The manufacturer iFi already had its portable DAC / headphone amplifier in November 2019 ZEN DAC presented. Now there is an update that breathes new capabilities into the small box.
iFi ZEN DAC V2 – Features
Even if the external appearance of the iFi ZEN DAC V2 is completely unchanged, work has been done on the inside: The V2 version of the ZEN DAC received a new processor and clock generator.
The converter section is based on a chip from Burr / Brown that understands True Native DSD and DXD. While an XMOS processor with eight cores was used in the first generation of the ZEN DAC, the new processor has 16 cores. This means that he is now also able to use the standard MQA to decode. The optimized one is also new Global master timing when processing the signals. The new clock generator is said to be characterized by an extraordinary low level of jitter and noise.
iFi ZEN DAC V2 rear side: A slide switch (to the left of the cinch sockets) can be used to choose between fixed and variable output levels
Otherwise everything stays the same: The analog output stage is fully symmetrical, there is one in addition to cinch stereo outputs 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output and of course a classic 6.3 mm stereo jack.
The output level can be set to a fixed or variable setting – and the PowerMatch function of the headphone amplifier should optimally adapt the amplification to the headphones connected in each case.
Price iFi ZEN DAC V2: 169 euros
