remain on, even if your
computer is turned off, which is
annoying if you have the unit
in the bedroom.
Performance
We played a variety of digital
formats from streaming to
DSD256 to PCM and it handled
it all without issue. On
Windows, you’ll want to
download iFi’s driver and
control panel but this isn’t
needed for Macs.
The sound from the iFi Zen
DAC is excellent, providing
enough power for power-
hungry headphones like the
Sennheiser HD600 and
Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro that
we used to test. The DAC/amp
also works well with low
impedance headphones like
Grado’s RS2i and various in-ear
monitors. The Zen DAC
supports headphones up to 300
ohms, and we found that it had
no issues providing enough
volume to our stash of 300
ohm headphones.
In terms of tonal balance, the
Zen DAC is mostly neutral with a
slight warmth that helps tame
the harsh highs of the DT1990
Pro. Dynamics are good, though
some may wish for more bass
response. Thankfully, there’s
the TrueBass option to add some
mid to low-end punch without
intruding on the mids. TrueBass
is a nice option to have when
hopping between different
genres of music.
Playing via USB, the iFi Zen
DAC sounds great but if you’re
looking to squeeze out a few
extra drops of performance, the
optional iFi power supply is
worth purchasing. The amp
sounds more or less strained at
high volumes and there’s
slightly more detail with the
optional power supply.Verdict
The iFi Zen DAC is an excellent
DAC and amp for the price. The
unit has support for most major
hi-fi audio formats as well as
balanced connections, which israre for entry-level audio
products. While the Zen DAC isn’t
the last word in sound stage,
dynamics, or detail retrieval, it
still manages to elevate the music
listening experience. You’ll have
to step up to a much more
expensive DAC/amp like the
Chord Mojo if you want even
more performance.
In terms of competitors, Schiit
Audio’s Fulla 3 is a good-
sounding alternative and cheaper
at about $200 but lacks the
features of the iFi Zen DAC. Even
the more expensive and cheekily
named “Schiit Stack” (Magni and
Modi combined) doesn’t have the
features of the iFi. The Creative
Sound BlasterX G6 is also a good
option if you like the company’s
DSP options.The iFi Zen is
very solidly built,
and more than
capable of being
carried around
wherever you go.The iFi Zen Dac is one of the best
entry-level DACs you can buy. It
sounds great, has a ton of features,
and can grow with your system as
your tastes evolve.
Lewis Leong