[iFi audio]

How do you switch between headphones and line out to power speakers?

Just to clarify, you're asking about ZEN DAC V2?

 

[ld100]

How do you switch between headphones and line out to power speakers? Do you have to unplug the line out to use headphones?

Just to clarify, you're asking about ZEN DAC V2?

Yes. Do you have to feed it to a Zen Amp to use powered speakers?

 

[ufospls2]

EDIT Deleted, found answer to question!

 

[iFi audio]

How do you switch between headphones and line out to power speakers? Do you have to unplug the line out to use headphones?

Both these outputs are active, so there's no need to switch between them.

 

[OCC7N]

I would like to know how the ZEN DAC Signature V2 stacks up against highend dacs.

Anyone in this thread who has the signature v2?

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

I would like to know how the ZEN DAC Signature V2 stacks up against highend dacs.

Anyone in this thread who has the signature v2?

I do have this DAC. I can't really answer your question because I don't have what most people would consider a highend DAC. However, I stream music with two alternative rigs. One is an integrated amp (Hegel H120, with streaming and Roon Ready) paired with the REVEL Performa 3 M106 bookshelf speakers (this combination may not be true highend but costs about 5,000 USD and sounds awesome). I also use the H120 headphone output. The H120 has an AKM 4490 DAC that is very well implemented. The alternative streaming rig is a Zen Stream coupled with the Zen DAC Signature V2, feeding the H120 via balanced output. I can also connect the Zen Stream directly to the H120. Whatever the combination I use, I'm pleased with the sound, especially for all sorts of acoustic music (Jazz, chamber, pop/rock, folk). It's a very natural sound, meaning excellent timber, tonal balance, also with good detail and soundstage. I was listening last night to Keith Jarret playing at the Scala and it sounded perfect, as if he was in my living room, playing live. How does the Signature V2 performs in this context? It doesn't change the sound signature but gives me a more relaxed sound, slightly more laid back, though not dull, that is slightly easy on the ears. It just sounds right. Very often I ask myself if a higher quality DAC (something in the 1000-1500 USD region) would make a noticeable difference in my system. I don't have the answer, but the fact is that I end up thinking that I'm getting most of my hifi system with the signature V2. Does it get much better than this, given the same amp-speakers/headphones combo, as well as the same sources? I doubt it. Maybe one day I'll open up the wallet again and buy a more expensive DAC, but so far I'm very pleased with what I hear. BTW, for my particular use, I like the fact that this is a pure USB DAC, without remote control and the need to switch on and off. I just forget it is there. Anyway, I'd also be happy to learn about other people's answer to your question. Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

I do have this DAC. I can't really answer your question because I don't have what most people would consider a highend DAC. However, I stream music with two alternative rigs. One is an integrated amp (Hegel H120, with streaming and Roon Ready) paired with the REVEL Performa 3 M106 bookshelf speakers (this combination may not be true highend but costs about 5,000 USD and sounds awesome). I also use the H120 headphone output. The H120 has an AKM 4490 DAC that is very well implemented. The alternative streaming rig is a Zen Stream coupled with the Zen DAC Signature V2, feeding the H120 via balanced output. I can also connect the Zen Stream directly to the H120. Whatever the combination I use, I'm pleased with the sound, especially for all sorts of acoustic music (Jazz, chamber, pop/rock, folk). It's a very natural sound, meaning excellent timber, tonal balance, also with good detail and soundstage. I was listening last night to Keith Jarret playing at the Scala and it sounded perfect, as if he was in my living room, playing live. How does the Signature V2 performs in this context? It doesn't change the sound signature but gives me a more relaxed sound, slightly more laid back, though not dull, that is slightly easy on the ears. It just sounds right. Very often I ask myself if a higher quality DAC (something in the 1000-1500 USD region) would make a noticeable difference in my system. I don't have the answer, but the fact is that I end up thinking that I'm getting most of my hifi system with the signature V2. Does it get much better than this, given the same amp-speakers/headphones combo, as well as the same sources? I doubt it. Maybe one day I'll open up the wallet again and buy a more expensive DAC, but so far I'm very pleased with what I hear. BTW, for my particular use, I like the fact that this is a pure USB DAC, without remote control and the need to switch on and off. I just forget it is there. Anyway, I'd also be happy to learn about other people's answer to your question. Cheers

Thanks a lot and enjoy your ZEN DAC Signature V2!

 

[Elderico]

How do the Signature V2 stack compare to the portable micro idsd Signature ? Do they have the same sonic characteristics ?

 

[iFi audio]

How do the Signature V2 stack compare to the portable micro idsd Signature ? Do they have the same sonic characteristics ?

I'll leave any detailed comparisons to others, but in general these platforms sound similar to quite an extent. In this regard iDSD Diablo is quicker, more energetic and a bit leaner. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[Elderico]

I'll leave any detailed comparisons to others, but in general these platforms sound similar to quite an extent. In this regard iDSD Diablo is quicker, more energetic and a bit leaner. Hope this helps, thanks!

Thank you for your answer. Some other questions :

- Are there noticeable differences in sound quality between the Balanced circuitry, and the S-Bal of the idsd Signature ?

- Also, is there a version of the Zen can Signature with the regular bass boost button ? (without presets) Is this ActivEQ HFM/6xx button still mainly a bass boost that can please many headphones/iems ? or does it change too much the overall response ? If so, are there ways to reset/EQ back the device to the default bass boost ?

 

[ducnsh]

Thank you for your answer. Some other questions :

- Are there noticeable differences in sound quality between the Balanced circuitry, and the S-Bal of the idsd Signature ?

- Also, is there a version of the Zen can Signature with the regular bass boost button ? (without presets) Is this ActivEQ HFM/6xx button still mainly a bass boost that can please many headphones/iems ? or does it change too much the overall response ? If so, are there ways to reset/EQ back the device to the default bass boost ?

As I know, there is not Zen Can Sig with the regular bass boost button, without ActivEQ activation, the Zen Can Sig is a hardware-upgraded version of the original Zen Can. I also tested the Zen Can Sig HD6xx with my headphones/iems that are not HD6xx, it usually boosts low and high frequencies, making these stuff more V-Shaped.

 

[Elderico]

I received the set. and been listening for 4 weeks.
Overall pleasing with relaxed music and general audio. I find that the music opens the mid which fix properly fix the mids of the ier z1r (it makes their vocals finally sound correct). However, the music lacks attack or transient on energetic music and I find this underwhelming. I don't fully enjoy music that have energy.

In Tracks like il:lo from Biome, drums/bells initial impact don't feel as physical.


Same in Cloudy June - Devil Is A Woman. From 0:30 starts metallic "hammer" which became more "rounded" than sharp.


- I notice that bass initial impact is more rounded and I don't find it always right. Has anyone noticed that or it is because my previous dac Realtek ALC1220 is too sharp in transients ? Would changing the dac to something tighter in transient fix it, or is the ifi can Signature Amp also shares this characteristic?

Personal observations :
Build quality is fantastic. Compactness is great. Though I do not really like the shape which looks like aunt's glasses from the 70's
- I don't like the LED being on all the time. It would be great to get a firmware to give the option to disable the Dac light (since there are multiple firmwares and choices already). The IFI audio USB device control panel already gives information about Sample Rate, Buffer size etc, it could be mentioned there too.
- Balanced sounds really nice and convenient... but when connecting a single ended cable into of the provided adapter, the cable gets in the way of the knob which becomes too annoying to use. Especially for right handed people. It seems too close to the knob or the adapter extrudes too far.
- Amp uses electricity (some watts) when computer is off. It should turn idle, and Dac light should turn off too. Or there could be an option to turn off after xx time.
- A little disappointed of not being able to control the sound from windows + mouse shortcut. Technically a motor for the knob could make that possible (even if the knob was adjusting and turning as slow as the motor, it would still be a nice option). Controlling form the mouse is handy when playing video games for example. I admit it's a tricky one.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

What HiFi has praised the ZEN DAC V2 as one of the 6 most highly recommended!!

https://www.whathifi.com/features/we-recently-tested-15-dacs-and-here-are-6-we-highly-recommend

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-v2/

Cheers!!

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

What HiFi has praised the ZEN DAC V2 as one of the 6 most highly recommended!!

https://www.whathifi.com/features/we-recently-tested-15-dacs-and-here-are-6-we-highly-recommend

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-v2/

Cheers!!

Not surprised. The Zen Dac/Zen Can have always represented excellent value for the audio dollar. I have an original Zen Dac Signature and Zen Can Signature HD6XX
and IME they offer great sound for the money. Very nicely built too. Thanks for the article info!

 

[iFi audio]

Not surprised. The Zen Dac/Zen Can have always represented excellent value for the audio dollar. I have an original Zen Dac Signature and Zen Can Signature HD6XX
and IME they offer great sound for the money. Very nicely built too. Thanks for the article info!

Thank you for your kind words and enjoy your ZEN Siganture stack, may it serve you for years to come