[MarkSubsonik]

Has anyone tried ifi ipower 5V power supply with Zen DAC? Any improvements?
I tried cheap noname 5V PU. it makes sound worse.

I bought it an it came about a day or two later than the Zen itself so I had a chance to listen to a 'before & after' of sorts. IMO it makes the overall sound more defined. I tested with IEM's as well and I couldn't hear any noise at lower levels with the iPower. Hope that helps!

 

[MarkSubsonik]

No, I did not try the new iPower. I tried a noname Chinese supply and it did not help. So usb power only.
I used a good cable with iSilencer 3.0, regardless the source (PC, laptop, DAP) the noise is there with my 6 BA IEM. The level of this noise is not that high so I can live with it if needed.

Can you point me to the 'good cable' that you used? Will a standard 3.0 cable not be the best for going from laptop to Zen? I bought an Amazon, off-brand 10ft cable and it seems to be just fine, but I'm still a noob. Thanks!

 

[qsk78]

Can you point me to the 'good cable' that you used? Will a standard 3.0 cable not be the best for going from laptop to Zen? I bought an Amazon, off-brand 10ft cable and it seems to be just fine, but I'm still a noob. Thanks!

I use In-Akustik Exzellenz High Speed USB 2.0 1.0m

 

[MarkSubsonik]

I use In-Akustik Exzellenz High Speed USB 2.0 1.0m

Thanks!

 

[MarkSubsonik]

I can't flash 5.3c at Macbook Pro Catalina too, You can try flash in BootCamp.
But I think 5.3 firmware sounds much cleaner and nature than 5.3c.
So I roll back firmware to 5.3

I am interested in rolling back myself. How can i go about this in Win10? Thanks!

 

[MarkSubsonik]

So how risky is it to roll back to a previous firmware specifically to a/b the different filters?

 

[ryanwang0521]

So how risky is it to roll back to a previous firmware specifically to a/b the different filters?

I am interested in rolling back myself. How can i go about this in Win10? Thanks!

Just need to download the previos firmware or other zen dac supported firmware then flash it

 

[MarkSubsonik]

Just need to download the previos firmware or other zen dac supported firmware then flash it

Thanks so much!

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio Howdy guys! I reached out a few weeks ago to you via iFi support ticket with no response so hoping you could help me out here. I assume it maybe didn't go through or something to that effect. =)

What is the proper setup with the Zen and Audirvana? WASAPI or ASIO and when playing MQA, should it be set as renderer or decoder?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit: I wanted to add how much i love this product! Been using with the HD58X and I think it's as close to a perfect pairing as one can get! Anxious to try soon with the 6XX. Cheers!

Please use ASIO and the 'renderer' option.

 

[MarkSubsonik]

Please use ASIO and the 'renderer' option.

Thank you!

 

[MarkSubsonik]

@iFi audio So I have the settings that you recommended set whilst running Tidal via Audirvana and I'm curious - Why, when I play a 24/352.8 track, does Audirvana display that it's converting it to 32/88.2? The 88.2kHz seems to be a common value as a lot of MQA files are converted to this rate. Can you help me understand this a little more? Really appreciate your help guys!

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio So I have the settings that you recommended set whilst running Tidal via Audirvana and I'm curious - Why, when I play a 24/352.8 track, does Audirvana display that it's converting it to 32/88.2? The 88.2kHz seems to be a common value as a lot of MQA files are converted to this rate. Can you help me understand this a little more? Really appreciate your help guys!

http://support.ifi-audio.com/kb/faq.php?id=820

 

[MarkSubsonik]

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, we're proud to say iFi ZEN DAC is joint number 1 position for combined offline & online sales in Japan!!!

Big shout out and thanks to Top Wing (iFi Japan) for making this happen!

 

[Asahi Templar]

Folks, we're proud to say iFi ZEN DAC is joint number 1 position for combined offline & online sales in Japan!!!

Big shout out and thanks to Top Wing (iFi Japan) for making this happen!

I was one of the buyers lol.

I spent some time comparing the Zen DAC to the SMSL M300 and I find the Zen to be a much more enjoyable/fun dac. Very nice entry DAC.

I have a quick question, are you able to use more than one output at the same time? For instance can you use both the unbalanced and the balanced headphone out at the same time? Can you use both the RCA out and the 4.4mm out at the same time?

I have not tried it as I am worried it might damage things, but manual doesnt say one way or the other.