

Single-Ended RCA: 1V / 3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed Same as ZEN DAC 3

SNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS ≥ 116dBA @ 0dBFS

DNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS ≥ 116dBA @ 0dBFS

THD+N:Balanced 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS Same as ZEN DAC 3

Single-Ended RCA < 0.003% @ 0dBFS



Headphone Output section:

Headphone Outputs: Balanced 4.4 mm Balanced 4.4 mm

6.35 mm S-Bal 6.3 mm S-Bal



Power Output: Balanced: >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω Same as ZEN DAC 3

S-Balanced: >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω



SNR: ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) 113dBA @ 0dBFS



THD + N: Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω) Same as ZEN DAC 3

Single-Ended 6.35mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω)



OPTIONS: XBass+ Truebass

PowerMatch PowerMatch



Game Console: Compatible with SONY PS5 and Nintendo Switch No mention

Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -

As you can see from our unboxing video ( ) ZEN DAC 3 arrived in a simple white colour rectangular shape box. The front side of the box covering is dominated by the pic of ZEN DAC 3 DAC/amp at the centre with the iFi logo printed at the top left corner of the covering. The series named ‘ZEN DAC’ is printed on the bottom left corner of the covering while the customary Hi-Res sticker is stuck at the top right corner. The back side of the covering contains the details and specifications of the ZEN DAC 3 while the side corner of the box focuses on the exclusive features that make the ZEN DAC 3 a solid and versatile DAC Amp/ Pre-Amp. On removing the outer covering we come across a plain white colour cardboard box. On opening the box, we are welcomed by the customary iFi Audio sticker, and leaflet guiding us for a smoother operation of ZEN DAC 3 along with usual instruction manuals. On keeping aside the leaflets and instruction manuals, we come across the ZEN DAC 3 packed in a white colour semi-transparent recyclable plastic package. On pulling out the ZEN DAC 3 out of the plastic packaging we can visualize that the outer design of the ZEN DAC 3 is completely revamped in comparison to ZEN DAC 2. The accessories are neatly placed inside in a plain white colour box which is placed just beside the ZEN DAC 3. The iFi ZEN DAC 3 comes with high-quality and useful accessories such as a USB-C to USB-A cable, a high-quality 6.35mm to 3.5mm gold-plated adapter, and iFi brand RCA cables. The quality of the cables is top notch which just adds to the overall value of ZEN DAC 3. Overall, the unboxing experience has been quite simple yet functional, everything from the ZEN DAC 3 to the high-quality cables and accessories is neatly placed inside the box.



ZEN DAC 3 follows the same design language as its predecessor and arrives in a compact aluminium alloy body measuring 158 x 115 x 35mm in size and 456 GMs in weight. The compact lightweight aluminium alloy body adds to the portability of the ZEN DAC 3. The ZEN DAC 3 body is made using light aluminium alloy exhibiting a premium blueish gunmetal finish. The front panel of the ZEN DAC 3 looks quite sleek and stylish due to the use of bronze colour volume knobs and buttons when we compare it with the front body of the ZEN DAC 2 which exhibited a more subtle and simple stainless-steel finish. The addition of the bronze accents around the volume knobs and buttons, and the addition of dotted dark grey leather texture to the top half of the front panel just increase the overall premium quotient of the ZEN DAC 3. The placement of the volume knobs and other functional buttons is quite similar in comparison to its predecessor. The Volume knob is located right at the centre. Of the control panel of ZEN DAC 3. Once the Zen DAC 3 is turned on a specific colour LED light glows around the volume knob enlightening us about the format of the soundtrack in a very fun and functional manner. The various colours that glow and the format they exude are as follows:

YELLOW: PCM 44.1/48 kHz WHITE: PCM 88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384 kHz

CYAN BLUE: DSD 64/128 RED: DSD 256/512 GREEN: MQA

MAGENTA: Original sample rate/MQB NAVY BLUE: MQA Studio



The Power Match button as well as the XBass+ button is placed at the left side of the volume knob while the headphone 4.4 mm balanced and 6.35mm S-Balanced port is placed neatly on the right side of the volume knob. The XBass+ on-off button is iFi proprietary technology that helps an audiophile to experience a punchier and dynamic low. The Power Match on-off button on the other hand is nothing but a button to navigate the ZEN DAC 3 between low gain and high gain mode depending on the sensitivity of the IEMs or Headphones. When it comes to the back side of the ZEN DAC 3, the back side is totally packed. Starting from the left side we first come across the 4.4 mm balanced port, right after which we come across the fixed and variable output switch after which we come across the very useful RCA ports. The 4.4 mm balance as well as the RCA Port adds up to the versatility quotient of the ZEN DAC 3 as one can use ZEN DAC 3 as a pure DAC or a preamp with the help of these ports which can be useful while using ZEN DAC 3 with an active speaker or with an amplifier. The fixed and variable switch between these ports also plays a major role in the overall operation of ZEN DAC 3 as a pure DAC or a Preamp. In Variable mode, an audiophile can adjust the volume using the knob when connecting directly to active speakers or an amp via a 4.4mm balanced port to XLR cable or through RCA ports. In fixed mode the 4.4 mm balanced and RCA ports act as true line out and the volume remains fixed. After the RCA output ports, we came across a very versatile USB-C port that was not there in ZEN DAC 2. The USB C Port can be used to transfer data as well as to power the ZEN DAC 3 which is quite helpful as it streamlines cable management and provides USB input overvoltage protection, safeguarding it against potential harm. Moreover, a significant reduction in DC offset minimizes audio clicks when adjusting settings. After the very useful USB C Port, we came across the DC Power led followed by the DC Power Port. The ZEN DAC 3 can be powered with the help of a 5V Adapter but it's sad to see that the ZEN DAC 3 didn’t come up with any stock adapter. We at Aural Cafe would suggest that audiophiles power the ZEN DAC 3 through a power adapter if they want to experience the ZEN DAC 3 at its best. So overall the design language is quite well thought of and is stylish yet elegant at the same time. When it comes to building quality the build quality is a top-notch notch in each corner of the ZEN DAC 3, the beautiful volume knobs the buttons and the quality of the ports exude a solid and sturdy transportable DACamp/preamp.



Sound Analysis: -

Sound impressions are based on listening to a different genre of the soundtrack for more than 12 hours on the number after matching ZEN DAC 3 with high-quality neutral IEMs and Headphones featuring BA, DD and hybrid setups. We have used a power adapter of around 5V to power up the ZEN DAC 3 as we feel it will help us to present the sound impressions of ZEN DAC 3 rightfully.

• Tonality: - We at Aural Cafe give prime importance to the overall sound tonality of the source. After listening to different genres of soundtracks through ZEN DAC 3 with different IEMs and Headphones we can confidently state that ZEN DAC 3 exhibits an organic and warm sound tonality. The sound tonality is not overly warm but stays musical, balanced and smooth across the frequency. The timbre of the instruments is life-like along with lovely vocal texture. The iFi Audio team seems to have worked very hard to keep the background noise at the lowest level resulting in top-quality clarity across the sound frequency. The XMOS 16 Core chip processes the audio data while using ZEN DAC 3 with laptop and desktop PC instantly and flawlessly. The improved GMT clock does add to reducing the jitter and maintaining accuracy while digital to analogue processing of soundtrack because of which the tonal balance remains quite precise and accurate. The warm and musical sound tonality of ZEN DAC 3 will really aid in a longer listening period. When listening to ‘Billie Jean’ composed and produced by the great Michael Jackson, the sound output stays smooth, musical and calm and takes back you to the 1980s era.

• Lows: - The lows on ZEN DAC 3 are warm, clean and thick without adding any muddiness into the Mids. While listening to ‘Bassline’ by Miss Kittin the ZEN DAC 3 exhibits thick and smooth mid-bass along with precise speed. The ZEN DAC 3 exudes an average mid-bass punch and tightness but remains dynamic and engaging while listening to “Amphetamine” by Thomas P. Heckmann. The Xbass button on ZEN DAC 3 does help in a slight increase in the overall mid-bass body and dynamics which can be quite fun and useful while listening to hip-hop and EDM-based soundtracks. While listening to ‘Timmy Turner’ by Designer the ZEN DAC 3 showcased a solid high quality clean and layered subbass rumble which was an experience in itself. While listening to ‘I Was Never There’ by Gesaffelstein and The Weekend, the sub-bass goes surprisingly deep and stays elastic across the soundtrack.

• Mids: - The Mids on ZEN DAC 3 stay decently warm and musical along with top-notch clarity. When it comes to positioning the mids, the mids stay precisely balanced and neutral on ZEN DAC 3 without being overly forward or recessed. What makes the mids, the star of the show is although being warm and musical the ZEN DAC 3 showcases top-notch clarity without any kind of background noise. Both the male and female vocals come out effortlessly clean along with soulful texture. When it comes to the instrument's timbre, string-based musical instruments such as Violin and Cello especially showcase life-like timbre. When it comes to tonal balance, the ZEN DAC 3 showcase a solid tonal balance across the frequency. While the low mids stay stable, solid and clean we would love a touch more energetic upper mids which stay a bit laid back on ZEN DAC 3. While we at Aural Cafe do love a touch bit of energetic upper mids many audiophiles are into laid-back and organic upper mids so it is just a matter of preference. We really enjoyed listening to ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ by the Artic Monkeys on ZEN DAC 3. Listening to ‘Sunsetz’ by Cigarettes after sex was an experience due to ZEN DAC 3 ability to retrieve raw vocal texture with lots of emotions in it.

• Highs: - The highs on ZEN DAC 3 are tuned in an organic, natural and smooth manner without any kind of dryness. This type of smooth presentation in this part of the frequency makes a ZEN DAC 3 the right choice if you like to listen to music while working in the office or if you want to chill at home after a tiring day. The highs on ZEN DAC 3 have a smooth extension and natural transparency which was delightful while listening to ‘Zariya’ Composed by AR Rahman for Coke studio India on Craft Ears Six. We enjoyed subtle cymbal crashes while listening to “Yellow” by Coldplay. The upper treble stays open and smooth without any hint of shoutiness which was quite delightful to experience while listening to ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ by Coldplay and ‘In the End’ by Linkin Park.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage on ZEN DAC 3 is intimate in terms of both width and depth with soundstage width a bit better in comparison to depth. ZEN DAC 3 is something that will not wow you instantly but will slowly intoxicate a user due to the intimate soundstage especially while listening to blues and progressive rock genre of soundtracks. We had an awesome time experiencing an intoxicating soundstage while listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles When it comes to imaging the imaging on iFi ZEN DAC 3 is surprisingly precise and solid which we enjoyed while listening to ‘Time’ by Pink Floyd and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin. When it comes to Separation the separation between instruments on ZEN DAC 3 is decent, taking price into consideration. When it comes to retrieving micro details the ZEN DAC 3 does a decent job taking price into consideration. The micro details never come on the face but are presented more smoothly and organically by the ZEN DAC 3.

• Synergy: - The warm, organic and musical tonality of ZEN DAC 3 will synergize at its best with neutral and reference in-ear monitors and headphones. When it comes to genres of soundtracks, we enjoyed ZEN DAC 3 with almost all genres of soundtracks, but it shines its best with blues, progressive rock and popular pop numbers. While testing and reviewing ZEN DAC 3 we at last listened to ‘The Sound of Silence’ by the Disturbed which we really enjoyed. The ZEN DAC 3 is a perfect DAC amp for seasoned audiophiles who want to get transported back to the 1980s. The added 4.4 balanced and RCA output port adds to the versatility of the ZEN DAC 3 as it can be used as a pure DAC preamp or even as a source to power active speakers. The added USB C Port which acts both as a power and audio transmitter makes listening to hi-fi music at any corner of the home or office a reality as a small USB C to C Or the Stock USB A to C cable is more than enough to activate the hi-fi soundtracks on your laptop or desktop with the help of ZEN DAC 3. When it comes to drivability the ZEN DAC 3 is quite powerful and clean at the same time. ZEN DAC 3 can drive most IEMs on the market easily on low gain. While we would suggest using high gain mode for the demanding headphones. In our case, the ZEN DAC 3 was able to drive the Sennheiser HD6XX and Aune AR5000 neatly on high gain mode. We would suggest using the 4.4 balanced or the 6.35 mm S balanced port based on the sensitivity of your IEMs or headphones.

Conclusion: -

After listening to soundtracks across various genres we at Aural Cafe can confidently state that the ZEN DAC 3 is a more stylish and sleeker version of its predecessor ZEN DAC 2. The iFi team has done a wonderful job by going with the same simple and functional design language of the ZEN DAC series due to which ZEN DAC 3 still stays as a compact and lightweight DACamp/ preamp. We also loved the way the new colour scheme and bronze accents of the ZEN DAC 3 in comparison to the ZEN DAC 2 which surely increased the premium quotient of the ZEN DAC 3. The iFi team, while designing ZEN DAC 3 took out the best proprietary tech from its predecessor such as S balanced, GMT Clock and then upgraded ZEN DAC 3 with a USB C port and XBass+ to come up with a superior device in terms of versatility and portability. The smart sleek and transportable ZEN DAC 3 now supports PCM formats up to 768kHz and native DSD support up to DSD 512, along with full MQA decoding, with all these improvements at the helm ZEN DAC 3 now can cater to the needs of audiophiles who are more into ultra hi-fi audio quality. We at Aural Cafe were deeply impressed by the way the iFi Audio team has implemented the burr brown DAC chip, as the sound tonality although being warm and musical achieves top-notch clarity across the sound frequency. We at Aural Cafe especially loved the Sub-bass and the organic, clean and musical mids. The instrument's timbre and vocal texture are top-notch on ZEN DAC 3, but when it comes to mid-bass, the mid-bass disappoints us as it is not so tight and lacks the punch. The mid-bass is laid back in presentation. So if you are under a tight budget and out there in a market in search of a solid versatile, and transportable DACamp/preamp that can work with IEMs headphones and can be used as a preamp as well as a pure DAC then iFi ZEN DAC 3 is a no brainier at 229 USD.

Non-Affiliated Link: -

• https://www.headphonezone.in/products/ifi-audio-zen-dac-3
• https://bloomaudio.com/products/ifi-zen-dac-3

The new design looks good and seems to be much less simplistic than the first generation. The device's I/O and buttons are very similar to the older version but now feature a new brass finish. I am torn between this new aesthetic and the equally attractive signature series. As for the accessories I can comment mine is a review sample and just had an RCA cable in the box.
The build quality is excellent, living up to the typical iFi standard that I've come to expect. The device operates flawlessly without occupying much desk space. However, its oblong shape may not appeal to everyone, as it tends to look best when stacked with other iFi products.


The Sound is simply that good ifi house sound that comes with their products.
A nice semitransparent signature with a good amount of details and clarity. The key attributes of warmth and smoothness, derived from the exceptional BURR-Brown internals, provide substantial depth, color, range, and dynamics.
The ZEN DAC 3 upholds its iconic reputation by expanding its high-resolution support to include up to 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA decoding capabilities.

Product highlights:
desktop USB DAC with built-in high-performance headphone amp
improves sound from your PC or laptop
compact design with sturdy metal chassis
four rubber feet with no-slip grip
16-core XMOS processor/microcontroller programmed by iFi's development team for optimized sound and perfect cooperation with digital-to-analog converter chip
Digital-to-analog converter
Burr-Brown "True Native" digital-to-analog converter chip for high-quality sound
supported audio files: PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz; DSD up to DSD512 (up to 22.6 MHz)
offers full decoding for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio files
GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and intelligent memory buffer to eliminate jitter
Balanced headphone amplifier:
two front-panel headphone outputs: balanced 4.4mm and unbalanced 1/4"
balanced 4.4mm and unbalanced 1/4" (3.5mm to 1/4" adapter included)
low noise floor for clear audio reproduction
output power (4.4mm):
>300mW @ 32 ohms
70mW @ 600Ω
output power (1/4"):
>210mW @ 32 ohms
18mW @ 600Ω
THD+N:
Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 ohms
Unbalanced 1/4" <0.013% (1.27V @ 32 ohms)
Signal to noise ratio:
≥109dB @ 0dBFS
Front panel controls:
XBass+ sound control processing for boosting bass
PowerMatch switchable gain
high-precision volume control dial
color-coded LED indicator denotes audio format and sampling frequency
yellow - PCM 44.1/48kHz
white- PCM 88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384/768kHz
cyan- DSD 64/128
red- DSD 256/512
green- MQA
blue- MQA studio
magenta- MQB (original sampling rate)
Back-panel DAC/preamp connections and controls:
dual-function USB-C connection serves as both a charging port and a wired USB audio input (note: driver download required)
USB-C to USB-A type cable included.
one balanced 4.4mm output for connecting a compatible powered speaker or amp
Note: do NOT connect balanced headphones to this output - the full signal could damage your headphones and/or hearing.
line direct/preamp selection switch (fixed or variable)
stereo unbalanced RCA preamp output with selectable fixed/variable level
RCA cables included
Line output section:
RCA output power: 1V-3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed
rear 4.4mm output power: 2V-6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed
General info and specs:
frequency response: 5Hz - 90kHz (+/-3dB)
5-volt DC power input (DC power supply not included)
draws power from your laptop or PC when connected via USB
For optimal performance, it is recommended to upgrade from being powered by USB-C to being powered by an ultra-low noise power adapter
headphone output impedance:
balanced <200 ohms
unbalanced <100 ohms
dimensions: 6-1/4"W x 1-3/8"H x 4-5/8"D
weight: 1 lb

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - iFi Audio Zen DAC 3

The Zen DAC v3 has been loaned to me by iFi Audio for me to try it out and to share my opinions in this review. As usual with iFi, they have not made any requests and I will do my very best to be unbiased in my review.

You can find the official page for the Zen DAC v3 here: https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3/

As always, this is a non-affiliate link



Intro…

Over the past few years I have reviewed quite a few iFi Audio products, a lot of them from the Zen line, however, although I reviewed the Zen CAN, the Zen Air DAC, the Zen ONE signature, the Zen CAN & DAC Signature, I never did get to try out the Zen DAC. That goes for both the v1 and the v2. Yet, here I am with the Zen DAC v3, the latest version of the Zen DAC series.

The Zen DAC 3 was released a few months ago and I guess the main question is, what does it do that the v2 didn’t?

As I said, I haven’t actually tried the v2, so I can only look at the specs on paper, something that anyone can do and doesn’t need a reviewer to read for them, but the main points that jump out at me are:

- New looks

- Support PCM up to 768kHz (rather than 384kHz on the v2)

- Supports DSD512 (rather than DSD256 on the v2)

- Supports DXD 768 (instead of DXD 384 on the v2)

- Has USB-C input (instead of USB 3.0 B on the v2)

- Has XBass+ (instead of True bass found on the v2)

It also seems to be around 30 to 40 euros more expensive than the v2 (although you can find the v2 for less at the moment, due to it obviously being phased out).

Now, I am not going to be able to go into comparisons in use and sound but I can tell you what I think of the device after spending a couple of weeks with it.



Presentation…

As with all iFi products, the packaging is simple and functional. In the case of the Zen DAC 3, things may be a little more on the simple side than on some of their higher end products but it is still well packaged, well protected and includes all the necessary parts to plug in and enjoy the device.

Inside the box we get the unit, a USB-A to USB-C cable, an RCA to RCA cable, a 6.35mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter, a quick start guide and, of course, the iFi sticker

I have said many times what I think of the iFi packaging, so let's move on to the interesting stuff.



Build and aesthetics…

The Zen DAC 3 brings a refreshing change to the aesthetics of the line, while still maintaining the overall looks that easily identify it as a ZEN product. The build quality is still great and the shape still matches all the other devices from the ZEN line, yet there the colour scheme has been revamped.

The outer case is a dark gunmetal grey, very similar to the Zen DAC 2 (although I don’t have one to compare side by side), but it is the front panel that has received the major change. There is a titanium coloured line that runs across the centre of the panel, surrounding the buttons and ports, with the centre volume knob in a matching colour. The bottom part of the panel, below the line, is of the same dark grey as the shell, whereas the part above the line is a different shade of grey and has sort of a leather style finish to it (although it is plastic).

Of course this is going to please a lot of people and displease others, as with anything related to aesthetics. In my case, I like the look of it and think it makes it look a little more “high end” than the older colour scheme, although it could just be bias as the previous looks had been around for a while and this is something refreshing.

As I said above, the build quality is still very good, with a complete metal body (except for that small part above the line on the front panel) and the buttons feel and respond very well. If I had any complaint, it would be that the volume knob has a sort of “plate” on it rather than being one piece and that makes it not feel quite as comfortable as other single piece knobs, but I am really focusing on a very minor detail here.



Functionality…

As far as functionality, nothing has really changed in comparison to the previous generation. Across the back, we still get the same connection layout. That is to say that, from left to right, we get balanced output (4.4mm), variable/fixed output switch, unbalanced output (RCA), USB connection (USB-C) and external power port (5v).

As with previous models, and most of the iFi DACs, the external power supply is optional, with the unit being powered via the USB port when an external power supply is not connected. As far as I am aware, there is no change in power availability with the external PSU, supplying the same max power of 390mW (balanced at 64 Ohms) according to their specs. Where iFi recommends the PSU is to add cleaner power than with USB power, allowing only data to be transmitted via USB. I don’t have a power supply on hand to see if I notice any difference, so I can’t comment on that, but I use an externally powered USB hub anyway, with a clean power supply, so I don’t usually suffer from any noticeable noise via USB power in my system.

Of course the biggest change here is the swap to USB-C, which is something that is very nice to finally see. It may not bring any performance upgrades but it is certainly a preferable connection method in my opinion and I am sure others will agree.

Moving around to the front, we again have the same layout as on the previous generation, except for the True Bass of v2 being replaced with XBass on V3. This means that, from left to right, we get the Power Match button (basically iFi’s name for gain), the XBass button, the volume knob, a 6.35mm unbalanced output and a 4.4mm balanced output.

Depending on what we set the fixed/variable switch to on the back of the device, the volume knob with either control both the headphone outputs and the line outputs, or just the headphone outputs (with the line outputs being at a fixed level). Plugging in or removing the headphones will mute the line outputs.

The only other thing left to mention is that the top half of the volume knob, or rather the ring surrounding it, has an LED behind it that changes colour depending on the format of the files being played. I already mentioned most of the supported formats in the intro but it also decodes MQA up to 384kHz, if that is something that interests you.

As far as functionality, that is really it. As usual, it is a simple to operate device that you just connect and let it do its job.



Sound…

Let me start off by being transparent about my listening sessions. Usually I would use quite a selection of overear headphones but it is currently 45ºC here (almost 115ºF) and it is just too hot to spend any long listening sessions with them. Therefore, I have used the Hifiman Edition XS and the Koss KPH40, as they are the two sets that live on my desk at work (directly under the air con). The rest of my listening has been done with IEMs, both those that I have been testing out and those that also live in my desk drawer in the office, along with the Dunu Alpha 3 (which have been getting a surprising amount of ear time lately).

As far as power, I am not a loud listener but with the Edition XS, I found that between 40% and 50% on low gain was enough for my usual listening sessions. I can max them out without going deaf on low gain (although way above my preferred levels), with 60% on high gain starting to become uncomfortable. With the Koss, I found I needed slightly less and with the Alpha 3 even less, under 30% is plenty for my usual levels.

As far as channel imbalance, something normal on iFi products due to the analogue volume controls, I have to say that the level was too low to hear the music over the A/C before I could notice any imbalance.

So how does it sound?

It sounds like iFi, which is a good thing, in my opinion of course.

I don’t have the previous models here to compare but listening to the Zen DAC 3, I feel the same that I do with most iFi products, that there is that slight rounded warmth to the sound but without it detracting from the details or sounding dull.

I am actually surprised at how well the Zen DAC 3 drives the Edition XS even when powered by USB. I know that the Edition XS are not exactly hard to drive headphones but some devices do struggle to power planar headphones well, especially when powered by USB. In this case, I didn’t feel that it was the case at all, I found them to perform just how I expect them to and just have that slight hint of warmth which I enjoy with sets like the XS, due to them being very clean and “straight to the point”.

I also found that the pairing with the Koss and the Alpha 3 was very enjoyable. I would have expected them to maybe not pair quite as well (after hearing the XS) as they are already a little warmer in their presentation. However, they did not seem to overdo it at all, they match well with the Zen DAC 3.

With IEMs, I tried a selection, a lot of which I have here pending for review. My usual set up on the desk for IEMs is the Gryphon and I didn’t feel that I was losing anything by using the Zen DAC 3. In fact, I would say that they are very similar in their presentation, maybe just slightly more rounded on the DAC 3.

One thing that I am not overly impressed with on the Zen DAC 3 is the XBass. Actually, that is probably the wrong way to put it, as it is actually very impressive when you turn it on but gets tiring pretty quickly. I don’t usually use the XBass much on the Gryphon or the GoBlu (the 2 iFi devices that I use the most) but I do turn it on now and again when I am in the mood or when a specific track/album asks for it. On the Zen DAC 3, I find the XBass to be much more powerful than on the other two devices and it can be a little too much, at least for me personally.

I haven’t measured the output of the Zen DAC 3 as I haven’t taken it home with me and it is far too hot in the studio at the moment to start measuring things, but just by ear it seems to be overly boomy in comparison to the XBass on other iFi devices. I find it is something that works well for when you are in the “party mood”, much like a DJ boosting the bass when people are in their “prime”, but it does get tiring when just listening to music.

Most of my listening has been done from the unbalanced output as almost all the stuff I had around me was unbalanced. With the unbalanced output I can’t say that I have noticed any noise or background hiss. With the balanced output, I only really used the Edition XS (mainly to test it, as I ran them most of the time unbalanced also), but they showed no sign of noise either.



Conclusion…

I may not have dived quite as deep into the Zen DAC 3 as I have done with other iFi products in the past but the time that I have spent using it has been a very positive experience. I tried it briefly as a DAC only feeding the Asgard 3 that I also have on my desk and the outcome was just as good. In fact, they pair quite nicely.

There are a lot of options around the 200€ mark, many of which are very good and I feel that the Zen DAC v3 (which is around 229€ here in Spain) is one to be considered. If you enjoy the iFi house sound, this has it. If you want something that is well built, this is. If you want something that looks good, well, that is of course subjective but it certainly looks different to all the other options.

For someone who is looking for a nice all-in-one package that can drive “normal” stuff without issue, then the Zen CAN 3 is a very valid option. I would happily live with one on my desk.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

Disclaimer

I was sent the Zen Dac 3 to demo and review, this will be sent back once review is complete.


A short but sweet review

I'd normally try and write a long review with detials of various apsects of an audio product however the Zen Dac 3 is going to be an exception due to it's wonderful simlicity and brillance at doing what it does.


The package is quite minimal and contains the unit with a USB-C to USB-A cable and a RCA inteconnect. The unit itself is very well built and oozes quality at this price point.
On the front of the ZD3 is a volume knob in the middle, 4.4mm and 6.25mm headphone sockets to the right. On the left sits the power match button and the Xbass function button.
On the rear of the unit is the USB-C conneciton which is used to both connect to source and to power. There is a power inlet socket which I've not used, as well as variable/fixed volume switch, lastly there is the RCA sockets.



Full list of specs and functions etc can be found here https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3/

Balanced output power of 390mw (64ohms) was more than enough for my collection fo IEM's and was also suffice for my limited amount of full size headphones.
The Burr-Brown DAC used by iFi again produces excellent results for the sound on the ZD3. I've always liked thier use of the Burr-Brown DAC in previous products, I always find it produces a warm yet detailed sound, it's also very smooth in it's delivery.
I used a variety of earphones and the ZD3 sounded excellent with everything I used, of particualr note was my Sony IER Z1r earphones, the ZD3 added to their already excellent soundstage and seems to give even more air and presence to their sound.
My Sennheiser 660s also benefits from the ZD3, the bass is lifted and gives some more texture and the treble is also given some extra detail. Even though the stated power seems low, the ZD3 powered the 660s with ease and using the powermatch which gives a fgain boost also helps.

The Xbass was a feature I tried briefly, it works in terms of giving the lower frequency a boost but it's not something I use on any product and I won't be now. I find that altohugh it boosts it doesn't keep original detail and bass can become a bit boomy whe using it.



This is probably the shortest review I've written and it's because the Zen Dac 3 really is just a simply wonderful piece of hardware, it looks good and is expremely well built. The easy connection to Laptop/source and ease of power delivery through USB-C is a great feature.
The sound that the Zen Dac 3 is for the price excellent, for £229 I think you are getting a device that punches way above it's price range.

Ifi invited me to review this item with no editorial expectations or guidance. Opinions and errors are my own. The DAC 3 will be returned to Ifi. Many thanks to Karina @ Ifi for reaching out to me.

Materials:
Fiio K7 DAC / Amp
Ifi ZEN CAN
iMac 2017, Pine player
Oneplus 6, Neutron player
Philips X2HR
Fostex TH-X00
Beyerdynamic DT150 250 Ohm
Koss Porta Pro
SoundRhyme SR5
Penon FAN

All transducers were used in balanced mode; I balanced modified the Philips, Fostex and Koss myself. The Beyer has a custom balanced cable.

Playlist consisted of a mix of genres: Shadow Child, Katy Perry, Alt-J, Dinosaur Jr., Richard Ashcroft, Chicane and various Deep House tracks.

The ZD3 arrives in a smart rectangular carton; a separate internal box contains an RCA interconnect and a 5V 0.5A DC power supply. The front fascia of the ZD3 has been redesigned: there is now a bicoloured panel of brushed and textured metal. Ever present are the Power Match and XBass buttons, 6.3mm and 4.4mm sockets.

At the back, the main difference from the V2 is a USB C socket which can be used for power and/or digital signal. I could discern no additional sonic benefit when plugging in the DC adaptor. Presumably it would be used when the transport is battery powered to prevent excess drain. The volume pot is nicely weighted, with none of the channel imbalance that has been present in previous incarnations.

I enjoyed the ZD3’s sound. It was clean, clear, and crisp. Overall, I felt that the profile was sonically balanced with a cool timbre.

The X2HR retains its airiness, space and soundstage with nice instrumental separation and a modest, if tasteful bass. The deep bass of the Fostex was well controlled, impactful and really matched well with the ZD3. This was my favourite pairing overall. The Koss’ were also a nice match, benefitting from balancing and a thicker pair of foams to realise a smooth, musically sweet character with a touch of treble roll off.

The DT150 are quite neutral in timbre with a mids focus, treble roll off and absence of the Beyer 8kHz spike - the only pair of Beyers that I have been able to tolerate for any length of time! I was concerned that maybe the ZD3 wouldn’t be able to power the Beyers but there was enough juice to give a respectable showing. They responded nicely to Power Match as you might expect with a 250 Ohm resistance. The Xbass worked OK, my mass damped Beyers can handle that amount of bass but I preferred it off. I consider myself a bass lover so am confused by my dislike for the Xbass function. I think I prefer my bass ab initio, part of the native signature of the transducer, rather than introduced on top.

Unfortunately the SR5 treble edge was accentuated with the ZD3, verging on uncomfortable (for me). I felt that the SR5s are a useful judge of source nature, being affected by what they are connected to. The FAN has a deep V-shaped profile, which produced no sonic surprises.

I didn’t enjoy the Xbass - it added far too much boomy mid bass and overwhelmed the X2HR. None of the other transducers really need a bass boost anyway. It might have been better to have a staged boost, rather than all or nothing.

There was a huge amount of waterfall hiss on the balanced output with the SR5, becoming muted on single ended connection. Also heard a touch of hiss with the FANs. This is something I have come to expect with ZEN DACs. No hiss with any of the headphones.

I added the ZEN CAN as an amplifier - only the Porta Pro and Beyers changed their sonic character, becoming slightly fuller and deeper. I couldn’t hear any change with any of the others, or it was too slight and probably placebo.

The K7 has a warmer, smoother, sweeter nature compared to the ZD3. I was really surprised - only after listening to the ZEN does the difference become apparent. There is a slight loss of fidelity but I cannot tell if it is the midbass obscuring those details or whether it is true lack of separation / resolution. The K7 however has a completely black background using the SR5 - no hiss whatsoever.

To sum up, the ZEN DAC 3 is a great place to start your journey. It coped effortlessly with everything I had, with the proviso that sensitive transducers hiss to some degree or other. I feel that it works well with bass orientated or balanced transducers.

Simple Audio Review: iFi ZEN DAC 3​

It’s not all about the power… (Full review: https://jamesfiorucci.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/simple-audio-review-ifi-zen-dac-3/ )

The ZEN DAC series of DAC/amps catapulted the British audio tech company iFi Audio to the forefront of the audiophile and headphone communities.
Renowned for their smooth and effortless sound as well as high build quality, the iFi ZEN DAC has now entered its third generation which has introduced a few key changes compared to the V2 model.
Will the ZEN DAC 3 continue iFi’s reputation as a the default choice for budget audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts? Let’s find out.
The iFi ZEN DAC 3 retails for £229; more information can be found on iFi’s website. Many thanks to Karina at iFi Audio for sending out a ZEN DAC 3 for review.

Specifications and Features​

Included in the box with the ZEN DAC 3, apart from the unit itself of course, is a handy quick-start guide, RCA cables and a USB-C to USB-A cable to connect the unit to your media playback device. A USB-C to USB-C cable would have been nice as well to connect to a mobile phone, but I understand iFi’s decision to go with USB-A as the ZEN DAC 3 will be used primarily in a desktop setting.

The ZEN DAC 3 can be powered completely via USB, meaning no external power supply is needed. However, iFi have included a 5V power socket on the unit just in case you would rather power the DAC using mains.

iFi claim that hooking up the ZEN DAC 3 to an external power supply ensures that the USB connection is solely dedicated to data transfer, improving the sound quality. I had iFi send over their iPowerX power supply to test this theory, which I will dive into in the sound section of this review.

Compared to the ZEN DAC V2, the third generation model has swapped out the USB-B data connection for USB-C and can decode up to PCM768 and DSD512 (compared to PCM384 and DSD256 in the former). TrueBass circuitry has also been swapped out for XBass+, which can be toggled on and off with a button at the front of the unit. These can all be regarded as positive changes.

The output power has remained unchanged, rated at over 390mW (@64 Ohms) from the balanced 4.4mm connection. Both units still use the fabled Burr-Brown DAC chip and 16-core XMOS audio processors, though the ZEN DAC 3 has better harmonic distortion figures but slightly worse signal-noise ratio and dynamic range compared to its predecessor. The differences are negligible, but we will see whether this has had any effect on the sound later on.

Design and Build​

In my opinion this is just a flat-out better looking version of the ZEN DAC V2. I love the extra details and more premium-feeling volume knob on the third gen; the V2 now looks more bland in comparison.

Some don’t like the shape that the ZEN DAC has always had, especially because it doesn’t really fit well in a stack with another amplifier. But as a standalone unit, I’m a fan of the smooth curves and the overall material choices are high quality with barely a hint of plastic on the exterior of the device.

The volume pot has a smooth rotation with enough resistance to prevent unwanted changes in volume, and the buttons for XBass+ and Power Match work well. Furthermore, I thought it would be worth mentioning that the unit never got warm, let alone hot in my many hours of testing. I have only praises for the design and build of the ZEN DAC 3.

Sound and Synergy​

Simply put, I found the sound coming out from the iFi ZEN DAC 3 to be absolutely flawless. Every facet of the sound bellied its admittedly sub-par power output, which goes to show that a high wattage is no guarantee of high quality sonic performance.

The Burr-Brown DAC chip provides a warmer-leaning tonality, but there has been no sacrifice to the midrange and treble frequencies. Overall, the ZEN DAC 3 puts out a smooth listening experience, one that can help tame troublesome peaks in the highs present in some headphones.

Take the Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition 600 Ohm for example. Infamous for it’s jagged treble response, the ZEN DAC 3 smoothed out the upper registers and brought out the most from the DT880. Despite the low power output, I was only at noon on the dial on low gain which goes to show that the ZEN DAC 3 has plenty enough juice to drive the vast majority of headphones.

What impressed me the most however was the imaging and soundstaging capabilities of the unit. There’s outstanding coherency and width to the soundstage, with better layering than the similarly-specced Fosi Audio SK02.

Every now and then I would toggle the XBass+ switch, and wow was it addictive. It bumps up the bass frequencies by a fair few dBs, but does so without overly interfering with the midrange. It particularly helped to alleviate the anaemic bass response of certain dynamic open-back headphones such as the Sennheiser HD600.

I tried listening with and without the iPowerX powering the ZEN DAC 3, and truth be told I didn’t hear a huge difference. Perhaps there was a slight increase in macrodynamics, but that may have just been a bit of placebo.

The fact that the ZEN DAC 3 can simply be driven from a laptop or phone and provide such a faultless listening experience is amazing if you ask me.

Overall Verdict​

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 looks good, sounds good and perhaps best of all, costs good. While it doesn’t have the highest power output amongst its competition, it may well be the best sounding DAC/amp right now in its price category.

Rating: 9/10​