[GlenAppleton]

Stupid question… just ordered the original (“v1”) ZEN but I have a doubt on Windows 10:

- do I download and install the drivers first, then connect the ZEN to PC

- or do I plug first the ZEN to PC then install the drivers?

Or the order of this is irrelevant?

Thanks!

Nope, not stupid. You will need the serial number from the DAC to access the proper downloads, but other than that, the order is not important. Enjoy your new DAC!

 

[headpmaniac]

Nope, not stupid. You will need the serial number from the DAC to access the proper downloads, but other than that, the order is not important. Enjoy your new DAC!

Thanks!

Yeah, I was already checking iFi site but I need to wait until the unit arrives to have the serial and download the drivers.

Since some hardware requires that first you install the drivers and just then the hardware (or vice-versa), I was just wondering if with the ZEN any “special” order was needed too. But the fact is that I couldn’t find it, so I decided to ask.

Thanks again!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Thanks!

Yeah, I was already checking iFi site but I need to wait until the unit arrives to have the serial and download the drivers.

Since some hardware requires that first you install the drivers and just then the hardware (or vice-versa), I was just wondering if with the ZEN any “special” order was needed too. But the fact is that I couldn’t find it, so I decided to ask.

Thanks again!

Glad you did! All questions are welcome here.

 

[jed1mindtrix]

I'm about ready to give up on iFi, but I wanted to check here to make sure there isn't some issue I'm overlooking. I started out with the hip-dac. Which lasted about a week before I started getting a loud buzzing/hissing in the left channel. Returned the hip-dac and bought a Zen DAC v2.

The v2 has lasted all but 2 or 3 days and now I'm getting a slight squeal in the left channel, and almost no audio in the right channel. (unbalanced port)

Both DACs were being used with my Monolith M1060's when they stopped working.

Is this something that can be resolved? Am I doing something wrong? I've been using the official iFi drivers since day one.

 

[Degru]

Thanks!

Yeah, I was already checking iFi site but I need to wait until the unit arrives to have the serial and download the drivers.

Since some hardware requires that first you install the drivers and just then the hardware (or vice-versa), I was just wondering if with the ZEN any “special” order was needed too. But the fact is that I couldn’t find it, so I decided to ask.

Thanks again!

You only need to know the first 5 digits of your serial, and it tells you what those are on the site itself when you pick the DAC model. The last 5 digits can be any random set of numbers; I just type "12345" and it takes me to the download page just fine. Easier than trying to read off the little sticker on the DAC

 

[Degru]

I got a Zendac Signature v2 recently, and man, I missed the burr brown sound : )

From memory I do think it sounds more refined than the normal zendac. Sounded really smooth and clean.

Unfortunately, had to return my unit because it had a weird issue with heat. I put my DAC on top of my Aegir, which gets very warm, but not extremely hot since it's not fully class A biased. As the Zen Sig would heat up, it would eventually start stuttering heavily when trying to play hi res files or MQA, as if the clock was misbehaving and it couldn't lock on to the signal. It would happen for only a second or two at start of playback at first, then eventually would happen constantly making the DAC unusable. Never had this problem with other DACs including my old regular Zendac. I wonder if anyone else has come across this?

 

[iFi audio]

You only need to know the first 5 digits of your serial, and it tells you what those are on the site itself when you pick the DAC model. The last 5 digits can be any random set of numbers; I just type "12345" and it takes me to the download page just fine. Easier than trying to read off the little sticker on the DAC

Affirmative, that method will work fine, thanks!

I got a Zendac Signature v2 recently, and man, I missed the burr brown sound : )

From memory I do think it sounds more refined than the normal zendac. Sounded really smooth and clean.

Unfortunately, had to return my unit because it had a weird issue with heat. I put my DAC on top of my Aegir, which gets very warm, but not extremely hot since it's not fully class A biased. As the Zen Sig would heat up, it would eventually start stuttering heavily when trying to play hi res files or MQA, as if the clock was misbehaving and it couldn't lock on to the signal. It would happen for only a second or two at start of playback at first, then eventually would happen constantly making the DAC unusable. Never had this problem with other DACs including my old regular Zendac. I wonder if anyone else has come across this?

Thanks for your feedback and welcome to the Burr-Brown club again

As for overheating, it's rather rare and our entire ZEN range was built to withstand a lot, so perhaps the issue with your unit was either with excessive temperature or power management. Either way, thanks for letting us know!

 

[Degru]

Affirmative, that method will work fine, thanks!



Thanks for your feedback and welcome to the Burr-Brown club again

As for overheating, it's rather rare and our entire ZEN range was built to withstand a lot, so perhaps the issue with your unit was either with excessive temperature or power management. Either way, thanks for letting us know!

I found my IR thermometer, the top of the Aegir where the Zendac was sitting reads 42.5 Celsius after I've been playing music for a while. Shouldn't be too hot for digital electronics I'd imagine.

Was running the zendac off the included ipower adapter.

 

[iFi audio]

I found my IR thermometer, the top of the Aegir where the Zendac was sitting reads 42.5 Celsius after I've been playing music for a while. Shouldn't be too hot for digital electronics I'd imagine.

That temperature isn't high, so your replacement should work as intended, thanks!

 

[headpmaniac]

I have this original Zen DAC, not the V2, and I’m very happy with it.

I just saw the Beyer Dynamic DT880 600 Ohm selling online at an incredible price, really a bargain.

My question: does the Zen DAC has enough power to properly drive these 880 600Ohm headphones? Or will they need an amp with more power (Zen CAN)?

 

[GlenAppleton]

I have this original Zen DAC, not the V2, and I’m very happy with it.

I just saw the Beyer Dynamic DT880 600 Ohm selling online at an incredible price, really a bargain.

My question: does the Zen DAC has enough power to properly drive these 880 600Ohm headphones? Or will they need an amp with more power (Zen CAN)?

Drive them? Maybe. Drive them efficiently? Probably not. I have the v2, which I think has the same output power specs on the unbalanced output, and it drove the DT-770 (250 ohm), but not efficiently. I was consistently setting the volume to the 2:00 - 3:00 position to get to moderate levels. I didn't realize how good those cans actually were until I got the Zen CAN to complete the stack, and it really opened them up.

 

[Baten]

I have this original Zen DAC, not the V2, and I’m very happy with it.

I just saw the Beyer Dynamic DT880 600 Ohm selling online at an incredible price, really a bargain.

My question: does the Zen DAC has enough power to properly drive these 880 600Ohm headphones? Or will they need an amp with more power (Zen CAN)?

It's a DAC not a "real" full fledged amp. So no a load that heavy won't do very well.

 

[fattycheesebeef]

I have the Zen DAC V1 and running trusty HD650. I do wonder if an amp would do HD650 justice~

 

[iFi audio]

I have this original Zen DAC, not the V2, and I’m very happy with it.

I just saw the Beyer Dynamic DT880 600 Ohm selling online at an incredible price, really a bargain.

My question: does the Zen DAC has enough power to properly drive these 880 600Ohm headphones? Or will they need an amp with more power (Zen CAN)?

In short, ZEN DAC will result in satisfactory volume level easily, but ZEN CAN would provide extra authority and make better osund for sure. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[pathworks]

I would like the operate the ZenDac in stealth mode (no light behind the volume knob). Has anyone managed to disable the light? Can I pull the volume knob off and cover the light with a sticker from Amazon or use gaffers tape? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.