[iFi audio]

Foobar says its DSD at the lower left part of the player-yet color doesnt change, any idea what else I can try?

Please see i.e. this guide:

https://www.asus.com/microsite/essence/tutorialpage/Foobar2000-DSD.html

Thats a type of files, but you must put dsd as output in foobar.

Correct!

 

[arnoldc]

I discovered something, using Audirvana...

When I choose WASAPI

DSD, up to 64
PCM, up to 192
MQA stream all play fine, The Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is MQA 24/192 and output shows 24/192. Zen DAC light is Magenta.

When I choose ASIO (iFi device driver 3.2 installed)

DSD, up to 256
PCM, up to 384
MQA stream play fine, *but* shows 24/96 from the same The Carpenters album from above. Zen DAC light is Magenta.

Also using ASIO, there are many MQA tracks where the output does not match the input where some causes the light to turn Yellow!

Can someone from iFi explain what is going on?

 

[iFi audio]

I discovered something, using Audirvana...

When I choose WASAPI

DSD, up to 64
PCM, up to 192
MQA stream all play fine, The Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is MQA 24/192 and output shows 24/192. Zen DAC light is Magenta.

When I choose ASIO (iFi device driver 3.2 installed)

DSD, up to 256
PCM, up to 384
MQA stream play fine, *but* shows 24/96 from the same The Carpenters album from above. Zen DAC light is Magenta.

Also using ASIO, there are many MQA tracks where the output does not match the input where some causes the light to turn Yellow!

Can someone from iFi explain what is going on?

I'll need to check this internally and once I know something I'll let you know

 

[arnoldc]

I'll need to check this internally and once I know something I'll let you know

Appreciate it!

 

[iFi audio]

Appreciate it!

Still, I wouldn't worry as long as you're getting magenta LED during MQA playback. This means that your ZEN in fact gets MQA stream to work on. Yellow LED indicates PCM subject to our GTO firmware (with 5.3c installed).

Also using ASIO, there are many MQA tracks where the output does not match the input where some causes the light to turn Yellow!

In this case I'd check your player's settings. It seems that with ASIO there is some data alteration somewhere, which is what prevents MQA to be MQA.

 

[arnoldc]

Setting my issues aside, the Zen DAC is the best $129 I have spent my money on.

All my headphones and IEM - AKG K702, K240 STUDIO, HIFIMAN HE400i, Audeze LCDi3, Huawei AM180, Sony XBA-A2, Flipears Custom IEM, ALL sounded good!

I wish this will be my motivation to finally design and 3D print the headband of my Focal Spirit Pro so I can also hear it with the Zen DAC.

My first iFi product is the iPhono 2 which I love for its price point. Why am I no longer surprised, Thorsten has waved his magic wand once more. Indidentally, I've interacted with him and sort of became my accidental mentor during our days at Audio Asylum.

 

[iFi audio]

Setting my issues aside, the Zen DAC is the best $129 I have spent my money on.

Thanks!

Why am I no longer surprised, Thorsten has waved his magic wand once more.

Yup, he knows how to handle it

 

[arnoldc]

Here's a sample of the issue I mentioned previously. Using the David Elias MQA demo track.

WASAPI

But in ASIO (iFi device driver v3.2)

Since WASAPI is limited to PCM 192/DSD64, I have to change to ASIO to play higher resolution files, but this mode affects the MQA sampling rate and the track above no longer shows magenta on the Zen DAC.

To complicate matters, this is how the Zen DAC is seen by Audirvana on my Mac mini.

 

[SHADRICK]

Hi,

Do zen dac front panel lights glow when connected to external charger?

When I connect the external charger, green light glows right next to the power socket but to my surprise there isn't a light glowing on the front panel. The front panel light works only when connecting to a device using a USB cable. This means that my Zen Dac is not accepting the external 5v power supply or this is how it is designed?

Shadrick

 

[iFi audio]

Hi,

Do zen dac front panel lights glow when connected to external charger?

When I connect the external charger, green light glows right next to the power socket but to my surprise there isn't a light glowing on the front panel. The front panel light works only when connecting to a device using a USB cable. This means that my Zen Dac is not accepting the external 5v power supply or this is how it is designed?

Shadrick

Can you please take a photo for me to see?

Here's a sample of the issue I mentioned previously. Using the David Elias MQA demo track.

WASAPI

But in ASIO (iFi device driver v3.2)

Since WASAPI is limited to PCM 192/DSD64, I have to change to ASIO to play higher resolution files, but this mode affects the MQA sampling rate and the track above no longer shows magenta on the Zen DAC.

To complicate matters, this is how the Zen DAC is seen by Audirvana on my Mac mini.

Can you please let us know about this here: https://support.ifi-audio.com

The fastest way would be to ask our tech team about this via a support ticket

 

[arnoldc]

I'm a proud owner of these two!

https://positive-feedback.com/audio...positive-feedback-writers-choice-awards-2020/

 

[iFi audio]

I'm a proud owner of these two!

https://positive-feedback.com/audio...positive-feedback-writers-choice-awards-2020/

A lot of stuff in there! Did you mean our ZENs ?

 

[SHADRICK]

Can you please take a photo for me to see?

I have attached a short video in this link.

 

[iFi audio]

I have attached a short video in this link.

Thanks

 

[arnoldc]

A lot of stuff in there! Did you mean our ZENs ?

Yes, Zen DAC and iPhono