Product Information
With its premium quality Digital to Analogue Convertor, headphone output and more, the iFi ZEN DAC 3 makes an incredibly cost effective upgrade for your entire system.
Four times a winner
The iFi ZEN DAC has won What Hi-Fi’s prestigious, ‘Best DAC Under £200’ award for the past four years. Constantly evolved, this award-winner is now in its third generation. Upgraded to studio-grade 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 Hi-Res music file support, there’s the potential for even purer, more lifelike sound. A USB-C connects with the latest devices and you can upgrade the power supply, with the optional iFi iPower2.
Supercharge your digital sound*
Whether you have a PC or Mac, laptop, tablet, Chromebook or smartphone, listening to music while you surf, work or game is a constant pleasure. What’s less good is the sound quality – even if you’re using a pair of good quality headphones, the sound output is usually left wanting. The ZEN DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) 3 massively improves the sound by bypassing your computer’s soundcard/DAC and headphone output and replacing them with bespoke, audiophile grade components.
*Digital signal and power input share USB-C connection. Requires optional 5v power supply (iPower2) if music source has insufficient power via USB-C.
Hear your Hi-Res music at its best
Pairing a bit-perfect, Burr Brown True Native DAC with a super-fast XMOS 16-core processor means that the ZEN DAC 3 not only decodes a wide range of formats but also sounds as true to the original sound as possible. Hi-Res music files are now supported up to DSD512 and 32-bit PCM files up to 768kHz, letting you hear the music, just as the producers intended.
Balanced, ultra-low jitter circuit for the smoothest sound
Making the most of the top quality DAC, the other internal electronics offer the highest quality sound – just as you’d find in quality hi-fi. The balanced circuit layout reduces noise and crosstalk for a cleaner sound. Extensive jitter-eradication technologies, including a GMO (Global Master Timing) precision clock and intelligent memory buffer ensure the smoothest and least distorted sound possible.
Maximises your headphones’ potential
With its dedicated output, the Zen DAC 3 provides your headphones with a dynamic, punchy sound. You can choose between balanced and unbalanced outputs, giving the chance for higher spec headphones with balanced inputs to really shine.
Output the sound to your hi-fi or active speaker
It’s not just headphones that benefit from this compact powerhouse DAC. Featuring RCA phono outputs, you can connect up to the AUX input on your hi-fi or speaker system, too. If your hi-fi has a balanced input, why not take advantage of the second, 4.4mm balanced output at the rear of the unit. Either way, simply switch the output to ‘fixed’ and you’re good to go with an instant system upgrade.
Boost the bass
For times when you need a deeper, richer sound, simply switch on XBass. This analogue bass correction system works well with bass-light headphones - subtly boosting the bass without sounding overblown or colouring the rest of the sound.
The next upgrade in sound
Enjoy an upgrade in sound by using the optional (at additional cost) iPower2 power supply. This frees up the USB-C connection for purely the digital input, while also improving the quality of the power supply. Featuring Active Noise Cancellation technology, the power supply is highly effective at removing low and mid-frequency mains noise while the passive filters deal with higher frequency interference. What this means is much cleaner power, for purer, less distorted sound.
Hear your digital music files at a new level of clarity, with the iFi ZEN DAC 3.
Specifications
Reviews
Four times a winner
The iFi ZEN DAC has won What Hi-Fi’s prestigious, ‘Best DAC Under £200’ award for the past four years. Constantly evolved, this award-winner is now in its third generation. Upgraded to studio-grade 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 Hi-Res music file support, there’s the potential for even purer, more lifelike sound. A USB-C connects with the latest devices and you can upgrade the power supply, with the optional iFi iPower2.
Supercharge your digital sound*
Whether you have a PC or Mac, laptop, tablet, Chromebook or smartphone, listening to music while you surf, work or game is a constant pleasure. What’s less good is the sound quality – even if you’re using a pair of good quality headphones, the sound output is usually left wanting. The ZEN DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) 3 massively improves the sound by bypassing your computer’s soundcard/DAC and headphone output and replacing them with bespoke, audiophile grade components.
*Digital signal and power input share USB-C connection. Requires optional 5v power supply (iPower2) if music source has insufficient power via USB-C.
Hear your Hi-Res music at its best
Pairing a bit-perfect, Burr Brown True Native DAC with a super-fast XMOS 16-core processor means that the ZEN DAC 3 not only decodes a wide range of formats but also sounds as true to the original sound as possible. Hi-Res music files are now supported up to DSD512 and 32-bit PCM files up to 768kHz, letting you hear the music, just as the producers intended.
Balanced, ultra-low jitter circuit for the smoothest sound
Making the most of the top quality DAC, the other internal electronics offer the highest quality sound – just as you’d find in quality hi-fi. The balanced circuit layout reduces noise and crosstalk for a cleaner sound. Extensive jitter-eradication technologies, including a GMO (Global Master Timing) precision clock and intelligent memory buffer ensure the smoothest and least distorted sound possible.
Maximises your headphones’ potential
With its dedicated output, the Zen DAC 3 provides your headphones with a dynamic, punchy sound. You can choose between balanced and unbalanced outputs, giving the chance for higher spec headphones with balanced inputs to really shine.
Output the sound to your hi-fi or active speaker
It’s not just headphones that benefit from this compact powerhouse DAC. Featuring RCA phono outputs, you can connect up to the AUX input on your hi-fi or speaker system, too. If your hi-fi has a balanced input, why not take advantage of the second, 4.4mm balanced output at the rear of the unit. Either way, simply switch the output to ‘fixed’ and you’re good to go with an instant system upgrade.
Boost the bass
For times when you need a deeper, richer sound, simply switch on XBass. This analogue bass correction system works well with bass-light headphones - subtly boosting the bass without sounding overblown or colouring the rest of the sound.
The next upgrade in sound
Enjoy an upgrade in sound by using the optional (at additional cost) iPower2 power supply. This frees up the USB-C connection for purely the digital input, while also improving the quality of the power supply. Featuring Active Noise Cancellation technology, the power supply is highly effective at removing low and mid-frequency mains noise while the passive filters deal with higher frequency interference. What this means is much cleaner power, for purer, less distorted sound.
Hear your digital music files at a new level of clarity, with the iFi ZEN DAC 3.
