iFi Audio, a renowned manufacturer of high-value audio equipment, today announced the launch of its iFi ZEN DAC 3. Building upon the success of its predecessors (which are always on our “best of” lists), the Zen DAC 3 brings a refreshed design and upgraded features to elevate audio experiences for gamers, casual listeners, and audiophiles.
This new ZEN DAC seems to be a light refresh based on a few basic improvements like DC offset and a new USB-C input with overvoltage protection, ensuring stable and reliable performance. The new external design provides a more premium look than previous models, incorporating brass trim and textured metal.
Versatile Connectivity & High-Resolution Audio
If you’re not aware, the iFi Zen DAC 3 is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amp designed to improve the sound quality of digital audio sources. It offers fixed and variable output for possible preamp use, allowing seamless connection to headphones, amplifiers, or active speakers. The device also boasts two 4.4mm balanced outputs (headphone and line) for minimized distortion and noise.
The ZEN DAC 3 supports ultra-high-resolution audio formats, including PCM 768kHz, DSD 512, and full MQA decoding, promising faithful reproduction of every musical nuance.
Customizable Sound
In addition, the Zen DAC 3 empowers users to tailor their listening experience with features like XBass+ and PowerMatch analog processing modes. These tools allow you to customize the sound signature and match your gain to various headphones.
Pricing and Availability
The iFi ZEN DAC 3 is available today from the official iFi website and select retailers. It has a retail price of $229.
Specs
| Input | USB Type-C |
| Formats | PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) DSD (512/256/128/64) DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz) MQA (Decoder) |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| Line Output Section | |
| Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | 2V / 6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed |
| Single-Ended RCA | 1V / 3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed |
| Output Impedance | Balanced 4.4mm ≤200Ω; Single-Ended RCA ≤100Ω |
| SNR | ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS |
| DNR | ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | Balanced 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS; Single-Ended RCA <0.003% @ 0dBFS |
| Headphone Output Section | |
| Max.^ Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω |
| Single-Ended 6.35mm | >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω |
| RMS Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | >390mW @ 64Ω |
| Single-Ended 6.35mm | >210mW @ 32Ω |
| Output impedance | ≤1Ω |
| SNR | ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) |
| DNR | ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) |
| THD+N | Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω); Single-Ended 6.35mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω) |
| General | |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB) |
| Power supply requirement | USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (centre +ve) |
| Power consumption | No Signal ~0.5W; Max Signal ~2.5W |
| Dimensions | 158 x 115 x 35mm (6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”) |
| Net weight | 456g (1.0 lbs) |
| Limited Warranty | 12 months* |
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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