[Mr.HiAudio]

Maybe I can create hot deals in 1st post

I receive information from Huo Guang Store about power output.
500mW to 32ohm

Sadly I have bad news from WAZE (closed FB group)

I think 3,5mm in Z4 can be worse than modded DSD. In differential (balanced) will have twice as much power and better overall performance.

I don't have pass for these group to ask questions. Its picture from friend from Audiogon discord group.

I think, that this user doesn't turn on in settings "balanced on"
About "ok sound": i think that sound of "AK449x" closer than "sabre" to this user again.

For example - sound of "sabre" closer to me and i don't like the "AK449x" sound ( sharp midrange ).

My Z4 will be coming on next week( i hope ).

 

[Setmagic]

I think, that this user doesn't turn on in settings "balanced on"
About "ok sound": i think that sound of "AK449x" closer than "sabre" to this user again.

For example - sound of "sabre" closer to me and i don't like the "AK449x" sound ( sharp midrange ).

My Z4 will be coming on next week( i hope ).

You know how quality control works in all "Z" devices I ordered 3 Zishans devices. AD3 don't have working USB charging due to bad soldering. DSDs had shortcut PCB-Housing because bad soldering.
Most important is implementation of Hi-End DAC than DAC manufacture itself.
Mine Z4 as well - fingers cross

 

[Merlin-PT]

Z4(2xES9038Q2M) looks like a good upgrade to DSDs(2xES9038Q2M).

Zishans ak449X are no longer available.
I do like modded Zishan AK449X sound a lot, there's no sharp mid range here, but I agree that we all have personal preferences.
Never heard ES9038Q2M so can't compare.

I agree that implementation is more important than dac, in the sense that a good implementation can extract all the DAC can sound, but if all DACs have a good implementation, then some DACs sound much better than others.
A good example is Zishan Z1 being inferior to Z2 (both modded).
Z3 ak4493 is better than z3 ak4490 (both modded).
Modded DSD ak4497 has much more detail than all the previous.
These are not subtle differences.

I read the z4 balanced output is enabled/disabled in option menu.
I'm curious how is the balanced output + the single ended output done/wired in Z4?

 

[Setmagic]

@Merlin-PT this is first time I saw such feature like on/off balanced in menu.
I think it's just a enable second DAC->LPF->AMP to work with differential mode.
This will save a lot of power and will be good enought. I will test this theory with Z4.

 

[Merlin-PT]

@Setmagic
I look forward to read more about z4.

 

[Setmagic]

@Setmagic
I look forward to read more about z4.

I will do same mods as my DSDs by following guidelines of D9038 from our Russian friends. I'm in touch with Philippines audio community, they have ordered it as well.
I will make comparison as soon as possible.

 

[cqtek]

I expect my Z4 to arrive next week. To the unknown of the output impedance (which I think will be high), the behaviour with the BA IEMS, now I have to add poor quality control?
I have Z1, Z2, Z3 and T1, so far no problems with them. I hope so with the Z4.

 

[Setmagic]

I expect my Z4 to arrive next week. To the unknown of the output impedance (which I think will be high), the behaviour with the BA IEMS, now I have to add poor quality control?
I have Z1, Z2, Z3 and T1, so far no problems with them. I hope so with the Z4.

Zishans is true underground from Shenzhen.
I like these ascetic design

 

[SomeEntityThing]

I have a bit of a silly question. An LG V20 I ordered to become my daily driver for music listening came into the mail earlier today but while it was shipping I ran into the hefty looking Zishan Z4... and now with the discount shared in this thread, the Z4 is only ~$7 more than what I paid for the V20. I've read flattering and unflattering things about the Z4 following this thread, but I've been hearing for years now that Zishan's DAPs are pretty awesome when it comes to sound quality for the price. Now I'm wondering if I should return the V20 and get the Z4 (which would be my first Zishan DAP) instead lol. My focus is purely on sound quality - snappy UI isn't too big of a deal as I plan for it to be mostly for chill home use (I have a Shanling M0 for going out and about), though durability and balanced output is important too as I begin add IEMs that really like the extra power such as the MT300 (and eventually the Geek Wold GK10) to my collection, and reliable Bluetooth connection for its convenience as I'm doing things around the house would be nice too. I know the V20 and Z4 are wildly different devices, but with what I'm looking for in mind, should I follow through?

 

[Setmagic]

@SomeEntityThing if You can wait 1-2 weeks for more feedback about Z4 it would be best.
You have nice 16 ohm IEMs, if Zishan will have ~100 ohm output impedance it would be mistake.
Even for 32 ohm full sized headphones that big impedance is not good.

I have answer from Zishan about output impedance and its 2 ohm

 

[SomeEntityThing]

@SomeEntityThing if You can wait 1-2 weeks for more feedback about Z4 it would be best.
You have nice 16 ohm IEMs, if Zishan will have ~100 ohm output impedance it would be mistake.
Even for 32 ohm full sized headphones that big impedance is not good.

I have answer from Zishan about output impedance and its 2 ohm

Thank you for the update on the output impedance! I'll see about holding out a bit longer before making a decision to return the V20

 

[Setmagic]

New information about power output from Zishan thanks for Huo Guang

Calculated by 4Vrms, the power uses the effective value
4V*4V/(32R+2R)=0.470W
0.470W*(32/34)=0.442W=442mW 32 ohms (3.5 single-ended)

Balance = 884mW = 442mW * 2

When Z4 is single-ended, a 9038 and amp will be turned off

So its in power safe mode when its in single ended

 

[SnooDucksAudio]

Waiting for modders to post their mods. Blackgates for power. Elna Silmic II for LPF. Audionote Kaisei for OPA1622?

 

[Setmagic]

@SnooDucksAudio I think I will leave original sizes for now and just
- triple capacity of power delivery
- Replace OP275 to opa1656
- LDO for TI 5907 3.3v
- Maybe some BT improve because it's not as good as BTR5

@update
Some new impresion from Philippines audio community thanks to Hash from Audiogon:

Spoiler: Long screenshot

 

[SnooDucksAudio]

@SnooDucksAudio I think I will leave original sizes for now and just
- triple capacity of power delivery
- Replace OP275 to opa1656
- LDO for TI 5907 3.3v
- Maybe some BT improve because it's not as good as BTR5

@update
Some new impresion from Philippines audio community thanks to Hash from Audiogon:

Spoiler: Long screenshot

OP275, Horrible sound. Make it Richer with 1656. For Bluetooth, maybe we can attach a little antenna.

And then we also want to shield everything with copper foil.