iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 iSilencer is rated
out of
5 by
3.
iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2 iSilencer
DAC/Headphone Amp
£189
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Award-winner made better
Winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious What Hi-Fi 2020, ‘Best DAC £100 - £200’, the iFi Audio ZEN DAC was hard to beat. Until now. The ZEN DAC V2 upgrades the processing chip from 8-core to 16-core XMOS. This means that MQA files are now fully supported – perfect when using the top-end TIDAL streaming service.
Now supplied with iSilencer for lower distortion
The latest version of the ZEN DAC V2 is now supplied with the iSilencer. Digital distortion or ‘jitter’ is a common problem with digital audio signals and one that the iSilencer greatly reduces. With the iSilencer in play, it dramatically lowers background noise and distortion, helping to improve the sound’s clarity and transparency. In addition to this, the V2 version uses an updated, low-jitter crystal clock. This gives a 20dB better performance for a smoother, less distorted sound with enhanced detail.
Supercharge your computer’s sound
Whether you have a PC or Mac, laptop, tablet or Chromebook, listening to music while you surf, work or game is a constant pleasure. What’s less good is the sound quality – even if you’re using a pair of good quality headphones, the sound output is usually left wanting. The ZEN DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) V2 massively improves the sound by bypassing your computer’s soundcard and headphone output and replacing them with bespoke, audiophile grade components.
DACs the way to do it
Using a bit-perfect, Burr Brown DAC, the ZEN DAC V2 not only decodes a wide range of formats but sounds as true to the original sound as possible. Hi-Res music files are supported up to DSD256 and PCM files up to 384kHz.
Hi-Fi quality electronics inside
Making the most of the top quality DAC, the other internal electronics offer the highest quality sound – just as you’d find in quality hi-fi. The balanced circuit layout uses top quality audio components, such as TDK (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors for high precision, low distortion sound quality.
Maximises your headphones’ potential
With its dedicated output, the Zen DAC V2 provides your headphones with a dynamic, punchy sound. You can choose between balanced and unbalanced outputs, giving the chance for higher spec headphones with balanced inputs to really shine.
Output the sound to your hi-fi or speaker
It’s not just headphones that benefit from this compact powerhouse DAC. Featuring RCA phono outputs, you can connect up to the AUX input on your hi-fi or speaker system, too. If your hi-fi has a balanced input, why not take advantage of the second, 4.4mm balanced output at the rear of the unit. Either way, simply switch the output to ‘fixed’ and you’re good to go with an instant system upgrade.
Boost the bass
For times when you need a deeper, richer sound, simply switch on TrueBass. Unlike inferior bass boost systems, this works entirely in the analogue domain and doesn’t rely on a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The result is deeper bass, without a compromised and muddy-sounding midrange.
Optimise your audio performance, with the iFi Audio ZEN DAC V2.
Connectivity
Audio Outputs
Yes - (1 x RCA)
Headphone Output
Yes - 6.35/4.4mm
USB Input
Yes x 1
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
1 year
Audio
Loudness Control
TrueBass
Features
DAC
Burr Brown
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
160 x 117 x 35
Weight
Weight (KG)
0.8
Rated 5 out of
5
by
sirel from
Solid DAC
Bought a couple of weeks ago and have been greatly enjoying it. Reason for purchasing was that I had a new build PC giving a lot of noise on a PCI-e sound card, so separated the two with this USB-powered DAC. Sound is great paired with a couple of active monitors (which by themselves rivaled my LS50s pre-DAC). With DAC though it's just magical - clearer treble and improved soundstage. Recommend
Date published: 2023-02-25
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Great DAC, drives my HD 660s well.
Bought this just after buying some Sennheiser HD 660s', tried them with my phone but wanted some more power.. This provided the power I needed and moreover, would recommend.
Date published: 2022-12-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
wallacio from
Music like I've never heard it before
TLDR: Amazing bit of kit which you probably didn't realise you needed.
I know about DACs having been quite the spendy teenager decades ago, seeing those three letters plastered on new bits of tech (CD, Minidisc players!). DACs are pretty much everywhere these days, employed in devices you rarely even think about so I have to admit that the thought of inserting a standalone one between my laptop and my headphones was something that never occurred to me.
I sit working at my desk for large chunks of the day listening to all kinds of stuff on TiDAL with what at the time passed for a reasonable set of headphones (Sennheiser HD595) plugged straight into the laptop. Sounded OK, but nothing outstanding so appreciating the higher bitrate of TiDAL HiFi and the probably cheap and fit-for-purpose headphone circuitry in a laptop I decided to have a bit of an upgrade to the ZEN v2.
Well. Blimey. I could not believe the difference. Like, really so much better. Music you've listened to and know intimately is transformed for the better, revealing and highlighting parts of a track that you never much noticed. On top of this, no background hiss in quiet parts; just silence. It's hard for me to describe the revalation that this has been - I would imagine it's like having a pile of wax removed from you ear canals. Combined with a decent amplifier circuit, my headphones have been awakened! The result is that I've spent less time working and more time flicking through the music catalogue to find some favourite tracks, thoroughly enjoying how much better they sound.
If I have one minor complaint it's the combination of the i-Silencer and USB-A cable plug make for an unweildy protrusion from whatever it is you've plugged it in to. Very much a "find a space for it on your desk/hifi and leave well alone" item. Not enough to lose a star because that's such a minor point.
Date published: 2022-11-04
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