iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 DAC/Amp - Extraordinary Versatility
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iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 DAC/Amp

$229.00
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Enjoy music at the highest resolutions with the iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 Desktop DAC/Amp

The third-generation ZEN DAC from iFi Audio features improved hi-res support, a strong amplifier stage, and multiple audio enhancement options - everything you need to enjoy your music at the highest quality at home or in the office.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp front view

What's In The Box?

Everything you need is included with the iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3:

  • iFi ZEN DAC 3
  • RCA Cable
  • 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Instruction Card
ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp accessories and warranty card

New Look. Improved Sound. - iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3

The iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 supports the highest resolutions and has all the inputs you'll need to enjoy your music through your preferred setup.

Play music up to PCM 768kHz, DSD at DSD512, and full MQA decoding made possible by the powerful XMOS 16-core microprocessor and Burr-Brown DAC chip.

The iFi ZEN DAC v3's powerful integrated headphone amplifier will drive any headphone through the 4.4mm balanced or 6.3mm single-ended output.

Need even more power? Turn on the switchable gain feature, PowerMatch, and push more juice to your headphones or IEMs for a full-range sound experience.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp front top view volume knob buttons and ports

Drive any headphone with ease with the iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3

Plug in your favorite headphones or IEMs into the balanced 4.4mm input or the single-ended 6.3mm headphone input and enjoy up to 390 mW of power - enough to drive your most demanding headphones.

Push the XBass+ button and enjoy enhanced bass response instantly - perfect for filling in missing bass details when listening through bass-light headphones or IEMs.

Even without a dedicated amplifier, the iFi ZEN DAC 3 has all the juice you need to allow your headphones and IEMs to deliver exceptional sound quality at your preferred listening volumes.

ifi-audio-zen-dac-3-dac-amp-front-xbass-powermatch-button

DAC/Amp, DAC, and Pre-amp - all in one

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 offers unbeatable versatility. DAC/Amp or DAC pre-amp, the ZEN DAC 3 will deliver exceptional sound.

Toggle between Variable and Fixed to drive speakers directly or connect the ZEN DAC 3 to a receiver or amplifier.

When using the iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 in Variable mode, you can control volume through the ZEN DAC 3's analog volume knob.

Alternatively, switch to fixed mode and shift volume-control duties to your preferred amplifier.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp back view with audio inputs

Premium components for premium sound

The iFi ZEN DAC 3's high-resolution sound is made possible by the powerful XMOS 16x chipset and the Bit-Perfect Burr-Brown DAC.

The XMOS 16-core chip offers enhanced processing speed with clock speeds up to 2000 MIPS and a max memory capacity of 512KB, while the Burr-Brown DAC ensures file formats remain Bit-Perfect, so you hear music as intended by your favorite artists.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp circuit board top view

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp hi res audio logo

Hi-Res Audio

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 supports Hi-Res Audio playback with support for PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512, and 1x/2x DSD.

Whether you're using it as a DAC/Amp or a pre-amp, you can enjoy music at the highest resolutions through the ZEN DAC 3.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp xmos 16x logo

XMOS 16-core Microprocessor

At the heart of the iFi ZEN DAC 3 is the powerful XMOS 16x microprocessor. The XMOS 16x processor boasts up to 2000MIPS clock speed and up to 512KB of memory, along with support for the latest SuperSpeed USB protocol.

The result is low-latency, high-resolution sound so you can enjoy your favorite tunes the way the artists and producers intended.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp burr brown multibit dac logo

Burr-Brown MultiBit DAC

Working alongside the powerful XMOS 16-core microprocessor is the tried-and-true Burr-Brown Bit-Perfect DAC.

The Burr-Brown DAC's bit-perfect chipset plays back sound files without alterations to the music file's original format. The result is an untainted sound presentation that lets you enjoy your favorite music in its purest form.

ifi audio zen dac 3 dac amp xbass logo

XBass+

The iFi Audio ZEN DAC v3 features iFi Audio's XBass+ technology.

XBass+ is iFi Audio's unique bass-enhancement feature that improves bass response without affecting the rest of the frequency range.

XBass+ adds much-needed power to flat-sounding music or headphones, making your listening experience more engaging - perfect for IEMs or headphones lacking low-end energy.


ZEN DAC 3 Technical Specifications

Input

USB Type-C

Game Console Compatibility

SONY PS5 and Nintendo Switch

“SONY” is registered trademark or trademark of Sony Group Corporation.

“PS5” is registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Nintendo Switch™ is trademark of Nintendo.

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*

*12 months typical or as permitted / required by local resell laws.

*Specifications are subject to change without Notice.

^See FAQ at ifi-audio.com for more information.

ZEN DAC 3 User Manual

User Manual

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