[alidark3000]

Received my Zen Dac v2 via addicted to audio in Australia. Going well running balanced to the monitors and also unbalanced to the BD dt770 pro 250ohms.

I picked up a generic psu from the local electronic store, we'll see how that goes.

Questions on firmware and sample rates. Context:
- Apple Music mostly streaming lossless (16/44.1) with some high res (24/96) local playback.
- Using the new GTO firmware for now. I can't really hear much of a difference (yet) so going with the recommended one.
- Using bitperfect app to match samples rates from apple music. Only works for files I've added to the library myself (mostly 24/96), nothing streamed triggers it (even if downloaded).

What I've read about the GTO firmware is that it is upsampling, or wants to upsample. Should I...
- be setting the dac at 44.1 (to match most of the iTunes streaming) and letting bitperfect change it for downloaded music
- set the dac at the highest bitrate and not bother with bitperfect
- set the dac at the highest bitrate for streamed music (44.1) but let bitperfect match the rate for music I added

I've noticed there are a lot of tidal users here, and I get that tidal circumvents a lot of these questions. But I already pay for apple music so am hoping to stick with it!

Cheers.

 

[Numbers]

Got this yesterday and its sound amazing but i noticed on some tracks on tidal hifi i get like distortion sound on some tracks is this normal, i don't think i got this on my other dac/amp .

 

[iFi audio]

What I've read about the GTO firmware is that it is upsampling, or wants to upsample. Should I...

Our GTO is a filter that upsamples all PCM data on its own internally and in full-auto mode, so you don't have to do anything in particular. As long as audio sent from your i.e. PC is PCM, that filter will know what to do

Got this yesterday and its sound amazing but i noticed on some tracks on tidal hifi i get like distortion sound on some tracks is this normal, i don't think i got this on my other dac/amp .

You shouldn't hear any distortion, but if some songs are OK and some are not, it's most likely related to your settings.

 

[alidark3000]

I’d like a headphone recommendation for the zen dac. I have the beyerdynamics dt770s 250o and am happy with the level from the amp, but an now noticing the u shape of the sound more.

While I’m enjoying the soundstage, Highs are starting to get raspy and I prefer a flatter warmer sound.

So flat/warm with nice soundstage? Preferably around the price of beyerdynamics, not ready to go stratospheric yet due to budget. I’ll probably be selling these to buy those.

Cheers!

EDIT only 41 and already can't work out how to delete forum posts. I'm trying a paper towel mod, which sounds ridiculous, but seems to help a lot. Have re posted in the recommendations thread.

 

[iFi audio]

I’d like a headphone recommendation for the zen dac. I have the beyerdynamics dt770s 250o and am happy with the level from the amp, but an now noticing the u shape of the sound more.

While I’m enjoying the soundstage, Highs are starting to get raspy and I prefer a flatter warmer sound.

So flat/warm with nice soundstage? Preferably around the price of beyerdynamics, not ready to go stratospheric yet due to budget. I’ll probably be selling these to buy those.

Would you like something closed or open? And if I may ask, what's your budget?

 

[iFi audio]

Also folks...

The perfect pairing is here! Introducing the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 - The perfect product for any Meze lover!

The Meze Audio 99 Classics & ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 performance is simply magnificent

ZEN CAN Signature MZ99's ActivEQ mode adjusts the treble for more 'vivaciousness', and enhanced midlow bass extracts the last drop of sonic goodness from the Meze 99 Classics.

@MezeTeam

 

[alidark3000]

Thanks @iFi audio. Say us$500?

I actually stuck some paper towling under inside the cups of the dt770 and that really made a difference, to the point where if I had one cup with the paper in and one without, I could hear that it was only the exact frequencies I didn't want that the paper cut out.

I'm actually pretty happy with these and the Zen Dac now. The BD dt770 250o cans are now a nice balance between analytic and listenable, with perhaps still a slight v curve but not too bad. I'm sure the zen dac being soft on the highs is helping.

But am still interested in suggestions of an upgrade path, especially if I can keep the nice soundstage but add a bit thicker mids.

 

[cucumber]

First 6XX, then HFM, and now Meze 99 at all ... Everything is cheaper and cheaper.
Does this mean that the Ifi Zen Signature set are made for headphones at a price of $ 200-500, and for the Fostex 900 it is worth looking for something more impressive?

 

[Stevko]

Also folks...

The perfect pairing is here! Introducing the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 - The perfect product for any Meze lover!

The Meze Audio 99 Classics & ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 performance is simply magnificent

ZEN CAN Signature MZ99's ActivEQ mode adjusts the treble for more 'vivaciousness', and enhanced midlow bass extracts the last drop of sonic goodness from the Meze 99 Classics.

@MezeTeam

Bass light? So this zen add more bass with mz99 activated?!? Uhhh…

 

[Philip Ha]

What happened to my reply?

Somebody deleted mine.

 

[iFi audio]

Does this mean that the Ifi Zen Signature set are made for headphones at a price of $ 200-500, and for the Fostex 900 it is worth looking for something more impressive?

It's less about a specific headphone model's price and more about its popularity. That said, the most popular headphones are those somewhere in that $200-500 bracket.

 

[yeboyi]

I have a question about firmwares (Zen Dac V1).
There is 5.3 which is normal with mqa
There is 5.3C MQA with GTO filter
and there is Firmware XMOS. Is this Firmware XMOS v5.A0 has GTO filter and MQA like 5.3C or no GTO like 5.3 ?

 

[iFi audio]

and there is Firmware XMOS. Is this Firmware XMOS v5.A0 has GTO filter and MQA like 5.3C or no GTO like 5.3 ?

Are you sure it's for ZEN DAC V1? At this time FW versions for this product published at our site are 7.0 and 7.0c plus 7.2, 7.2b and 7.2c.

 

[yeboyi]

Are you sure it's for ZEN DAC V1? At this time FW versions for this product published at our site are 7.0 and 7.0c plus 7.2, 7.2b and 7.2c.

Yes it is. Serial number start with 53010. Newest firmware is ''Firmware XMOS''. Others are 5.2, 5.3, 5.3c

 

[iFi audio]

Yes it is. Serial number start with 53010. Newest firmware is ''Firmware XMOS''. Others are 5.2, 5.3, 5.3c

Yes, you're right, now I see this firmware. Essentially Firmware XMOS is a version of firmware 5.3 but with added ps4/ps5 console support.