iFi Audio Zen DAC v.3, intelligent evolution

Manufacturers strive from time to time to bring new products to market to satisfy the needs and desires of the public to have the "latest" thing. This pressure on both sides creates an enormous variety of similar products with slight differences between them. It is a disease of our times and it is futile to blame anyone, as I sincerely believe that we all have our share of responsibility.

So, taking advantage of the fact that I have and use another product of this brand in my house on a recurring basis, such as Zen One Signature in my house on a regular basis, and you have the review I did of it in this publication, let's compare devices with each other and see if it's been worth the wait.

The first thing I did was to use the Roon Server, to run the same track that I have locally to avoid possible differences produced in the live streaming and to compare. But let's not be so hasty and talk about the main features of this DAC.

A very significant change that may make it necessary to buy another connection cable is that it has abandoned USB-B in favor of USB-C. For those of us who use these devices on the main system and not on a laptop, this forces us to purchase a new cable of the necessary length, as the one supplied by default in the box is not designed for this purpose.

The main features include:

● Ultra-resolution audio: PCM 768kHz, DSD 512 and full MQA decoding.
● USB-C input surge protection
● USB-C input for plug-and-play connectivity
● 4.4 mm balanced line and headphone outputs
● Fixed or variable output gain for optional preamplifier functionality
● Analog processing modes XBass+ and PowerMatch.

To make some of the terms a little easier to understand, XBass+ is the analog filter that replaces TrueBass and serves to give a little more body to the sound of the open headphones. And with PowerMatch we deliver a little more intensity to the power-hungry headphones.

More specific features that I want to highlight are that it has a fixed or variable output, for both balanced and unbalanced, in case of using the fixed one to send the signal to an amplifier, for example, it is not sent at maximum power, as is usual, but the output is at exactly 50%. I will follow this point closely in the future.

Another point highlighted by the company is the added protection to prevent overload and, therefore, possible internal damage to the device due to overvoltage. And here I want to make another point: although one wants to have an overview of all the issues in order to be able to help hobbyists around the world equally, it turns out that sometimes, in small details, I don't pay enough attention. I live in an area where problems caused by electrical surges are very rare, I'm not saying they don't happen, but they are quite rare. Taking simple precautions such as completely disconnecting the music system when a storm is forecast is enough. But as it is not the same everywhere, this added protection to the product is a real value and gives it more cachet.

To conclude the topic of the differences with respect to its predecessor, version V2, we can add the increase in the depth of resolution in digital sources, reaching up to DSD 512 (x8) and PCM 768 kHz, before these data marked DSD 256 (x4) and PCM 384 kHz.

I don't want to miss the opportunity to comment on a detail regarding the evolution of digital sound over the years. DSD 512 means that in this category the standard sample of a CD player is oversampled 512 times, that is, the 44.1 KHz of the CD are converted to 22.5792 MHz. Although as it is a bit and not a double byte (made up of 16 bits) we would have to adjust parameters by dividing by 16 to equalize bases.

Equipment used in the tests

Sound source:
» iFi Audio Zen DAC v.3
» iFi Audio Zen One Signature
» Roon Server
» Qobuz Studio
Power amplification:
» Bow Technologies WAZOO XL
Speakers:
» Verus Canor David
» RadioTehnika Giant FS-100N
Cables:
» Wires4Music in cabling:
    » Horus Hybrid RCA interconnection
    » Evolution in loudspeakers and mains power
Rack HiFi:
» Artesanía Audio Exoteryc Rack PRO

On more than one occasion I have commented that TrueBass was for children and young people without much experience in sound and more intended for low-level entertainment than for more serious listening. The exaggeratedly inflated bass has never been to my liking. Something I had always associated with the need for high sound pressure without criteria in video games.

XBass+ is an analog filter that gives another meaning to bass enhancement, delivering an extra boost of energy in the low frequencies, but without being over the top. It's like adding spice to food, everyone knows it's an extra that goes with the dish, that is not necessarily part of any of the main elements, but it's appreciated. That's it.

I think I have been able to test so many devices from this manufacturer that distinguishing their sonic trademark in the products they make should not take much effort in an environment controlled by me. Their timbre, separation and airing of instruments are so characteristic and recognizable that it is increasingly difficult for me to discern between one product and another, when it comes to a continuation series, becoming more evident when we jump categories. In other words, Zen Air or Zen are two different categories and there is a huge difference between them, which does not exist between the V2 and V3 versions of this product.

To make it more entertaining for the readers and also for myself, I compared two products separated in time and category level. Zen One Signature and Zen v3. Not only that, but I deliberately cheated so that I could share my findings with you. Initially I tried the Zen One Signature with its iPower2 power supply and the company's own 4.4 to XLR cables and the Zen v3 powered via the USB C connection extracted from the server itself and RCA (A) cabling. I then reversed this power and cabling configuration (B).

In the first configuration (A) with the oldest recordings that I used and that have not been remastered or anything like that, such as China Crisis, Talk Talk, Pegasus and other groups, the sound quality is slightly better on the Zen One Signature, adding a plus of naturalness to the sound that makes it more pleasant when listening attentively, imperceptible when listening without paying attention. If, on the other hand, we use recent recordings with high sound quality, this difference becomes almost non-existent, if not completely non-existent. The struggle was so great that I was having trouble deciding which sound version I liked best for each track. I think the technical draw between the two is the truest and fairest assessment I can give to the two contenders.

With option B activated, the discussion is over. With the same discography playing, the older songs gain presence in the room. Their stage is clearer and more open. And within the segment of good, modern recordings, we have one by a Catalan group, Els Amics de les Arts, whose album "Espècies per catalogar" opens up the sound stage so much that I have to go and find the singer in the neighbor's dining room. I have said it many times and I will not tire of saying it again, although iFi Audio products can draw power from the USB port, and this is a good option if you need mobility, it is not acceptable in dedicated room systems. The cost/benefit ratio is so great that it should not be up for debate.

From the first models I was lucky enough to get my hands on to the current ones, I think we could talk about a continuous and decisive evolution towards a brand of sound. They have always sought the maximum clarity and resolution possible, often coming dangerously close to the coldest and most analytical sound on the market. I have mentioned this on more than one occasion. But for a little over a year now, their releases have been striking a much better balance between maintaining unparalleled instrumental clarity (always on a price scale) and a naturalness of sound that is more pleasant in certain musical genres. Currently, male voices are reproduced in a more realistic way and we can listen to singers with satisfaction, without having to look for more electronic recordings. Being able to launch a product at a reasonable price and, at the same time, take care of the details in the choice of components for the analog audio output, which, although it may seem untrue, does not have the commercial pull of advertising this or that decoder chip, has a lot of merit.

iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 is the natural and sensible evolution of its predecessor. Its main differences are its objective advantages: higher musical resolution, XBass+ filter and electrical protection of the device. Another advantage, this one is subjective: more beautiful and elegant.

In terms of sound quality it can challenge a much higher level model like the ZEN One Signature, although not in connectivity, so bear that in mind.

If I had the chance to buy either the previous (v2) or this one, given the difference in price, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to pay the extra for the current one. If I own version 2, I'd better wait for a Zen One Signature update, or within the same category, the future v4, which according to my calculations should be released in mid-2026.

iFi offers us products that compete directly on price with products of dubious quality and Chinese design. Comparing them on price is possible, but on sound, not even in a joke.