[StillaStillsFan]

To clarify, ZEN DAC works just as any other USB powered DAC, it will draw one's phone battery but will work.

I just tried it. Does not work. I have two different lightning to USB adapters. One is the usb camera 3 adapter and the other is just the direct lightning to usb. From TIDAL streaming, The former gives no message - Tidal just keeps shutting off. The latter actually gives a message on the iPhone stating the accessory draws too much power. Would love to know for sure how to get this to work so I don’t have to return it.

 

[coolcrew23]

I just tried it. Does not work. I have two different lightning to USB adapters. One is the usb camera 3 adapter and the other is just the direct lightning to usb. From TIDAL streaming, The former gives no message - Tidal just keeps shutting off. The latter actually gives a message on the iPhone stating the accessory draws too much power. Would love to know for sure how to get this to work so I don’t have to return it.

You'll need a power supply to make it work with a phone. Mine works fine with an iPhone XS Max on CKK to DAC.

 

[StillaStillsFan]

You'll need a power supply to make it work with a phone. Mine works fine with an iPhone XS Max on CKK to DAC.

Power supply for the DAC or for the phone (the lightning to usb 3 camera adapter has an input to attach AC phone charger), or both? What specific power supply are you using?...thank you, Don

 

[StillaStillsFan]

Power supply for the DAC or for the phone (the lightning to usb 3 camera adapter has an input to attach AC phone charger), or both? What specific power supply are you using?...thank you, Don

Got it to work w addition of AC phone charger lightning cable connected to the camera adapter lightning input, other end connected to AC wall outlet through the USB wall outlet adapter ). A little finicky in that Tidal or TuneIn don’t want to always connect, but eventually they did. Not the best logistical arrangement for me but at least I can work w this for now. BTW, the DAC is driving ELAC Navis powered speakers.

 

[iFi audio]

You'll need a power supply to make it work with a phone. Mine works fine with an iPhone XS Max on CKK to DAC.

Yup, a separate power supply is needed.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Check out Berkhan's (aka @Virtu Fortuna ) first impressions of the iFi audio ZEN BLUE.
https://www.headfonia.com/first-look-sunday-ifi-zen-blue/

 

[iFi audio]

Check out Berkhan's (aka @Virtu Fortuna ) first impressions of the iFi audio ZEN BLUE.
https://www.headfonia.com/first-look-sunday-ifi-zen-blue/

Lovely work, thanks for sharing

 

[iFi audio]

WOW!

Product Of The Year 2019:‌ Desktop Components- The Wondrous iFi ZEN‌ DAC Headphone Amp/DAC Combo Review!

 

[loop digga]

Hi,

I am very interested in this Dac/amp for my Fostex TH610 headphones, but my home laptop is old, well working 2009 Macbook Pro with USB 2.0. In official note you write that it's compatible, but on polish distributor website I found information that it does not work with this connection. Can anyone confirm that it would work with USB 2.0? I do not want to power it from external socket.

 

[iFi audio]

I am very interested in this Dac/amp for my Fostex TH610 headphones, but my home laptop is old, well working 2009 Macbook Pro with USB 2.0. In official note you write that it's compatible, but on polish distributor website I found information that it does not work with this connection. Can anyone confirm that it would work with USB 2.0? I do not want to power it from external socket.

The product needs 5V, so as long as your USB outputs that (it should), it'll work.

 

[iFi audio]

We'll just leave it here...

 

[loop digga]

If anyone is curious I bought Zen Dac, and it works with USB 2.0 on my 10 years old Macbook Pro without any problems

 

[Baten]

If anyone is curious I bought Zen Dac, and it works with USB 2.0 on my 10 years old Macbook Pro without any problems

As it should

 

[iFi audio]

As it should

But of course

 

[iFi audio]

First in the world with the very latest QC5100 series Bluetooth chipset. And we’ve maxed it out!

Bluetooth technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that all manufacturers are doing their utmost to keep pace.

Here at iFi audio, we are pleased to announce that we are the very FIRST in the world to use the QC5100 series chip in high-end audio equipment.



And there’s more. This Bluetooth chipset is so new, we have had to integrate the LDAC (Sony) and HWA (Huwai) coding ourselves in-house via our own software team.

So, enough of the unashamed trumpet blowing. Why is this important?

Firstly, the processing power of the Q5100 series chipset is TWICE as good as the previous 8675 series chipset launched back in 2015. This means improved sound quality over Bluetooth. Plus, with the aptX Adaptive codec too, it is at the very cutting-edge of Bluetooth technology.

Secondly, it means that you can get your hands on this very latest Bluetooth tech at an affordable price. Better tech equals better sound quality. Our ZEN Blue and Aurora are the first high-end audio products in the world to use the QC5100 Bluetooth system. It simply isn’t available in any other audio product.

And, as stated earlier, we added the highly sought after LDAC and HWA codecs. We’ve left no stone unturned to bring you the very latest and greatest in Bluetooth technology.

A bit more on the Qualcomm family

The very latest Qualcomm audio range of Bluetooth chipsets, the 5100 series launched in 2019. The older 8675 series launched back in 2015.

The table below outlines the main differences between them.



About iFi audio products

iFi make a range of portable and desktop DAC/amps and, whether you choose the entry-level but feature-packed ZEN Blue, or the stunning all-in-one bamboo-clad Aurora, both released very recently, you’ll be able to stream all the very latest hi-res Bluetooth formats.

This includes Qualcomm’s aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, Sony’s LDAC, Huawei’s HWA, Apple’s favoured format, AAC and SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec.

We’ve got your Bluetooth needs covered.