iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 + ZEN CAN Headphone Amplifier

iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 + ZEN CAN Headphone Amplifier

iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2

Key Features:

- Updated 16 XMOS Chip -
- Supports PCM / DXD to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 and MQA -
- Super Low Noise Performance -
- TrueBass Technology To Enhance Bass -
- Variable and Fix Switch -

NOTE: To power the DAC, use the USB cable provided to put into the headphone amplifier. This ZEN DAC V2 is the same award-winning hi-res USB DAC/headphone amp as before but with added oomph! We’ve upgraded its digital engine from an 8 core XMOS chip to a 16 core chip. It’s ultra-capable while still being super-affordable. Compact enough to use as a USB DAC/amp on your work desk and stylish enough to use at home with your favourite active speakers or amp, it delivers a level of specification and performance that punches above its super-affordable price tag. The ZEN DAC V2 supports PCM and DXD to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 and MQA. DSD remains ‘bit-perfect thanks to the True Native Burr-Brown chip design.

Thanks to the 16 core tech, the ZEN DAC V2 is now an MQA Decoder rather than a Renderer only. This enables you to playback MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.

MQA rendering technology (used in the original ZEN DAC among other iFi products) connects to an MQA Core signal (such as TIDAL) and completes the final unfold of an MQA file. Usually, the computer has carried out the decoding.

A new and improved low jitter, crystal clock means >20dB better performance. The super-low noise performance means the ZEN DAC V2 will remain quiet even in noisy situations such as yachts or RVs. The balanced design for the analogue stage – rare and not found at this price point – makes it pretty special and delivers the best sound quality, normally found in higher priced models. The ZEN DAC V2 sports Pentaconn 4.4mm balanced outputs at both the front and back. On the front, there’s also the popular 6.3mm headphone socket

The iFi Audio ZEN CAN Headphone Amplifier

Key Features

- Generic 5V Power Supply Included -
- Class A discrete output buffer from the flagship Pro iCAN using Op-Amp -
- FET input avoids loading volume control – low distortion/noise -
- SE inputs (1M Ohm) ensures loading of the source so always in Class A operation -
- Output amplifier gain of four steps in +6dB perfect for headphone matching -
- The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response. -

There's always a downside to using headphones on a laptop, computer and smartphones due to the low power output, iFi has gone and designed the perfect workaround for this, the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier. iFi states that this little headphone amplifier dishes out 52x more power to let any phones you're using get to their max potential. Obviously complimentary to this is the fully-balanced circuitry and high-quality components to ensure low distortion and noise even at high volume levels. A neat little feature iFi has added is called XBass, what this does is bring back all those lost frequencies that open-backed headphones leak. It consists of active and passive components and its frequency response curve corrects their low-end response problems with precision.

Who is iFi Audio?

iFi was launched in 2012 and is an award-winning company that creates products to improve sound quality, eradicate noise distortion and hiss from your headphones, speakers, portable audio devices, phones and TVs. A nice little quote from the company themselves state "With our vast catalogue of devices, you can bring the live experience into your home. Or if you prefer your music on-the-go, we deliver every cymbal crash and pluck of a string in clear isolation straight to your ears."

iFi has a very good oversight on the design, development and manufacturing process of over 30 products from their headquarters in Southport, UK.

iFi products and their packaging are made from recyclable materials, including Aluminium, Paper and Recycled plastics. There are no hazardous toxins in their components, and they ensure every product released meets environmental standards.