Today, Louis reviews the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3, a 3rd-gen affordable compact desktop DAC/Amp with up to DSD512 and 390mW of output power. It is priced at $229.
Disclaimer: I received this sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank iFi Audio for their support.
More information about iFi Audio products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics can be found here.
This post adheres to our current scoring guidelines, which you can find here.
Currently, the iFi audio ZEN DAC line of gear has taken the spot as one of the most popular budget pieces of audio gear.
I bet many of you either already have one or have heard one before. It’s a neat, one-box solution that won’t break the bank since it can be had at a modest price.
I just received the latest in the series, the ZEN DAC 3. It has some distinguishable visual cues up front. It also has the recent iFi audio facelift and a couple of interesting feature changes.
Compared to the original ZEN DAC, the new ZEN DAC 3 seems to have received three visible changes on the outside. However, I am more interested in what’s inside and if there’s a gain in performance at hand here, I’m sure you are too.
Features
The one feature that stood out the most to me, comparatively speaking is that the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 now comes with the XBass+ feature instead of TrueBass which was similar to the Xbass+ feature but not as good, in my opinion.
Another change was made at the USB input stage and this time around, iFi Audi decided to modernize and swap out the old, rugged USB type B for a type C.
It seems iFi is going the universal European standard route, but more importantly, USB-C is superior in data transfer so we’re technically getting a faster port.
The third new feature is cosmetic in nature. The new iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 received the two-tone front panel update to match the series 3 component line. It doesn’t perfectly match with most of their other components, but the general design still pairs well.
What else has changed? All the other features remained the same as before on the outside so we’ll have to look on the inside for that information.
DAC
Continuing the above conversation, that change is not in this section because the electronic components remained the same as far as I can see from the last ZEN DAC. I do see some rearrangements of components.
The DAC section still uses iFi’s custom Burr-Brown chips from Texas Instruments. This DAC chip is custom-ordered by iFi and is then further customized by iFi audio with custom firmware.
It seems the Burr-Brown DAC is fed by an XMOS 16-core and it seems to be the XU216 but don’t quote me on it. However, capabilities have increased as far as decoding and handling digital files and that’s why I make that assumption.
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 seems to use the latest 2000MIPS XMOS with a 512KB internal memory bank and uses an up-to-date SuperSpeed USB standard.
I do suggest downloading iFi’s latest driver from their website which will open up lots of internal adjustable settings like bit-rate selection, buffer settings, and other internal DAC settings.
Decoding
Here, the iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 received a small tick upward in capability and can now handle PCM at up to 768kHz, bit-perfect DSD at up to DSD512, DXD at up to DXD768, and MQA rendering at the hardware level.
There’s also mention within iFi’s website that the ZEN DAC 3 is also compatible with many modern-day game consoles like Sony’s PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch but I couldn’t confirm that since I’m a PC gamer and don’t own any of those consoles.
Amplification
The amplification seems to be similar to what the other ZEN DACs had. Power output remained the same, at 390mW off the 4.4mm port but the single-ended side lost 20mW and is now rated at 210mW compared to 230mW off the 6.35 tap.
One interesting aspect of the ZEN DAC’s amplification section is within the specifications. iFi audio posts the same 0.0005% distortion levels but this time they measured at 2 volts and 600Ω instead of at 125mV and 64Ω.
The ZEN DAC 3 uses a downscaled version of the ZEN CAN 3’s power output section that uses two of their custom OV series Opamps, also known as their Operationsverstarker Opamp components.
It supplies enough power for most headphones but will struggle with a handful of hard-to-drive variants. Efficient headphones and IEMs are best suited.
The ZEN DAC 3 does have iFi audio’s balanced topology on both input and output circuits. Dual-mono circuitry is more common nowadays and is a proven way of improving crosstalk. But just 10 years ago dual-mono was reserved for exotic components.
Design
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 has finally received a facelift. I remember the ZEN CAN receiving one and the unit’s color scheme went from a silver front panel to an all-blue color scheme, but the previous ZEN DAC versions did not get such treatment.
The iFi audio ZEN DAC 3 received the series 3 two-tone front panel design. The rounded trapezoid-shaped shell remains. It’s a seamless metal shell. The rear panel is also metal and color-coded. That covers the outside.
What intrigues me the most are the few tweaks in internal components and structure. If you look closely, the volume knob uses a separate circuitry board as implemented in version 2, but this time the power match and Xbass+ buttons are also mounted on a separate board.
I/O
To further collaborate on all the changes, the 4.4mm IO ports seem to be beefed up ports with iFi branding now. I did get a crunchy feeling 4.4mm front port on my first ZEN DAC but these new ports seem rock solid and smooth on insertion.
The I/O remained similar except for the USB-C input port. The rear IO includes two line-output ports. One is a 4.4mm balanced port and the other is a set of RCA ports that can be used in either variable or fixed output. This feature is selectable via a rear-mounted switch.
The rest of the rear I/O consists of the already mentioned USB-C port along with a 5.5mm 5v jack ready to receive external power. Speaking of external power, the ZEN DAC 3 can run off just the USB input alone but I suggest obtaining a power adapter.
The unit remains on while there’s a USB signal present since there’s no power switch but if you have the USB connected to your PC, for example, the unit shuts down with the PC.
Controls
At the center lies a large analog volume knob that still does present some initial channel imbalance at the beginning of the volume. It seems iFi improved that implementation a smudge but it’s still there.
On the left side, you’ll find a two-position Power Match feature alongside the Xbass+ selector. Each feature has its LED indicator right below each button. So does the volume knob but it indicates bitrate and format.
On the right side, you’ll find the two headphone ports. One is a single-ended 6.35mm connection and there’s also a 4.4mm balanced connector. Both ports are gold-plated.
My only gripe with the design is that I wish that iFi would color in the volume knob position indicator because the dimple is too faint to see in a dark room and even under some well-lit conditions.
Firmware
The ZEN DAC 3 can be updated through iFi’s firmware updates posted on their main webpage and under the support and download hub tab. Each downloaded folder will include two distinct files.
The two versions are designated as V1.10 and the other will have a C prefix. The V1.10 uses the default digital filter. However, the C prefixed variant uses the Gibbs Transient Optimized filter or GTO filter.
You’ll have to flash both files one at a time and compare them to see which one will suit you best. I like the GTO filter on days when I prefer a smoother, warmer sonic presentation.
However, the standard is best for everyday use since it produces a cleaner and livelier end product with a neutral/natural character.
Packaging & Accessories
If you’ve seen iFi audio’s packaging you’ll recognize this packaging a mile away. It is the same as the first ZEN DAC’s packaging and most of their other similar components like the ZEN CAN 3, the ZEN ONE, and the ZEN Blue
Inside you’ll find a USB cable, a set of iFi branded RCA cables, and a 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter. There’s also a quick guide and an MQA setup guide. That’s it.
I do wish they’d include one of their iPower adapters or any power adapter, for that matter to take advantage of the extra performance gain out-of-the-box.
The price tag has increased over other ZEN DACs from the past and iFi should consider including a power brick. The ZEN CAN 3 and the ZEN Blue 3 came with one, so why not with this model?
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions & selected comparisons.
