iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 Desktop USB DAC / Headphone Amp

iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 Desktop USB DAC / Headphone Amp

 

iFi Audio have taken the award-winning ZEN DAC and further improved it with a 16 core XMOS chip for greater processing power, enabling the ZEN DAC V2 to fully decode MQA and run DSD 256 natively. All of this is available while the ZEN DAC V2 remains 'bit-perfect' thanks to the True Native Burr-Brown chip design.

Please Note: The iFi ZEN DAC does not come supplied with a power supply. The ZEN DAC draws power from the USB cable connected to your source device. A dedicated 5V power supply is available as follows - iFi Audio Micro iPower Supply.

What iFi Audio say

Designed for home use - on a desk, perhaps, or in the living room - the ZEN DAC connects to PCs and Macs, or smart devices such as tablets or phones, via USB. Its hi-res digital-to-analogue conversation technology processes all forms of digital audio to a super-high standard, while the integrated analogue headphone amplifier delivers superb sound with all headphone types, from in-ear monitors to larger on-and over-ear designs.

Compared to simply plugging headphones directly into a computer or smart device, the ZEN DAC transforms the listening experience - sound is clearer, more detailed, more expansive and engaging, making the most of whichever headphones are connected. As well as driving headphones, the ZEN DAC can be used as a USB DAC in a home audio system, with or without its volume control engaged. What’s more, whether you’re hooking up headphones, an external amp or active speakers, you have a choice of single-ended or balanced connection –a remarkable facility at the price.

Features

• XMOS 16-Core chip processing audio data received via USB and S/PDIF digital inputs
• Low-latency XMOS microcontroller for greatly enhanced processing power
• The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded
• Hi-Res True Native® playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384
• MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is supported through USB with full decoding of MQA files up to 384kHz thanks to the processing power of the new 16-core XMOS chip
• Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including iFi's GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer
• TrueBass® system delivers genuine bass with realistic depth and definition. Everything from timpani to a bass guitar, to an electronic bassline, is conveyed with power and poise
• True Balanced Audio Circuitry to reduce noise and crosstalk for less interference and clearer sound
• This is a type of audio circuitry topology that uses separate left & right channels. It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound

 

16-Core MQA Processing

Thanks to the 16 core tech, the ZEN DAC V2 is now an MQA Decoder rather than a Renderer.

This enables you to playback MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner. Now comes with the iSilencer+ included, but still at the original price!

Smooth & Balanced

A new and improved low jitter, crystal clock means >20dB better performance. The super-low noise performance means the ZEN DAC V2 will remain quiet even in noisy situations such as yachts or RVs.

The balanced design for the analogue stage – rare and not found at this price point – makes it pretty special and delivers the best sound quality, normally found in higher priced models.

The ZEN DAC V2 sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs at both the front and back. On the front, there’s also the popular 6.3mm headphone socket.

Flexible

Switch effortlessly between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’. Set to ‘Variable,’ use the ZEN DAC V2 as a pre-amp to feed a power amp or active speakers. On ‘Fixed’ to bypass the volume control. Connect to an external pre-amp or integrated amp.

Power, Drive & Performance

Our headphone amp has PowerMatch – switchable gain to perfectly match your headphones. For IEMs, normally high-sensitivity, leave PowerMatch at its lower setting for hiss-free listening. On/over-ear headphones with relatively low impedance require more power – press PowerMatch to increase the level of drive.

Ace of Bass

The ZEN DAC V2 boasts TrueBass. This proprietary tech is a switchable ‘bass boost’ operating in the analogue domain. There’s no DSP with iFi gear. TrueBass enhances the bass but does not muddy the mid-range. Perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones which often lack bass. The ZEN DAC V2 is the ultimate chilling machine. Tune in and ZEN out.

"iFi has built a solid reputation for its well-featured, affordable digital-to-analogue converters. Thanks to a combination of features and sound quality that’s hard to better at the price, the Zen DAC is arguably one of its finest products... Despite its budget nature, the Zen can handle PCM files up to 384kHz and up to DSD256. It can also decode MQA, which is impressive at this price... Most budget digital-to-analogue converters aren’t particularly inspiring to listen to and don’t tend to offer much of a step-up over the soundcard of a computer. That’s certainly not the case here... Tonally, this is a well-judged unit, having just the right degree of smoothness at high frequencies to prevent low bit rate or thin-sounding music streams from getting annoying. We like the openness of the presentation and its generally even-handed nature." (Read More) "It is still open, smooth and nicely judged in its handling of frequencies" (Read More) Best DAC Under £200 - What Hi-Fi? Award Winner 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023

"tonally even-handed and insightful sound - all pleasing characteristics that we are happy if not surprised to hear materialise in the Zen DAC V2's performance" (Read More) Product Review - What Hi-Fi? - May 2023

"Play a Tidal Master of Billie Eilish's 'Your Power' between the two (Zen DAC vs Zen DAC V2), and the Zen V2's greater clarity instantly pulls you into the pop ballad, making Eilish's delivery of its important, timely message all the more poignant, and fleshing out piano notes that consequently convey the extra emotion." (Read More) "The Zen DAC V2 is notably better. It is still open, smooth and nicely judged in it's handling of frequencies, only this time dynamic expression and clarity is confidently taken to the next level, with the bass a little tighter and the presentation slightly more refined too" (Read More) 5 Star Review - What Hi-Fi? - December 2021, March 2022

"The appeal of the iFi Audio ZEN DAC is simple: with eye-catching looks, flexibility, solid engineering within and a remarkably grown-up sound, this entry-level DAC is a conspicuous hi-fi bargain. It proves that desktop audio doesn’t have to be the poor relation of ‘proper’ hi-fi, and is a real giant-killer, whether as a DAC/headphone amp or a simple digital preamp. Buy this to boost the sound of your computer, and you may well find you’re listening to it most of the time. Best of all, it does all this at a very affordable price – this is amazing value for money." EISA Best Value DAC Award 2020

"Using the Zen as a headphone DAC is a joy - selecting one of Bob Stuart’s legendary ‘White Gloves’ exercises, the ‘Fairytales’ album, the MQA light behind the volume knob turns the indicative magenta, and the sound emerges from the darkest of backgrounds with every nuance of that delicate voice with the notes and movements of the piano player readily apparent. Of course, if you wish to hook the Zen DAC to your hi-fi you can remove the thoughtful rubber covers from the phono outputs and use the supplied leads or those of your choice to get going." (Read More) Future Shop Review - May 2020

 

Specifications:

• Input: USB3.0 B Socket (USB2.0 compatible)
• Formats: DSD256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single-Speed DSD DXD(384/352.8kHz), PCM(384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) MQA
• DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
• Line Section
• Output: Audio RCA (UnBAL) - 2.1V fixed, 1V / 3.3V max. (variable) // 4.4mm Pentaconn (BAL) - 4.2V fixed, 2V / 6.2V max. (variable)
• Zout: <= 100 Ohm (UnBAL), <= 200 Ohm (BAL)
• SNR: < -116dB(A) @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)
• DNR: > 116dB(A) @ -60dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)
• THD+N: < 0.0015% @ 0dBFS (UnBAL/BAL)
• Headphone Section
• Output: 6.3mm (UnBAL) - 1V / 3.3V max,12 Ohm - 300 Ohm Headphone // 4.4mm Pentaconn (BAL) - 2V / 6.2V max, 12 Ohm - 600 Ohm Headphone
• Output Power: UnBAL > 280mW @ 32R, > 36mW @ 300R // BAL > 380mW @ 50R, > 70mW @ 600R
• Output Impedance: < 1 Ω (UnBAL/BAL)
• THD & N: < 0.005% (125mW @ 32R)
• SNR: > 113dBA (3.3V UnBAL / 6.2V BAL)
• Power consumption: < 1.5W via USB or 5v DC (power supply not included)
• Dimensions: 160(l) x 117(w) x 35(h)mm
• Weight: 800g (1.8 lbs)
• Warranty period: 12 months

 

iSilencer+

iFi's new iSilencer+ further improves upon the original iSilencer with updated circuitry and iFi's latest Active Noise Cancellation II technology. These updates improve the efficiency of the iSilencer+'s ability to remove electrical noise, resulting in clearer, warmer and more transparent audio.

As well as plugging the iSilencer+ into your active USB port, it can also be plugged unto unused USB ports too. This will reduce more EMI from the surrounding electronics resulting in the USB audio signal having even less noise and interference.

iFi have also added several new flavours of iSilencer - USB A to A, USB C to A, & USB C to C.

Aptly named the iSilencer+ simply due to it offering you more. More options, improved filtering, and more silence!

 

iSilencer Improved

The iSilencer+ uses iFi's latest Active Noise Cancellation II® technology to further decrease noise in a similar way to noise-cancelling headphones.

iFi utilises their REBalance® tech to get rid of clicks and distortion.

iFi have upgraded the circuitry within the iSilencer+ with low-ESR tantalum capacitors for improved input and output filtering. Overall, filtering capacitance has been increased 10-fold!

 

"The power of the opening trumpets that lead nicely into the vocals is fantastic. The music emerges from a blacker background with the iSilencer+ fitted. Vocals suddenly have a greater energy and dynamic presence and the trumpets have a clearer and more refined sound. The iSilencer+ lives up to its claims and consequently is an excellent value for money accessory.” Product Review - HiFi Choice - July 2021

 

Specification

• USB: Super-Speed USB3.0 (and USB2.0 backawards compatible)
• Connectors: USB3.0 gold-plated connectors - USB type C & USB type A
• Dimensions: 50mm x 20mm x 9mm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 7g (0.25oz)
• Warranty: 12 Months

 

About iFi Audio

iFi Audio is an award-winning audio tech company dedicated to enhancing your music enjoyment. With a mission to improve sound quality and eliminate noise, distortion, and hiss, iFi Audio offers a wide range of products that cater to headphones, speakers, portable audio devices, phones, and TVs. By doing so, they aim to deliver studio-quality audio that allows you to experience music as the artists intended.

Since its establishment in 2012, iFi Audio has been driven by the love of music and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. With over 50 meticulously designed and manufactured products, they ensure every detail meets their high standards. Sourcing parts from around the world, including Germany, the USA, and Japan, they bring together global expertise to create exceptional audio devices.

At the heart of iFi Audio's business are its customers. They prioritise delivering the highest quality audio wherever you are, whether in the comfort of your home or on the go. Their distribution centre in the USA serves renowned retailers such as B&H and etailz, expanding their global network and reaching more music enthusiasts.

iFi Audio takes pride in its eco-friendly practices, using recyclable materials like aluminium, paper, and recycled plastics for its products and packaging. They strictly adhere to environmental standards, ensuring their components are hazardous toxins-free.

With a focus on Class A analogue circuitry and maintaining the audio signal's integrity, iFi Audio's products offer exceptional performance without compromising environmental sustainability. They believe that how a product looks, performs, and impacts the environment all matter, and they strive to deliver audio solutions that meet these criteria.

Experience the difference of high-quality audio with iFi Audio and immerse yourself in the joy of music.