[iFi audio]

Thank you. I've been a happy owner of the Hipdac 2, have tested the HD3, and didnt really found as much as a difference between the two. Just got the Zen Dac 3, and i concur with your assessment. While i love the slight warmer sound of the hipdacs, i really enjoy the expansiveness of the ZD3. I happy. This a strong recomend in my book, for a minimalist setup.

We are glad to hear that!

Being a fan of the ZD series from the beginning version myself, I can also concur!

Cheers!!

 

[Yari]

So I have an ifi Uno right now, would I gain much from an upgrade to a Zen Dac 3?
One thing I don't like about the Uno is that I can not control my volume on a OS level. It's either on or of, going from. I can not lower it with my volume keys on my keyboard, only with the volume wheel on the Uno. No idea where this started, but would be interesting if that is something that is not an issue on this Dac 3.

 

[faustus67]

So I have an ifi Uno right now, would I gain much from an upgrade to a Zen Dac 3?
One thing I don't like about the Uno is that I can not control my volume on a OS level. It's either on or of, going from. I can not lower it with my volume keys on my keyboard, only with the volume wheel on the Uno. No idea where this started, but would be interesting if that is something that is not an issue on this Dac 3.

I upgraded from the Uno to the Zen Dac 3 and the sound quality is much better for me. So it was a very worthwhile upgrade, as was getting the power supply. But volume control is still through the amp and not the Mac. As I understand it, the DAC receives the data from the computer, then converts it, then it’s amplified. So the volume setting on the computer won’t matter. I very much suspect folk here with more knowledge than I will explain it better than I.

 

[Assationater]

I upgraded from the Uno to the Zen Dac 3 and the sound quality is much better for me. So it was a very worthwhile upgrade, as was getting the power supply. But volume control is still through the amp and not the Mac. As I understand it, the DAC receives the data from the computer, then converts it, then it’s amplified. So the volume setting on the computer won’t matter. I very much suspect folk here with more knowledge than I will explain it better than I.

Digital volume from your source should still work.

 

[faustus67]

Digital volume from your source should still work.

Well, it doesn’t. Neither on my Uno nor my Zen DAC 3. Maybe it’s a Mac thing?

 

[Azurik]

Well, it doesn’t. Neither on my Uno nor my Zen DAC 3. Maybe it’s a Mac thing?

No this is normal. It's even stated on ifi's website. The digital volume is disabled and you can only use the analog volume on the DSC itself

 

[faustus67]

No this is normal. It's even stated on ifi's website. The digital volume is disabled and you can only use the analog volume on the DSC itself

That’s what I understood as well. Someone else was asking about it.

 

[Assationater]

No this is normal. It's even stated on ifi's website. The digital volume is disabled and you can only use the analog volume on the DSC itself

I'm confused, all my zen DACs have worked with windows volume

 

[faustus67]

I'm confused, all my zen DACs have worked with windows volume

I’m guessing you’re using Windows. I’ve checked the iFi website (https://ifi-audio.com/faqs/disabled-volume/) and it said:

What we have done is disable the USB device volume control (which uses DSP in the XMOS system to control volume). OSX “obeys” this while other operating systems have additional DSP (usually optimised for low CPU load over sound quality) that adds extra volume controls that are preferably left alone. So we have not “locked away” anything from Mac users, instead, OSX avoids an extra layer of DSP (as does Windows in exclusive mode WASAPI). If volume/balance is adjusted, it invariably causes loss of quality and it is not recommended to use these functions. Most speakers and headphones have sufficient channel matching that balance adjustment is not required.

 

[Assationater]

I’m guessing you’re using Windows. I’ve checked the iFi website (https://ifi-audio.com/faqs/disabled-volume/) and it said:

What we have done is disable the USB device volume control (which uses DSP in the XMOS system to control volume). OSX “obeys” this while other operating systems have additional DSP (usually optimised for low CPU load over sound quality) that adds extra volume controls that are preferably left alone. So we have not “locked away” anything from Mac users, instead, OSX avoids an extra layer of DSP (as does Windows in exclusive mode WASAPI). If volume/balance is adjusted, it invariably causes loss of quality and it is not recommended to use these functions. Most speakers and headphones have sufficient channel matching that balance adjustment is not required.

Ahhhh I see!

 

[nioh]

On my Windows 11 PC, I also cannot change volume of the Zen DAC 3. The volume slider has no effect.
It’s not a problem and it’s actually better this way to not be confused by 2 separate volume controls (analog and digital)

 

[Bill Galactic Hero]

Hi registered here just to type a short review.

I'm a long time iFi Zen DAC user, first Zen DAC was a simple and one of the most budget solutions to control both cans and active speakers - that's why I bough it and immediately loved it's "analogue" sound. ASIO, drivers, firmware etc - all good all working fine. Just as it should be. Later, after selling all that stuff, moving to another country, switching to laptop etc I decided to get some Zen again and this time it was Zen Air DAC (got it for ~90 euro I think) - hard to say without direct comparison but it seems to sound at least as good if not better (somewhat cleaner? more refined? not sure). I didn't need bal connection, SE only, so it was overall the same for me until I got Senn 6xx cans. Well, there's no distortion at all even at max volume and it's louder than I need but not crazy powerful it feels so I decided to make a bit of upgrade - add both more power to cans (and maybe a bit cleaner output) as well as try to connect my current Adam T5Vs with XLRs with that nice 4.4-to-XLR cable(s) iFi makes. I was also glad to see USB-C because - for my laptop at least - it means few times higher current output (I think is 2-3A instead of 0.5A) and overal should be better just "electrically".

220 euro is not a big deal anyway so here is it, Zen DAC 3 with it gorgeous look, finish and feel. I played some tracks on Air and then switched to Zen 3. Well, that was one amazing change - more dynamic, airy, more resolving sound with better and fuller bass and way better (but definitely more present) treble. Wider sounstage exceeding speakers and so on. Overall "tune" seems to be the same but on a new relosution level and not as calm and laid back. Swithcing back and forth between Air and Zen 3 confirmed that.

But something made me do an experiment: what if I connect Zen 3 to the same USB-A port using iFi "kit' cable.
There was a big change again. It changed back. The "old" Air sound returned in all its "analogueness".

Well well. Now I'm waiting for ordered USB-C to USB-B cable to check what's Air capable of. Balanced cables are on the way as well and I'm not going to return Zen 3, I like it appearance.

I don't believe that what I've heard is "USB cables sound different". I hear no difference between "kit" and longer cable I got for Air. Amperes matter more and there's a huge difference between A nad C ports - on my laptop at least.

What else? Power Match now doesn't make pop sound on switching on and off.
It still affects both HP and Line out (I need it Variable due to speakers).
There still is sort of difference/richer and fuller sound - in speakers! - with PM on and more sterile sound when it's off, maybe less compared to Air.
HP out still works no matter if you plug headphones in or not and that's what iFi needs to change (not only my opinion). The good thing is, unlike Zen DAC 1 both Air and Zen 3 have no sounds in line out when you (un)plug your cans. Honestly I'd prefer to have any hardware switch to select line or HP out (or both).

The biggest issue is a classics again: laptop loses Zen 3 same as Air on waking up after sleep. And you need to manually switch the cable off and on. That's not my exclusive experience as well

P.S. Tried GTO firmware on Zen DAC 1 and after a hour of exciting "whoa just listen to all the details" realized that to my ears it's rather distorted, artificially sharpened fatiguing sound.

 

[iFi audio]

Hi registered here just to type a short review.

I'm a long time iFi Zen DAC user, first Zen DAC was a simple and one of the most budget solutions to control both cans and active speakers - that's why I bough it and immediately loved it's "analogue" sound. ASIO, drivers, firmware etc - all good all working fine. Just as it should be. Later, after selling all that stuff, moving to another country, switching to laptop etc I decided to get some Zen again and this time it was Zen Air DAC (got it for ~90 euro I think) - hard to say without direct comparison but it seems to sound at least as good if not better (somewhat cleaner? more refined? not sure). I didn't need bal connection, SE only, so it was overall the same for me until I got Senn 6xx cans. Well, there's no distortion at all even at max volume and it's louder than I need but not crazy powerful it feels so I decided to make a bit of upgrade - add both more power to cans (and maybe a bit cleaner output) as well as try to connect my current Adam T5Vs with XLRs with that nice 4.4-to-XLR cable(s) iFi makes. I was also glad to see USB-C because - for my laptop at least - it means few times higher current output (I think is 2-3A instead of 0.5A) and overal should be better just "electrically".

220 euro is not a big deal anyway so here is it, Zen DAC 3 with it gorgeous look, finish and feel. I played some tracks on Air and then switched to Zen 3. Well, that was one amazing change - more dynamic, airy, more resolving sound with better and fuller bass and way better (but definitely more present) treble. Wider sounstage exceeding speakers and so on. Overall "tune" seems to be the same but on a new relosution level and not as calm and laid back. Swithcing back and forth between Air and Zen 3 confirmed that.

But something made me do an experiment: what if I connect Zen 3 to the same USB-A port using iFi "kit' cable.
There was a big change again. It changed back. The "old" Air sound returned in all its "analogueness".

Well well. Now I'm waiting for ordered USB-C to USB-B cable to check what's Air capable of. Balanced cables are on the way as well and I'm not going to return Zen 3, I like it appearance.

I don't believe that what I've heard is "USB cables sound different". I hear no difference between "kit" and longer cable I got for Air. Amperes matter more and there's a huge difference between A nad C ports - on my laptop at least.

What else? Power Match now doesn't make pop sound on switching on and off.
It still affects both HP and Line out (I need it Variable due to speakers).
There still is sort of difference/richer and fuller sound - in speakers! - with PM on and more sterile sound when it's off, maybe less compared to Air.
HP out still works no matter if you plug headphones in or not and that's what iFi needs to change (not only my opinion). The good thing is, unlike Zen DAC 1 both Air and Zen 3 have no sounds in line out when you (un)plug your cans. Honestly I'd prefer to have any hardware switch to select line or HP out (or both).

The biggest issue is a classics again: laptop loses Zen 3 same as Air on waking up after sleep. And you need to manually switch the cable off and on. That's not my exclusive experience as well

P.S. Tried GTO firmware on Zen DAC 1 and after a hour of exciting "whoa just listen to all the details" realized that to my ears it's rather distorted, artificially sharpened fatiguing sound.

Thanks so much for posting your thoughts on the ZD3, we appreciate it very much!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

A Big Thanks to James Fiorucci for his thoughts on the Zen Dac 3!

You can read them right HERE!

Cheers!!

 

[sunjam]

Hi registered here just to type a short review.

I'm a long time iFi Zen DAC user, first Zen DAC was a simple and one of the most budget solutions to control both cans and active speakers - that's why I bough it and immediately loved it's "analogue" sound. ASIO, drivers, firmware etc - all good all working fine. Just as it should be. Later, after selling all that stuff, moving to another country, switching to laptop etc I decided to get some Zen again and this time it was Zen Air DAC (got it for ~90 euro I think) - hard to say without direct comparison but it seems to sound at least as good if not better (somewhat cleaner? more refined? not sure). I didn't need bal connection, SE only, so it was overall the same for me until I got Senn 6xx cans. Well, there's no distortion at all even at max volume and it's louder than I need but not crazy powerful it feels so I decided to make a bit of upgrade - add both more power to cans (and maybe a bit cleaner output) as well as try to connect my current Adam T5Vs with XLRs with that nice 4.4-to-XLR cable(s) iFi makes. I was also glad to see USB-C because - for my laptop at least - it means few times higher current output (I think is 2-3A instead of 0.5A) and overal should be better just "electrically".

220 euro is not a big deal anyway so here is it, Zen DAC 3 with it gorgeous look, finish and feel. I played some tracks on Air and then switched to Zen 3. Well, that was one amazing change - more dynamic, airy, more resolving sound with better and fuller bass and way better (but definitely more present) treble. Wider sounstage exceeding speakers and so on. Overall "tune" seems to be the same but on a new relosution level and not as calm and laid back. Swithcing back and forth between Air and Zen 3 confirmed that.

But something made me do an experiment: what if I connect Zen 3 to the same USB-A port using iFi "kit' cable.
There was a big change again. It changed back. The "old" Air sound returned in all its "analogueness".

Well well. Now I'm waiting for ordered USB-C to USB-B cable to check what's Air capable of. Balanced cables are on the way as well and I'm not going to return Zen 3, I like it appearance.

I don't believe that what I've heard is "USB cables sound different". I hear no difference between "kit" and longer cable I got for Air. Amperes matter more and there's a huge difference between A nad C ports - on my laptop at least.

What else? Power Match now doesn't make pop sound on switching on and off.
It still affects both HP and Line out (I need it Variable due to speakers).
There still is sort of difference/richer and fuller sound - in speakers! - with PM on and more sterile sound when it's off, maybe less compared to Air.
HP out still works no matter if you plug headphones in or not and that's what iFi needs to change (not only my opinion). The good thing is, unlike Zen DAC 1 both Air and Zen 3 have no sounds in line out when you (un)plug your cans. Honestly I'd prefer to have any hardware switch to select line or HP out (or both).

The biggest issue is a classics again: laptop loses Zen 3 same as Air on waking up after sleep. And you need to manually switch the cable off and on. That's not my exclusive experience as well

P.S. Tried GTO firmware on Zen DAC 1 and after a hour of exciting "whoa just listen to all the details" realized that to my ears it's rather distorted, artificially sharpened fatiguing sound.

Cool, thanks for your review.

Just wondering did you always power your Zen DAC with USB? If yes, I'd suggest you can try the dedicated 5V regulated LPS for your Zen DAC. I bet you would love the sound more with the 5V power supply.