[vmiguel]

i've searched but did not find: is ZEN dac capable of unfolding and rendering MQA, or just rendering?

TIA

 

[crocolligator]

Hi everyone,
I'm having some very audible buzzing noise from the Zen Dac which goes away when any music is playing or when I touch the unit.
Is this a grounding issue? I'm sure it's the Zen Dac caue i tried my old dac-amp with the same headphone and same usb cable but there is no noise.
Please see below for a photo of it. The brown part is wood where all of the zen dac's rubber feet make contact, the black part on the left is metal and makes contact with the USB cable but not with the zen dac.
https://i.imgur.com/6aSiwQm.jpg

Thanks for reading this query, cheers.

EDIT: additional info;
weirdly enough, when i disconnect my headphones (dt 1990 pro), hold its input jack on one hand, let the headphone cable droop down the tile floor and touch the zen dac with the other hand, i would be able to hear the noise. But if I raise the cable so it does not touch the tile floor, the noise will lower in volume.

 

[iFi audio]

rendering MQA, or just rendering?

It's a renderer device. Of all our range only top level Pro iDSD is powerful enough for full MQA decoding.

weirdly enough, when i disconnect my headphones (dt 1990 pro), hold its input jack on one hand, let the headphone cable droop down the tile floor and touch the zen dac with the other hand, i would be able to hear the noise. But if I raise the cable so it does not touch the tile floor, the noise will lower in volume.

If you have any other headphones, I'd check them. If this does happen only on those Beyers, you might have an issue with them.

 

[vonbonds]

I received my Zen Dac a few days ago and have listened to about 2 hours worth of music so far. Is there a break-in procedure I'm supposed to do or is that a myth? If it's not a myth will using it for 5 hours a week or whatever eventually get it to the point it will be all set?

 

[crocolligator]

It's a renderer device. Of all our range only top level Pro iDSD is powerful enough for full MQA decoding.



If you have any other headphones, I'd check them. If this does happen only on those Beyers, you might have an issue with them.

I tried Zen Dac to HE-400i and no buzz, the headphone cable of the 400i are braided.
On a similar logic, Micca Origen to the Beyers have no buzz on the same scenarios, using stock cable of beyers.
There's something about the combination of zen dac and the dt 1990 that makes this buzz. I would not attribute it solely on the beyers cause it has no buzz with the origen and a cranked up volume in a FiiO BTR5

 

[iFi audio]

I received my Zen Dac a few days ago and have listened to about 2 hours worth of music so far. Is there a break-in procedure I'm supposed to do or is that a myth? If it's not a myth will using it for 5 hours a week or whatever eventually get it to the point it will be all set?

Please listen to music on the product as you would normally and that's it! The burn-in period is around 100 hours or so. In this time you should hear some improvements. Just a bit more smoothness, less artificial instruments and voices and so on, but no critical performance spikes really.

 

[iFi audio]

I tried Zen Dac to HE-400i and no buzz, the headphone cable of the 400i are braided.
On a similar logic, Micca Origen to the Beyers have no buzz on the same scenarios, using stock cable of beyers.
There's something about the combination of zen dac and the dt 1990 that makes this buzz. I would not attribute it solely on the beyers cause it has no buzz with the origen and a cranked up volume in a FiiO BTR5

That's odd. Can you please let us know about this issue via our support platform please: https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Our support team will do their best to find out where's the problem.

 

[hag6]

I have been listening more extensively with the Zen Dac using foobar set up using the DSD Processor plug-in and I notice that some tracks exhibit a slight cracking (similar to surface noise on vinyl). This is most noticeable with more acoustic music eg voice and piano or voice and acoustic guitar. I have played the same track via the on-board soundcard and there is no noticeable crackle. Can you suggest any adjustments which may help eradicate the crackle. Am I pushing my system too hard, including the dac, to play everything upsampled to DSD 256.

 

[twheshka]

I have been listening more extensively with the Zen Dac using foobar set up using the DSD Processor plug-in and I notice that some tracks exhibit a slight cracking (similar to surface noise on vinyl). This is most noticeable with more acoustic music eg voice and piano or voice and acoustic guitar. I have played the same track via the on-board soundcard and there is no noticeable crackle. Can you suggest any adjustments which may help eradicate the crackle. Am I pushing my system too hard, including the dac, to play everything upsampled to DSD 256.

Does the crackle happen all the time or only when playing DSD? If all the time, try disconnecting the USB cable to the zen and let the unit power off. When off reconnect the USB. When I have this crackle (all the time), powering the unit off seems to eliminate it when rebooted.
Best of luck.
Tim

 

[hag6]

Hi Tim many thanks for your reply. The ‘crackle” is relatively subtle. It blends in with music; very similar to surface noise on vinyl. When I play the same track on another player such as VLC through the Zen, it is not present. I think the issue is related to the up sampling to DSD256. Both native DSD256 and 44.1k tracks upsampled to DSD256 exhibit the “crackle”.

 

[Zeka]

It may be up to the DSD plug-in in foobar.

 

[crocolligator]

I have been listening more extensively with the Zen Dac using foobar set up using the DSD Processor plug-in and I notice that some tracks exhibit a slight cracking (similar to surface noise on vinyl). This is most noticeable with more acoustic music eg voice and piano or voice and acoustic guitar. I have played the same track via the on-board soundcard and there is no noticeable crackle. Can you suggest any adjustments which may help eradicate the crackle. Am I pushing my system too hard, including the dac, to play everything upsampled to DSD 256.

Are you using the DSD processor that came with the SACD plugin?
If yes what settings did you use? I can only upsample up to DSD 128

 

[hag6]

Hi I am using the SACD plug-in and set the DSD component to upsample all PCM to 256. For example Input: 44.1 output 256 converter SDM type B through to 192000. I have used this excellent guide to help me set this up. https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.co...-part-3-new-experimental-sacd-plugin-v-0-9-x/ I have set up according to the instruction under Mode 3

I can play DSD256 native files and all the various PCM frequency rates upsampled which triggers the deep blue LED.

 

[iFi audio]

It may be up to the DSD plug-in in foobar.

Might be.

Hi I am using the SACD plug-in and set the DSD component to upsample all PCM to 256. For example Input: 44.1 output 256 converter SDM type B through to 192000. I have used this excellent guide to help me set this up. https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.co...-part-3-new-experimental-sacd-plugin-v-0-9-x/ I have set up according to the instruction under Mode 3

You could let us know about the issue here: https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Perhaps one of our support staff encountered this already and could help you out!

 

[ufospls2]

Hi Guys,

Today we are having a look at the iFi Audio ZenDAC, their new entry level DAC/Amp combo unit.

It really is amazing what you can purchase at the entry level nowadays, even compared to 5 years ago. This unit would have been unthinkable back then. The ZenDAC provides pretty much everything a beginner could ever need or want, at an MSRP of $129.99USD. Thats right. You heard me. $129.99USD. Thats crazy. 5 years ago this would have cost $500USD I would guess. It really is a testament to how far we have come as a hobby in such a short time span.

The ZenDAC provides less options than the usual iFi Audio fare, but for the asking price, that is expected. It still has everything you need as a beginner. It does have an update to iFi XBASS to what they now call TRUBASS. This provides a 6(ish) decibel boost to the low end, which is welcome on some headphones, and low and high gain settings (what iFi calls “Power Match.”) What I found really quite interesting was that the ZenDAC is a balanced piece of gear. This is unusual at this price point. Now, balanced doesn’t really matter to me, I would prefer a good single ended design over a poor balanced design, but it is something to take note of. Thankfully, iFi has gone with the 4.4mm Pentaconn sockets for both balanced headphone output and line out. This is a much better connector choice than 2.5mm jacks, which are not as durable.

Now, the ZenDAC is not the most powerful of amplifiers. The specs say 280mw at 32ohms single ended, and 380mw at 50ohms from the balanced output. With the high gain option, this will be enough for most headphones, especially as this piece of gear will likely be used by beginners, and entry level headphones tend to be easier to drive. Its not powerful enough to drive something like the HE6, but to be honest, I really don’t think that matters, its not what the ZenDAC was designed for. This is a piece of gear that will work great with something like the Drop/Sennheiser HD6XX, or similar. I mean, think of it like this. You purchase a pair of HD6XX for $200USD (or less if you buy them used) and the ZenDAC for $129.99USD, combine it with your laptop, and you are set. That is a system that would outdo a lot of more expensive set ups, especially from years past.

The ZenDAC can also be used as a system DAC in combination with an external amplifier. It has RCA outputs, as well as a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output. This would need a special cable to be made (4.4mm to dual 3pin XLR) for use with a balanced external amplifier, but the option is there, and that is pretty neat. You can also choose either variable output, for use with a power amplifier, or fixed, for use with a preamp or integrated amplifier.

As you can see, the ZenDAC may not have all the typical iFi features, but it has everything you need, and even some stuff you don’t. Two thumbs up.

Now, the most important question. How does it sound? Perfectly acceptable. Is it a giant killer? Of course not. But the tonal balance seems fairly neutral, and detail is certainly acceptable. You have to keep in mind, this is $129.99USD! Its not meant to be a giant killer, its meant to get you started as a first option beyond the built in output to your laptop, or as a secondary set up beside your bed. That sort of thing, and honestly? I think it excels at those jobs.

The obvious thing to compare the ZenDAC to was my iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label, their top of the line transportable option. As you might expect, the iDSD is more capable, in every aspect. From features, to power, to sound quality, it is better. However, the iDSD retails for $600USD. That is almost 6 times more than the ZenDAC. It is more detailed, has better timbre and tonality, but the ZenDAC isn’t as far off as you might think.

If someone had just purchased their first pair of headphones that are something beyond a gaming headset, the HD58X or HD6XX, something like that, and asked me the fabled question of “do I need an amp or DAC?” I’d say, well, listen to your headphones from your computers built in output for a while, but after that, if the itch is there, give the iFi ZenDAC a try.

The ZenDAC is not the most sonically competent piece of gear ever made, it’s not the most powerful, it’s not the most detailed, but its not designed to be. It is a simple, beginner level, $129.99USD MSRP, piece of gear, and I think it lives up to that mark very well. I would totally recommend the ZenDAC to a beginner, or someone needing an affordable back up piece of source equipment. Thank you iFi for letting me give the ZenDAC a try