USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (DAC) - Let's find the best

[Hyde00]

The difference apparently, from Ifi site.

lol niceeee, but yeah I think for my use case the only relevant difference is I do prefer the USB3.0 from Zen Dac V2 and also the balanced headphone out. So maybe it is worth it for me to get the Zen Dac V2 so at least that way I won't feel like I'm missing out. Thanks!

 

[r31ya]

lol niceeee, but yeah I think for my use case the only relevant difference is I do prefer the USB3.0 from Zen Dac V2 and also the balanced headphone out. So maybe it is worth it for me to get the Zen Dac V2 so at least that way I won't feel like I'm missing out. Thanks!

Haven't listen to this series personally.
But apparently Ifi ZEN V1 smoothen the sound a bit, and V2 renderer is quite the upgrade on the smoothing process. Something about retaining more details and nuances.
Not sure on where ZEN air lies on that aspect.

 

[Hyde00]

Haven't listen to this series personally.
But apparently Ifi ZEN V1 smoothen the sound a bit, and V2 renderer is quite the upgrade on the smoothing process. Something about retaining more details and nuances.
Not sure on where ZEN air lies on that aspect.

So the Air series is meant to be the IDENTICAL sound but cut cost on where it's not relevant? For example instead of metal case it uses plastic case. Also it removed the balanced out portion. But the single ended portion is otherwise identical to the Zen Dac V2. Except I read the bass boost is stronger on the Zen Air Dac.

I think they release this to compete with the $100 Magni/Atom/Liquid Sparks budget line. But otherwise they want to maintain the exact same sound for the single ended portion.

 

[r31ya]

So the Air series is meant to be the IDENTICAL sound but cut cost on where it's not relevant? For example instead of metal case it uses plastic case. Also it removed the balanced out portion. But the single ended portion is otherwise identical to the Zen Dac V2. Except I read the bass boost is stronger on the Zen Air Dac.

I think they release this to compete with the $100 Magni/Atom/Liquid Sparks budget line. But otherwise they want to maintain the exact same sound for the single ended portion.

It use the same 16 core Xmos (tough curiously it doesn't have MQA decoder) and the rest should be the same.
the main difference between the two seems to be only on balance out which if you don't plan to use it and turns out that the single ended can output enough power for your need.

Air is mighty tempting.
Its cheaper than Xduoo Link2 Bal, Xduoo XD05 basic, and Fiio K3.
And its IFI with its burrbrown. It should be great.

 

[Hyde00]

It use the same 16 core Xmos (tough curiously it doesn't have MQA decoder) and the rest should be the same.
the main difference will be only in the balance out which if don't plan to use it and the single ended can output enough power.

Air is mighty tempting.
Its cheaper than Xduoo Link2 Bal, Xduoo XD05 basic, and Fiio K3.
And its IFI with its burrbrown. It should be great.

I do have balanced wire so I could use balanced. But at almost half the price as you said Zen Air Dac is mighty tempting......

 

[andjayik]

Ifi ZEN V1 is not a usb-c portable dac?

 

[iFi audio]

I've been debating if I really NEED balanced, though it does make it sound nicer and I have the cable for 4.4 mm already. It's just the price difference between Zen Dac V2 and Zen Air Dac is somewhat high relative to the unit cost (almost double?).

The choice here would depend on a budget to spend and also audio components you already have. If you roll with a fully balanced headphone amp, then a fully balanced DAC for it makes sense. But if your amp is SE and you'd like to not spend too much, then I'd consider a single-ended DAC.

As for the price difference between ZEN DAC V2 and ZEN Air DAC, the former is internally fully balanced and that complexity (doubled components) impacts its higher price. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Ifi ZEN V1 is not a usb-c portable dac?

If you mean ZEN DAC V1, it's a desktop product that needs 5V to get going, doesn't feature a battery and relies on a USB3.0 type B input. Its portable version would be our hip-dac 2. Thanks!

Edit: oops, sorry for spamming!

 

[Hyde00]

The choice here would depend on a budget to spend and also audio components you already have. If you roll with a fully balanced headphone amp, then a fully balanced DAC for it makes sense. But if your amp is SE and you'd like to not spend too much, then I'd consider a single-ended DAC.

As for the price difference between ZEN DAC V2 and ZEN Air DAC, the former is internally fully balanced and that complexity (doubled components) impacts its higher price. Thanks!

A wild iFi Audio has appeared!

LOL but yes I forgot about balanced is double the components, now I can totally see why the higher cost. My plan is to run it straight off the Zen Dac V2 / Zen Air Dac actually. Since the headphone is Denon D5200 which is 24 Ohm and 103 sensitivity. And I'm currently using source with less power now and it's been fine (Dragonfly Red / W2 / W2-131).

I also do have 4.4 balanced wire already so might be worth it to get Zen Dac V2, it's just the price of Zen Air Dac is so tempting LOL. I'll think about how cheap I am as a person over the next few days........ thanks LOL.

 

[iFi audio]

A wild iFi Audio has appeared!

We're everywhere and we see everything

but yes I forgot about balanced is double the components,

If one wants to go fully balanced then yes, pretty much everything has to be double

I also do have 4.4 balanced wire already so might be worth it to get Zen Dac V2, it's just the price of Zen Air Dac is so tempting LOL. I'll think about how cheap I am as a person over the next few days........ thanks LOL.

Considering one's options prior to spending money isn't being cheap but reasonable

All good, thanks!

 

[Ten Pence Piece]

I've tried the iBasso DC05 and Lotoo PAW S2. Paired with CA Andromeda 2020s the DC05 sounded great but had a fair amount of background hiss which I couldn't stand after a bit of listening. Hence the change to the PAW S2 which has no hiss and I think sounds better overall. Might be useful for anyone with sensitive IEMs looking at either!

*Will be selling the DC05 (UK)

 

[r31ya]

need an opinion, As these two become available locally,

I gonna buy either Fiio KA3 ($90) or Xduoo Link 2 Bal ($153)
Do Link 2 bal worth the extra $63 ?

 

[Hyde00]

need an opinion, As these two become available locally,

I gonna buy either Fiio KA3 ($90) or Xduoo Link 2 Bal ($153)
Do Link 2 bal worth the extra $63 ?

I'd like to know this as well lol.

 

[andjayik]

I'd like to know this as well lol.

Alot more powerfull then the ka3

 

[G33dubz]

I'd like to know this as well lol.

need an opinion, As these two become available locally,

I gonna buy either Fiio KA3 ($90) or Xduoo Link 2 Bal ($153)
Do Link 2 bal worth the extra $63 ?

I have(or rather, had*) both and love both, but i think the link2 bal is the better device. Is it $63 dollars better? Unfortunately only you can answer that question, as its largely opinion. I can tell you that, for my preferences, it is absolutely worth the extra cost. I prefer a more neutral amp, so i can fully appreciate the sound as it is intended to be heard(and also assess quality of the track). Link2 is very neutral, very powerful and pretty efficient (turbo mode will definitely be less efficient lol). The KA3 sounds full and rich, the sound carrys weight. Thats why i love the ka3 for movies/single-player games/ambient tunes. Both are great, i suggest trying them both out and returning the one you prefer less. But if you're like me, the link2 bal will be a clear winner.