iFi audio ZEN DAC - EISA Award Winner 'Best Value DAC 2020-21!
Mar 18, 2021 at 12:54 PM Post #976 of 1,159
This adapter I can get, 4.4mm to 3.5mm. If I use a 3.5mm to dual XLR cable, that would be fine right?

https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.a...mm-macho-a-35mm-hembra-balanceado-geekria-_JM

https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.a...cking_id=ffbb1f5d-5441-4e6f-8b23-b7f39aa70562


Although the 3.5 connector should be 4 poles so as not to lose the balanced signal :thinking:
I would reach out to some members on here that build and ship cables and adapters...

@Paladin79 would probably be better able to help you there...
 
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Mar 25, 2021 at 5:35 PM Post #977 of 1,159
Quick question when I use the Zen Dac without ifi's xmos drivers Windows only gives me 32 bit sound options. No 16 bit no 24 bit. Is this normal? It normally wouldn't be a problem but I use Atmos for headphones in a few games and the lack of a 16 or 24 bit option prevents me from turning it on.
 
Mar 27, 2021 at 1:37 PM Post #978 of 1,159
Quick question when I use the Zen Dac without ifi's xmos drivers Windows only gives me 32 bit sound options. No 16 bit no 24 bit. Is this normal? It normally wouldn't be a problem but I use Atmos for headphones in a few games and the lack of a 16 or 24 bit option prevents me from turning it on.

I think that it should support everything up to 32 bit, so 16 and 24 as well. What is your OS?
 
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Mar 27, 2021 at 2:13 PM Post #980 of 1,159
Windows 10 Pro version 20H2

Just checked at my settings (also Win10) and I have multiple options available (16/24/32). Can you let us know about your setting here please?

https://support.ifi-audio.com

Perhaps our support team will know what to do, or some other HF user will chime in.
 
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Mar 27, 2021 at 2:54 PM Post #981 of 1,159
Just checked at my settings (also Win10) and I have multiple options available (16/24/32). Can you let us know about your setting here please?

https://support.ifi-audio.com

Perhaps our support team will know what to do, or some other HF user will chime in.
Appologies for the phone picture. This is what I see when I plug in my Zen Dac without the Xmos driver.
 

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Mar 28, 2021 at 11:07 AM Post #982 of 1,159
Appologies for the phone picture. This is what I see when I plug in my Zen Dac without the Xmos driver.

Can you please install our driver and see if it helps? Or is there any specific reason why you would like to not use it?
 
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Apr 2, 2021 at 8:12 AM Post #983 of 1,159
Can you please install our driver and see if it helps? Or is there any specific reason why you would like to not use it?
My apologies for the delay. All supported sound formats are there when using the driver but the the ifi xmos drivers are a bit outdated. They don't surface greater than 192000hz in speaker properties for example.
 
Apr 2, 2021 at 10:27 AM Post #984 of 1,159
Does it also happen to you that when the headphones and the speakers are connected at the same time, there is a haunting noise? the truth is that the device is very limited for these cases.
On the other hand, the headphone amplifier seemed not very powerful (unbalanced). I use it at 90% without the power match activated. My headphones are Sony MDR 7506 and they are not high impedance. :thinking:

IMG_20210402_112037889.jpg
 
Apr 5, 2021 at 12:52 PM Post #987 of 1,159
Apr 12, 2021 at 1:30 PM Post #988 of 1,159
Hey Everyone,

I have had my Zen Dac and Zen Can for a few months in my home office set up. I have also have the K5 pro, but I only use that in the den for quick listens and simplicity. I really love the sound of the Zen DAC via USB to my computer and I use mostly Tidal and then I connect that to the CAN with the iFi 4.4 to 4.4 connector. Since I have gone down the balanced rabbit hole I have been very content with my headphone listening time; switching between my HD 660s, SRH1540 and M1070 whenever the mood hits me.

Anywho, I want to run the DAC to my new balanced Studio Subwoofer (monoprice) and I am wondering what everyone thinks the best method may be? Here are my thoughts.

For unbalanced I run RCA to TRS/ XLR from DAC to sub and then XLR/TRS to RCA from the sub to my studio monitors (JBL 104).

For Balanced I run 4.4 to XLR from DAC to Sub and then XLR/TRS to TRS to the JBL's.

Does that make sense? Please let me know if this is the "correct" way. I haven't purchased the 4.4 to XLR yet, but having the DAC connected to the sub with the RCA to XLR option sounds good overall, but I am having a hard time getting the sub volume/ frequency lower and the monitors louder, even with volume and frequency of the sub turned all the way down and the monitors turned up. I am using the variable option on the DAC to control the volume to the sub. I'm hoping the 4.4 to XLR makes the isolation of the sounds a bit clearer, but if anyone has any advice, programs I should be using or troubleshooting ideas I'm all ears.

FYI - I'm all about great sound, I'm not mixing or anything like that. I love the JBL's sound a lot and wanted to keep them, but they needed a sub and within my budget, connection options and space allotment the monoprice sub is one of the best options I could find.

Thank you for any help.
 
Apr 13, 2021 at 1:08 PM Post #989 of 1,159
hi there, i just tried using the 4.4mm balanced output on the zen dac and zen can (yes i have both) and have noticed some weirdness,
if i plug the 4.4mm fully, the sound only come from the left side, if i pull the jack slightly, the sound will come from both sides / normal left n right,
both my zen dac and zen can exhibit this "weirdness"
i also have tried the 4.4mm to my FiiO M11 and it sounds normal with the jack fully plugged.
here is the picture to give u guys what i mean by "slightly pull the jack"
66345c15-0fda-48cf-9546-8a208c864d23.jpg
do u guys have any idea?

So this is happening to me. Tried 2 different cables (**** & HifiHear) and both are exhibiting the exact same issue (push the plug in all the way and sound only comes out the left side, pull the plug out maybe 3-4mm then sound now comes out of both sides).

Anyone else experiencing this?
 
Apr 13, 2021 at 3:31 PM Post #990 of 1,159
For unbalanced I run RCA to TRS/ XLR from DAC to sub and then XLR/TRS to RCA from the sub to my studio monitors (JBL 104).

For Balanced I run 4.4 to XLR from DAC to Sub and then XLR/TRS to TRS to the JBL's.

For unbalanced connection I'd stick to RCAs only, namely RCA outputs from ZEN DAC into RCA inputs on your monitors.

For balanced I'd use ZEN DAC's 4.4mm output into thatever balanced input your monitors have, but from what I can tell JBL 104 feature balanced 6.3mm TRS sockets.
 
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