iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 is a digital-to-analogue converter with integrated balanced headphone amplifier that belongs to the newest iteration of the very popular ZEN series from the well-known British manufacturer. In that third, revised line-up we can also find the ZEN CAN 3, which is also a balanced headphone amplifier (albeit much more powerful and flexible than those that’s a part of the ZEN DAC 3), ZEN Phono which is – as the name suggest – a phono preamplifier and a ZEN Blu 3. The latter one being a Bluetooth transmitter and a receiver that can work as a USB DAC too. The interesting thing here is that the whole ZEN series turned out to be immensely popular, blending good sound with interesting design and affordability. Not to mention that it often includes some really unique functionality that is really uncommon in this price range. Take for example the ZEN Stream from the previous ZEN line that we reviewed some time ago. It was a very interesting device because – while acting as a digital transport – it offered not only support for things like Tidal Connect and Spotify connect, but also had the ability to act as a Network Audio Adapter (NAA) for the Signalyst’s HQPlayer. The same is with the new ZEN CAN 3 – it’s one of the rare breeds of headphone amps that support the xMEMS driver technology, which require some different driving parameters than your usual dynamic or planar cans.
Obviously, one could ask here – what is unique in the case of the ZEN DAC 3 that is the subject of this one particular review. Well, this one is also interesting – there’s quite a lot of intricate traits in the newest desktop converter from iFi Audio. Yet if I had to point one that really sets it apart – that would be actually one of the most important part of every DAC in this price range: the converter chip used. Most companies that manufacture affordable DACs in this price range use silicon from ESS or AKM. Some, not that often – go for Cirrus Logic offerings (or some custom, R2R solutions). But in the case of the iFi Audio – they are true to their original choice which was made when the first ZEN DAC came to the market good few years ago. Because it was then that the Southport’s company opted to use a Texas Instruments chip that strongly differentiates it from most of the similarly-priced competition. And while the choice of the converter manufacturer remained the same, the newest desktop DAC from iFi definitely sports quite a few changes that we will describe just a bit later on.
Now let’s look at the price and what it offers. For the 229 Euro/GBP/USD you get a USB-C powered DAC with the possibility to run on an external dedicated power supply as well. It will decode anything up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD512 (this has doubled from the previous version). The MQA support is included as well. However, I would see its most important functionality being elsewhere. Here we have not only an integrated headphone amplifier with a balanced 4.4 mm output (as well as 6.35 mm), but also a dedicated, balanced line out (in addition to RCA unbalanced. Both of the line outputs have one quite important feature. It’s the volume control that’s analogue and defeatable at the same time. This at the same time means that the ZEN DAC 3 is one of those affordable DACs that you can also connect directly to any kind of a power amplifier, even a balanced one – which is quite unique feature, especially in this more reachable price category. And the Texas Instruments chip should, at least in theory, offer some interesting qualities that may be more than welcomed. Especially in the world of all those DACs that far too many may simply find too predictable. That’s why we will look at the newest ZEN DAC 3 closely with (and without) the dedicated iFi Audio/SilentPower 5V power supply and the dedicated 4.4 mm balanced cable that the British company offers as an extra. And try to answer not only whether it lives up to its promise – but also how it compares and who would be most happy with both its functionality and sound.