iFi audio ZEN DAC - EISA Award Winner 'Best Value DAC 2020-21!
Jul 20, 2020 at 6:25 PM Post #481 of 1,159
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Jul 21, 2020 at 2:26 PM Post #482 of 1,159
Have recently acquired an wifi Zen DAC and have been listening with some Focal Elegia via the 6.3mm jack. Everything is great and am loving it.
However, I have bought a 2.5mm to 4.4mm adapter so I can use my IEMs on the balanced socket (have also got a cable coming for the focal to use on the balanced as well).
However, I have plugged into the balance socket and there is the sound of static; no music playing, volume at off or turned up. I assume that should not be there! Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks
Jon
Edit: interestingly, if I put the balanced jack through the balanced socket at the back, it does not produce static, only the front socket!
 
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Jul 21, 2020 at 6:38 PM Post #483 of 1,159
Edit: interestingly, if I put the balanced jack through the balanced socket at the back, it does not produce static, only the front socket!

You shouldn't hear any static. Can you please open up a ticket here: https://support.ifi-audio.com

... and let our support team to investigate?

Thanks!
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/iFiAudio/ https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 22, 2020 at 4:07 AM Post #484 of 1,159
Jul 23, 2020 at 7:50 AM Post #485 of 1,159
An update on my prior troubles...I was using the wrong iFi iPower Low Noise DC Power Supply (9V). I had mistakenly thought that it would 'step down' to the 5V Zen DAC requirement. So I purchased the 5V version and everything seems to be working a day into it...audio comes on immediately when I start on my phone, just like my hip-dac.

Really enjoying both w/ my 660s cans...and have ordered the DROP Signature combo...just wish it would come sooner than Nov :)
 
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Jul 23, 2020 at 12:26 PM Post #487 of 1,159
You can easily destroy gear by plugging in too high of voltage. Careful there.
Yeah thx...so far no ill effects. The green power light was on (like normal), and it would eventually work, but took awhile or several tries to get my music to come over the Zen DAC....
 
Jul 25, 2020 at 9:14 AM Post #489 of 1,159
Just upgrading my FW to 5.3c here https://ifi-audio.com/firmware/unified-firmware-for-various-products/ all I can say is better experience, house sound remain the same but with much with better separation and clarity to each notes. Track from Infected Mushroom-The Rats and Mombasa (thanks @iFi audio) has better resolution.

led turns purple for MQA and others non MQA are Yellow.

my set up, Tidal desktop+Zendac+RCA out+ SMSL SP200+ZMF Omnia
 
Jul 26, 2020 at 1:24 AM Post #490 of 1,159
I just got the ifi Zen Dac today and I concur, upgrading to 5.3c is a better experience and my MQA through Tidal PC works with it (on 5.3, I was not getting MQA through Tidal PC, only through my android phone).

Although I use low impedance cans plugged directly into the ifi Zen Dac and they sound good, my current optimal set up with what I own is Tidal PC/UAPP -> ifi Zen Dac -> Creative G6 with all effects off (the only amp I have now that drives 600 ohm cans) -> HD540 Ref I 600 ohms. And wow. Just wow. Just amazing, especially with MQA tracks (even "Hifi" tracks sound very, very good), the vocal clarity, soundstage, just utterly delicious.

The next step is to get a dedicated headphone amp (a budget one though lol) for this set up and leave with my Creative G6 for gaming only. Thinking Schiit Heresy. Also considering Aune X7s.
 
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Jul 26, 2020 at 9:39 AM Post #491 of 1,159
Hi all

I actually got a old asus essence stu, and im looking to upgrade my actual setup, and Zen dac seems to fit perfectly. But I've got some questions

1. Ive got a little bit hungry headphones (beyer 880t 250ohms, AKG k612, hifiman he4xx) abd I prefer to not to use high gain (because usually produces distortion)
Anyone could tell me experiences with that kind of headphones?
2. What 5v power supply is recommended?
3. Ifi is going to launch a Zen headphone amp?

Thanks to all

Pd. Feel free to recommend a dac with good headphone amp, or a combo mqa capable (tidal subscriber here)
 
Jul 26, 2020 at 11:12 AM Post #492 of 1,159
Hi all

I actually got a old asus essence stu, and im looking to upgrade my actual setup, and Zen dac seems to fit perfectly. But I've got some questions

1. Ive got a little bit hungry headphones (beyer 880t 250ohms, AKG k612, hifiman he4xx) abd I prefer to not to use high gain (because usually produces distortion)
Anyone could tell me experiences with that kind of headphones?
2. What 5v power supply is recommended?
3. Ifi is going to launch a Zen headphone amp?

Thanks to all

Pd. Feel free to recommend a dac with good headphone amp, or a combo mqa capable (tidal subscriber here)
Can try Zen DAC first and it not enough power, get a Magni Heresy (low gain is powerful!)
 

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