Ifi Zen Air DAC Review - What does $100 get you?
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2022
- The ifi Zen Air DAC promises some serious performance in both sound quality and feature set. So at $100, is it a good buy?
If this is the right DAC/Headphone amp for you, you can purchase it here:
amzn.to/3d2iaAH
Ifi Official Site:
ifi-audio.com/products/zen-ai...
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#ifi #headphones #hifi - Наука та технологія
very nice review. I bought this to use with desktop PC use to loudspeakers for digital music library. It works great and I am very happy with the purchase. Thanks for addressing the firmware update issue; i had to do the same and it works perfectly now, eliminating the sound delay issue.
Thank you so so much. I just got the 660S and holy shit the "DAC" problem has given me a day of researching do I need one, what one etc, wish I found this video first. Thanks :)
Is it worth it to upgrade to this DAC from the Sound Blaster Omni? I use a Sony MDR 100AAP and an AKG K240 mk2. My biggest issue with my Omni is that the output impedance is 19 ohm, which might interfere with the frequency response
Hi Joe, I looking to upgrade from the Astro a40 tr with the mix amp pro. I've heard a lot of rave about the Penrose for having the best sound but I have also heard it has its fair share of issues. Do you have any recommendations for headphones below $500 that have the same sound or better sound than the Penrose for gaming?
Hey I'm just using IEM's, the Fiio FH3, not hard to drive, but a DAC is needed (especially for listening via phone). I'm currently using a Dongle DAC; the ibasso DC05. I also use it on my MacBook, because it is better than the headphone jack. Would it be worth the upgrade from the DC05 to to this IFI Dac? Thanks in advance, happy holidays!
I've bought this amp for my beyerdynamic dt 770 pro 80 ohm. Amazing amp. I was missing bass in my headphones and this amplifier made the picture completely balanced for me. At first it seems like there’s a lot of it, but then I get used to it, and now I don’t want to listen my music without it. Also I was missing volume, this problem also solved.
Using this amp with XBass and Power Match buttons always on, and turning off for rare tracks.
Mainly using my setup for listening music, while working on macbook, like: jan blomqvist, boris brecha, artbat. Also trance, hip hop, d&b.
Thank you so much for your review and recommendation!
Joe, I may have missed this answer. Perhaps not. Does the front panel volume control (knob) also adjust the volume level on the RCA output(s)?
will my bayerdynamic 900 pro x ( 48 ohms, 100 sensitiviry) benefit from that? I know that many ppl have high ohms headsets so I'm wondering my case
Great video !! Could I connect this to my goxlr?
I'm having trouble getting my Ifi Zen Air DAC to work, do I need a streamer?
Newbie here, with the RCA out, if I leave me speakers plugged in but at 0 volume on the knob, not effectively turned off since that can't be done, will it affect the power to the headphones?
I want to get this for my 6xx as well as having a one cable solution for both my laptop and pc when swapping over from one to another.
I have this thing, and it is my best purchasing for audio gear!
I realize that in this hobby, maybe I can change headphones so many times but I don't need to change DAC AMP frequently. That is why I bought this because it can drive my HD660S which is my favourite headphone ever!
Sorry to bother, is the 660s harder to drive than the 6xx?
Would love to see full revew of the Creative Sound Blaster X4 Hi-Res 24bit/192kHz External USB DAC and Amp Black.
Very helpfull video, thank you
would these work to power passive speakers, like the kef q150 for example?
How does this stack up to the Topping DX1?
Hi, first of all, thanks for the review! Now I'm looking to buy my first dac/amp and I'm looking at either this Ifi Zen Air Dac or the FiiO K3s (New K3). They are both 100-. Don't know if you have used the K3s but which one would you say is better?
Get the ifi :)
Does it come with the 6.3 to 3.5 adapter?
Does this sound the same as ifi zen dac v2?
How does it work for gaming headphones?
How can I connect this to my tv to power active speakers?
Hey, it will be good with mobile Phone and akg k702?
@4:48 I came to your video SPECIFICALLY to see if the Ifi Zen Dac could power my Sennheiser HD560S headphones and you confirmed it will! TY sir.
Great review I'm thinking about purchasing some good headphones maybe that'd be the amp to start with watched your video on the sv500 Vincent receiver would really like to see you do a review on the sv228 nobody on UA-cam has done one except in German language thanks have a great day
I'll be working with Vincent products more shortly! Just trying to catch up on headphone gear for now. Vincent stuff is planned. Thanks so much for the support!
Can I use this with just my iPhone?
Hi Joe, I'm looking to get a setup together, speakers + amplifier, headphone amp + dac and at some point upgrade headset. I feel like you're knowledgeable about all these. Are you at all familiar with the dx3pro+? Been doing my research and it seems a lot of people agree it's a buy once and never look back type of thing which appeals to me. If you are familiar, do you consider it to be a superior purchase for an extra 100 EUR?
I'm going to be building some Overnight sensations speakers (seems super fun), buy a cheap amp (aiyima a07) and am thinking of a headphone amp with DAC to use for the speaker DAC and headphone amp. I'm currently using the closed back h6pro for gaming (gsx300 bundle, excellent review btw), will look for a good set of openbacks later for more immersive games and music listing. I'm enjoying the h6pro and will just keep those for the excellent mic and good sound in my multiplayer games :)
The DX3Pro+ performs incredibly well from a measurement perspective. I've head some mixed feedback regarding long term reliability issues or bugs however, so I don't know how well it would treat you over the next "x" years. That's a tough one to answer! Glad you're enjoying the H6PROs!
@GadgetryTech Thanks for the response! I was not aware of that, that's why I enjoy this channel, knowledgeable and you get the pros AND cons! Time to do more research!
Does this improve the HD 560S?
Will you do a HD560s review?
I bought this and paired with 560s and I really like the quality of sound. Sometimes I hear some popping sound but its not always. I went from cloud 2 to 560s with this dac and feels my audio game is in another level.
Curious to know if the xbass feature works on the Rca outputs 👀
It does
Would this be a good upgrade for Creative Sound Blaster X4 Hi-Res 24bit/192kHz External USB DAC and Amp Black? would this sound any better than Creative Sound Blaster X4?
They have a very different feature set and price point, but... The Creative X4 has a slightly warmer sound to it. The Zen Air DAC is essentially neutral and measures almost perfectly flat. It doesn't have any of the gamer stuff, but instead focuses and reproducing the source signal as cleanly as possible in analog form.
@@GadgetryTech Thank you got tht info i have the x4 was wondering if their anything better than x4 I may try this one to I just need something for PC that will give a good sound. many thanks
The Zen air and Uno are $20 apart, which do you suggest between the two?
I use Sennheiser 560s, and mostly game and watch videos.
It would be awesome to see you compare the Ifi uno and ifi air
Does it work on ps5 ?
My type of content Joe. I have the Zen Dac V2. Love the sound from it.
is the zen dac v2 better than the zen dac v1? is it worth buying the zen dac v2 versus the zen dac v1?
Great review. Do you think I should get this or the zen dac v2, I’m gonna be using it for my ps5 to play warzone on paired with the hd560s. I just wana know if there is a audio difference for hearing the footsteps
will this give me full potential if I pair it with my dt990 pro 250 ohms headphone?
did you try it anyway? asking for my 6xx
@@catalin0504 Yes, it works
Hi, Can you tell me wich one is better Ifi Uno or IFI Zen Air DAC?
I haven't personally listened to the Uno yet so I can only speculate. The Zen Air has the Burr Brown DAC which typically sounds slightly warmer compared to more neutral DACs from ESS and AKM. That's my only guess at the moment
@@GadgetryTech AKM IMO is warm lacks mid range/ narrow sound stage... I've had 3 diff AKM DACs (diff manufacturers) and they all sounded very narrow compared to BB, ESS, cirrus.. The latest one I I bought is a topping DX1.
I think the Zen Dacs are overpriced when it comes to spec vs price.. DSD1793 is a old/cheap chip.. Kinda sad, but its the only modern "burr brown" product.. I guess they have a market there.
I regret selling my older Titanium HD (PCM1794) and Musiland Monitor 02 US (PCM1793) back 10 years ago. :|
Is it waste of money to pair this with the Maxwell ?
Absolutely. The Maxwell doesn’t need anything
Just bought one.
Awesome!
Hey Joe. I have the ifi zen dac V2, soul purpose for ps5 games. Works great very happy.
That's awesome! They have a very neutral presentation and are very clean sounding so I'm sure you love it.
Jason, how do you feel this improves the audio compared to output from the controller? Are you also using it with a decent set of headphones?
@@raimee81 I'm using phillips shp9500 and fedelio x2 hr headphones. The amp ensures you get the right sound from your headphones.and works great with 3d audio
How do you connect the mic?
@@GameMalfunctionI guess you don't as its not mic input.
For my gamer subs out there... This DAC works perfectly on PS5! Just no mic support :)
Would you be able to please review the Fosi Audio Q4 Dac and a more budget friendly Aiyima Dac-A2?
How about Xbox series x?
@@tonyngai9203 It does not, no. Sorry I missed this!
So there is no way to have party chat? Would the schiit hel 2e be a better option?
snake oil,, my mid budget gaming laptop has 0 noise or hiss at max volume and my hd560s already sound pretty nice with it. i doubt a dedicated dac will make them sound better, at the end of the day the dac inside any laptop does the same thing as a dedicated one aka converting digital signal into analogue no sorcery here.
I have 250ohm headphones and i hear crackling and shit if i directly just plug into my 3.5mm headphone jack on my 1000eur gaming laptop :DD
No one is more certain of their truth, than an unenlightened idiot.