Product highlights
output power (4.4mm):
- >300mW @ 32 ohms
- 70mW @ 600Ω
output power (1/4"):
- >210mW @ 32 ohms
- 18mW @ 600Ω
THD+N:
- Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 ohms;)
- Unbalanced 1/4" <0.013% (1.27V @ 32 ohms)
Signal to noise ratio:
- ≥109dB @ 0dBFS
- XBass+ sound control processing for boosting bass
- PowerMatch switchable gain
- high-precision volume control dial
- color-coded LED indicator denotes audio format and sampling frequency
- yellow - PCM 44.1/48kHz
- white- PCM 88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384/768kHz
- cyan- DSD 64/128
- red- DSD 256/512
- green- MQA
- blue- MQA studio
- magenta- MQB (original sampling rate)
- dual-function USB-C connection serves as both a charging port and a wired USB audio input (note: driver download required)
- USB-C to USB-A type cable included.
- one balanced 4.4mm output for connecting a compatible powered speaker or amp
- Note: do NOT connect balanced headphones to this output - the full signal could damage your headphones and/or hearing.
- line direct/preamp selection switch (fixed or variable)
- stereo unbalanced RCA preamp output with selectable fixed/variable level
- RCA cables included
- RCA output power: 1V-3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed
- rear 4.4mm output power: 2V-6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed
- frequency response: 5Hz - 90kHz (+/-3dB)
- 5-volt DC power input (DC power supply not included)
- draws power from your laptop or PC when connected via USB
- For optimal performance, it is recommended to upgrade from being powered by USB-C to being powered by an ultra-low noise power adapter
headphone output impedance:
- balanced <200 ohms
- unbalanced <100 ohms
- dimensions (with cables): 6-1/4"W x 1-3/8"H x 5-1/4"D
- weight: 1 lb
- warranty: 1 year
What's in the box
- D/A converter
- 4' USB cable (USB-A on one end and USB-C on other end)
- 20" Audio cable (stereo RCA plugs on each end)
- 3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter
- Quick Start Guide
- Product Safety Guide
- "After-Sales" card
- iFi decal
About this item
Written by Crutchfield's Charles Fontaine
ZEN and the art of desktop audio
There is no shortage of digital music in the world, but until it's converted to analog, it's just 1s and 0s. With the iFi ZEN DAC 3, you can be assured that the information held within those bytes is turned into high quality audio.
Stacking the DAC
The ZEN DAC 3 supports all PCM formats up to 32 bit/768kHz, DSD native support up to DSD512, and even offers full MQA decoding. This makes the ZEN DAC 3 super versatile and compatible with most digital audio formats. The internal Burr-Brown DAC chip processes DSD and PCM signals through separate pathways, for “bit-perfect” transmission. This discreet processing ensures that the music is presented as the artist intended.
Simply ear-resistible
The ZEN DAC 3 's built-in headphone amplifier, supports both balanced 4.4mm and unbalanced 1/4" options. With up to 300mW of headphone output power at 32ohms, your hi-end headphones can be properly powered and used to their full potential. The ZEN DAC 3 also offers iFi's PowerMatch (high/low gain) and a XBASS+ (bass restoration) switches, to match and accommodate a wide array of headphone types, including in-ear monitors (IEMs), as well as open-back and over-the-ear models.
To be or not to USB
You can power the ZEN DAC 3 with your computer by connecting it with a USB-C cable. However, we recommend picking up an external power supply (not included). That frees up the ZEN DAC 3's USB-C connection to be used for purely for data transfer. The result will be cleaner, richer sounding digital music from your connected computer.
Want to learn more?
Read our Q&A article about the ZEN DAC 3.