iFi ZEN DAC 3 REVIEW

Over the last few years, iFi Audio have built a name for itself, making excellent head-fi related kit at often reasonable prices. In this review, we will be taking a closer look at their ZEN DAC 3, the latest DAC from their popular ZEN range of products. 

The ZEN Dac 3 is a DAC with a built-in headphone amp. Coming in at only £229 it could be the perfect solution for a small desktop all-in-one or as a DAC only in a slightly larger system. 

BUILD QUALITY AND FEATURES OF THE NAME OF THE ZEN DAC 3

Starting off with the build quality, iFi have gone for a new colour and look with their 3^rd iteration of the ZEN range. This time opting for a darker grey casing with bronze accents and a textured strip on the front panel. It’s a little more polarising in looks compared to the previous generation; however, in practice, it looks very stylish. The front panel sports a couple of buttons for both “Power Match” and “XBass,” a volume knob (which is silky smooth) and both 6.3mm and 4.4mm outputs. On the rear you will find the USB input (which also powers the unit), socket for an external power supply should you wish to use one, and both RCA and 4.4mm outputs with a switch for either fixed of variable DAC output (so it can be used as a pre-amp into active monitors. for example). 

The ZEN Dac 3 is quite a small unit; it sits neatly on a desk and can be considered transportable as it is USB powered, allowing for use with laptops in coffee shops, for example. There is the ability to use an external power supply if you wish – using a linear power supply can provide lower background noise compared to USB power; however, in use, I never noticed any hint of noise from USB power.

The DAC only has USB-C input, so it is not the kind of DAC that can be used with a myriad of sources, making it perfect for PC setups. There are both single-ended and balanced outputs, the 4.4mm balanced output naturally having slightly better output power than single-ended. Output power is rated at >390mW @64Ohms balanced and >210mW @32Ohms single ended. While these are not groundbreaking numbers, it should drive most normal headphones well. 

iFi Audio have opted for their usual choice of Burr Brown DAC chip and it is fully compatible with all sample rates up to 768kHz, DSD512 and supports MQA decoding. One thing to note is the ease of setting the ZEN Dac 3 up; it is a plug-and-play device with Windows devices, and I have had it running off various laptops and desktop computers without issue. The LED indicator ring around the volume knob changes colour based on the resolution of the file being played, a nice little feature. 

The ZEN Dac 3 includes iFi’s XBass circuitry, a fully analogue bass boost circuit that can help give a little extra body to your headphones of choice (which can be handy at low volume levels). They also have a Power Match button, this is essentially high gain and is handy with harder to drive headphones (it does not increase the power output, just gives more usable travel on the volume knob). 

SOUND QUALITY

I have been using the ZEN Dac 3 for a while now and have used it with a plethora of headphones. It was my office setup with a pair of Grado SR80i and Fiio FT5, and it has been used at home with the new Meze 105 AER and Beyerdynamic DT880 600Ohm to test its capabilities with high impedance headphones. 

As an office setup, this device makes a lot of sense. Being USB-powered, you simply hook it up to your computer, ensure you have the right output in your media playback software (Roon / Qobuz for me), and it just works. I used the Grado SR80i at low volumes so I could hear my surroundings and the ZEN Dac 3 simply did its job of offering up much better sound than a PC’s internal sound card could even dream of. There is plenty of power on tap when using easy-to-drive headphones like the Grado’s, and the XBass came in handy at low volume levels, giving the sound a little extra body without throwing off the tonal balance or speed that Grado’s are well known for. The sound is very much “iFi”, which is a sound I enjoy a lot. I would call their house sound neutral/warm with great air and space. It’s not a heavily coloured sound, yet it never sounds analytical or cold. There is a slight warm tilt that just takes the edge off sharper sounds, allowing you to listen all day without a hint of fatigue. It’s likely a combination of DAC chip and the surrounding circuitry and I enjoy this kind of presentation. It’s not too laid-back either, having good speed and dynamics with great instrument placement. 

The Meze 105 are also an easy load for any headphone amp out there and they work extremely well with the ZEN Dac 3. This is the kind of DAC/amp that, when paired with suitable headphones, is an excellent all-rounder. This is one such combo, there is plenty of punch to the sound, and the 105 have such a pleasant richness to them, making this a setup that is perfect for everyday listening. Makari – “Closer” has great depth to the bass, with deep rumbles and mid-bass punch. The guitar lines are extremely clean and well-articulated.  Andy Cizek’s vocals cut through with excellent definition, each part of the mix never sounding congested whilst the treble is crisp and extended. The iFi and Meze combo give a fatigue free and yet engaging sound that is highly enjoyable, with a huge sense of air and space (something that the iFi helps with). 

Moving on to the Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm headphones, one of my reference sets, out of the 4.4mm balanced output to give them their best chance. I must admit that this little USB-powered DAC/amp works fairly well with them. The volume knob does need to be turned a little more, but there is good volume and body to the sound. The slight warmth of the iFi helps with the neutral sound of these headphones and creates an easily enjoyable sound. I have heard these headphones have a bit more openness and outright speed and clarity. This combo doesn’t quite have the absolute precision or snap that some amps bring out of these headphones, yet it’s a fuller and smoother sound that works well with certain genres. Take The Appleseed Cast – “A Place in Line”; the noodly guitars have good definition, the vocals are slightly pushed back (as recorded) and the drums are well placed within the soundstage. Yes, there can be a little more edge and drive to the sound from some other combos, but the ZEN Dac 3 does a good job at delivering the tone of the recording with good instrument separation and placement within the soundstage.  

Lastly, we come to the Fiio FT5, an easier to drive planar headphone and one that the ZEN Dac 3 does a great job of powering. I prefer the leatherette earpads with these headphones, and they were also used with the 4.4mm output on the iFi. Listening to Mumford & Sons – Thistle and Weeds, you don’t need a lot of volume on the ZEN Dac 3 with these headphones. The bass line is full and articulate, and the vocals are detailed, whilst the cymbals crash around you without sounding too forward. There is excellent impact to the drums as they sweep across the stage, the layered vocals harmonies are beautifully rendered, whilst the strings add ambience to this song. As the song builds, you never lose track of any single part of the mix, it’s impeccably delivered with both weight and nuance. Normally, I’d opt for a flat sounding amp with these headphones as they have a slightly full sound, yet this pairing seems to just work. It manages to bring out the fun in the Fiio as well as showing off the soundstaging capabilities and control of the iFi ZEN Dac 3. Out of all the headphones I used with the ZEN Dac 3, I think this was probably my favourite pairing. Most will probably argue that you need more power for planars, however, the Fiio are quite efficient, which does allow them to work well with the ZEN Dac 3.  

XBass really is a lovely analogue bass boost. It doesn’t ruin the sound of your headphones and adds a subtle yet noticeable lift in the bass response of your headphones of choice. While not something I use a lot, it works wonders with certain headphones. The same goes for Power Match. It worked well with the Beyerdynamic DT880, for example; however, this is more of a DAC/amp that I would pair with easier-to-drive headphones. 

QUIBBLES

I guess the only quibble is that there is no on/off switch, so if your USB sockets provide power when your PC is off, the light will remain lit. 

CONCLUSION

The iFi ZEN Dac 3 is a great little DAC/amp for office or desktop use, it’s one that I would recommend using with easier-to-drive headphones as they pair better than 600 Ohm loads like the DT880. I was impressed at how well it worked with a range of my headphones, and it surprised me when paired with the Fiio FT5. The XBass circuit helps give a little more body to your headphones at low levels, whilst the Power Match gain setting is useful with harder-to-drive loads.

As an all-in-one, it provides brilliant sound quality without external power for a very reasonable price. You can then hook it up to a more powerful amp via the rear outputs and use it as a DAC only. Using it as a DAC only, you still benefit from that natural sound that iFi know and do so very well. I’d say that the ZEN Dac 3 is a very accomplished DAC with a good headphone amp built in. 

AT A GLANCE

Build Quality And Features:

Metal casing and buttery smooth volume knob

Solid in/out sockets

Sound Quality:

Smooth with a neutral/warm tilt

Open and spacious

Value For Money:

Great value for a desktop DAC/amp that works well with a variety of headphones

We Loved:

The smooth, fatigue-free sound

Ease of use and how well it pairs with a lot of headphones

We Didn’t Love So Much:

No on/off button

Elevator Pitch Review: If your headphones don’t need a nuclear power station to drive them, then the ZEN Dac 3 makes a lot of sense as a desktop all-in-one. It provides fixed or variable DAC-only outputs for plugging into a different amp or some active monitors, whilst the headphone outputs on the front are more than enough to do most headphones justice. It has that typical iFi house sound that is natural, open, and spacious with a hint of warmth, making it perfect for day-long listening. Use it sensibly and it does not disappoint; a highly enjoyable and excellent sounding DAC/amp. 

Price: £229

Oscar Stewart

SUPPLIED BY iFi AUDIO

SUPPLIED SPECIFICATIONS

• 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/td>: 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)