Ifi Audio Zen Dac 3

The ZEN DAC 3 serves as your gateway to the world of high-resolution music, offering support for sample rates of up to 768kHz. This future-proof feature ensures full compatibility with all music formats available on streaming platforms, bringing you the best in sound quality.

Equipped with a built-in headphone amplifier and the versatility to function both as a DAC and a DAC/Pre, this all-encompassing device is the only piece of equipment you’ll need on your desk. It seamlessly connects to headphones, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, or active speakers, offering a comprehensive audio solution for home and office.

Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art with True Native® playback. It handles PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD.

Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form right through to analogue conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands – even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.

 

The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB* digital input.

This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.

iFi’s in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

 

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.

At iFi we use Burr Brown extensively in our products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Our experience with this IC means we know how to make the most of it.

 

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is supported through the USB with full decoding of MQA files up to 384kHz thanks to the processing power of the new 16-core XMOS chip.

Check out how to set up your MQA decoder via Tidal, Roon and Audirvana.

This means that the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to only the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’.

Globally, MQA has become an important consideration for any comprehensively equipped DAC. It is available through for Tidal Masters, Audirvana and Roon.

 

It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound.

You normally find this set-up in products at the higher end of the price spectrum such as the Pro iCAN Signature but iFi is now using this across its range to produce the best quality audio for all our customers.

 

Sonically superior – richer, deeper.

The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response.

 

Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer.

The low-jitter crystal clock has been updated to provide >20dB better performance.

Specifications

Connectivity

• Digital Input: USB-C
• Analog Output: 4.4mm BAL | RCA
• Headphone Output: 4.4mm BAL | 6.3mm SE

General

• Hi-Res: 768kHz PCM | DSD512 (22.6MHz) | full MQA decoding
• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB)
• Power Supply Req: USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (center +ve)
• Power Consumption: No Signal ~0.5W | Max Signal ~2.5W
• Dimensions: 6.2″ x 4.6″ x 1.4″

Line Section

• Output Power:
  4.4mm BAL: 2V/6.2V max. (variable) | 4.2V fixed
  RCA UnBAL: 1V/3.3V max. (variable) | 2.1V fixed
• Output Impedance: 4.4mm BAL ≤200Ω | RCA UnBAL ≤100Ω
• SNR / DNR: ≥113dB @ 0dBFS
• THD+N: 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS | RCA <0.003% @ 0dBFS

Headphone Section

• Max Output:
  4.4mm BAL: >70 mW @ 600Ω | >300mW @ 32Ω
  6.3mm SE: >18mW @ 600Ω | >210mW @ 32Ω
• RMS Output:
  4.4mm BAL: >390mW @ 64Ω
  6.3mm SE: >210mW @ 32Ω
• Output Impedance: ≤1Ω
• SNR/DNR: ≥109dB @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm | 3.3V 6.3mm)
• THD+N: 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600Ω) | 6.3mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω)

In the box

• ZEN DAC 3
• RCA Cable
• 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
• Zen DAC 3 Quick Start Guide
• Instruction Card