[iFi audio]

Get well soon !

Thanks, Bud, easy one this time! Just gotta go easy, but par for the course!

I hope yours ships soon!

Cheers!!

 

[MLGrado]

It is no secret I believe the iFi ZEN series has an unmatchable listening experience at this price.

My first official review at euphonicreview.com was of the ZEN DAC V2. I have reviewed several more expensive options since then, from both iFi and from other parties. The V2 still holds its own, and I don't see why 90 percent of people would ever need to upgrade.

But now the V3 is calling, and it is on route as I type to be thoroughly measured and listened to for countless hours. I fully expect another revelation from iFi.

I cannot wait!

Andrew

 

[Assationater]

It is no secret I believe the iFi ZEN series has an unmatchable listening experience at this price.

My first official review at euphonicreview.com was of the ZEN DAC V2. I have reviewed several more expensive options since then, from both iFi and from other parties. The V2 still holds its own, and I don't see why 90 percent of people would ever need to upgrade.

But now the V3 is calling, and it is on route as I type to be thoroughly measured and listened to for countless hours. I fully expect another revelation from iFi.

I cannot wait!

Andrew

Looking forward to seeing if you think it sounds better then v2!

 

[iFi audio]

It is no secret I believe the iFi ZEN series has an unmatchable listening experience at this price.

My first official review at euphonicreview.com was of the ZEN DAC V2. I have reviewed several more expensive options since then, from both iFi and from other parties. The V2 still holds its own, and I don't see why 90 percent of people would ever need to upgrade.

But now the V3 is calling, and it is on route as I type to be thoroughly measured and listened to for countless hours. I fully expect another revelation from iFi.

I cannot wait!

Andrew

We are all looking forward to your thoughts and impressions!

Cheers!!

 

[MLGrado]

That’s a positive in my book!

It is NOT really multi-bit as the fine well meaning folks over at ASR would describe it or most would think of it. It is much more unique than that.

The DSD1793 is a very unique segment DAC. The top 6 bits (or the 64 thermometer/unary coded levels), make it quite a unique DAC

I don't necessarily agree with this following assessment, but it may be helpful to think of the top 6 binary bits as now being 64 1-bit serial streams running at whatever oversample rate is in use at the time.

The lower 'binary' bits, assuming we are using 24 binary bits, goes to the 3rd order Delta Sigma Modulator. Why not just copy what was done with the top 6-bits? Bandwidth, Bandwidth, and more Bandwidth. Those 18 binary bits would equal 262,144 LEVELS!!! No chip I know of, especially not one from the turn of the 21st century can carry that kind of bandwidth.

So those lower 18 bits are sent to a 5 level, third order delta sigma modulator. Both the upper level and the lower levels are clocked at the same speed.. say 2.8mhz. The output is muxed together. The top levels are 0-63, the bottom levels are 0-4. That gives you a 2.8 mhz unary code with 68 levels (zero is not repeated) and to maintain sync, I believe either the MSB or LSB of the top level is doubled in the DSM for a 67 level code. Levels 0-66.

The top 6 bits stay bit-perfect because they are not delta-sigma modulated. The samples are simply repeated to match the clock rate. The BEAUTY of this sytem is, ALL of it can go to what ESS calls their 'revolver' system, and DCS calls their 'ring DAC'. Since all outputs are equal, any mismatches and non-linearities inherent in the cutting of the resistors is eliminated. The system is actually extremely linear, and combines the output DAC linearity of Multi-bit delta sigma along with the bit-perfect qualities of the best PCM while maintaining said linearity!

Its a really genius system, and anyone at ASR that is critical of it for being "multi-bit" with weaknesses ala 'R2R' DACs simply doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[iFi audio]

It is NOT really multi-bit as the fine well meaning folks over at ASR would describe it or most would think of it. It is much more unique than that.

The DSD1793 is a very unique segment DAC. The top 6 bits (for our purposes, we will no longer refer to them a 6 binary bits. They are now 64 unary coded levels.)

I don't necessarily agree with the following assessment, but it may be helpful to think of the top 6 binary bits as now being 64 1-bit serial streams running at whatever oversample rate is in use at the time.

The lower 'binary' bits, assuming we are using 24 binary bits, goes to the 3rd order Delta Sigma Modulator. Why not just copy what was done with the top 6-bits? Bandwidth, Bandwidth, and more Bandwidth. Those 18 binary bits would equal 262,144 LEVELS!!! No chip I know of, especially not one from the turn of the 21st century can carry that kind of bandwidth.

So those lower 18 bits are sent to a 5 level, third order delta sigma modulator. Both the upper level and the lower levels are clocked at the same speed.. say 2.8mhz. The output is muxed together. The top levels are 0-63, the bottom levels are 0-4. That gives you a 2.8 mhz unary code with 68 levels (zero is not repeated) and to maintain sync, I believe either the MSB or LSB of the top level is doubled in the DSM for a 67 level code. Levels 0-66.

The top 6 bits stay bit-perfect because they are not delta-sigma modulated. The samples are simply repeated to match the clock rate. The BEAUTY of this sytem is, ALL of it can go to what ESS calls their 'revolver' system, and DCS calls their 'ring DAC'. Since all outputs are equal, any mismatches and non-linearities inherent in the cutting of the resistors is eliminated. The system is actually extremely linear, and combines the output DAC linearity of Multi-bit delta sigma along with the bit-perfect qualities of the best PCM while maintaining said linearity!

Its a really genius system, and anyone at ASR that is critical of it for being "multi-bit" with weaknesses ala 'R2R' DACs simply doesn't know what they are talking about.

Thank you for posting that, although way over my head it's valuable to those folks looking at it!

I am happy for the Xbass+ I perceive a difference between it and its predecessor "True Bass" it's a better cleaner sound to me!

Cheers!!

 

[MLGrado]

Thank you for posting that, although way over my head it's valuable to those folks looking at it!

I am happy for the Xbass+ I perceive a difference between it and its predecessor "True Bass" it's a better cleaner sound to me!

Cheers!!

Its a peculiar and quite special DAC that works extremely well.

Another feature it has is the DSD output will 're-group' those output elements into 8 sets of output taps. An 8-bit delay line is run on the 1-bit serial DSD input, and the output elements now act as an analog FIR filter for native DSD conversion. The various groupings of 8 elements causes an 'un-equal' weighting that gives iFi DSD filters several choices!


I know way back in the day when TL was still around he picked that chipset. IMO, he chose wisely.

Oh, and shameless plug... I know there are a few thousand North Americans that could do it, but if you ever need someone in a pinch to cover a show, I am there...

 

[KaiFi]

Just received my Zen DAC 3 today!

Having a Zen DAC again reminds me how great of an entry-level device this is. I was never happier listening to digital music than I was when I had the previous Zen DACs. That incredibly smooth volume wheel, desktop form-factor yet able to be powered by USB alone (good for us laptop listeners who don't want to always be sitting at a desk), the fact that it gets quite loud on balanced despite not being the most powerful amp, and that familiar warm Burr Brown sound signature.

My only gripe would be the lack of a USB-C-to-C cable (some of us use Macs!), but that's quite minor. Loving it so far, and this makes me question if I could ever be a dongle-fi person, as much as I've been impressed with the dongles I've bought recently. It's just so nice to use a real volume knob and not have to press buttons, never getting quite the right volume. So effortless with this thing.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Just received my Zen DAC 3 today!

Having a Zen DAC again reminds me how great of an entry-level device this is. I was never happier listening to digital music than I was when I had the previous Zen DACs. That incredibly smooth volume wheel, desktop form-factor yet able to be powered by USB alone (good for us laptop listeners who don't want to always be sitting at a desk), the fact that it gets quite loud on balanced despite not being the most powerful amp, and that familiar warm Burr Brown sound signature.

My only gripe would be the lack of a USB-C-to-C cable (some of us use Macs!), but that's quite minor. Loving it so far, and this makes me question if I could ever be a dongle-fi person, as much as I've been impressed with the dongles I've bought recently. It's just so nice to use a real volume knob and not have to press buttons, never getting quite the right volume. So effortless with this thing.

I can fully relate to that. I bought a Zen dac V2 last year for 130USD (on sale) and love the sound with my HD600 (using Roon with the Zen Stream), using power match and the balanced output. The volume knob is so much better than what using a dongle dac when I'm sitting on my desk. Now, the question about version 3 is: is it a better DAC and/or headphone amp? (P.S. the only thing I don't like about the V2 is the Bass Boost and it's been said this has been improved, but it's rather minor for my use).

 

[iFi audio]

Just received my Zen DAC 3 today!

Having a Zen DAC again reminds me how great of an entry-level device this is. I was never happier listening to digital music than I was when I had the previous Zen DACs. That incredibly smooth volume wheel, desktop form-factor yet able to be powered by USB alone (good for us laptop listeners who don't want to always be sitting at a desk), the fact that it gets quite loud on balanced despite not being the most powerful amp, and that familiar warm Burr Brown sound signature.

My only gripe would be the lack of a USB-C-to-C cable (some of us use Macs!), but that's quite minor. Loving it so far, and this makes me question if I could ever be a dongle-fi person, as much as I've been impressed with the dongles I've bought recently. It's just so nice to use a real volume knob and not have to press buttons, never getting quite the right volume. So effortless with this thing.

I remember having those same thoughts when I first got my ZDV1, Love that volume knob!

Cheers!!

 

[RCracer777]

Good to see the first impressions are positive across the board for the Zen Dac V3. I'm loving the design and I'll probably get one to replace my old V1.
But I'm going to hold off for a bit waiting for some full reviews to decide if I'm getting one.

I want to get it together with the hinted at Zen Can (V2) in one go and not try to piece it together over a period of a year and a half like my Schiit stack (poor availability was the cause). I'm guessing there will be a bundle available with both of them and the interconnects like the V2 and signatures had so I'll probably wait for that. Should be a nice alternative to my Schiit stack, but it won't be a replacing it I think.

 

[nioh]

Good to see the first impressions are positive across the board for the Zen Dac V3. I'm loving the design and I'll probably get one to replace my old V1.
But I'm going to hold off for a bit waiting for some full reviews to decide if I'm getting one.

I want to get it together with the hinted at Zen Can (V2) in one go and not try to piece it together over a period of a year and a half like my Schiit stack (poor availability was the cause). I'm guessing there will be a bundle available with both of them and the interconnects like the V2 and signatures had so I'll probably wait for that. Should be a nice alternative to my Schiit stack, but it won't be a replacing it I think.

You can read impressions about the Zen DAC V1 and V2 while you wait. V3 is not so different.
Having owned the V1 and V3 on the way I can say for the price, there’s hardly any competition.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

You can read impressions about the Zen DAC V1 and V2 while you wait. V3 is not so different.
Having owned the V1 and V3 on the way I can say for the price, there’s hardly any competition.

There's plenty of desktop dacs/amps at around that price point. Do you mean the Zen stands out in terms of sound quality?

 

[nioh]

There's plenty of desktop dacs/amps at around that price point. Do you mean the Zen stands out in terms of sound quality?

Sound quality and features !

 

[iFi audio]

Sound quality and features !

Thanks for this! We are certainly proud of our Zen Series!

Cheers!!