[iFi audio]

What PSU is it supplied with and is it any good? Would adding a LPSU be worthwhile?

The product features a standard-issue power supply. That said, if you'd like to increase performance, a lower-noise PSU (like our iPower) may be worth trying out. As for LPSUs, we don't make them so can't say, but some users enjoy these with our products a lot. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[Paddy]

I am a big Ifi fan and have owned their products for years now. My recent setup of the Hd800s and Ifi idsd BL was pure heaven but unfortunately the battery is slowly dying in the Black label. I can't use turbo mode for more than 30 minutes before it dies. I decided to get a dedicated desktop setup with the Ifi Zen stack but I feel the 3d+ feature on the Zen is inferior to the black label. Is there anyway software wise perhaps that I can get 3d+ with the Zen? Perhaps I should of gone with the idsd signature instead? I do love the portable units like the Black label, I just wish there was a way for them to be powered solely by an external power source if we wish so we can run it as a dedicated desktop amp.

One more thing to Ifi, is the Zen Dac and amp stacked together technically as capable as a ifi idsd micro signature?

 

[iFi audio]

I do love the portable units like the Black label, I just wish there was a way for them to be powered solely by an external power source if we wish so we can run it as a dedicated desktop amp.

You can use your micro iDSD BL from an external power source. All you have to do is to first connect the product to that power supply or USB port and then power it on. That power source should provide more juice than connected cans, as otherwise micro iDSD BL's battery will eventually fully discharge.

Zen Dac and amp stacked together technically as capable as a ifi idsd micro signature?

Our offer in general is constructed in such a way that the more you spend, the better sound you'll get. Technically our ZEN stack is on the same or even higher level than micro iDSD Signature, but it's difficult to quantify considering how difficult those products are.

 

[Paddy]

You can use your micro iDSD BL from an external power source. All you have to do is to first connect the product to that power supply or USB port and then power it on. That power source should provide more juice than connected cans, as otherwise micro iDSD BL's battery will eventually fully discharge.



Our offer in general is constructed in such a way that the more you spend, the better sound you'll get. Technically our ZEN stack is on the same or even higher level than micro iDSD Signature, but it's difficult to quantify considering how difficult those products are.

Thank you for the reply. Yea I use my Ifi idsd BL with my desktop so it uses an external power source however it doesn't work for turbo mode as the battery drains faster that is maintained so it runs out after about 40 minutes. If I have it on normal power mode it is fine to maintain it's battery and normal mode is more than loud enough however I noticed with normal mode on and with the volume turned quite a bit up some tracks distort in the lower frequencies. For example listening to the blade runner 2049 soundtrack there was quite heavy distortion in tracks where lower frequencies are so low they almost rumble. It's also present in some other tracks aswell. If I put it on turbo mode however and with the same volume there is no distortion at all so turbo mode is pretty much essential.

As for Zen stack being at least the same level as the isdsd signature. That's great to here. I was almost having buyers remorse lol in case it was technically inferior. I do enjoy the 3d+ on the ifi Idsd BL. The HD800s are already excellent at imaging and revealing such detail however with 3d+ in the black label it reveals the type of detail I'd expect from a speaker. For example listening to Fleet Foxes live on KEXP and the vocals are just mindblowing, you can hear backing vocals so clear and in harmony with the lead however with my Zen can and Dac using 3d+ barely does much at all in comparison to the black label. In fact they sound similar to the Black label with 3d+ off and you hear less of this detail

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, we're about to start working on our own app. If you'd like to see any specific utilities within it, here's the place to be vocal about that:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/crowd-design-for-ifi-app.967869/#post-17521636

Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Thank you for the reply. Yea I use my Ifi idsd BL with my desktop so it uses an external power source however it doesn't work for turbo mode as the battery drains faster that is maintained so it runs out after about 40 minutes. If I have it on normal power mode it is fine to maintain it's battery and normal mode is more than loud enough however I noticed with normal mode on and with the volume turned quite a bit up some tracks distort in the lower frequencies. For example listening to the blade runner 2049 soundtrack there was quite heavy distortion in tracks where lower frequencies are so low they almost rumble. It's also present in some other tracks aswell. If I put it on turbo mode however and with the same volume there is no distortion at all so turbo mode is pretty much essential.

From this feedback I gather that cans you use start to clip in normal mode at high volume level. If I may ask, which cans are these?

 

[idmew]

Hi, I just got a Zen Dac v1 and I'm trying to figure something out.
I have it connected straight to a USB port on my desktop PC, and have my headphone connected to it.
When I change the output settings under Windows 11 to 32 bit 44100 Hz and enable Dolby Atmos for Headphones, every time I close the settings and open it again it reverts back to 16 bit 44100 Hz (CD Quality).
I noticed the only way the setting sticks to 32 bit 44100 Hz is if Dolby Atmos for Headphones is disabled.
Is there a reason why this behaviour is happening?
Thanks for any help.

 

[iFi audio]

Folks, a new iCAN Phantom flagship from us:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-ican-phantom-vanish-into-the-music.968343/

Enjoy!

 

[iFi audio]

Hi, I just got a Zen Dac v1 and I'm trying to figure something out.
I have it connected straight to a USB port on my desktop PC, and have my headphone connected to it.
When I change the output settings under Windows 11 to 32 bit 44100 Hz and enable Dolby Atmos for Headphones, every time I close the settings and open it again it reverts back to 16 bit 44100 Hz (CD Quality).
I noticed the only way the setting sticks to 32 bit 44100 Hz is if Dolby Atmos for Headphones is disabled.
Is there a reason why this behaviour is happening?
Thanks for any help.

Apologies for not seeing your post any earlier! Although I don't have an answer for you, our support staff may be able to help you. It's worth asking them here: https://support.ifi-audio.com

 

[Povilas44]

Hello. I have zen dac V2 and I have faced a problem with 4.4 socket. I recently have upgraded my headphones with a new balanced cable, but I have found an issue. When plugged all the way in, there is no sound or only in left channel. Manual precise jack correction is needed to get sound in both channels. Still, L and R channels sound is mixed (in right side Im hearing sound of left channel). I saw a few more users have faced same problem and they have been tried more various balanced cables. Same problem with rear 4.4 socket. Is it a device defect and I should send it for RMA?

 

[gabriely]

Hello. I have zen dac V2 and I have faced a problem with 4.4 socket. I recently have upgraded my headphones with a new balanced cable, but I have found an issue. When plugged all the way in, there is no sound or only in left channel. Manual precise jack correction is needed to get sound in both channels. Still, L and R channels sound is mixed (in right side Im hearing sound of left channel). I saw a few more users have faced same problem and they have been tried more various balanced cables. Same problem with rear 4.4 socket. Is it a device defect and I should send it for RMA?

You sure that 4.4mm cable is fully plugged in?

I had similar issue when I owned my ZEN DAC v2, was my first DAC/amp and I just got my first pair of headphones and my first Balanced cable. brought it back to the shop, I got laughed out of the shop because apparently I wasn't plugging the 4.4mm in fully I learnt it takes a bit more force than I thought, especially on this device - I was trying to be gentle and was babying all my new gear, turns out I played myself hahahaha

If that does not solve the issue then yeah probably either a issue with either the cable or the unit - though you would be very unlucky if both the front and back ports on your device have the same issue

 

[Povilas44]

You sure that 4.4mm cable is fully plugged in?

I had similar issue when I owned my ZEN DAC v2, was my first DAC/amp and I just got my first pair of headphones and my first Balanced cable. brought it back to the shop, I got laughed out of the shop because apparently I wasn't plugging the 4.4mm in fully I learnt it takes a bit more force than I thought, especially on this device - I was trying to be gentle and was babying all my new gear, turns out I played myself hahahaha

If that does not solve the issue then yeah probably either a issue with either the cable or the unit - though you would be very unlucky if both the front and back ports on your device have the same issue

Sitting right now and wondering, how the hell I have not thought about this.. Now I know how you felt Well, thank you a lot, mate! Its alive! And from what Im hearing its a pretty decent step up from single-end cable. Thanx again!

 

[gabriely]

Sitting right now and wondering, how the hell I have not thought about this.. Now I know how you felt Well, thank you a lot, mate! Its alive! And from what Im hearing its a pretty decent step up from single-end cable. Thanx again!

Hahahahaha no worries. The balanced port on this device takes more force before it 'clicks' in, especially when its new, compared to my other devices. No idea why, perhaps it's just me trying to cope with the embarrassment

I was utterly embarrassed but have since made lots of friends in the hobby and enjoyed a lot of music - and likewise, I hope you enjoy your music with your new gear!

 

[Povilas44]

Hahahahaha no worries. The balanced port on this device takes more force before it 'clicks' in, especially when its new, compared to my other devices. I was utterly embarrassed but have since made lots of friends in the hobby and enjoyed a lot of music - and likewise, I hope you enjoy your music with your new gear!

Glad to be in this forum. Iv learned a few more things, truly. Talking about balanced output.. I dont know if its placebo, but besides volume boost i feel like sound have more clarity/separation and bass have more punch. Can be true or Im just imaging things?

 

[iFi audio]

Glad to be in this forum. Iv learned a few more things, truly. Talking about balanced output.. I dont know if its placebo, but besides volume boost i feel like sound have more clarity/separation and bass have more punch. Can be true or Im just imaging things?

It's not your imagination

ZEN DAC is internally a fully balanced product, so using it as such with cans (via a 4.4mm output) is the way to go. Enjoy