Based on the award-winning ZEN Series, iFi’s ZEN Air range makes high-performance audio more affordable than ever before
Southport, England –iFi’s popular ZEN Series has received universal praise for delivering exceptional sound at affordable prices, earning scores of awards from respected industry publications and websites. With RRPs of £159 for the ZEN DAC V2 and ZEN Blue V2, and £189 for the ZEN CAN and ZEN Phono, the ZEN Series has achieved iFi’s aim of making high-performance audio accessible to all. Now, iFi extends this ambition still further – the new ZEN Air range takes these four ZEN devices, simplifies the circuitry and strips back some features whilst retaining core elements to enable an even more eminently affordable price tag… just £99/€99/$99 per device! The ZEN Air DAC, ZEN Air Blue, ZEN Air CAN and ZEN Air Phono look similar to their brethren in the ‘main’ ZEN line, featuring the same desktop-friendly size and distinctive shape. In place of the extruded aluminium enclosure used throughout the ZEN Series, the ZEN Air devices sport a synthetic polymer case with a textured finish, each in a different shade of grey. This isn’t just generic ABS plastic; it’s a high-grade thermoplastic polymer with additives to reduce brittleness and improve shock absorbance. The simplification of the circuitry within the ZEN Air models means the mainline ZEN devices remain sonically superior, and some of the features they sport are correspondingly absent from the ZEN Air equivalents. For example, the fully balanced circuit topologies in the ZEN devices have been simplified, which means the 4.4mm balanced connections offered throughout the ZEN Series are not included in the ZEN Air devices. Some of the upgrades made to the latest V2 editions of the ZEN DAC and ZEN Blue, such as the enhanced GMT clock system, are also absent. But by retaining most of the core features and ensuring the circuit designs remain high-quality –discrete components and symmetrical channel layouts, for example – their performance comes remarkably close to the mainline ZEN models. Certainly, there’s nothing on the market at under £100 that is their match. The ZEN Air DAC and ZEN Air Blue arrive first, available from selected retailers from 4 March. The ZEN Air CAN and ZEN Air Phono follow in May. Further information about each model is provided below.
ZEN Air DAC
USB DAC + headphone amp –RRP £99/€99/$99
Winner of a host of awards since launching in 2019, the ZEN DAC and its V2 successor deliver a performance that competes with DAC/headphone amps at more than twice its price. The ZEN Air DAC redraws the blueprint, offering sound quality that rivals the original ZEN DAC but at an even lower RRP. Like the ZEN DAC, the ZEN Air DAC includes a high-quality headphone amp capable of driving all manner of headphones and earphones. It can also be used as a DAC/preamp to feed an amp and speakers, or a pair of active speakers, via stereo RCA outputs. It connects to PCs, Macs, smart devices and so on via USB, elevating the sound quality of digital sources to a higher plane.
Tech highlights
The core DAC technology is the same as the original ZEN DAC, using a Burr-Brown DAC chip that iFi favours for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture, combined with custom technology including bespoke XMOS firmware and digital filtering, and iFi’s GMT clock system to tackle jitter. Hi-res PCM is supported to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DXD, and DSD64, 128 and 256. Thanks to the Burr-Brown chip’s True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways –this enables both PCM and DSD to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in their native form. MQA is also supported (MQA rendering, like the original ZEN DAC, rather than full MQA decoding as performed by the ZEN DAC V2). Whilst simplified in comparison to the ZEN DAC V2’s fully balanced topology, the ZEN Air DAC’s analogue stage remains of exceptional quality at the price, with a symmetrical channel layout and audiophile-grade circuit components, including a custom op-amp offering ultra-low noise performance, and low-impedance power supply rails featuring Taiyo Yuden and Murata low-ESR inductors.
Features and connectivity
Like the ZEN DAC and ZEN DAC V2, the ZEN Air DAC’s headphone amp has switchable gain, which iFi terms PowerMatch. This matches the level of drive to the load presented by the headphones, by adjusting input sensitivity and thereby signal strength. With high-sensitivity headphone types such as in-ear monitors, leave PowerMatch at its lower setting for ultra-low noise performance. But if your headphones require more drive, press the PowerMatch button on the front panel to increase gain.XBass+ is another user-selectable feature, a sophisticated form of ‘bass boost’ that subtly enhances low frequencies without muddying the midrange –particularly useful with earphones and open-back headphones that may lack deep bass. It operates entirely in the analogue domain rather than messing with the digital signal via DSP and may be switched in or out via another button on the front panel. The ZEN Air DAC omits the ZEN DAC’s 4.4mm balanced outputs but otherwise retains the same connections. A 6.3mm headphone output resides at the front, with an asynchronous USB Type B input at the back alongside gold-plated stereo RCA outputs with variable level control. Whether you’re driving a pair of headphones or feeding an amp and speakers, the ZEN Air DAC’s sound quality comes remarkably close to the original ‘v1’ ZEN DAC’s single-ended outputs –at just £99/€99/$99, it delivers an eminently affordable quality boost to digital sound.
ZEN Air Blue
Bluetooth DAC –RRP £99/€99/$99
The ZEN Blue V2 is widely recognised as the best way to enable Bluetooth audio transmission from smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on to an existing audio system –perhaps because the system doesn’t offer Bluetooth reception and the user wants to add this facility, or because its Bluetooth implementation lacks quality (often the case). The ZEN Air Blue performs the same function as the ZEN Blue V2 but trades some features in return for an even lower price point.
Tech highlights
While Bluetooth’s wireless convenience and wide device compatibility are well recognised, many people don’t realise how good Bluetooth audio can sound because they’ve only experienced it at base-level quality via rudimentary SoC (System on Chip) implementations. iFi has gone to great lengths to ensure the HD Bluetooth engine it has developed for deployment in all its current-generation Bluetooth-toting devices – including the ZEN Air Blue – is state-of-the-art, earning it a class-leading reputation.
Making full use of Qualcomm’s advanced four-core QCC5100 Bluetooth processing chip, every current high-definition Bluetooth audio format is supported, including aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC and HWA/LHDC. Other codecs covered include regular aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC and SBC. This means that every source device is handled at the highest audio resolution its Bluetooth specification allows. While the QCC5100 can provide a complete SoC solution including digital-to-analogue conversion, this is not the iFi way. The ZEN Blue has separate digital and analogue stages; to feed the analogue stage, the processed digital signal is routed from the QCC5100 to a specialised DAC chip from ESS Technology’s excellent Sabre family. Though more costly and complex, this delivers better sound quality than relying on a fully integrated chip solution as many manufacturers do. Like the ZEN Air DAC, the ZEN Air Blue’s analogue circuitry has been simplified compared to its mainline ZEN equivalent, but a symmetrical channel layout and low-impedance power supply rails are retained.
Features and connectivity
The ZEN Air Blue is Bluetooth v5.1-compliant, ensuring excellent range and stability. Up to eight paired Bluetooth source devices can be stored in memory, making it easy to switch from one to another. The cable outputs have been simplified compared to the ZEN Blue V2, losing the balanced 4.4mm analogue output and optical/coaxial digital outputs, but retaining the gold-plated stereo RCA analogue outputs. At just £99/€99/$99, the ZEN Air Blue is a brilliant way to add wireless streaming to any system, delivering the best-available sound over Bluetooth from every source device – Android or iOS, Windows PC or Mac.
ZEN Air CAN
Analogue headphone amp – RRP £99/€99/$99
The all-analogue ZEN CAN has been much praised for delivering features usually reserved for high-end headphone amps at many times the price. The ability to drive tough headphone loads, the balanced circuit design, the vanishingly low levels of distortion and versatile sonic tailoring options to optimise performance are all highly unusual in a desktop-size headphone amp costing less than £200. At just £99/€99/$99,the ZEN Air CAN offers even more astonishing value for money –its circuitry and facilities have been simplified, but the quality of what has been retained is remarkable. Like the ZEN CAN, it has no digital input of any kind; it connects to any audio source with an analogue output, such as the headphone output from a DAP (Digital Audio Player), a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone, or the RCA outputs from, say, a CD player, or a phono stage like the ZEN Air Phono. It could also be paired with the ZEN Air Blue to add Bluetooth reception, or perhaps combined with the ZEN Air DAC to upgrade the DAC’s headphone amp stage.
Tech highlights
Whilst the fully balanced circuit topology of the ZEN CAN has been simplified to make its Air equivalent, it retains the use of discrete, high-grade components and a separate, symmetrical layout between channels – an exceptional level of design at such an eminently affordable price point. Though not quite boasting the output level of the mainline ZEN CAN, there’s still ample power on tap to drive all manner of headphones with ease – 1200mW into a 32-ohm load – coupled with ultra-low distortion to deliver impressive musical texture and detail.iFi’s quad-amp circuitry features custom OVA-series FET op-amps using a ‘folded cascode’ design, with specialised feedback circuitry to optimise performance. The input stage features automatic gain matching between inputs and feeds a TOCOS precision potentiometer, while the discrete, complementary bipolar output stage utilises the same Class A buffer found in more expensive iFi headphone amps. The power supply circuitry includes ‘stealth mode’ voltage conversion, with linear regulation, noise filtering, physical isolation from sensitive audio circuits and more than 4,000uF capacitance to keep ample power in reserve to respond to musical transients. Alloy shielding within the thermoplastic polymer outer case protects sensitive signal paths from interference. Even the way the ZEN Air CAN switches between settings has been engineered to ensure sonic transparency –FET-based switching is handled by a microcontroller, which only ‘wakes up’ when the user changes a setting, thus eradicating any sonically deleterious interference. All this painstaking attention to detail would be impressive in a high-end headphone amp; that fact that iFi has succeeded in implementing such high-quality circuitry in one retailing at just £99/€99/$99 is nothing short of remarkable.
Features and connectivity
Just as remarkable is the retention of so much of the ZEN CAN’s highly impressive feature set. XBass+, iFi’s sophisticated bass enhancer, and XSpace, which widens the soundstage to compensate for ‘in-head localisation’ effects, are both present. Gain adjustment to precisely suit the connected headphones is also provided, with three steps – 0dB, 9dB and 18dB –in place of the ZEN CAN’s four steps. The ZEN CAN’s dual headphone outputs – 6.3mm and 4.4mm – are also repeated here, although the 4.4mm output is not fully balanced as it is on the ZEN CAN. Instead, it benefits from iFi’s S-Balanced circuit design, which cuts noise and crosstalk by 50 per cent with single-ended headphone connections. Similarly, the ZEN Air CAN sports three analogue inputs, the same number as the mainline ZEN CAN – but here, the 4.4mm balanced input is swapped for an extra pair of single-ended RCA sockets, providing two stereo RCA inputs and one 3.5mm S-Balanced socket in total.
ZEN Air Phono
MM/MC phono stage – RRP £99/€99/$99
The fourth model in iFi’s ZEN Air Series is a phono stage that’s ideal for those who love vinyl records –perhaps returning to the format, as many have done in recent years, or discovering the joy of vinyl for the first time. Not everyone has the funds to invest in a high-end turntable; but that’s fine, because an entry-level deck from the likes of Pro-ject or Rega can deliver fabulous sound – especially when paired with a good phono stage, to make the most of all the detail the needle digs from a record’s grooves. That’s where the ZEN Air Phono comes in – not only does it offer excellent performance with both MM and MC cartridges, it also delivers an ultra-low noise performance that’s measurably and audibly the cleanest and clearest at its price point –just like its big brother, the award-winning ZEN Phono. This ensures that the listener hears every drop of detail against a super-quiet background.
Tech highlights
Like other ZEN Air devices, the ZEN Air Phono simplifies the fully balanced circuit design of its mainline ZEN equivalent but still retains a symmetrical channel layout with high-quality surface-mounted components offering low ESL (Equivalent Series Resistance), high stability and low distortion. This pays dividends in terms of sound quality and the accuracy of RIAA equalisation. In common with many iFi devices, a custom OV Series op-amp is used –in this case, the OVA2637A –further contributing to the price-busting sonic performance thanks to its ultra-low distortion characteristics (THD <0.0001%). The finest high-end phono stages have their own high-quality power supplies, effectively ‘regenerating’ electricity drawn from the mains to amplify the delicate audio signal from the cartridge without adding noise. Like the ZEN Phono, the ZEN Air Phono achieves this aim but not in a conventional way;its power supply has an oscillation frequency of 1.2MHz, at least 20,000 times that of mains electricity. In this circuit, a filtering capacitor with a 10uF rating is equivalent to 200,000uF at lower, audible frequencies, delivering superb filtering power. The power supply circuitry is located on its own ‘island’ on the circuit board to ensure there is no contamination of the audio signal –just super-clean +/-15V DC.
Features and connectivity
Another rarity at this price level is a subsonic filter, engaged via a front-panel button to tackle the large subsonic signal output caused by warped records. A feature of all iFi phono stages, this proprietary circuit ‘intelligently’ filters out the unwanted subsonic output without affecting any deep bass on the recording –an undesirable side effect of some warp filters. Connectivity is kept simple: gold-plated stereo RCA sockets in and out, without the 4.4mm balanced output option of the mainline ZEN Phono. A grounding terminal is also provided; attach a turntable’s grounding wire to this to eliminate audible hum. The ZEN Phono’s four gain settings to suit different cartridge types are replaced by a simple MM/MC switch (40dB/64dB gain). The ZEN Air Phono’s high-gain MC circuit still delivers a remarkable signal-to-noise-ratio of -82dB –no other phono stage at the price comes close.
Website –https://ifi-audio.com/
FAQs
Is iFi Zen can worth it? ›
I own both units, and my answer is a resounding yes. I compared the balanced headphone out on both units with headphones and IEMs. Even with IEMs, there are significant improvements in terms of soundstage, precision, resolution, separation, and bass control with the ZEN CAN versus the ZEN DAC.
How good is the iFi Zen DAC? ›Quality. The iFi Zen DAC is a diminutive but surprisingly weighty desktop companion but the winner here is the rearward illuminated volume knob that is so smooth it belongs on a high-end 10k preamplifier. The illumination behind the volume shows the sample rate of the track being processed and it is a thing of beauty.
How much is iFi Audio Zen Air DAC? ›For $99, the iFI ZEN Air DAC provides a notable increase in audio quality from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Can I use iFi Zen can without a DAC? ›Because the ZEN CAN is a standalone amp, you'll either need a separate DAC, or a source that has a built in DAC. Luckily, most common sources – like phones and laptops, have built in DACs, so if you don't have a DAC, you can connect to it directly from the headphone jack on any number of devices.
Is iFi a Chinese company? ›"It's a known fact that AMR/iFi are a British company. It's also true that our Pro iDSD and every other iFi/AMR product are made in China where we're fortunate to own our own factory. Our circuit boards, chassis, software design, manufacturing/production are all handled in-house and divided between the UK and China.
Which is the most accurate DAC? ›The Best Overall DAC:
High-quality audio is a fickle thing. There are so many factors that play a role in how we hear our music, but like clockwork, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M gets it right every single time.
- Best Overall DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS.
- Best High-End DAC: Chord Electronics Hugo 2.
- Best Budget DAC Under $200: Schiit Modi 3+
- The Perfect Portable DAC: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt.
- Best DAC/Amp Combo: Chord Electronics Mojo.
So, the difference between standard and hi-res audio quality can often go unnoticed. As such, most manufacturers don't prioritize installing high-quality DAC chips in their devices. The downside is that those who want better audio quality are left with poorly designed DACs.
Will a DAC improve my sound? ›Despite making your music sound better, one of the key improvements a DAC will make may be less obvious at first. A high-quality DAC will help you achieve a cleaner sonic background, improving the overall soundstage of your listening setup and creating a wider, deeper listening scape.
Is a high quality DAC worth it? ›Unless your audio is suffering from jittering or hissing, a DAC isn't going to do much for you. It's generally better to invest the extra money you'd otherwise spend on a DAC into getting better headphones.
Is a DAC worth it for Spotify? ›
Generally, a DAC is not needed for Spotify but can improve the experience for some. Since Spotify does not have music with high bitrates, you don't need a DAC that will process high amounts of information.
Is iFi Zen DAC truly balanced? ›Zen Dac brings balance
With super-low noise performance, it will remain quiet even in noisy situations such as yachts or RVs. The ZEN DAC sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs at both the front and back. On the front, there's also the popular 6.3mm headphone socket. You get both headphone options.
Yeah, unless you care about the electricity being used, should be no real problems.
Do I need an amp if I have a DAC? ›DO I NEED A DAC/AMP? Yes, you absolutely need both! But chances are pretty high that the DAC and Amp in your phone or PC are totally fine. All consumer headphones are designed to be used with portable devices and desktop computers.
Can I use a DAC with my phone? ›Digital with USB-C Port: Many modern Android devices will connect to your DAC with a USB-C to USB-B cable, but many may need to be run through an external powered USB hub, because they cannot supply enough power to run the DAC.
What does iFi stand for? ›In many parts of the world, international financial institutions (IFIs) play a major role in the social and economic development programs of nations with developing or transitional economies.
Who owns iFi? ›iFi Audio is a subsidiary of AMR that manufactures high-end audio products: amplifiers, Active Buffer/Preamplifiers, DACs and USB filters.
Is iFi an American company? ›You are the heartbeat of our business.
It's why we oversee the design, development and manufacture of more than 50 products from our headquarters in Southport, UK. It's why we source parts from across the globe including Germany, USA and Japan.
Disadvantages:-
Hard to keep track of data:- As the DAC system is not centralized, the only way administration can monitor data flow is by going through ACL. Thich is only convenient in the case of a small organization where employees are fewer.
(2022): Best Value Home Audio DAC: iFi ZEN One Signature ($349) Best All-Around Budget Home Audio DAC: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M ($499) Best Sounding Pure Dac For Audiophiles On A Budget: DENAFRIPS ARES II R2R DAC ($850)
Is 32-bit DAC better than 24-bit? ›
24-bit audio recordings can capture a dynamic range of up to 144.5 dB. Meanwhile, 32-bit float audio can capture the absolutely ludicrous range of up to 1,528 dB. That's not only massively beyond the scope of 24-bit audio, but it's beyond the scale of what even counts as a sound on Earth.
Do I need a preamp if I have a DAC? ›As we have said numerous times, a DAC's primary goal is to convert a digital signal to an audio signal. If your DAC is able to output a loud enough audio signal, then yes, it can be fed directly into the amp or speakers. There would be no need for a preamp.
Can you plug a DAC directly into an amp? ›Can I connect a DAC to a preamp or integrated amp? Yes, you can.
Should my DAC be max volume? ›It depends on how good the volume control on your preamp or integrated amp is. Basically you want to set the volume of the less accurate preamp as high as possible (90% of maximum for example) and use the better preamp to make the fine adjustment. If both are equally good, set both to around 0db (mid-point).
Is a DAC better than a sound card? ›If you highly value sound quality, a DAC is an excellent choice, but it requires an amplifier connection to generate sound. Since they can be installed inside and have built-in amps, sound cards are space-saving, but they also tend to pick up a significant amount of noise that degrades the sound quality.
What makes a bigger difference amp or DAC? ›Seems it's the consensus that aside from the headphone choice, the AMP will make the most difference to the sound signature. Amps are more likely to make an audible difference than most DACs, but that certainly doesn't mean there are audible differences between most amps.
What is the most expensive DAC? ›The MSB Select DAC II costs just shy of $90,000, adding an extra $37,950 for the Select headphone amp, the cost is astronomical, especially considering the other things one could buy with this kind of dough, yet Vlad Savov, writer for the Verge and one individual who has experienced this audio masterpiece can vouch for ...
How long does it take for a DAC to break in? ›After 8 hours, the harshness was reduced, and after 24 hours, it was completely gone. The DAC had a much smoother overall sound.
Is Spotify audiophile quality? ›What is Spotify HiFi? First announced back in February 2021, Spotify HiFi was described as a way for Spotify Premium users to “upgrade their sound quality” to a “CD-quality, lossless audio format.” Typically, “CD-quality” means streaming audio encoded with 16-bit depth and a 44.1kHz sampling rate.
Does DAC support Dolby Atmos? ›A DAC3202 converts the digital audio stream to analog audio (up to 32 outputs) for connection to amplifiers. A Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor CP850 together with a single DAC3202 can support up to 48 speaker feeds (using the 16 analog outputs on the CP850).
What is the best digital audio quality? ›
A lossless audio file format is the best format for sound quality. These include FLAC, WAV, or AIFF. These types of files are considered “hi-res” because they are better or equal to CD-quality. The tradeoff is that these files will be very large.
What DB is best for Spotify? ›Target the loudness level of your master at -14dB integrated LUFS and keep it below -1dB TP (True Peak) max. This is best for lossy formats (Ogg/Vorbis and AAC) and makes sure no extra distortion's introduced in the transcoding process.
Why use a DAC with iPhone? ›Of course, we'll be the first to admit that connecting external kit to your iPhone 13 isn't the most elegant solution, but if you want to hear the full original resolution of your hi-res files through your iPhone above and beyond 24-bit/48kHz, using an external DAC with your iPhone really is the only way to go.
What bitrate is Spotify very high quality? ›Spotify Premium supports the compressed, lossy Ogg Vorbis audio format and streams at 320kbps when at the Very High setting. Other settings are Low (24kbps), Normal (96kbps), High (160kbps), and Automatic (adjusts depending on network connection).
Is Balanced amp better? ›The Balanced option will offer more power and control of the headphones in comparison to the single-ended output. A true Balanced amplifier will be balanced from input all the way through to the output. Opamp splitters are often used to convert the input and output from single ended to balanced.
Is ZEN DAC also an amp? ›The iFi Zen DAC V2 is a portable USB headphone amp and digital audio converter built to accommodate a wide variety of headphones and in-ear monitors, delivering high-fidelity PCM, DSD, and DXD audio.
Can I use ZEN DAC for speakers? ›Considering outputs, Zen Blue offers 4.4mm balanced linear, RCA, coaxial and optical, so it easily connects to anything that may come to mind, such as active speakers and studio monitors, integrated amplifiers, and the like.
How long does a DAC last? ›How long does information stay on my DAC report? A DAC report will typically keep information on it for 10 years. However, after 7 years, things like accidents, work record, and eligibility for rehire will be removed, leaving only the dates of employment and what type of experience you had.
Should I turn off my amp when not in use? ›But a purely electronic piece like a power amp or preamp are better left powered on at all times – with but few exceptions. So, keep the lights on with your equipment – it helps everything live longer and sound better.
Can DAC sink current? ›Note that current-output DACs are generally designed to source, not sink, current; however, if current sinking is required, there are available channels that can do this (along with additional restrictions that must be observed).
How much does a DAC affect sound quality? ›
Objectively speaking, DACs don't impact the sound coming out from the speakers/headphones that much. It's just a device that makes an electrical signal.
Should I control volume on DAC or amp? ›Which method provides the best sound quality? Every step in the signal processing chain introduces a certain amount of noise irrespective of volume. Therefore, it's better to do volume control on the last step (usually the amplifier), in order to minimize amplification of noise.
What does DAC stand for audio? ›A DAC, or digital to analogue converter, is the device that translates digitally stored information from a laptop, iPod or other such device into the analogue sound that we can hear. Why does a signal need to be converted at all?
Which smartphones have DAC? ›| 3.5mm-equipped phone (or DAC) | Similar to§ (if any), and notes | High end* |
|---|---|---|
| Moto G8 Plus (2019) | Similar to G8 | 8 |
| Apple iPhone SE (2016) | Similar to iPhone 6, 6s, 6s Plus, the last iPhones with a 3.5mm jack | 8 |
| Sony Xperia 5 ii (2020) | Similar to Xperia 1 ii. Maxes out at "24-bit/192kHz". | 10 |
The Samsung AKG USB-C Headphones have something that drives the device to push the audio: A Digital-to-Analog Converter, also known as DAC.
Does Apple have DAC? ›Compatible Mac computers feature a high-quality, built-in hardware DAC that can convert up to 96 kHz digital audio to analog audio. You can connect analog devices like headphones or speakers directly to the headphone jack on your Mac and monitor your audio at full resolution without needing an external DAC.
What is the difference between iFi audio Zen can and DAC? ›The main difference between the Signature Zen DAC and the regular Zen DAC - apart from the headphone amplifier - is iFi's use of premium components found in their higher end products. Specs: Supported formats: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 384 kHz, PCM. 2.8 / 3.1 / 5.6 / 6.2 / 11.2 / 12.4 mHz, DSD.
Is Zen can Class A? ›The iFi Zen Can is a super-affordable Class A desktop headphone amplifier. It has the discrete balanced circuitry from iFi audio's US$1,699 flagship Pro iCAN.
Are portable DACs worth it? ›In most cases, the answer is no.
Unless your audio is suffering from jittering or hissing, a DAC isn't going to do much for you. It's generally better to invest the extra money you'd otherwise spend on a DAC into getting better headphones.
Much like you would choose a premium pair of bookshelf speakers for your two channel system, selecting a high-quality external DAC will greatly improve your sound and overall listening experience.
What are the 2 drawbacks of DAC? ›
- Voltage levels must be exactly the same for all inputs in Weighted Resistors DAC. ...
- Binary weighted Resistor circuit that require Op-Amps are expensive.
- Power dissipation of Binary weighted Resistors Circuit is very high.
The Zen Can has a warm-neutral sound overall. It's pretty transparent to the source in fact and won't color the music in any destructive manner. The treble is a bit less clinical than certain THX amps but that's about it (can be a good thing if you don't like treble glare).
Does Zen can heat? ›All the Zen Can's inputs and outputs are gold plated, too – a nice premium touch. Though Class A circuitry often produces a lot of heat, the iFi Zen Can only runs slightly warm – it never gets hot, even when we keep it running overnight.
What is the difference between iFi Zen can and liquid spark? ›Tonality. The Liquid Spark is a great little headphone amplifier and has a neutral, warm, non-harsh sound quality similar to the ZEN CAN. These amps are both warm sounding and warm running but the Liquid Spark needs more power from the outlet compared to the ZEN CAN.
What is the loudest DAC? ›Onyx is easily the most powerful and loudest dongle dac/amp I've ever used and remains a thoroughly portable audio device with sound quality comparable to any portable system I've heard.
Will a DAC make the music louder? ›Low Headphone Volume
Devices with poor amplifiers do not have enough power to produce high audio level, resulting in low volume. One method of increasing the overall volume of your music is by using an external DAC, as many are built with amplifiers.
If you want a way to improve the sound quality and power of your audio equipment, you should get an amp/DAC. Unless you have really low quality headphones or speakers. In most cases, an amp should be your first purchase. If you don't have an amp, you will not be able to use a DAC, unless it has an amp built into it.