[hag6]

Sourcing a reliable 4.4. pentaconn cable may prove problematic (I am in the UK) at the moment. It will be interesting to here reviewers’ comments if they are able to compare hooking the Zen Can & Zen Dac via RCA with the balanced option.

 

[Giangi]

Sourcing a reliable 4.4. pentaconn cable may prove problematic (I am in the UK) at the moment. It will be interesting to here reviewers’ comments if they are able to compare hooking the Zen Can & Zen Dac via RCA with the balanced option.

I have to do that... but I need to connect the speakers rca cable in ZEN DAC or in ZEN CAN? I think ZEN DAC...

 

[Baten]

Sourcing a reliable 4.4. pentaconn cable may prove problematic (I am in the UK) at the moment. It will be interesting to here reviewers’ comments if they are able to compare hooking the Zen Can & Zen Dac via RCA with the balanced option.

You could try mailing Ghent audio https://www.ghentaudio.com/ they made several custom made cables for me in the past, always properly terminated
ships from China though.

 

[iFi audio]

Wow! @iFi audio question, if the input on Zen Can is SE RCA will the 4.4 Bal be working?

Yes, it will work. ZEN CAN will internally turn single-ended signal into balanced, and then it goes either to a regular output or a headphone output.

 

[hag6]

Hi @iFi audio. Just to clarify. Using the RCA connections between the Zen Can & Zen Dac will give exactly the same performance as connecting the the two units via the 4.4mm balanced connections?

 

[Richard Wray]

I'd be interested to get any comparison with the Dragonfly Red. Any thoughts?

 

[vonbonds]

Hi @iFi audio. Just to clarify. Using the RCA connections between the Zen Can & Zen Dac will give exactly the same performance as connecting the the two units via the 4.4mm balanced connections?

Isn't the DAC performing the digital to analogue conversion so it's an analogue signal going from the DAC to the CAN.

Here's a crappy picture of mine that just came today.

 

[Lalerfy]

@vonbonds Does your new Zen-Can output sound any different to your Zen-Dac headphone output ??

 

[Giangi]

Hi @iFi audio. Just to clarify. Using the RCA connections between the Zen Can & Zen Dac will give exactly the same performance as connecting the the two units via the 4.4mm balanced connections?

... I don't think so, rca is unbalanced

Isn't the DAC performing the digital to analogue conversion so it's an analogue signal going from the DAC to the CAN.

Here's a crappy picture of mine that just came today.

Is possible a back photo?

 

[vonbonds]

@vonbonds Does your new Zen-Can output sound any different to your Zen-Dac headphone output ??

I’m not good at describing subtle differences. I do think it sounds more immersive with the 3D setting enabled. Without that I can’t tell a difference personally with my Beyer T1.2. I haven’t tried my Fostex cans yet but I assume it’ll be the same.

 

[vonbonds]

... I don't think so, rca is unbalanced

Is possible a back photo?

Best I could do. I used the supplied RCA cables but I pulled them up to hopefully give the best view of the rear.

 

[Lalerfy]

I’m not good at describing subtle differences. I do think it sounds more immersive with the 3D setting enabled. Without that I can’t tell a difference personally with my Beyer T1.2. I haven’t tried my Fostex cans yet but I assume it’ll be the same.

I was hoping the difference would be noticeable - particularly on the Beyer T1.2 as they are 600Ω ohms and technically the Zen-Dac doesn't have enough power to drive them properly. Is your balanced cable for the T1.2 ??

 

[vonbonds]

I was hoping the difference would be noticeable - particularly on the Beyer T1.2 as they are 600Ω ohms and technically the Zen-Dac doesn't have enough power to drive them properly. Is your balanced cable for the T1.2 ??

Correct, for my T1.2’s. I find the Zen DAC plenty powerful enough for them personally. I don’t listen to anything obscenely loud though.

I mainly got this as I’m hoping iFi comes out with a Zen DAC-ONLY model..lol. I’d love a family related product to have the three main inputs as seen on higher end DACs.

The Zen DAC is the perfect device for a computer in my opinion. I’d love a stand alone DAC for my sitting room with my Raspberry-Pi streamer feeding it music.

 

[Lalerfy]

Correct, for my T1.2’s. I find the Zen DAC plenty powerful enough for them personally. I don’t listen to anything obscenely loud though.

I mainly got this as I’m hoping iFi comes out with a Zen DAC-ONLY model..lol. I’d love a family related product to have the three main inputs as seen on higher end DACs.

The Zen DAC is the perfect device for a computer in my opinion. I’d love a stand alone DAC for my sitting room with my Raspberry-Pi streamer feeding it music.

Ah, Okay, I guess with the extra power from the 4.4mm Balanced connection the Zen-Dac can actually drive 600Ω ohm headphones.
(Single-Ended) 230mw @32 Ohm , 3.3V@600 Ohm
(Balanced) 330mw @32 Ohm , 6.6V@600 Ohm

I see even the new iFi Dac Signature still only has USB input.
►iFi Dac Signature

 

[iFi audio]

Hi @iFi audio. Just to clarify. Using the RCA connections between the Zen Can & Zen Dac will give exactly the same performance as connecting the the two units via the 4.4mm balanced connections?

I'll get back to you on this one shortly.

I see even the new iFi Dac Signature still only has USB input.

Yes, by design ZEN series DACs have only this one digital input.

I mainly got this as I’m hoping iFi comes out with a Zen DAC-ONLY model..lol.

There's Drop ZEN Signature

Best I could do. I used the supplied RCA cables but I pulled them up to hopefully give the best view of the rear.

Thanks for that!