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TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - iFi Audio Zen DAC 3
The Zen DAC v3 has been loaned to me by iFi Audio for me to try it out and to share my opinions in this review. As usual with iFi, they have not made any requests and I will do my very best to be unbiased in my review.
You can find the official page for the Zen DAC v3 here: https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3/
As always, this is a non-affiliate link
Intro…
Over the past few years I have reviewed quite a few iFi Audio products, a lot of them from the Zen line, however, although I reviewed the Zen CAN, the Zen Air DAC, the Zen ONE signature, the Zen CAN & DAC Signature, I never did get to try out the Zen DAC. That goes for both the v1 and the v2. Yet, here I am with the Zen DAC v3, the latest version of the Zen DAC series.
The Zen DAC 3 was released a few months ago and I guess the main question is, what does it do that the v2 didn’t?
As I said, I haven’t actually tried the v2, so I can only look at the specs on paper, something that anyone can do and doesn’t need a reviewer to read for them, but the main points that jump out at me are:
- New looks
- Support PCM up to 768kHz (rather than 384kHz on the v2)
- Supports DSD512 (rather than DSD256 on the v2)
- Supports DXD 768 (instead of DXD 384 on the v2)
- Has USB-C input (instead of USB 3.0 B on the v2)
- Has XBass+ (instead of True bass found on the v2)
It also seems to be around 30 to 40 euros more expensive than the v2 (although you can find the v2 for less at the moment, due to it obviously being phased out).
Now, I am not going to be able to go into comparisons in use and sound but I can tell you what I think of the device after spending a couple of weeks with it.
Presentation…
As with all iFi products, the packaging is simple and functional. In the case of the Zen DAC 3, things may be a little more on the simple side than on some of their higher end products but it is still well packaged, well protected and includes all the necessary parts to plug in and enjoy the device.
Inside the box we get the unit, a USB-A to USB-C cable, an RCA to RCA cable, a 6.35mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter, a quick start guide and, of course, the iFi sticker 😉
I have said many times what I think of the iFi packaging, so let's move on to the interesting stuff.
Build and aesthetics…
The Zen DAC 3 brings a refreshing change to the aesthetics of the line, while still maintaining the overall looks that easily identify it as a ZEN product. The build quality is still great and the shape still matches all the other devices from the ZEN line, yet there the colour scheme has been revamped.
The outer case is a dark gunmetal grey, very similar to the Zen DAC 2 (although I don’t have one to compare side by side), but it is the front panel that has received the major change. There is a titanium coloured line that runs across the centre of the panel, surrounding the buttons and ports, with the centre volume knob in a matching colour. The bottom part of the panel, below the line, is of the same dark grey as the shell, whereas the part above the line is a different shade of grey and has sort of a leather style finish to it (although it is plastic).
Of course this is going to please a lot of people and displease others, as with anything related to aesthetics. In my case, I like the look of it and think it makes it look a little more “high end” than the older colour scheme, although it could just be bias as the previous looks had been around for a while and this is something refreshing.
As I said above, the build quality is still very good, with a complete metal body (except for that small part above the line on the front panel) and the buttons feel and respond very well. If I had any complaint, it would be that the volume knob has a sort of “plate” on it rather than being one piece and that makes it not feel quite as comfortable as other single piece knobs, but I am really focusing on a very minor detail here.
Functionality…
As far as functionality, nothing has really changed in comparison to the previous generation. Across the back, we still get the same connection layout. That is to say that, from left to right, we get balanced output (4.4mm), variable/fixed output switch, unbalanced output (RCA), USB connection (USB-C) and external power port (5v).
As with previous models, and most of the iFi DACs, the external power supply is optional, with the unit being powered via the USB port when an external power supply is not connected. As far as I am aware, there is no change in power availability with the external PSU, supplying the same max power of 390mW (balanced at 64 Ohms) according to their specs. Where iFi recommends the PSU is to add cleaner power than with USB power, allowing only data to be transmitted via USB. I don’t have a power supply on hand to see if I notice any difference, so I can’t comment on that, but I use an externally powered USB hub anyway, with a clean power supply, so I don’t usually suffer from any noticeable noise via USB power in my system.
Of course the biggest change here is the swap to USB-C, which is something that is very nice to finally see. It may not bring any performance upgrades but it is certainly a preferable connection method in my opinion and I am sure others will agree.
Moving around to the front, we again have the same layout as on the previous generation, except for the True Bass of v2 being replaced with XBass on V3. This means that, from left to right, we get the Power Match button (basically iFi’s name for gain), the XBass button, the volume knob, a 6.35mm unbalanced output and a 4.4mm balanced output.
Depending on what we set the fixed/variable switch to on the back of the device, the volume knob with either control both the headphone outputs and the line outputs, or just the headphone outputs (with the line outputs being at a fixed level). Plugging in or removing the headphones will mute the line outputs.
The only other thing left to mention is that the top half of the volume knob, or rather the ring surrounding it, has an LED behind it that changes colour depending on the format of the files being played. I already mentioned most of the supported formats in the intro but it also decodes MQA up to 384kHz, if that is something that interests you.
As far as functionality, that is really it. As usual, it is a simple to operate device that you just connect and let it do its job.
Sound…
Let me start off by being transparent about my listening sessions. Usually I would use quite a selection of overear headphones but it is currently 45ºC here (almost 115ºF) and it is just too hot to spend any long listening sessions with them. Therefore, I have used the Hifiman Edition XS and the Koss KPH40, as they are the two sets that live on my desk at work (directly under the air con). The rest of my listening has been done with IEMs, both those that I have been testing out and those that also live in my desk drawer in the office, along with the Dunu Alpha 3 (which have been getting a surprising amount of ear time lately).
As far as power, I am not a loud listener but with the Edition XS, I found that between 40% and 50% on low gain was enough for my usual listening sessions. I can max them out without going deaf on low gain (although way above my preferred levels), with 60% on high gain starting to become uncomfortable. With the Koss, I found I needed slightly less and with the Alpha 3 even less, under 30% is plenty for my usual levels.
As far as channel imbalance, something normal on iFi products due to the analogue volume controls, I have to say that the level was too low to hear the music over the A/C before I could notice any imbalance.
So how does it sound?
It sounds like iFi, which is a good thing, in my opinion of course.
I don’t have the previous models here to compare but listening to the Zen DAC 3, I feel the same that I do with most iFi products, that there is that slight rounded warmth to the sound but without it detracting from the details or sounding dull.
I am actually surprised at how well the Zen DAC 3 drives the Edition XS even when powered by USB. I know that the Edition XS are not exactly hard to drive headphones but some devices do struggle to power planar headphones well, especially when powered by USB. In this case, I didn’t feel that it was the case at all, I found them to perform just how I expect them to and just have that slight hint of warmth which I enjoy with sets like the XS, due to them being very clean and “straight to the point”.
I also found that the pairing with the Koss and the Alpha 3 was very enjoyable. I would have expected them to maybe not pair quite as well (after hearing the XS) as they are already a little warmer in their presentation. However, they did not seem to overdo it at all, they match well with the Zen DAC 3.
With IEMs, I tried a selection, a lot of which I have here pending for review. My usual set up on the desk for IEMs is the Gryphon and I didn’t feel that I was losing anything by using the Zen DAC 3. In fact, I would say that they are very similar in their presentation, maybe just slightly more rounded on the DAC 3.
One thing that I am not overly impressed with on the Zen DAC 3 is the XBass. Actually, that is probably the wrong way to put it, as it is actually very impressive when you turn it on but gets tiring pretty quickly. I don’t usually use the XBass much on the Gryphon or the GoBlu (the 2 iFi devices that I use the most) but I do turn it on now and again when I am in the mood or when a specific track/album asks for it. On the Zen DAC 3, I find the XBass to be much more powerful than on the other two devices and it can be a little too much, at least for me personally.
I haven’t measured the output of the Zen DAC 3 as I haven’t taken it home with me and it is far too hot in the studio at the moment to start measuring things, but just by ear it seems to be overly boomy in comparison to the XBass on other iFi devices. I find it is something that works well for when you are in the “party mood”, much like a DJ boosting the bass when people are in their “prime”, but it does get tiring when just listening to music.
Most of my listening has been done from the unbalanced output as almost all the stuff I had around me was unbalanced. With the unbalanced output I can’t say that I have noticed any noise or background hiss. With the balanced output, I only really used the Edition XS (mainly to test it, as I ran them most of the time unbalanced also), but they showed no sign of noise either.
Conclusion…
I may not have dived quite as deep into the Zen DAC 3 as I have done with other iFi products in the past but the time that I have spent using it has been a very positive experience. I tried it briefly as a DAC only feeding the Asgard 3 that I also have on my desk and the outcome was just as good. In fact, they pair quite nicely.
There are a lot of options around the 200€ mark, many of which are very good and I feel that the Zen DAC v3 (which is around 229€ here in Spain) is one to be considered. If you enjoy the iFi house sound, this has it. If you want something that is well built, this is. If you want something that looks good, well, that is of course subjective but it certainly looks different to all the other options.
For someone who is looking for a nice all-in-one package that can drive “normal” stuff without issue, then the Zen CAN 3 is a very valid option. I would happily live with one on my desk.
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