[gaming]

Hello, I need some advice and recommendations for improving computer music with Focal Elegia headphones


I have 4 choices


I can get a iFi Zen DAC V2 Amp, which has a Dac and an Amp

Or I can get a iFi Zen Air CAN amplifier and a iFi Zen Air DAC, and connect both together

or I can get the Zen DAC V2 and connect it to a Air CAN amplifier, so using the DAC V2 for only its dac

or I can get the Zen DAC V2 and connect it to a Air DAC, so using the DAC V2 for only its amp




Which one out of the four will get the best sounding music, and how far behind in sound quality are the other 3 options?


Also will there be a difference in sound quality if I use the Zen Can instead of Air Can?



And are there any issues I should know about when using these iFi products?

Like will a usb port be able to sufficiently power 2 devices?

 

[pbui44]

If you really need Bluetooth and USB options, then the Topping DX3 Pro Plus will work best with your Elegia.

 

[iFi audio]

I can get a iFi Zen DAC V2 Amp, which has a Dac and an Amp

Or I can get a iFi Zen Air CAN amplifier and a iFi Zen Air DAC, and connect both together

or I can get the Zen DAC V2 and connect it to a Air CAN amplifier, so using the DAC V2 for only its dac

or I can get the Zen DAC V2 and connect it to a Air DAC, so using the DAC V2 for only its amp

Thanks for asking! In short, our ZEN Air range is the most affordable we got and ZEN Devices are above it. The primary difference between them is that ZEN Air products are single-ended and ZEN devices are balanced.

The best sounding connection from your list would thus be ZEN DAC V2 used as a DAC only and connected to ZEN CAN.
The most affordable connection would include only ZEN Air DAC as a DAC/amp.
The middle tier would comprise ZEN Air DAC used as a DAC only and connected to ZEN Air CAN.

If I were you, I'd probably get ZEN DAC V2 and spend some time with it. If later on you'd like to upgrade, you could then add ZEN CAN.

Hope this helps!

 

[gaming]

If I were you, I'd probably get ZEN DAC V2 and spend some time with it. If later on you'd like to upgrade, you could then add ZEN CAN.

Hello

I've bought the Zen Dac v2 and I can't find a Windows 10 driver for it. There isn't one in Windows Update

Where can I download one and how do I install it?

Also why does music sound a lot worse on my headphones through the Zen Dac than using my built-in motherboard dac amp? iFi music sounds a lot softer, less clear and less detailed

I'm using it with an iFi Silencer

 

[iFi audio]

Hello

I've bought the Zen Dac v2 and I can't find a Windows 10 driver for it. There isn't one in Windows Update

Where can I download one and how do I install it?

Also why does music sound a lot worse on my headphones through the Zen Dac than using my built-in motherboard dac amp? iFi music sounds a lot softer, less clear and less detailed

I'm using it with an iFi Silencer

Hi there,

Please go here: https://ifi-audio.com/support/download-hub/

...then select your ZEN device, type in its serial number and you should see firmware versions for it, thanks!

Also why does music sound a lot worse on my headphones through the Zen Dac than using my built-in motherboard dac amp? iFi music sounds a lot softer, less clear and less detailed

Please give yourself some time with the product. The odds are that you got used to your on-board soundcard and now it will take several days to accommodate to ZEN DAC V2. Thanks!

 

[kevwang]

Thanks for asking! In short, our ZEN Air range is the most affordable we got and ZEN Devices are above it. The primary difference between them is that ZEN Air products are single-ended and ZEN devices are balanced.

The best sounding connection from your list would thus be ZEN DAC V2 used as a DAC only and connected to ZEN CAN.
The most affordable connection would include only ZEN Air DAC as a DAC/amp.
The middle tier would comprise ZEN Air DAC used as a DAC only and connected to ZEN Air CAN.

If I were you, I'd probably get ZEN DAC V2 and spend some time with it. If later on you'd like to upgrade, you could then add ZEN CAN.

Hope this helps!

I have the Ifi zen dac v2, do I get a improvement in sound if I add a zen can to my set up?

 

[iFi audio]

I have the Ifi zen dac v2, do I get a improvement in sound if I add a zen can to my set up?

Yes, you will! At least that's the feedback we got from many users who bought ZEN DAC V2 just like you and then decided to get ZEN CAN. The more challenging to drive your cans are, the more useful ZEN CAN will be. Hope this helps!

 

[kevwang]

Yes, you will! At least that's the feedback we got from many users who bought ZEN DAC V2 just like you and then decided to get ZEN CAN. The more challenging to drive your cans are, the more useful ZEN CAN will be. Hope this helps!

Great, ima give it a shot

 

[iFi audio]

Great, ima give it a shot

Sure, thanks! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the community or tag me directly

 

[Lokiiami]

Hi would like to know what's the difference between the X-bass+ on Zen Air Can vs the X-bass on Zen Can. I'm planning to replace my zen can as it has crackling sound after 2 years of use. Love the X-bass but doesn't like the True Bass on Zen Dac as the bass sound bloated.

 

[iFi audio]

Hi would like to know what's the difference between the X-bass+ on Zen Air Can vs the X-bass on Zen Can.

Our bass implementations don't change much from one product to another. The more higher-tiered our device is, the more refined Xbass circuit we use, but it's always fully analog. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[Lokiiami]

Can I also check if micro idsd signature can be used with a dac with only 3.5 unbalance and 2.5mm balance output?

 

[iFi audio]

Can I also check if micro idsd signature can be used with a dac with only 3.5 unbalance and 2.5mm balance output?

Just to clarify, you'd like to use micro iDSD Signature only as a headphone amp with a standalone DAC, is that correct?

 

[Lokiiami]

Just to clarify, you'd like to use micro iDSD Signature only as a headphone amp with a standalone DAC, is that correct?

Yes that's right. I'm using Qudelix 5k as a dac

 

[iFi audio]

Yes that's right. I'm using Qudelix 5k as a dac

micro iDSD Signature doesn't feature a line input, so its internal DAC can't be bypassed. You could use it as a DAC i.e. for a standalone power amp, but not the other way around. Hope this helps, thanks!