New Products

iFi Audio, the UK-based maker of digital-to-analog converters and DAC/amplifiers for use at home and on the go, has introduced a portable DAC for audiophiles and casual listeners who want to squeeze every last drop of resolution out of the music they stream, whether they’re listening over headphones or speakers.

The new Zen DAC 3 ($229) features a built-in 390 milliwatt headphone amplifier and supports PCM resolutions up to 32 bits/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 as well providing DXD support and full MQA decoding — all from a stylish desktop component 6.2 inches wide, 4.6 inches deep, and 1.4 inches tall.

In keeping with the hi-rez theme, the DAC3 provides a USB-C input and two 4.4-mm balanced outputs — one on the front panel for headphones and one around back for other hi-fi gear — in addition to a set of stereo RCA jacks. The balanced connections are designed to keep the music as pristine as possible by minimizing distortion, crosstalk, and noise. A standard ¼-inch (6.3 mm) headphone output is also provided on the front panel, and the USB-C input is protected against overvoltage.

For hookup flexibility, the DAC 3’s balanced and unbalanced line-level outputs can be set for variable or fixed gain. The variable setting applies volume control to the audio signal, enabling the device to perform as a preamp when used with an amplifier or powered speakers. The fixed setting bypasses the volume control, setting the output to 4.2V (balanced) or 2.1V (unbalanced) for connection to an external preamp or integrated amp.

The DAC 3 offers XBass+ and PowerMatch analog processing modes, each activated via a front-panel button. XBass+ is a proprietary circuit said to enhance low frequencies without muddying the midrange, which can help boost the low-end with some open-back headphones. The PowerMatch button provides low- and high-gain settings for headphones, the latter of which can be useful for full-size headphones that benefit from a stronger signal.

At the core of the DAC 3’s digital stage is a Burr-Brown D-to-A converter chip selected for its “fluid, highly musical sound quality” and True Native architecture, which routes PCM and DSD along separate pathways. Doing so enables DSD to remain “bit-perfect in its native form, right through to analog conversion, according to iFi. “Many DACs that claim DSD compatibility accept DSD data but then convert it to PCM,” the company said, calling the DAC 3 an affordable solution for DSD purists.

Extensive clock-locking is also used throughout the digital stage to eradicate jitter and maintain the integrity of the digital signal until it is converted to analog.

The analog stage incorporates high-quality circuit components, including C0G capacitors from TDK, and a high-quality volume potentiometer.

Continuous software development allows features to be added or optimized via firmware updates, according to iFi, enabling the Zen DAC 3 to be tailored to playback preferences. Users also have the option of downloading and installing different versions of iFi firmware to experiment with different digital filters. For more information, visit ifi-audio.com.