Wow... so it can be a standalone DAC, a headphone amp or a hi fi DAC preamp and offers balanced output. It is very versatile and affordable with an attractive form factor. It performs well musically by all accounts. This is the future of hi fi, imo. Products like this offer a fantastic gateway for newbies migrating towards a full audiophile experience. Thanks for sharing
Lol I am not a newbie by any stretch of the imagination...almost a pension age audiophile.Received this DAC today and paired it with my HD650's...honey smooth,detailed and dynamic,without the 5v power supply.This is all most people need and the bonus is the Burr Brown Dac will not damage hearing if played at reasonable levels because of the non fatiguing sound signature.
Glad to see you doing these type and level of product reviews Terry. It's likely to bring a wider viewership range. For those who listen through headphones via a pc, the ifi dac will bring great bang for your buck results. For those of us already accustomed to Chord dacs, not so much. Thanks Terry.
Great review! I got it 2nd hand for 90 Euros, bought a balanced cable and paired it with my new Sivga Robin SV021. I am very happy with how this combo sounds... I do think the balanced cable improved the sound compared to the stock 1/4 "...
Terrific reviews, I didn't know that you use the Audeze LCD-X as one of your primary listening headphones. I have them too. And your previous review of the Wharfedale Evo 4.2's convinced me to purchase them, as this review has convinced me to purchase the Audio Zen (currently using Fosi DAC-Q5). Cheers!
btw a good $10-15 USB-C power supply plus adapter to DC is even better then those expensive IFI Power Supplies but you can also buy a DC power supply for $10-20 that is much better then the IFI power supplies how i know cause i tested them
Great review looks very stylish also a little retro with the curve design ,also at this price scale a very interesting option ,and nice to see more affordable product ,it’s a real shame when we think quality comes with expense ,it’s good to see ,as a viewer to your channel it’s nice to see realistic priced products ,instead of outrageous prices ,and would be nice to see more off as it would interest more viewers :-)
Thanks Alex its never as good as I want it to be but when I look back I cringe at what I was putting out before, it was the best I could do at the time. Thanks man for noticing and for the kind comments its inspiring to me to do better :)
Great review, subbed channel immediately. I’ve got the ifi hip/DAC and love it and actually use it wired up on the go. However, after several desk DAC/AMP combos, I’m looking to add a stack. I was looking at this ifi zen stack, would I need the other amp to stack with this, or is this truly a good enough standalone? Thanks!
Hai, if you want to upgrade from hip dac, then go straight to the Zen Stack. Zen dac alone is less powerful than hip dac (330mW balanced vs 400mW balanced) and does not offer any other benefit as well with the exception of ability to connect to speakers.
Hi Terry. Really enjoy your channel. Can I ask for an opinion, please? Why is it that the Americans ignore the US dollar / Sterling exchange rate and use the same numbers in pounds sterling as they use for US dollars. These tactics might win them a few extra dollars but people like me avoid buying from the USA when they pull this sort of stunt.
Hi Dave I have a semi official explanation for you on the prices situation because its a good question Firstly, it’s important to point out that US SRPs are typically expressed excluding sales tax, which needs to be added to get the true price (the sales tax rate varies from state to state). UK RRPs have to include an additional 20% VAT - this is a key difference between US and UK retail prices and needs to be taken into account, otherwise you’re not comparing like with like. (Our 20% rate of VAT is why we often appear to get a raw deal compared with quoted US prices.) The second thing to consider is the fluctuation in exchange rates, importation and distribution costs etc. Some companies use international distributors to sell their products outside their home territory, which obviously adds to the cost. That’s why it’s often more expensive to buy many US products over here, just as it is often more expensive to buy many UK products in the US. iFi has facilities in both the UK (where it is headquartered) and the US. All its products are priced the same in GBP and USD - so, the ZEN DAC is £129 GBP and $129 USD - which keeps things clean and simple, no matter how the exchange rate fluctuates. But, of course, the UK RRP necessarily includes 20% VAT, whereas the US price excludes any sale tax.
Thanks for this great review!!! Quick question - If I power the Zen DAC with an external 5v power supply and connect to my phone through USB. Will the ZEN pull power from my power even though there is a power supply connected? I'll be using my phone a lot and don't want the power drain on the phone. Thanks so much.
I didnt test that setup to know for sure, but I am pretty sure if you power it externally it doesnt take power from the USB Bus but if you want to be 1000% maybe email iFi and ask them
Don't buy the creative blasterx g6 for music. it powers every channel independently which is ideal for gaming and it can drive up to 600ohms but a user reported this card is powering only 220ohms Furthermore, it has 7.1 surround sound and the option to increase the treble and lower the bass which leads to listening to footsteps better and from afar. I am not talking from experience since I do not own it, nor I've used it.
@@akashafofo6939 can confirm. I am using the creative sound blaster and for gaming purpose it is more than enough. But when it comes to listening to music... I am left wanting more. So i suggest getting the g3 for cheaper if you want to game and use this kind of solution for different use case.
Not an audiophile & I'm more confused than ever, is it any good? I'm using a pair of Grado SR325'es and listening to Amazon music HD which peaks at 24 bit 192 khz through my home PC..... I've ordered it. Thanks for the review.
Hi, nice review. I have a question, when the headphones are plugged in, are the line outs muted or active? I switch a lot between headphones and speakers so having active RCA outputs is key, as I don't want to be forever unplugging my headphones from the front
Great Question man, I didnt test the rca or balanced output for this review only the headphone section - I would suggest contacting iFi and asking them and maybe letting us all know if you don't mind
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I contacted iFi and they confirm that the rear output isn't muted when headphones are plugged in. This is great if you have an external amp for your speakers, not so much if you have powered monitors.
I bought a pair of dt880's 600 ohms. I was planning on buying the zen dac but because I need the 100 dollar power supply to use this on my phone, the price will be 270. Now I saw the ifi zen dac signature, which includes the power supply on sale on Amazon (SE) for only 220 dollars. Will this dac be better then the regular one?, Even though it doesn't have the Xbass? because I kind of need that to considering the 880's lack bass volume! Or should I spend more to get the regular zen dac? (To get the xbass) my amp dose not have a bass boost btw.
Havent heard the K5 but I would get some balanced cables made for the HD6XX to use with the ZEN DAC and the then true bass. I use HD6XX all the time with an iFi XCAN and with all the XBASS and 3D+ options enable it really improves the leaner sound from the HD6XX I think
Hi mate - I assume I can hook this up to a pair of active or powered speakers? Working from home more has made me think about setting up a system on my desk: pc usb to ifi to speakers .... But which ones?
Yes you can in 2 different ways as described in the video - but I cant advise you on powered desk speakers I haven't played with hardly any - sorry about that
Will this dac/amp alone power the dt770 pro 250 ohms? Or should I step down to the 80 ohms? Also should I buy an adapter for 4.4 mm output? Btw: what cables do I need to connect this dac/amp to my phone?
If your looking to use your phone as the source then you probably want the iFi Audio HIP DAC instead - link to buy here geni.us/Ec2d link to my review here ruclips.net/video/R4rpMvIa3nk/видео.html
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thx for the recommendation:) now is that dac/amp powerful enough for the 770s? And which ohms version is the best for it? 80 ohms or 250 ohms? Btw: Do I need to buy the ifi OTG cable to connect the hip dac to my phone? Also does it matter what phone I have? I have a poco x3!
@@PursuitPerfectSystem what ohm version of the dt1770 pro are you using is it 318 ohms? If so then shouldn't the 250 ohms version of the dt770 pro be powered well? But is the 80 ohms still better to go for? Very nice review btw very detailed and honest;)
I have dt 880 32ohm and for me it was quite a big upgrade in sound. Compared to my pc audio, the sound is clearer and feels more alive. Got more detail as well. I have it powered from usb.
@@rasmusjauri Since my above query I now listen to DT770 80ohms & DT990 250ohms and yes I agree with you much improved sound. The only slight niggle is sometimes the sound goes completely from Zen Dac connected USB to PC, so I take out usb connection from PC and put it back in and sound miraculously is back... Maybe my USB slots on my laptop are loose.....?
On amazon, there's an interesting review of the iPower X where it's used to replace a power supply to a modem. I'd never heard of this before. Is it a thing? Does it work?
i wish this was compatible to the new ps5, i like all the specs of this one for music but heard it's not compatible with the ps5. i have sennheiser 58x's and like my music but also use them for gaming. I guess jds labs is probably my best bet..😒
HI P/P i have just got the 6xx headphone and was told i need a dec/amp to run these and i would help to have a bit extra bass and was looking at the ARC 2 also iFi ZEN CAN or will this run it amazon say i need both ????
Hi James - not sure if you have seen this drop.com/buy/ifi-zen-can-signature-6xx-amp-drop-exclusive Its the same as far as I can tell as this version of the Zen Dac geni.us/U1GvIk but I haven't fully checked this
Hi I just got dt990 pro today and I tested them with my zen dac. The sound isn’t bad and extremely low but it’s not satisfying to me. I have to move the volume knob to full to get that sound, but it makes the sound very clipping. I am thinking of getting zen can to use it with zen dac. Maybe it will drive them nicely.
How well does the balanced output work for headphones? My friends sony headphones have balanced cable option, but it hisses with balanced using ifi zen dac but does not when used unbalanced.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem thank you, I hope the sony headphones are an exception then. I am looking on getting balanced cable for my sundaras but I am a bit worried because of the hiss.
@@rasmusjauri buy from amazon ideally using one of my links if you don't mind and return it if you have an issue, I really dont think you will - maybe your friend got a bad one is possible or maybe he had a bad cable ??
Hi , i want to use this for powered monitor speakers (its has own volume control each speaker) , if i plug into zen via balanced line out , should i switch to fixed mode? or leave it variable mode? Whats different either variable and fixed mode ?
fixed as you have a volume control on the speakers, there is no difference really except fixed mode by passes bits you dont nee if you have a volume control on your speakers
@@PursuitPerfectSystem what if i using variable mode? what exactly it does? i still dont get it i read the manual guide but still didnt understand. if i use fixed mode does it means the amplification inside zen is passed ? And if i use variable mode it does as a preamp to feed the power to amplifi the speakers integrated amp?
@@bolulembut1132 if you come out of the rear balanced output there is no amplifier on that section just pre amplification. So with variable selected the volume will be controlled by the volume on the zen dac. IN fixed mode it will be always at full volume
Hi....new subscriber....just got the zen dac.......hooked it up to my imac......but the volume is way too low....have to turn it up to 90 percent to even listen to my speakers.When I just put an optical cable into the imac and run in to my amp the volume is fine. But going from ifi zen dac usb to line in on my amp...volume is way to low.All the other line in players work fine ( cd...tape...mini disc).... I double checked my imac output settings...and i tunes volume ...and everything seems good....any ideas?
Zen Dac is at the highest price that it can justify. It's greatest flaw is the lack of coaxial and fiber optic inputs. That makes it impossible to use the entire Zen Stack and creates head scratching issues when used with working/gaming pc. 2nd. Bass Boost does very little, most of the time nothing at all. The DAC makes a good impression, but most of it is just brightness. The actual resolution and detail are just a little better then my 4 yo SMSL M7. I am currently struggling to find some use for it after I will replace it in my audio setup (just 3 months on duty), while M7 is still on duty after 4 years. This is a no go, and I can't give it a thumbs up it.
@@zero15388 Yes, fixed as I am using it as a DAC into my Tube Preamp. If you are using it as a preamp then you should set it as variable if your power amp doesn't have gain controls. You need a volume control somewhere in the chain
@@ssandaf4564 Hi, thanks for the replies. I'm plugging the DAC by RCA into my amplifier, a NAD C 350. So as long as I can control the volume through that, I think I'm good to go?
@@PursuitPerfectSystem but the problem the DT 1770 pro are 250ohm, i guess 250 ohm is maximum for this budget amplifier, everything else cost so much money more
@@zoddytech4204 if you buy them from amazon you can return them for free if you are not happy with them - takes the risk factor off for you to try them yourself and if you can use my amazon links that helps me out a little bit :).
Doesn't have a USB reclocker does it built in? What you should be getting yourself anybody should if you're using USB, they do make a reclocker and a purifier it's called a ipurifier 3 reduces noise by 100 times USB has a 46 nanosecond delay what causes problems with the clocks and introduces jitter ask ifi to send you a ipurifier 3
The ZEN CAN has analogue inputs as it is a Headphone amplifier where as the ZEN DAC has USB Input only because it is a USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier - 2 different use cases for 2 different setups
@@PropMoneyStacks one is very different to the other if you want to plug one into a computer to power headphones you want the zen dac. If you already have a dac and just want a headphone amplifier then you want the zen can :) hope that helps man
@@PursuitPerfectSystem thanks for response yeah i know.. I mean if i have an aux to rca cable.. From my ps4 conroller to input of ifi zen dac(and powered by usb on ps4) finally i plug my headphone. Does it work? 😢🖤
I had a Dragon Fly and did a give away a few years ago - I dont remember it sounding as good as this and it doesn't have the True Bass button or balanced output which really make a difference with the right headphones
Has a newbie to dacs and with old ears, would a standard £10 5v power supply suffice. ??? Ifi also do a £50 supply, no way am I paying £100, so £50 or £10 solution,
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I do need power, the dac will sit in lounge at side of sofa and I will use with Note 20 phone. Some "audio files " make it sound like only expensive power plugs will do !!!!
if you know a audiophile or audio expert do a blind test with a dac and amp that each coat $200-300 and another that cost $2000-3000 you will ses that Non of them can tell the difference on a blind test Not 1 of them
@@PursuitPerfectSystemDo you remember? - I did ask about testing ELAC 4PI PLUS - ruclips.net/video/wbLGb-WJ13s/видео.html I have them finally - very good staff !!!
Easy they are able to produce it for such a low price cause everything on the market is minimum 200-300 to over 2000% Overpriced like RTX 2080 it was 500% Overpriced at Retail price and up to 1200% at selling price most audiophile gear is atleast 1000% Overpriced and it start with the raw materials now even more then ever since USA and EU are trying to bite the hand that Feeds them Russia
![Upgrade Your Zen~ | iFi Audio Zen DAC V3 [DAC/Amp] | My Honest Experience](/img/1.gif)
Wow... so it can be a standalone DAC, a headphone amp or a hi fi DAC preamp and offers balanced output. It is very versatile and affordable with an attractive form factor. It performs well musically by all accounts. This is the future of hi fi, imo. Products like this offer a fantastic gateway for newbies migrating towards a full audiophile experience. Thanks for sharing
sounds just like what was said in the review, you should watch it
Lol I am not a newbie by any stretch of the imagination...almost a pension age audiophile.Received this DAC today and paired it with my HD650's...honey smooth,detailed and dynamic,without the 5v power supply.This is all most people need and the bonus is the Burr Brown Dac will not damage hearing if played at reasonable levels because of the non fatiguing sound signature.
Glad to see you doing these type and level of product reviews Terry. It's likely to bring a wider viewership range. For those who listen through headphones via a pc, the ifi dac will bring great bang for your buck results. For those of us already accustomed to Chord dacs, not so much. Thanks Terry.
Great review! I got it 2nd hand for 90 Euros, bought a balanced cable and paired it with my new Sivga Robin SV021. I am very happy with how this combo sounds... I do think the balanced cable improved the sound compared to the stock 1/4 "...
Terrific reviews, I didn't know that you use the Audeze LCD-X as one of your primary listening headphones. I have them too. And your previous review of the Wharfedale Evo 4.2's convinced me to purchase them, as this review has convinced me to purchase the Audio Zen (currently using Fosi DAC-Q5). Cheers!
Best review of this product and I have watched them all 👍👍👍
Can't wait for AMR to release their next stand alone DAC 👌🏻
btw a good $10-15 USB-C power supply plus adapter to DC is even better then those expensive IFI Power Supplies but you can also buy a DC power supply for $10-20 that is much better then the IFI power supplies how i know cause i tested them
Great review looks very stylish also a little retro with the curve design ,also at this price scale a very interesting option ,and nice to see more affordable product ,it’s a real shame when we think quality comes with expense ,it’s good to see ,as a viewer to your channel it’s nice to see realistic priced products ,instead of outrageous prices ,and would be nice to see more off as it would interest more viewers :-)
You mention you tested the Sennheiser 6xx. I didn't hear in your review how the Sennheiser 6xx faired with this dac/amp
I like your new lighting in room, videos look much better now.
Thanks Alex, I have been really trying to crack that challenge, long way to go still but am working hard at it :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystemProgress in your videos is clearly visible through the years.
Thanks Alex its never as good as I want it to be but when I look back I cringe at what I was putting out before, it was the best I could do at the time. Thanks man for noticing and for the kind comments its inspiring to me to do better :)
Great review, subbed channel immediately. I’ve got the ifi hip/DAC and love it and actually use it wired up on the go. However, after several desk DAC/AMP combos, I’m looking to add a stack. I was looking at this ifi zen stack, would I need the other amp to stack with this, or is this truly a good enough standalone? Thanks!
Hai, if you want to upgrade from hip dac, then go straight to the Zen Stack. Zen dac alone is less powerful than hip dac (330mW balanced vs 400mW balanced) and does not offer any other benefit as well with the exception of ability to connect to speakers.
Great review, just order one from Amazon, thanks.
Hi Terry. Really enjoy your channel.
Can I ask for an opinion, please? Why is it that the Americans ignore the US dollar / Sterling exchange rate and use the same numbers in pounds sterling as they use for US dollars. These tactics might win them a few extra dollars but people like me avoid buying from the USA when they pull this sort of stunt.
Hi Dave
I have a semi official explanation for you on the prices situation because its a good question
Firstly, it’s important to point out that US SRPs are typically expressed excluding sales tax, which needs to be added to get the true price (the sales tax rate varies from state to state). UK RRPs have to include an additional 20% VAT - this is a key difference between US and UK retail prices and needs to be taken into account, otherwise you’re not comparing like with like. (Our 20% rate of VAT is why we often appear to get a raw deal compared with quoted US prices.)
The second thing to consider is the fluctuation in exchange rates, importation and distribution costs etc. Some companies use international distributors to sell their products outside their home territory, which obviously adds to the cost. That’s why it’s often more expensive to buy many US products over here, just as it is often more expensive to buy many UK products in the US.
iFi has facilities in both the UK (where it is headquartered) and the US. All its products are priced the same in GBP and USD - so, the ZEN DAC is £129 GBP and $129 USD - which keeps things clean and simple, no matter how the exchange rate fluctuates. But, of course, the UK RRP necessarily includes 20% VAT, whereas the US price excludes any sale tax.
Did you test the new firmware 5.3c with GTO filter? If so what did you think?
Thanks for this great review!!! Quick question - If I power the Zen DAC with an external 5v power supply and connect to my phone through USB. Will the ZEN pull power from my power even though there is a power supply connected? I'll be using my phone a lot and don't want the power drain on the phone. Thanks so much.
I didnt test that setup to know for sure, but I am pretty sure if you power it externally it doesnt take power from the USB Bus but if you want to be 1000% maybe email iFi and ask them
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks so much for replying. I'll check it out and leave a comment for others. Nice weekend and thanks.
EXCELLENT REVIEW !!!!
Thank you
Thanks for the review.I play FPS games on PC , i have DT 1990 PRO , which product is better for me ZEN DAC or K5 PRO ?
I think for games and the open back DT1990 pro true bass button on the ZEN could be fun
Don't buy the creative blasterx g6 for music.
it powers every channel independently which is ideal for gaming and it can drive up to 600ohms but a user reported this card is powering only 220ohms
Furthermore, it has 7.1 surround sound and the option to increase the treble and lower the bass which leads to listening to footsteps better and from afar.
I am not talking from experience since I do not own it, nor I've used it.
@@akashafofo6939 can confirm. I am using the creative sound blaster and for gaming purpose it is more than enough. But when it comes to listening to music... I am left wanting more.
So i suggest getting the g3 for cheaper if you want to game and use this kind of solution for different use case.
What brand was the usb B cable and the black box you connected it to?
Not an audiophile & I'm more confused than ever, is it any good? I'm using a pair of Grado SR325'es and listening to Amazon music HD which peaks at 24 bit 192 khz through my home PC..... I've ordered it. Thanks for the review.
Shame it's USB only, it would have been nice to have a coax or optical input, so I could connect my CD player, or chromecast
usb 3.0 should be plenty, would it be that much of a difference?
@@thiefrainb0w99 considering my cd player outputs via coaxial, USB 3.0 wouldn't cut it.
How it works as a preamp to amplifier?
Nice video. Music too loud 🙉.
I was hoping for info of the firmware comparison and improvements. Once again nice video.
Firmware were not available at the time only the one
Hi, nice review. I have a question, when the headphones are plugged in, are the line outs muted or active? I switch a lot between headphones and speakers so having active RCA outputs is key, as I don't want to be forever unplugging my headphones from the front
Great Question man, I didnt test the rca or balanced output for this review only the headphone section - I would suggest contacting iFi and asking them and maybe letting us all know if you don't mind
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I contacted iFi and they confirm that the rear output isn't muted when headphones are plugged in. This is great if you have an external amp for your speakers, not so much if you have powered monitors.
is schiit hel worth it over this?
hi thanks for this amazing review ..i have Q .did u use the new firmware gto on zen
Hi. No I didn't see any firmware available to download so I used the unit is it came from iFi
Great review! Very pleased to see some more affordable products on your channel. Please could you review the ' SMSL M200' thanks.
Hi, what is the small black box behind the Zen Dac you plugged the usb in?
I bought a pair of dt880's 600 ohms. I was planning on buying the zen dac but because I need the 100 dollar power supply to use this on my phone, the price will be 270.
Now I saw the ifi zen dac signature, which includes the power supply on sale on Amazon (SE) for only 220 dollars. Will this dac be better then the regular one?, Even though it doesn't have the Xbass? because I kind of need that to considering the 880's lack bass volume! Or should I spend more to get the regular zen dac? (To get the xbass) my amp dose not have a bass boost btw.
Will the ipower x get its own review as an alternative to a linear power supply?
Thank you for the review
which one should i get, this or k5 pro?
i have a hd6xx
Havent heard the K5 but I would get some balanced cables made for the HD6XX to use with the ZEN DAC and the then true bass.
I use HD6XX all the time with an iFi XCAN and with all the XBASS and 3D+ options enable it really improves the leaner sound from the HD6XX I think
Hi mate - I assume I can hook this up to a pair of active or powered speakers? Working from home more has made me think about setting up a system on my desk: pc usb to ifi to speakers .... But which ones?
Yes you can in 2 different ways as described in the video - but I cant advise you on powered desk speakers I haven't played with hardly any - sorry about that
Awesome review. I recently bought the LCD-2 and use a SoundblasterX G6 dac, would this be a good upgrade? Or should I look at something else?
Will this dac/amp alone power the dt770 pro 250 ohms? Or should I step down to the 80 ohms? Also should I buy an adapter for 4.4 mm output?
Btw: what cables do I need to connect this dac/amp to my phone?
If your looking to use your phone as the source then you probably want the iFi Audio HIP DAC instead - link to buy here geni.us/Ec2d
link to my review here ruclips.net/video/R4rpMvIa3nk/видео.html
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thx for the recommendation:) now is that dac/amp powerful enough for the 770s? And which ohms version is the best for it? 80 ohms or 250 ohms?
Btw: Do I need to buy the ifi OTG cable to connect the hip dac to my phone? Also does it matter what phone I have? I have a poco x3!
@@elliotandersson8302 it comes with a couple of cables and I use one with the DT1770 pro and it does a good job I talk about this in the review
@@PursuitPerfectSystem what ohm version of the dt1770 pro are you using is it 318 ohms? If so then shouldn't the 250 ohms version of the dt770 pro be powered well? But is the 80 ohms still better to go for?
Very nice review btw very detailed and honest;)
Bargain if ever I seen 1 👏👏👏👏
Would it improve the sound of Beyerdynamics DT770 pro 80ohms (studio) by using it direct to laptop?
I have dt 880 32ohm and for me it was quite a big upgrade in sound. Compared to my pc audio, the sound is clearer and feels more alive. Got more detail as well. I have it powered from usb.
@@rasmusjauri Since my above query I now listen to DT770 80ohms & DT990 250ohms and yes I agree with you much improved sound. The only slight niggle is sometimes the sound goes completely from Zen Dac connected USB to PC, so I take out usb connection from PC and put it back in and sound miraculously is back... Maybe my USB slots on my laptop are loose.....?
Hi p/p seen the massdrop one there are 2 boxs . Would this 1 box you reviewed work as a dac and amp to run them ? thx for getting back to me cheers.
Yes it does and you can up the bass with it as well like I speak about in the review
On amazon, there's an interesting review of the iPower X where it's used to replace a power supply to a modem. I'd never heard of this before. Is it a thing? Does it work?
I think there's no reason it wouldn't work.Ipower X is just a switching PSU.
i wish this was compatible to the new ps5, i like all the specs of this one for music but heard it's not compatible with the ps5. i have sennheiser 58x's and like my music but also use them for gaming.
I guess jds labs is probably my best bet..😒
@C. so playstation5 supports uac2 now? I ended up going with JDS Labs stack. downgraded firmware to uac1 and it works great.
How would you rate this against the Topping e30
I havent heard the topping to say, sorry about that
Do you think it is a good DAC for listening to music? I search a good DAC for only music.
This is a dac and headphone amplifier - they make a stand alone version of this is a dac only now too geni.us/9MUAP
@@PursuitPerfectSystem ah ok but can I connect my headphone to the signature?
@@DieTabbi no if you want a dac headphone amp in one get the zen dac
HI P/P i have just got the 6xx headphone and was told i need a dec/amp to run these and i would help to have a bit extra bass and was looking at the ARC 2 also iFi ZEN CAN or will this run it amazon say i need both ????
Hi James - not sure if you have seen this drop.com/buy/ifi-zen-can-signature-6xx-amp-drop-exclusive
Its the same as far as I can tell as this version of the Zen Dac geni.us/U1GvIk but I haven't fully checked this
Does anyone know if this has enough power for beyerdynamic dt770 pro 250ohm?
Hi I just got dt990 pro today and I tested them with my zen dac. The sound isn’t bad and extremely low but it’s not satisfying to me. I have to move the volume knob to full to get that sound, but it makes the sound very clipping. I am thinking of getting zen can to use it with zen dac. Maybe it will drive them nicely.
How well does the balanced output work for headphones? My friends sony headphones have balanced cable option, but it hisses with balanced using ifi zen dac but does not when used unbalanced.
Also when connected to balanced the volume knob makes static sound at certain spots.
It didn't hiss for me using the balanced output into audeze headphones thats all I tested sorry
@@PursuitPerfectSystem thank you, I hope the sony headphones are an exception then. I am looking on getting balanced cable for my sundaras but I am a bit worried because of the hiss.
@@rasmusjauri buy from amazon ideally using one of my links if you don't mind and return it if you have an issue, I really dont think you will - maybe your friend got a bad one is possible or maybe he had a bad cable ??
can this comfortably power 250ohm beyerdynamic dt 990 pros?
I think so but maybe buy it from Amazon geni.us/LSqeel give it a try for yourself Amazon return policy is excellent
Hi , i want to use this for powered monitor speakers (its has own volume control each speaker) , if i plug into zen via balanced line out , should i switch to fixed mode? or leave it variable mode?
Whats different either variable and fixed mode ?
fixed as you have a volume control on the speakers, there is no difference really except fixed mode by passes bits you dont nee if you have a volume control on your speakers
@@PursuitPerfectSystem what if i using variable mode? what exactly it does? i still dont get it i read the manual guide but still didnt understand.
if i use fixed mode does it means the amplification inside zen is passed ? And if i use variable mode it does as a preamp to feed the power to amplifi the speakers integrated amp?
@@bolulembut1132 if you come out of the rear balanced output there is no amplifier on that section just pre amplification. So with variable selected the volume will be controlled by the volume on the zen dac. IN fixed mode it will be always at full volume
@@PursuitPerfectSystem so if i used fixed mode i do have to regulate the volume from each speakers?
yes or use variable mode and control the volume with the Zen Dac
Hi....new subscriber....just got the zen dac.......hooked it up to my imac......but the volume is way too low....have to turn it up to 90 percent to even listen to my speakers.When I just put an optical cable into the imac and run in to my amp the volume is fine. But going from ifi zen dac usb to line in on my amp...volume is way to low.All the other line in players work fine ( cd...tape...mini disc).... I double checked my imac output settings...and i tunes volume ...and everything seems good....any ideas?
If you are only using the zen dac as a dac only then you want it on the mode that bypasses the internal amplifier so yes that will be 100% volume
There is a switch on the rear you need to select the correct setting
Thanks soooo much!!! I bought it used and was starting to think i got a bad example.....
Zen Dac is at the highest price that it can justify. It's greatest flaw is the lack of coaxial and fiber optic inputs. That makes it impossible to use the entire Zen Stack and creates head scratching issues when used with working/gaming pc. 2nd. Bass Boost does very little, most of the time nothing at all. The DAC makes a good impression, but most of it is just brightness. The actual resolution and detail are just a little better then my 4 yo SMSL M7. I am currently struggling to find some use for it after I will replace it in my audio setup (just 3 months on duty), while M7 is still on duty after 4 years. This is a no go, and I can't give it a thumbs up it.
Hard to find the balanced cable/adapter,, 3.5mm to 4.4mm male
I bought a cable made specifically made cable for my headphones with the 4.4,, pentaconn connector and balanced connections
hi, complete noobie here. Can i connect the DAC to my amp via the RCA leads or is it through that 4.4mm output on the back?
I use RCA
@@ssandaf4564 thanks. And you set it to fixed rather than variable?
@@zero15388 Yes, fixed as I am using it as a DAC into my Tube Preamp. If you are using it as a preamp then you should set it as variable if your power amp doesn't have gain controls. You need a volume control somewhere in the chain
@@ssandaf4564 Hi, thanks for the replies. I'm plugging the DAC by RCA into my amplifier, a NAD C 350. So as long as I can control the volume through that, I think I'm good to go?
@@zero15388 Yes. Thats fine. Enjoy your DAC
With the additional power cable it's possible to use an 600 ohm Beyerdynamic Headset?
I have the DT 1770 Pro and I am pretty sure I used them on the ZEN DAC - did I talk about them in the review?
@@PursuitPerfectSystem but the problem the DT 1770 pro are 250ohm, i guess 250 ohm is maximum for this budget amplifier, everything else cost so much money more
@@zoddytech4204 if you buy them from amazon you can return them for free if you are not happy with them - takes the risk factor off for you to try them yourself and if you can use my amazon links that helps me out a little bit :).
Doesn't have a USB reclocker does it built in? What you should be getting yourself anybody should if you're using USB, they do make a reclocker and a purifier it's called a ipurifier 3 reduces noise by 100 times USB has a 46 nanosecond delay what causes problems with the clocks and introduces jitter ask ifi to send you a ipurifier 3
Great suggestion John, I didnt talk too much about products like this in the review on purpose to try and make it appeal to all levels of Audiophile
@@PursuitPerfectSystem right hahah I'm assuming you're saying it doesn't have it built in. Do you use a reclocker
no reclocker in the review just galvanic isolation between the USB Card out and the Zen
when trying to buy this its very confusing as there is zen dac and zen can
The ZEN CAN has analogue inputs as it is a Headphone amplifier where as the ZEN DAC has USB Input only because it is a USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier - 2 different use cases for 2 different setups
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks its just they both look too much alike,great review and looks well made product just not an easy buying process.
@@PropMoneyStacks one is very different to the other if you want to plug one into a computer to power headphones you want the zen dac. If you already have a dac and just want a headphone amplifier then you want the zen can :) hope that helps man
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thank you
can i connect ifi zen mqa dac to any integrated amplifiers to decode tidal masters for better sound quality
Please man how can i conect it with ps4 (no optical)
Is the aux to rca adapter work?
Its a USB input only device mate the rcas on the rear are outputs not inputs
@@PursuitPerfectSystem thanks for response
yeah i know.. I mean if i have an aux to rca cable.. From my ps4 conroller to input of ifi zen dac(and powered by usb on ps4) finally i plug my headphone. Does it work? 😢🖤
@@sorasory_8881 no mate the ifi is USB input device only you need to connect to it via USB
The main question is how it compares with Dragonfly Red 😉
I had a Dragon Fly and did a give away a few years ago - I dont remember it sounding as good as this and it doesn't have the True Bass button or balanced output which really make a difference with the right headphones
I want to add a DAC to my CD player. I'm GUESSING this isn't it since CD wasn't mentioned. I don't care about streaming at all.
This is a USB headphone amplifier and dac
Has a newbie to dacs and with old ears, would a standard £10 5v power supply suffice. ??? Ifi also do a £50 supply, no way am I paying £100, so £50 or £10 solution,
You dont need a power supply it will take power from the USB port, but any 5v supply is fine if you want external power
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I do need power, the dac will sit in lounge at side of sofa and I will use with Note 20 phone. Some "audio files " make it sound like only expensive power plugs will do !!!!
so i need to buy the plug to use it? why can't i just use it out of the box
I explain all this in the video in about the first 2 minutes :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystem can i just get a £10 power supply and this will work fine?
@@pagmanproductions1686 it takes power from the usb connection
if you know a audiophile or audio expert do a blind test with a dac and amp that each coat $200-300 and another that cost $2000-3000 you will ses that Non of them can tell the difference on a blind test Not 1 of them
RUclips from GOOGLE CHROME sounding better than youtube from MICROSOFT EDGE !!! :)
Doesnt surprise me there is a difference
@@PursuitPerfectSystemDo you remember? - I did ask about testing ELAC 4PI PLUS - ruclips.net/video/wbLGb-WJ13s/видео.html I have them finally - very good staff !!!
Easy they are able to produce it for such a low price cause everything on the market is minimum 200-300 to over 2000% Overpriced like RTX 2080 it was 500% Overpriced at Retail price and up to 1200% at selling price most audiophile gear is atleast 1000% Overpriced and it start with the raw materials now even more then ever since USA and EU are trying to bite the hand that Feeds them Russia
Nice video. Music too loud 🙉.
I was hoping for info of the firmware comparison and improvements. Once again nice video.