ZEN DAC 3 – build and design choices
While the ZEN DAC 3 retains its boat-shaped enclosure, it got a new and really pleasing change to its general styling. The new version of the iFi’s very successful desktop DAC is now darker and apparently more elegant. While obviously this will be a matter of taste, what you need to consider is this: most of these desktop devices will be placed somewhere close to a computer screen. That’s why anything too flashy – and especially with bright LEDs – might just not be the best idea here. Moreover, the new and darker design just looks more elegant. As for what’s to be found outside – it’s a pretty straightforward. On the front we have the Power Match button, the XBass+ button, volume knob (it’s back lit, more on that later) and two headphone sockets. One of them is your usual 6.35mm affair, while the other one is of 4.4 mm variety. At the back we have a 4.4 mm balanced out, the “variable – fixed” selector, your typical RCA stereo out, USB-C in as well as an external PSU input with a small diode that will be lit when it’s in use.
I would like to get back here to what I mentioned a bit earlier. One of the features that may somehow be overlooked here is the fact that the ZEN DAC 3 has the volume control which is done in the analogue domain. It’s obviously always active for the two headphone sockets of the front of the unit. And with the selector on the back in the “variable” position – it will also allow you to adjust the volume on the two of the line outputs at the back. Why is this of importance here? First thing is – we have two line outputs, balanced and unbalanced one, which can be used simultaneously. Thanks to that you can connect the ZEN DAC 3 to both dedicated headphone amplifier (usually through a balanced connection, iFi has a very good cable on offer here) as well as to a speaker amplifier at the same time. And the latter doesn’t have to sport a volume control, because you can adjust it on the ZEN DAC 3 side. This also makes this small iFi DAC one of the rare devices in this price range that – when needed – may be directly connected to any bigger power amplifier. Or even two power amplifiers, or directly to active speakers – iFi also offers the required cables that would go from the 4.4 mm output to the XLR input sockets in such speakers.
The only minor gripe that I would have with the design is that the volume know illumination is a bit brighter when looking at a certain angle. But apart from that – there’s really everything in perfect order. By the way, what we got here is also the company’s Power Match and the XBass+ features. They are generally well-known, so I’ll be just brief here: the first one allows you to use the sensitive IEMs that on would hiss on many other amplifiers. And the other one is a gentle bass lift that may do well in some scenario. What’s important though is that both of those work in analogue domain. So, no DSP and no necessary signal manipulation on the digital side.
Now, let’s get to what actually changed in the ZEN DAC 3 compared to the earlier version. When looking at them side-by-side you will be see that there’s a port type change (USB-C instead of USB-B), the decoding capabilities now have a two-fold increase and the TrueBass circuitry has been changed to XBass+. But there’s actually more to it, as Mike from iFi Audio explains:
“You are right in identifying these as the most significant and noticeable changes found in the latest version of the ZEN DAC. However, we do have a couple of other notable improvements that have been made. The USB-C input of the ZEN DAC 3 includes over-voltage protection, improving the safety and reliability of the DAC. The ZEN DAC 3 also offers a significant reduction in DC offset, minimising audio pops and clicks when adjusting settings, along with reducing other forms of low-level distortion.”