[iFi audio]

Hi all, I would like to connect active speakers (Nubert A-100) to the ZEN DAC. What is the better connection option, RCA or back 4,4mm port? Is there a difference?
I don't have a RCA cable yet so running from 6,33mm port, even now this chain sounds really good.
----
OK, based on the official manual balanced port is recommended. Can anybody recommend good and not too expensive 4,4mm -> RCA cable? Or what would be the connectivity diagram? I could solder this myself using existing IEM cable with 4,4mm.
https://media.ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ZEN-DAC-Ver1.2.pdf

ZEN DAC is internally balanced and that's why balanced analog out is suggested. But you can also go from ZEN's RCA outs to your Nubert's RCA inputs and this will work as well.

4.4mm balanced out in ZEN is wired accordingly to Sony's Pentaconn spec.

 

[chortya]

ZEN DAC is internally balanced and that's why balanced analog out is suggested. But you can also go from ZEN's RCA outs to your Nubert's RCA inputs and this will work as well.

4.4mm balanced out in ZEN is wired accordingly to Sony's Pentaconn spec.

Thanks, will I be able to hear any difference between RCA and balanced?

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks, will I be able to hear any difference between RCA and balanced?

You should, but to fully benefit from balanced connection, amps in your speakers would have to be balanced as well and from what I can tell Nubert A-100 isn't.

 

[zjx1017]

MQA can't be upsampled or modified in any other way to be MQA. It has to be sent to a MQA capable product as a bit-perfect stream. So if magenta LED on your iFi device is engaged, this means that MQA stream leaves your smartphone/laptop/etc in its unchanged and therefore correct form. The magenta LED actually informs you that everything is as in order as it can be, and what you're getting is in fact... MQA

If you would i.e. upsample MQA stream, on your iFi device you wouldn't see magenta LED but something else.

Thanks for your explanation.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for your explanation.

You're welcome

 

[bloodyf8]

@iFi audio
Currently i using zen dac connected to yamaha hs5 via balanced out 4.4mm , i also have ath msr7b headphone.
When i plug my speaker to zen the volume potentiometer , truebass , and powermatch are bypassed which mean i control the volume from speakers , even if my speakers turned off it still bypassed the amp and all functions thats i mentioned before arnt working..the only way to normal(not bypassed) is unplugged the 4.4mm cable from zen balanced out.
i want to using my msr7b with zen , but i bit irritated to unplug the speakers cable if i want to using my headphone , is there any way to plug my headphone without bypassed the zen amp or unplug the speaker cable?

 

[VictorKL]

Hi,

Just to give my impressions on the iFi Zen Dac.

I am new to this hobby, I purchased Meze 99 with balanced cables + iFi Zen Dac and better ear pads (Yaxi).
I can't compare with other DAC as it's my first...

The balanced output is a must.
I tried extensively the 3 different firmwares, I always come back to the 5.3c with GTO filter .
Better sound stage, more details. Other firmwares are warmer but I still prefer the 5.3c. I understand why some people prefer others.

For a beginner like me it's a great solution. I am convinced I would need to spend much more to get something really better.

Thanks iFi !

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio
Currently i using zen dac connected to yamaha hs5 via balanced out 4.4mm , i also have ath msr7b headphone.
When i plug my speaker to zen the volume potentiometer , truebass , and powermatch are bypassed which mean i control the volume from speakers , even if my speakers turned off it still bypassed the amp and all functions thats i mentioned before arnt working..the only way to normal(not bypassed) is unplugged the 4.4mm cable from zen balanced out.
i want to using my msr7b with zen , but i bit irritated to unplug the speakers cable if i want to using my headphone , is there any way to plug my headphone without bypassed the zen amp or unplug the speaker cable?

ZEN DAC outputs signal to both its line out and headphone out, one doesn't deactivate the other. So yes, if you want to listen to headphones only, you need to unplug a cable from ZEN DAC's line out.

 

[iFi audio]

Hi,

Just to give my impressions on the iFi Zen Dac.

I am new to this hobby, I purchased Meze 99 with balanced cables + iFi Zen Dac and better ear pads (Yaxi).
I can't compare with other DAC as it's my first...

The balanced output is a must.
I tried extensively the 3 different firmwares, I always come back to the 5.3c with GTO filter .
Better sound stage, more details. Other firmwares are warmer but I still prefer the 5.3c. I understand why some people prefer others.

For a beginner like me it's a great solution. I am convinced I would need to spend much more to get something really better.

Thanks iFi !

You're welcome, thanks for your feedback and enjoy the heck out of your iFi device with those Mece cans! We like them a lot!

 

[bloodyf8]

ZEN DAC outputs signal to both its line out and headphone out, one doesn't deactivate the other. So yes, if you want to listen to headphones only, you need to unplug a cable from ZEN DAC's line out.

What if i plug both balanced line out (speakers)and balanced headphone out(headphone)but the speakers are turned off when i want to listening my headphone , is it possible? is there any effect beside cant use a volume control from zen? like the power isnt same as i using headphone out only?
also what's function of variable and fixed switch?

 

[iFi audio]

What if i plug both balanced line out (speakers)and balanced headphone out(headphone)but the speakers are turned off when i want to listening my headphone , is it possible? is there any effect beside cant use a volume control from zen? like the power isnt same as i using headphone out only?
also what's function of variable and fixed switch?

I suggest taking a look into ZEN DAC's manual: https://media.ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ZEN-DAC-Ver1.2.pdf

The variable/fixed switch determines whether line outs in ZEN DAC are regulated or not.

If you want to regulate volume of your speakers via ZEN DAC's volume knob, then this switch should be set as variable. The fixed setting should be engaged if you enjoy using volume control in your speakers.

If both speakers and headphones are connected, turning off the former if you want to listen to cans will do the trick.

 

[armdias]

I’m really tempted to buy this because of it’s great price and functions.

But there’s one thing that worries me... everyone says that the balanced output to headphones is a must.

The problem is, I don’t have balanced headphones, the Zen would be used to listen on an AKG K240 MkII, a K702/712 (still don’t have these) and a Sennheiser HD600 or 650 and Beyerdynamic DT880 250 Ohm (all headphones NOT balanced).

Would the Zen be a good DAC and Amp to these headphones (unbalanced out connector)?

 

[iFi audio]

Would the Zen be a good DAC and Amp to these headphones (unbalanced out connector)?

Please see this handy tool: https://ifi-audio.com/home/headphone-calculator/

It will tell you what to expect of ZEN DAC with specific headphones.

 

[bloodyf8]

I suggest taking a look into ZEN DAC's manual: https://media.ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ZEN-DAC-Ver1.2.pdf

The variable/fixed switch determines whether line outs in ZEN DAC are regulated or not.

If you want to regulate volume of your speakers via ZEN DAC's volume knob, then this switch should be set as variable. The fixed setting should be engaged if you enjoy using volume control in your speakers.

If both speakers and headphones are connected, turning off the former if you want to listen to cans will do the trick.

Okay thanks a lot
i just want to make sure i dont damage the zen when i plug both my headphond and speakers

 

[iFi audio]

i just want to make sure i dont damage the zen when i plug both my headphond and speakers

I wouldn't worry about that