ZEN Signature Set MZ99 - DAC & Amp

General Information

General Information

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ZEN DAC Signature V2​

This ZEN DAC Signature V2 is the upgraded version of our original ZEN DAC Signature – a pure DAC that benefits from true-differential balanced circuit design. It has upgraded circuit components and short, direct signal paths for optimal signal purity.

It delivers bit-perfect PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz), native DSD (up to DSD256) and DXD.

The use of the 16-core XMOS chip, rather than the original 8-core, means it is now a full MQA decoder rather than a renderer.

It offers a pair of RCA sockets for single-ended connection to an amp, plus a Balanced 4.4mm output.

The full benefit of the ZEN DAC Signature V2’s balanced circuit design comes to the fore when it is connected to an amp or active speakers equipped with a balanced input. This can either be a 4.4mm Balanced input or stereo XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable.

It can switch between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’ outputs.

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ZEN CAN Signature MZ99​

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 has a carefully calibrated EQ curve to compliment the Meze 99 Classics. It adjusts the treble for more ‘vivaciousness’ and enhances the mid-low bass to extract the last drop of sonic goodness from these already musical headphones.
Its custom ActivEQ setting combines active and passive components to create this special EQ curve. Take a look at the Meze Curve & Compatibility chart here.
The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 also works with the Meze 99 Neo and the Meze 99 by Drop. ActivEQ can be switched off to make the most of ALL headphones and in-ear monitors.
The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 also uses XSpace. This is an analogue processing mode which compensates for the ‘in-head localisation’ effect that can occur when listening to tracks mixed using a pair of speakers on headphones.
It features PowerMatch – four gain in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db.
The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 boasts symmetrical, dual-mono balanced circuitry. It delivers 1600mW (7.2V) into 32 ohms from the single-ended output, with 15V+ available to loads of 600 ohms or more through the balanced output.
It houses stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a balanced 4.4mm Balanced input. It has a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector and a 4.4mm Balanced balanced output for headphones offering a balanced connection.

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4.4mm to 4.4mm cable​

The iFi 4.4mm to 4.4mm cable employs heavy OFHC continuous cast copper and silver matrix conductors with a total thickness of 14AWG for the best signal transfer.
It’s a perfect addition to our ZEN Signature Set MZ99 as this audiophile-grade cable will give you maximum quality balanced signal transfer and minimum interference.
The cable construction is a custom helix design, minimised both in capacitance and inductance. It has intrinsic shielding provided by minZ™ helix construction. This protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise and provides the cleanest transfer medium possible.
To insulate the cable even further, we used an RoHS compliant super-soft (60P) HD polymer with 1500V AC spark resistance and excellent dielectric properties.

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Latest reviews

Another Audiophile

500+ Head-Fier
All you will ever need
Pros: -Powerfull
-Dynamic
-Clean
-Adjustable gain
-Futures and versitility
Cons: -DAC has only USB input
-MZ99 button?
I will be blunt and into the point. With amplifiers and dacs I want two things . Clean conversion from digital to analog and clean amplification of signals. How hard can it be…


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Here we have for review the latest stack by @iFi audio made for the Meze 99 Classics (will call it 99s) and it costs £599. I will not bother you with introductions and specifications since all this information is available on Ifi’s website.

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This is a powerful stack with an exceptional amplifier and a less than exemptions DAC. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad DAC but with USB only as an input and the introduction of the ZEN One Signature I feel that this DAC is kind or redundant unless you want to use it as a preamplifier to drive active loudspeakers.

This is named as the stack designed for the 99s but I have my reservations. I received the units from Ifi audio in exchange of my honest review. All opinions are of my own and I will be returning the units following my review. Once received it was unboxed and connected to my desktop setup next to my RME-ADI 2 DAC FS. The DAC was feeding the bundled amplifier with the balanced 4.4mm connection and my Audiovalve RKV HAA through its single ended in a fixed output.

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Throughout my time with this stack I’ve used a number of headphones and IEMs. The first one was an easy choice. The 99s and I was very curious to try out the MZ99 button. I don’t know who had the idea that the 99s need a bass boost but that’s what this button does. It adds extra bass on top of an already bass heavy headphone. The result was bloated bass which ruined the rest of the frequency response. The X-Space option was a very different story. That should have been the MZ99 button. The X Space reduced the perceived bass and added a little bit of clarity which originally is missing from this headphone. With the X space engaged I had NO complains. Lots of power, no hiss, no ifs, no buts. The difference compared to my RME was very obvious. I was listening an album by a Brazilian artists called Céu and the album Acustico. This album has lots of acoustic guitar overtones and natural decay. The Zen Signature stack produces a sound that is much more dense compared to the RME and the overtones could be heard more clearly. Now you will ask which one is more neutral. That don’t know but what I do know is that the ZEN sounded more like a real guitar and the RME more like a recorded guitar. My suspicion is that the ZEN Signature stack and especially the amplifier has higher level of second harmonic distortion which could explain what I was hearing. Measurements and theories aside I was enjoying way more with the ZEN combo and at the end that’s the only point. Enjoyment. I’ve tried also the Zen Can with the RME’s output and I had the same results. Following my time with the 99s I switched to other headphones and that’s when the real fun kicked in. This thing can drive ANY headphone in my collection and it is especially impressive with high impedance headphones. Had no problem driving the ZMF Aeolus, Sennheiser HD800s, Sennheiser HD6XX and more. From my experience it is very hard to find a good amplifier in a reasonable price that will drive equally good low and high impedance headphones. My experience with the amplifier is that the MZ99 setting works best with the HD6xx and HD800s while the X-Space is ideal for the 99s. Using the ZEN DAC I switched between the ZEN CAN and my OTL valve amplifier. With 8W at 200 Ohms the valve amplifier was more powerful and dimensional but not a night and day difference.


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Following my time with higher impedance headphones I switched to IEMs and low impedance headphones. The Fiio FH5, Sony IER-Z1r, Audeze LCD-MX4 and Audeze LCD-X came to play along with some other IEMs. I had no issues, hiss or noise with the correct gain setting, having my listening volume at 12 o’clock. The amplifier has an effortless power abundance and authority with any headphones & IEMs I’ve tried it with. Nevertheless, the overtones, decay and timbre mentioned earlier was present no matter the headphones I’ve used which was a very pleasant surprise.


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So all in all we have an amplifier with abundance of power, all the connectivity you might need, extremely flexible gain setting and the ability to drive any headphones and IEMs in my collection. This, couple with a tone that sounds correct and pleasant and you have right there the last amplifier you will ever need. 99% of the people would be happy to just have this amplifier and nothing else my self included.


So all is golden? Not really. My only blemish is with the DAC. It’s a good enough DAC and works well but with only USB input, as mentioned earlier, I really don’t see the point. I am sure the people at Ifi have realised that and I believe the stack will be more relevant with the Zen One Signature DAC instead of the ZEN DAC Signature V2. I understand if you need a volume pot to control active speakers but that would be all. My only recommendation to Ifi is to allow DAC onions for the bundle so the customer can choose the Zen One Signature or the Zen Dac Signature V2. That will make everyone happy and probably will appeal to a larger customer base.

Thank you for Reading

AA

Equipment used

Headphones:

Meze 99 Classics
Sennheiser/Drop HD6XX (My Reference)
Sennheiser HD800S (Classical, Acoustic, Jazz)
Sennheiser HD25 (On the go, undistractable, great Isolation with punchy sound)
Grado SR80e (Used for calls, video conferences and podcasts)
ZMF Aeolus Cocobolo (Hot chocolate kind of headphones)
Audeze LCD-MX4 (Dynamic, Powerful and Visceral sound. Pop, EDM, Electronica, Techno)
Audeze LCD-X (2020) (I am still figuring this out)

IEMs:
Sony IER-Z1R (My Reference)
Fiio FH5 (it works with nice bass)
Blon BL-03 (it works)
TruthEar Zero (also works)


Music Used:
  1. Melanie De Biasio - Your Freedom is the End of Me
  2. Hans Zimmer - Mountains
  3. Gillian Welch - The Way it Goes
  4. Florence & The Machine - Ship to Wreck
  5. Dire Straits - Water of Love
  6. Antonio Vivaldi - Winter Concerto in F minor
  7. Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake, Swan Theme
  8. Biig Piig - Roses and Gold
  9. Amber Rubarth - Hold On
  10. Billie Eilish - Everything I wanted
  11. Metallica - Enter Sandman
  12. Led Zeppelin - Ramble on
  13. Beyonce - Daddy Lessons
  14. Kenny Burrell - Chitlins Con Carne
  15. Dave Brubeck - Take Five
  16. Air - Talisman
  17. Bombino - Iyat Na Hay
  18. GoGo Penguin - Totem
  19. Hans Theessink - St. James Infirmary
  20. Céu Acustic0 (Complete Album)
Source

Mac mini using Roon
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