iFi audio ZEN DAC - EISA Award Winner 'Best Value DAC 2020-21!
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arftech
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How does it sound...anybody?
@iFi audio Is that ok that ZEN DAC is 24/7 ON? I can not disable my usb ports via bios. So my PC is off while ZEN DAC is permanently On))
Let me continue in the Official thread
As a pure DAC: + violectric hpa v181 + HD800S (fully balance circuit)
Surprisingly good - wide and deep soundstage, clean, good channel / instrument separation. Taking the price into account - nice deal.
As a DAC/Amp vs xDSD with Etymotic ER4SR - SE output only
ZEN DAC wins having more power on SE to drive ety, sounds slightly more precise, bass response is faster.
But I know that xDSD performs much better in balanced mode (3.5 mm TRRS). Unfortunately, I cannot compare them in balanced mode since I currently do not have any 3.5 mm TRRS cable for the 4SR.
As a DAC/Amp vs Cayin n6ii with Earsonics S-EM6 v2 - balanced outputs 4.4 mm
That was the most interesting part: to me ZEN DAC out of 4.4 mm sounds very close to micro idsd black label with one big exception - noise level.
Zen DAC produces an audible noise with my 6 BA IEM while Cayin n6ii is dead silent.
On the performance side - ZEN DAC performs terrific, as I said - very close to Black Label (or at the level of BL), no questions at all to what it delivers except the noise floor..
For sure, it needs some burn-in time and these impressions are right from the box.
So ifi audio, If this an entry level DAC then I can image how your future Mid and High end DACs can perform.
I can stay with ZEN DAC so far and wait for a higher level DAC from your side. Please do not wait too long with introduction (if any other DACs are planned) since I'm also considering violectric DAC V850 to complete my stationary setup.
As a pure DAC: + violectric hpa v181 + HD800S (fully balance circuit)
Surprisingly good - wide and deep soundstage, clean, good channel / instrument separation. Taking the price into account - nice deal.
As a DAC/Amp vs xDSD with Etymotic ER4SR - SE output only
ZEN DAC wins having more power on SE to drive ety, sounds slightly more precise, bass response is faster.
But I know that xDSD performs much better in balanced mode (3.5 mm TRRS). Unfortunately, I cannot compare them in balanced mode since I currently do not have any 3.5 mm TRRS cable for the 4SR.
As a DAC/Amp vs Cayin n6ii with Earsonics S-EM6 v2 - balanced outputs 4.4 mm
That was the most interesting part: to me ZEN DAC out of 4.4 mm sounds very close to micro idsd black label with one big exception - noise level.
Zen DAC produces an audible noise with my 6 BA IEM while Cayin n6ii is dead silent.
On the performance side - ZEN DAC performs terrific, as I said - very close to Black Label (or at the level of BL), no questions at all to what it delivers except the noise floor..
For sure, it needs some burn-in time and these impressions are right from the box.
So ifi audio, If this an entry level DAC then I can image how your future Mid and High end DACs can perform.
I can stay with ZEN DAC so far and wait for a higher level DAC from your side. Please do not wait too long with introduction (if any other DACs are planned) since I'm also considering violectric DAC V850 to complete my stationary setup.
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Finally I could disable usb power in BIOS after the PC shut down, now ZEN DAC turns on/off together with the PC.
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It's also fine powered on 24/7.
Let me continue in the Official thread
As a pure DAC: + violectric hpa v181 + HD800S (fully balance circuit)
Surprisingly good - wide and deep soundstage, clean, good channel / instrument separation. Taking the price into account - nice deal.
As a DAC/Amp vs xDSD with Etymotic ER4SR - SE output only
ZEN DAC wins having more power on SE to drive ety, sounds slightly more precise, bass response is faster.
But I know that xDSD performs much better in balanced mode (3.5 mm TRRS). Unfortunately, I cannot compare them in balanced mode since I currently do not have any 3.5 mm TRRS cable for the 4SR.
As a DAC/Amp vs Cayin n6ii with Earsonics S-EM6 v2 - balanced outputs 4.4 mm
That was the most interesting part: to me ZEN DAC out of 4.4 mm sounds very close to micro idsd black label with one big exception - noise level.
Zen DAC produces an audible noise with my 6 BA IEM while Cayin n6ii is dead silent.
On the performance side - ZEN DAC performs terrific, as I said - very close to Black Label (or at the level of BL), no questions at all to what it delivers except the noise floor..
For sure, it needs some burn-in time and these impressions are right from the box.
So ifi audio, If this an entry level DAC then I can image how your future Mid and High end DACs can perform.
I can stay with ZEN DAC so far and wait for a higher level DAC from your side. Please do not wait too long with introduction (if any other DACs are planned) since I'm also considering violectric DAC V850 to complete my stationary setup.
Fabulous, thanks!
Xanthophyll
New Head-Fier
As somebody is who is just starting out with headphones (and has yet to purchase a DAC or amp), I'm looking forward to hearing some more reviews on this unit. Thanks ya'll.
Asahi Templar
100+ Head-Fier
This is a super popular unit here in Japan (or perhaps supply is very limited) as it is sold out everywhere!
I have one ordered for next shipment but no ship date as of yet.
Seems like a solid value. I am looking forward to trying it with a 4xx as I will be impressed if a USB powered device can power a planar effectively.Pretty sure it will need to be run balanced to get enough power.
Appreciate your impressions qsk78! Have you tried using it with USB ports on a different device? The noise floor might be high if your PCs USB ports are noisy. Its a pretty common problem with USB powered amp/dacs.
I have one ordered for next shipment but no ship date as of yet.
Seems like a solid value. I am looking forward to trying it with a 4xx as I will be impressed if a USB powered device can power a planar effectively.Pretty sure it will need to be run balanced to get enough power.
Appreciate your impressions qsk78! Have you tried using it with USB ports on a different device? The noise floor might be high if your PCs USB ports are noisy. Its a pretty common problem with USB powered amp/dacs.
Yes, I tried.
I tried it with Cayin n6ii via otg AQ Dragontail cable directly to Zen DAC - the same background noise.
For PC I use In-Akustik Exzellenz High Speed cable + iSilencer 3.0
The noise/hiss is coming from the amplifier section of the ZEN DAC with my IEM. It is louder on high gain. I cannot call my IEM very sensitive though - 112 dB/mW, 30 ohms.
For the reference, idsd micro BL from the same usb ports with the same IEM was dead silent.
Nevertheless, I don't find it critical. I use it mainly as a pure DAC where you don't have any noise.
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How does the Zen Dac sound compare with the xDSD and the Nano BL. Is the Zen necessarily different/ distinctive in sound from these two? Is it better?
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claud W
Headphoneus Supremus
Do I need any drivers in order to get MQA on Tidal from my Mac Mini computer running Catalina OS?
dadracer2
500+ Head-Fier
I just got a loan Zen DAC from ifi Audio. Currently warming it up with Tidal from my laptop and Audio Technica ATH MSR7b from the balanced 4.4 output. It is really very good and once its warmed up I will be able to say more but I'm rather impressed already considering the price...
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Thanks, enjoy and please leave us some feedback in here once you know the product good enough!
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