The latest DA converter and headphone amplifier from British iFi Audio is called Zen Dac 3. Headphones and other analogue devices can be connected symmetrically or asymmetrically and a digital music signal can be supplied via a USB-C connection.
iFi Audio Zen Dac 3
The iFi Zen Dac 3 is a headphone amplifier, but it can also be connected to a (pre)amplifier or a set of active speakers.
The manufacturer has installed two balanced outputs: a 4.4 millimeter output for headphones at the front and a connection at the back for all other hi-fi equipment. A stereo cinch output is mounted. The housing follows the solid shape and minimalist style of iFi Audio . The Zen Dac 3 seems mainly intended to accompany a desktop computer.
Digital music signal can be supplied up to high resolution, i.e. PCM signal up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD 512. MQA decoding is also included in the feature package. The designers have equipped the Zen Dac 3 with an improved DC offset and USB-C input surge protection. Furthermore, there are the well-known features of iFi Audio, i.e. the analog processing modes XBass+ and PowerMatch that allow the user to customize their listening experience.
Price: $229
