Desktop USB-C DAC with built-in headphone amplifier
The iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 is the third generation of iFi's multi-award-winning desktop DAC: a USB converter with headphone amplifier that brings hi-fi quality to headphones and active speakers in a simple format, with no drivers to install. Compared with the previous model it doubles the supported resolution, up to 768 kHz and DSD512, and adopts a USB-C port.
It connects to computers, smartphones and tablets, and is also compatible with Sony PS5 and Nintendo Switch consoles. The ZEN 3 series chassis measures 158 x 115 x 35 mm and weighs 456 g.
Burr-Brown True Native conversion: PCM 768 kHz, DSD512 and MQA
The four-channel Burr-Brown DAC chip works in True Native mode: PCM and DSD take separate paths, so DSD too stays bit-perfect in its original format right up to analogue conversion. It supports PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD up to DSD512, single and double speed DXD and MQA decoding.
The stated frequency response runs from 5 Hz to 90 kHz (±3 dB), with a dynamic range of at least 113 dB(A) on the line section and at least 109 dB(A) on the headphone section.
390 mW headphone amplifier with XBass+ and PowerMatch
The headphone section delivers over 390 mW into 64 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output and over 210 mW into 32 Ω from the 6.35 mm single-ended output. PowerMatch switches gain for harder-to-drive headphones, while XBass+, the latest version of iFi's analogue equalisation, reinforces the bass of earphones and open-back headphones.
Anyone needing even more power can pair it with the ZEN CAN, connected with a 4.4 mm balanced cable, to build a stacked ZEN system.
Balanced outputs, fixed or variable line level, USB-C power
There are two balanced 4.4 mm outputs, one for headphones on the front and one line output on the back, next to the RCA sockets. A switch selects between variable output, to adjust volume with the knob when active speakers are connected directly, and fixed output, for an amplifier or a receiver.
The ZEN DAC 3 is powered from the USB-C port, which is protected against overvoltage, or from a separate 5 V input that accepts a low-noise power supply such as the iPower2. Consumption ranges from about 0.5 W with no signal to about 2.5 W. An RCA cable and a 3.5 to 6.35 mm adapter are supplied.
