iFi ZEN DAC V2

A powerful desktop audio companion

iFi has been a longtime favorite of mine. The original ZEN DAC pleasantly surprised me the first time I heard it, offering up quick, natural sound with plenty of amplification in a sleek package. When I heard they were releasing the ZEN DAC V2, I was ecstatic. The 'V2 takes all the good things from the old ZEN DAC — namely the DAC chip and headphone amp — and adds some extra high-performance goodies into the mix.

Performance upgrades

The company opted to use a 16-bit XMOS microcontroller/processor for this iteration. That chip is responsible for handling the incoming USB audio data. The new low-latency chip boasts double the clock speed and four times the digital memory of the previous version's 8-core chip. On top of that, the processor has been carefully optimized by iFi's in-house digital development team to ensure it operates in harmony with the digital-to-analog converter chip.

A new clock was added to the 'V2 as well. The new low-jitter GMT (Global Master Timing) clock and intelligent memory buffer serve to keep the distortion low and to keep your music as authentic to the source as possible.

Improve your digital tunes, including MQA audio

iFi put a high-grade "True Native" Burr-Brown 32-bit digital-to-analog converter chip under the hood of the 'V2 to ensure it delivers clear sound. It has no trouble bringing out the most in your music, whether it comes from Spotify®, TIDAL, or files you've already got on your PC. This DAC handles music files up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to 11.2 MHz. It can even fully decode MQA, meaning it completes all three file "unfolds," reproducing the track exactly as the artist or studio intended.

Hook it up and get your tunes going

On the front panel, you'll find both a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn and a 1/4" output. Most headphones out there use one or the other. If your cans use a 3.5mm instead, the included 3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter has you covered.

There's a USB Type B port on the rear that both powers the ZEN DAC V2 and feeds it audio signals from your desktop or laptop. There's also a 5V DC input if you'd like to plug it into a wall outlet, but the adapter is sold separately. The rear panel has an unbalanced stereo RCA output and a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn output for connecting to compatible powered speakers or amplifiers. These connections mean you can use the ZEN DAC V2 as a stereo preamplifier.

As an added benefit, these outputs can be set to fixed or variable via a rear-panel selector switch. Setting it to "fixed" bypasses the ZEN DAC V2's volume control, best for connecting to an external preamp or integrated amp. "Variable" lets you control the volume using the V2's front-panel knob, feeding signal to a power amplifier or powered speakers.