[redfarmers]

Hi!

Sry if this is a very "noob" question...but im new to all this with DAC:s...so I guess im a noob then

I recently bought a Zen DAC (v 5.3c firmware) and I have my Audio-technica MSR7b headphones connected to it via the balanced input.

Now, if I connect the headphones to my PC:s built in dac/soundboard the volume is fine...but...when I connect them through the DAC I need to decrease the volume in the player because the sound gets very loud...like alot.

Problem is...if I lower the volume-knob on the DAC I only get like mono-sound as the left headphone gets to low compared to the right side.

If I increase the volume...both right and left headphone gets sound but the sound gets way to high and that leads to that I have to decrease the volume in the musicplayer so it wont blow my ears out

Long story short...
max volume in windows and musicplayer = way to high sound in headphones
If I lower the sound on the DAC to acceptable volume = only sound in right headphone

One more "solution" I´ve found is to change the L/R balance so I increase the left side and then the sound gets even @ low volume

And the third solution I´ve found is to enable the equalizer in the musicplayer and lower the pre-amp volume.

Í have checked the R/L balance in both windows and musicplayer and they are in center.

So...is there any solution for this or is it just me that are to sensitive to "high" volume so I have to live with increased sound to get sound in both sides?


Sry for my bad English. Hope you understand anything of what I try to explain.

Best regards

 

[OscSop]

Hi!

Sry if this is a very "noob" question...but im new to all this with DAC:s...so I guess im a noob then

I recently bought a Zen DAC (v 5.3c firmware) and I have my Audio-technica MSR7b headphones connected to it via the balanced input.

Now, if I connect the headphones to my PC:s built in dac/soundboard the volume is fine...but...when I connect them through the DAC I need to decrease the volume in the player because the sound gets very loud...like alot.

Problem is...if I lower the volume-knob on the DAC I only get like mono-sound as the left headphone gets to low compared to the right side.

If I increase the volume...both right and left headphone gets sound but the sound gets way to high and that leads to that I have to decrease the volume in the musicplayer so it wont blow my ears out

Long story short...
max volume in windows and musicplayer = way to high sound in headphones
If I lower the sound on the DAC to acceptable volume = only sound in right headphone

One more "solution" I´ve found is to change the L/R balance so I increase the left side and then the sound gets even @ low volume

Í have checked the R/L balance in both windows and musicplayer and they are in center.

So...is there any solution for this or is it just me that are to sensitive to "high" volume so I have to live with increased sound to get sound in both sides?


Sry for my bad English. Hope you understand anything of what I try to explain.

Best regards

I get this too! I‘ve had my zen day for a couple of weeks. Connected to an iMac. Listen to some AK Diana IEMs. Same scenario as you, gets very loud very quickly and when you lower it, sound is very low in just the left ear. I have solved this to some degree by turned the power match off, that way I can listen comfortably. Have you got power match on?

 

[redfarmers]

I get this too! I‘ve had my zen day for a couple of weeks. Connected to an iMac. Listen to some AK Diana IEMs. Same scenario as you, gets very loud very quickly and when you lower it, sound is very low in just the left ear. I have solved this to some degree by turned the power match off, that way I can listen comfortably. Have you got power match on?

Oh...it really helped! Now I get even balance @ lower volume. Mabe not on the very lowest volume....but it definitely helped a bit

 

[KaiFi]

Is it better to use this DAC with the 5V power supply? I saw in the specs that the headphone output will "vary" if used with USB. Maybe a better idea to just get the power supply?

I've used this DAC for a few months now without issue but I'm not sure if I'm missing something by only using USB power (from my MacBook Pro).

 

[iFi audio]

Oh...it really helped! Now I get even balance @ lower volume. Mabe not on the very lowest volume....but it definitely helped a bit

Analogue volume potentiometers in ZEN DAC can introduce some channel imbalance early on, but both channels should be even during comfortable listening levels. With highly sensitive headphones/IEMs it might be difficult to achieve, which is why turning off PowerMatch and thus lowering gain helps.

Is it better to use this DAC with the 5V power supply? I saw in the specs that the headphone output will "vary" if used with USB. Maybe a better idea to just get the power supply?

Our iPower is what we recommend for ZEN DAC, but it can be powered via USB as long as it provides voltage and amperage within USB specs. Many computers don't, which might impact ZEN DAC's power output.

 

[jaker782]

Our iPower is what we recommend for ZEN DAC, but it can be powered via USB as long as it provides voltage and amperage within USB specs. Many computers don't, which might impact ZEN DAC's power output.

Since it is not mentioned in the user manual, what amperage is recommended for the 5V external power supply? I think the iPower provides up to 2.5A, correct? So ideally anything rated at 2.5A or above? Also, should the polarity be center positive? Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Since it is not mentioned in the user manual, what amperage is recommended for the 5V external power supply? I think the iPower provides up to 2.5A, correct? So ideally anything rated at 2.5A or above? Also, should the polarity be center positive? Thanks!

2.5A or somewhat above is fine. And yes, center pin positive.

 

[jaker782]

2.5A or somewhat above is fine. And yes, center pin positive.

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Giangi]

Could I combine the ZEN DAC with new ZEN CAN? How could I do? Is it worth it? Main differences between ZEN DAC and ZEN DAC Signature? Thanks

 

[chaotic_angel]

https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-can/

Wow! @iFi audio question, if the input on Zen Can is SE RCA will the 4.4 Bal be working? And will the quality same as if inputed from 4.4 to 4.4 ?

 

[hag6]

Could I combine the ZEN DAC with new ZEN CAN? How could I do? Is it worth it? Main differences between ZEN DAC and ZEN DAC Signature? Thanks

These are the questions most of us Zen Dac owners will want answering. The Zen Dac & Can are shown together on the ifi-audio website. I look forward to the reviews on this pairing.

 

[vonbonds]

What’s the expected improvement, would it be audible for regular ears and not just golden ear types?

 

[iFi audio]

Could I combine the ZEN DAC with new ZEN CAN? How could I do? Is it worth it? Main differences between ZEN DAC and ZEN DAC Signature? Thanks

The best way would be to go from ZEN DAC's (with its outputs fixed, not variable) 4.4mm balanced out to ZEN CAN's 4.4mm balanced in.

Wow! @iFi audio question, if the input on Zen Can is SE RCA will the 4.4 Bal be working? And will the quality same as if inputed from 4.4 to 4.4 ?

I'll double-check, but I'm in 99% certain it will work.

What’s the expected improvement, would it be audible for regular ears and not just golden ear types?

If I may ask, expected improvement of what exactly? Adding ZEN CAN to ZEN DAC?

 

[vonbonds]

The best way would be to go from ZEN DAC's (with its outputs fixed, not variable) 4.4mm balanced out to ZEN CAN's 4.4mm balanced in.



I'll double-check, but I'm in 99% certain it will work.



If I may ask, expected improvement of what exactly? Adding ZEN CAN to ZEN DAC?

For my question..yes. I already ordered it from Amazon so I hope I like your answer lol

 

[hag6]

Is a reasonably priced 4mm to 4mm balanced cable going to be available?