[iFi audio]

How to know whether the ZEN DAC are actually powered from USB or 5V DC external power supply?

If ocnnected, an external PSU is auto-selected.

However, when I try plug in the 5V DC external power supply... only the External Power indicator at the back lights up (Green). The unit wouldn't turn on... No lights on the front (Volume Knob)... Power Match and True Bass wouldn't light after press... until i plug in to PC/Latop/HP...

That's by design. LEDs on the front are engaged once audio data is sent to the product.

If the ZEN DAC are powered by the 5V DC external power supply, why it drain the battery from phone... After about an hour listening with HFM Sundara (Power Match and True Bass both ON, Volume around 10-11 o'clock), the phone battery drops from 100% to 91%. With the HIP DAC... the phone battery only drops like 1-2%... Seems like ZEN DAC are drawing power from USB via instead of the 5V DC external power supply.... How do i make sure the ZEN DAC only draw power from the 5V DC external power supply instead from the phone....

ZEN DAC auto-senses its power source, and with externally provided 5V it doesn't draw power from USB. But if you feel that the disparity in battery usage of your smartphone is too big, please open up a ticket here: https://support.ifi-audio.com

Perhaps one of our tech staff encountered something alike already.

Hi @iFi audio is there any report of channel imbalance on the volume pot of ZenDac? mine out of the box from 0 - 15% only left channel has sound and the right channel only has sound in 20% vol (08:30 position). Playing from Foobar using 4.4 Bal phone out.

A small channel imbalance early on is normal, but both channels should be equal during normal listening volumes.

 

[chaotic_angel]

A small channel imbalance early on is normal, but both channels should be equal during normal listening volumes.

Thank you, another question due to no on / off switch, will it be safe to leave Zen Dac ON if no music is played?
and your new ZEN Dac signature does it have different sound character?

 

[Bazaar]

How to know whether the ZEN DAC are actually powered from USB or 5V DC external power supply?

Without plug in 5V DC external power supply... The unit will turn on with lights on the front (Volume Knob)... Power Match and True Bass light up after press.... which is normal....

However, when I try plug in the 5V DC external power supply... only the External Power indicator at the back lights up (Green). The unit wouldn't turn on... No lights on the front (Volume Knob)... Power Match and True Bass wouldn't light after press... until i plug in to PC/Latop/HP...

If the ZEN DAC are powered by the 5V DC external power supply, why it drain the battery from phone... After about an hour listening with HFM Sundara (Power Match and True Bass both ON, Volume around 10-11 o'clock), the phone battery drops from 100% to 91%. With the HIP DAC... the phone battery only drops like 1-2%... Seems like ZEN DAC are drawing power from USB via instead of the 5V DC external power supply.... How do i make sure the ZEN DAC only draw power from the 5V DC external power supply instead from the phone....

This is happening to me as well...I just got a Zen DAC with the iFi iPower Low Noise DC Power Supply - on my iPhone 11 Pro Max it went from 73% battery to 20% in about 2.5 hours. Confirmed the green light next to the power input is/was on. And I also have the hip-dac - same as OP, phone drains <10% after 5-6 hours of playing.

 

[Giangi]

Differences between IFI power X and IFI power normal? I have the second one

 

[Lalerfy]

This is happening to me as well...I just got a Zen DAC with the iFi iPower Low Noise DC Power Supply - on my iPhone 11 Pro Max it went from 73% battery to 20% in about 2.5 hours. Confirmed the green light next to the power input is/was on. And I also have the hip-dac - same as OP, phone drains <10% after 5-6 hours of playing.

Try connecting the external power first, then connect your phone ?

 

[chaotic_angel]

enjoying this with Zen Dac + SP200 + HE400, pretty sick detail and clarity. Rad time!

 

[iFi audio]

Thank you, another question due to no on / off switch, will it be safe to leave Zen Dac ON if no music is played?
and your new ZEN Dac signature does it have different sound character?

Yes, it's safe to leave it on, you don't have to unplug it. As for ZEN DAC signature, it's very similar, but better.

This is happening to me as well...I just got a Zen DAC with the iFi iPower Low Noise DC Power Supply - on my iPhone 11 Pro Max it went from 73% battery to 20% in about 2.5 hours. Confirmed the green light next to the power input is/was on. And I also have the hip-dac - same as OP, phone drains <10% after 5-6 hours of playing

I'll ask internally about the possibility to drain a smartphone's battery with external PSU connected.

Try connecting the external power first, then connect your phone ?

That's what I would suggest.

 

[Mmoyeti]

First of all my zen-dac is great, loving it so far. One question though.

If I wanted to use an xlr mic and bought an audio interface/mixer. Would I be able to link the zen-dac in the chain? So still use the zendac as my amp/dac?

 

[Bazaar]

Try connecting the external power first, then connect your phone ?

It is connected first, I actually haven't disconnected external power since I got it this past Wed. But I'll time it tonight....starting at 80% phone power.

Just now after the Zen DAC not being used since last night (power remained plugged in), I plugged my cans in, then plugged my phone in, then turned on my player...played on the phone, NOT the cans. FWIW I'm on the 4.4mm balanced plug into HD660s.

Stopped the player, removed the phone plug from the phone (not the DAC), re-inserted, then started the player. Sound started playing on the phone first, then the light around the volume control went 'amber', then green and the sound started through the cans.

A bit annoying, TBH....I also have a trouble ticket (#218960) about a problem related to this...

The hip-DAC doesn't do any of this, BTW. I'm wishing the Zen DAC had an on/off switch, TBH.

 

[Bazaar]

I'll ask internally about the possibility to drain a smartphone's battery with external PSU connected.

JFYI I'm using the 'stock' tip that came with the iFi power supply....that's correct, right?

 

[squyzz]

I own an iDSD Nano BL, i'd like to know if a zen-dac will improve thé sound quality or if it is at the same level . And do they provide the same sound characteristics (soundspace/fr curve).

I will use it on a RPi running Volumio with my Shure SHR1840 headphone.

 

[Baten]

I own an iDSD Nano BL, i'd like to know if a zen-dac will improve thé sound quality or if it is at the same level . And do they provide the same sound characteristics (soundspace/fr curve).

I will use it on a RPi running Volumio with my Shure SHR1840 headphone.

Zen plus external amp might be better but Zen alone is not a big difference (imo)

 

[chaotic_angel]

Zen Dac + MQA and ZMF Omni LTD and Oyaide cable 4.4 Bal is amazing pair, listening Hanz Zimmer's Tornado

 

[iFi audio]

If I wanted to use an xlr mic and bought an audio interface/mixer. Would I be able to link the zen-dac in the chain? So still use the zendac as my amp/dac?

Can you please tell me which interface you bought?

JFYI I'm using the 'stock' tip that came with the iFi power supply....that's correct, right?

Yes.

I own an iDSD Nano BL, i'd like to know if a zen-dac will improve thé sound quality or if it is at the same level

Our ZEN DAC is essentially a hip-dac tiered product, but meant for desktop usage. nano iDSD BL sits just a cut above these, so from this perspective it's better. But ZEN DAC is what I would suggest if you'd like to get an affordable desktop product. As for sound quality, our general house sound is at the other end of analytical. So you can expect from each our device an approach that's not surgical and thin, but rather pleasantly substantial.

Zen Dac + MQA and ZMF Omni LTD and Oyaide cable 4.4 Bal is amazing pair, listening Hanz Zimmer's Tornado

I have Zimmer's "Mombasa" as one of my reference tracks to evaluate anything audio

A bit annoying, TBH....I also have a trouble ticket (#218960) about a problem related to this...

It's good that you opened up a ticket, thanks. Our support staff will do their best to help you.

 

[chaotic_angel]

I have Zimmer's "Mombasa" as one of my reference tracks to evaluate anything audio

Thanks will try the track, with ZMF Omni I was thinking it will suffer, but 4.4 Bal drive it on 2 - 3 o'clock with power match on.