[GunGrave]

Information seems a bit conflicting.
Here, Sundara's appeared to match nicely (no mention of balanced): https://headfonics.com/ifi-audio-zen-dac-review/

And here, this guy managed to power the HE560 (less efficient than Sundara) on single ended just fine:
https://www.soundphilereview.com/reviews/ifi-zen-dac-review-9013/

Looking through the comments on ZEN DAC review from Home Studio Basics, I found this:

Home Studio Basics 7 months ago (edited)
...
Listening now with the 4XX through the Zen with a Master file of Postal Service's "District Sleeps Alone Tonight" and it sounds superb! You will notice that the 4XX/400i/Sundara is a bit more demanding at around 93dB Sensitivity. I'm also noticing a bit of "ess" on the 4XX around 9-10k but the Sundara really doesn't have that issue. It's more tamed in the treble. I've got the power match button on and it's around 2 o'clock with the 4XX. With my HD600 I'm good at around 12-1. Still, there's some headroom but perhaps not as much as you might want. I don't know. Either way, it will drive the HIFMAN's to loud volumes so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
..

Sounds like it manages to do it, with external power supply and power match on. I have pulled the trigger/

 

[Giangi]

Information seems a bit conflicting.
Here, Sundara's appeared to match nicely (no mention of balanced): https://headfonics.com/ifi-audio-zen-dac-review/

And here, this guy managed to power the HE560 (less efficient than Sundara) on single ended just fine:
https://www.soundphilereview.com/reviews/ifi-zen-dac-review-9013/

Looking through the comments on ZEN DAC review from Home Studio Basics, I found this:


Sounds like it manages to do it, with external power supply and power match on. I have pulled the trigger/

My 100ohm Sennheiser Momentum 3 is poor on volume in single ended, so...

 

[GunGrave]

With power match on and separate power supply ? Z Review showed in youtube the 300 ohm HD 6XX being power just fine :

 

[Giangi]

With power match on and separate power supply ? Z Review showed in youtube the 300 ohm HD 6XX being power just fine :

Yes, with power match on and separate power supply. Sennheiser hd 6xx it's a little bit different I think. But Sundara are magneto planar not dynamic; although they are few ohms they need a lot of power to works better

 

[GunGrave]

Oh well.......Considering the Zen Dac si 15$ more expensive in my country than, say, a dac only Topping E30, I think it still might be a good buy.

 

[Giangi]

Oh well.......Considering the Zen Dac si 15$ more expensive in my country than, say, a dac only Topping E30, I think it still might be a good buy.

I don't think so... I have both and ZEN DAC works better for thousand reasons, for example MQA and GTO, believe me. So... it depends mostly on your ears. Try both, and you'll choose ZEN DAC surely, believe me

 

[GunGrave]

I was referring to the ZEN DAC still being a good buy.

 

[bedlam inside]

Been reading through this. I think I may take a punt on the ZEN DAC and also the new ZEN CAN to pack an extra punch.

 

[Bazaar]

I am an idiot...I read the 2 lines in reverse. He only complained about the headphone out having very limited power.
And that would be the question. Does the zen dac have enough for something like the Sundara or not (single ended, I am not looking to cough up another 100+$ on the balanced cable) ?

This iFi headphone calculator might help

 

[Lalerfy]

I am an idiot...I read the 2 lines in reverse. He only complained about the headphone out having very limited power.
And that would be the question. Does the zen dac have enough for something like the Sundara or not (single ended, I am not looking to cough up another 100+$ on the balanced cable) ?

Here's one for $49.00 4.4mm to twin 3.5mm, Hifiman Sundara new model.
►www.Amazon.com/dp/B08DKJ9YQ7

 

[GunGrave]

@Bazaar

The Ifi website says the zen should do fine.... But they might be promoting their own stuff so...

@ Lalerfy
Thanks, plus 20$ postage and tax to my country. You can get it on aliexpress for a bit less.

 

[Lalerfy]

@Bazaar

The Ifi website says the zen should do fine.... But they might be promoting their own stuff so...

@ Lalerfy
Thanks, plus 20$ postage and tax to my country. You can get it on aliexpress for a bit less.

Just make sure the cable is X2 3.5mm as the older Sundara used 2.5mm
Do you have an Ali Link for the cheaper cable you saw ??

 

[GunGrave]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000704234175.html
40 USD, free shipping.

 

[iFi audio]

Mmm I don't think so... for Sundara (magneto planar) and Sennheiser and other headphones with high impedance you need the ZEN CAN... better in balanced mode. If you have DAC and CAN you use them in the best way in balanced and not single ended

ZEN CAN is what I'd suggest, yes. Also, we have a handy headphone calculator here to see how our products handle different cans: https://ifi-audio.com/home/headphone-calculator/

I have updated to 5.3c FW and everything it's ok, so it turns to magenta on MQA. One and only doubt... why it shows me only yellow light in other music format, even if DSD? It seems to have lost the green and the other lights, everything but yellow and magenta. Thanks

As per ZEN DAC's manual:

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ZEN-DAC-Ver1.2.pdf

Your magenta LED should be engaged with MQA, and yellow LED indicates GTO filter at works for PCM data. However, you should get cyan/blue LED for DSD. IF you don't see this, it means that what your ZEN DAC is getting isn't DSD in its native form.

 

[redfarmers]

As a totally beginner I have a question regarding the difference between the variable and fixed option...

I have read this:
" The variable setting applies volume control to the audio signal, enabling the ZEN DAC to perform as a preamp feeding a power amp or active speakers. The fixed option bypasses the volume control, fixing the output at 4.2V (balanced) or 2.1V (single-ended) for connection to an external preamp or integrated amp. "

But as (like I said) a total beginner I need to ask what option I should use when I have the DAC connected to to my PC and connect my (not yet arrived) Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro to it?

Should I go for variable or fixed?

Sry for this "noob" question.


All help much appreciated!

Best regards!