Anyone tried the new Parasound Zdac v.2?

[pdferguson]

I see Parasound has just released the new version of the Zdac, and I haven't found any reviews of it. Has anyone heard this, and can comment on its performance as a DAC and as a headphone amp?
 
I'm getting close to placing an order for a Oppo HA-1, but it looks like overkill for what I need (although it definitely *looks* cooler). I would consider the Zdac v.2 if it was a great value for the money. I have a Zamp in my desktop music setup, and have been very happy with it.
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[JMCIII]

I'm in the process of purchasing one, so I'll post my impressions when (and if) the transaction goes through. I'm very impressed with the specs of the zDac v.2. Given my older Universal player, this may be a nice - abet - upgrade to my CD enjoyment. 

 

[JMCIII]

I recieved my Zdac v.2 yesterday, and after its burned in for a bit I'll post my impressions both as a DAC and as a headphone amp.
 
But there is one other review of the new Zdac v.2 on Enjoy The Music, so feel free to read that review too. I did, and it helped me decide to try the Parasound.

 

[SpirosG]

  I recieved my Zdac v.2 yesterday, and after its burned in for a bit I'll post my impressions both as a DAC and as a headphone amp.
 
But there is one other review of the new Zdac v.2 on Enjoy The Music, so feel free to read that review too. I did, and it helped me decide to try the Parasound.

Any updates ? How do you enjoy the V2 ? Do you use it as a headphone amp ?  

 

[JMCIII]

Here's a link to my Facebook page featuring my review of the Parasound Zdac v.2. Both as a DAC and as a Headphone Amp. Enjoy. I did.
 
https://www.facebook.com/JohnMauriceCrossettIii/posts/279446432178958:0

 

[SpirosG]

Thnx a lot !

 

[grizzlybeast]

Subd

 

[Minter123]

Hoping to get the kind of nice sounding as referred in those positive reviews and comments, out of a new Zdac v.2 (for a friend).
 
With ~80 hours now, the referenced desirable sounding has not completely arrived yet; still improving, slowly and slightly, as checked via m902/HD650 and a pair of ears experienced with classical music.
 
Both coaxial and USB give the similar sound.

 

[pdferguson]

Thanks for the comments, Ed. Does the Zdac sound overly bright through the HD650's or through the amp/speakers (or both)? The 650's seem to need a brighter source to balance their inherent laid back signature, so it sounds like this might be a good combo.

 

[Minter123]

Thanks pdferguson.  I just did and intend to update on my experience with this Zdac v2 (next time I will try to do that via new post so as to keep the context). It seems quite hopeful whereas a bit more time and effort may be needed than initially thought.

 

[project86]

I've been enjoying the Zdac v2 for a while now. Full review to come at InnerFidelity, whenever I have time to give it a thorough writeup.
 
So far I like it a lot - it's a clear improvement over the original (which I also enjoyed), in both sound and useability. Running the v2 in a Stax rig with far more expensive transport and amp, it doesn't feel like a major bottleneck at all.

 

[grizzlybeast]

cant wait to read it!

 

[Minter123]

With 100 some hours of burning-in by now, this Zdac v.2 is becoming quite acceptable or presentable in my case. My dealer's opinion: this unit will always be on the bright side, i.e. being detailed and analytical, and can work well depending on whether your systems (the matching components) being on "warm" side on not. 
 
The built in headphone output is decent via a Grado 80 or Senn HD650, considering this accounts only a small portion of the ~500 dollars.
 
Out of (fixed) line outputs, my classical music is pristine....again, this is played through a Grace m902 and HD650 combo with cross-feed on and with just regular low cost interconnects (good power conditioner and cables though). Obviously the balanced connection between this Zdac and m902 yields significantly better sounding than the single-ended (single ended connection for HD650 with one of the two phone jacks on m902).  I used before an Ayre 7e/mp player as source (highly musical and also of pristine sounding).....Zdac may not be at the same level but does remind me of the style of that player.  They are all "unusually" over-sampling DACs, incidentally.   
 
I have read again most of the previous reviews on Zdac.  Some wordings fit well with my experience, while certain other nice descriptions/acclaims (if I can somewhat comprehend to begin with) have yet to realize on this particular unit.  I am prepared to be happy with what is here already and perhaps a bit more.  Practically, what counts is, I have started having hour-long sessions of enjoying recordings of various composers, orchestras, conductors, labels, years, etc.  On the point of purposely burning in this little DAC/amp, it is declared to be over.  

 

[pdferguson]

Thanks again for the comments. It sounds like you're using the Zdac primarily as a DAC because the DAC in the m902 is fairly old, is that correct? 

 

[JMCIII]

 
With 100 some hours of burning-in by now, this Zdac v.2 is becoming quite acceptable or presentable in my case. My dealer's opinion: this unit will always be on the bright side, i.e. being detailed and analytical, and can work well depending on whether your systems (the matching components) being on "warm" side on not. 
 
The built in headphone output is decent via a Grado 80 or Senn HD650, considering this accounts only a small portion of the ~500 dollars.
 
Out of (fixed) line outputs, my classical music is pristine....again, this is played through a Grace m902 and HD650 combo with cross-feed on and with just regular low cost interconnects (good power conditioner and cables though). Obviously the balanced connection between this Zdac and m902 yields significantly better sounding than the single-ended (single ended connection for HD650 with one of the two phone jacks on m902).  I used before an Ayre 7e/mp player as source (highly musical and also of pristine sounding).....Zdac may not be at the same level but does remind me of the style of that player.  They are all "unusually" over-sampling DACs, incidentally.   
 
I have read again most of the previous reviews on Zdac.  Some wordings fit well with my experience, while certain other nice descriptions/acclaims (if I can somewhat comprehend to begin with) have yet to realize on this particular unit.  I am prepared to be happy with what is here already and perhaps a bit more.  Practically, what counts is, I have started having hour-long sessions of enjoying recordings of various composers, orchestras, conductors, labels, years, etc.  On the point of purposely burning in this little DAC/amp, it is declared to be over.  

 
Your results are interesting. To me, the Zdac v.2 is anything but bright (though that may be the result of my AKG K701 headphones). But like you, I can listen for longer periods of time via the Zdac v.2 than I have via nay previous headphone amp I've had in house. It's just a nice, relaxed, yet just detailed enough presentation to keep my attention from wandering. As a DAC, used via the balanced outs to my Audio Research LS17SE, I have found that it punches far above it weight (price). Not the ne plus ultra in DAC's, but a more than worthy contender that should be heard (fully burned in) before spending more.