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iFi ZEN DAC 3 – Comparative Sound Impressions
The Zen DAC 3 is characterized by its warm and smooth sound signature, making it a delightful experience to listen to for extended periods. The warmth especially alters the lower treble, making the presentation more lush and smooth. The DAC colors and saturates the sound, which can either be a perfect match for some users or perhaps too warm for others who prefer a more neutral or analytical sound.
The highlight of the ZEN DAC 3 is its ability to render music in a pleasing, smooth and non-fatiguing manner. It does so without massively sacrificing the technical capability and that is one of the key aspects which keeps the listener involved and connected to the music. The end result is a musical, warm, and very engaging sound. However, like every other source equipment, good synergy is essential if you aim to have both musical and detailed presentation.
Pairing it with IEMs that have a lively upper mid/lower treble can beautifully moderate these tones, leading to a musical yet detailed presentation. For bass enthusiasts, pairing it with a warm headphone like the HD650 and activating the XBass+ switch can create a bass-focused warm signature. It’s all about the preferences these days. I appreciate iFi’s implementation, it is overly easy to find neutral DACs in the market and the “sauce” of sound is slowly getting lost in the specs race, which ultimately hurts the consumer as all the alternatives on the market sound pretty much the same with minor differences.
I paired Zen DAC 3 with the $1500 Symphonium Crimson, an all-BA set with a U-shape signature. It has fantastic technical capability and an impressive bass shelf that only acts when called upon. It paired beautifully with the iFi ZEN Dac 3 due to the fact that it has an energetic upper midrange/lower treble region with bite. The ZEN DAC 3 trimmed off the extras, making it smoother and more rounded in the treble region without it taking a huge hit, technicalities-wise. Listening to EDM tracks with the XBass+ on is immensely fun also. Additionally, I believe the XBass+ affects frequencies between 5 to 100 Hz, so your midrange is relatively safe. Of course, that depends on the individual FRs of earphones you are attenuating.
Pairing the DAC with the $159 Drop/Sennheiser 58X resulted in a warmer signature with a less extended top octave. Cymbals and hi-hats took a step back, and vocals are more intimate with a good amount of detail retrieval. The guitar strings carry a good amount of body, and this pairing results in a smooth pairing that can be listened to for hours on end.
Conversely, pairing it with Sennheiser’s $699 IE600 offered a more dynamic experience. The Zen DAC 3 smoothed out the energetic treble of the IE600, shifting the focus to the midrange and enhancing the presentation of vocals and natural instruments. This was particularly advantageous for long listening sessions, as the IE600 can be tiring over long periods due to its treble intensity.
Overall, the ZEN DAC 3 features excellent technical capability for the price; it has a relatively large soundstage with good imaging. Despite its warm tuning, the ZEN DAC 3 does not feel claustrophobic at all. There is a good amount of air and space between the instruments. The layering is quite good for the price, too. This part especially impressed me; I expected less due to capitalistic prejudice. I apologize for that.
Comparing the ZEN DAC 3 with the $199 Topping DX3 Pro+ reveals how a neutral-sounding budget DAC stands up against it. Starting with the build quality, the ZEN DAC 3 easily wins this round. The DX3 Pro+ looks cheaper and basic in comparison. Zen DAC 3 is just too handsome with its bronze/copper/leather accents and smoothly finished aluminum chassis. The DX3 Pro+ does not feature a 4.4mm out but comes with dual coax inputs and an optical input on top of ZEN DAC 3’s I/O selection. So you get extra two inputs compared to the 30 USD pricier ZEN DAC 3.
Sound-wise, the DX3 Pro+ sounds more balanced, with more top extension and lower treble presence. It does not sound as engaging and musical as the ZEN DAC 3, but it renders the detail more transparently, especially in the high region. I’d go for both of the devices instead of buying a single 400 USD DAC if the budget allows it so that I could have more routes and decide. This would be especially advantageous if the consumer in the equation had more than one earphone with different sound signatures. I personally enjoy listening to the metal genre with more easygoing sources like the ZEN DAC 3 because the masterings and recordings are usually bad, so neutral or analytical DACs quickly reveal all the issues with the tracks, and I get distracted from the music and focus on those nitty bitty issues. So yes, pairing is critically important; take your preferences and already-owned gear into account and decide accordingly!
iSilencer & iDefender
The iSilencer+ from iFi enhances your USB audio setup by eliminating noise issues commonly encountered with computer-based audio systems. Designed to tackle problems from both electrical noise and signal integrity, it helps improve sound by reducing background noise. By incorporating iFi’s Active Noise Cancellation II technology, the iSilencer+ actively cancels out incoming noise in a manner similar to noise-cancelling headphones, ensuring a clearer and more vibrant audio experience.
The iDefender+ focuses on combating ground loop noise in audio systems using USB connections. It’s particularly effective when connected alongside the iSilencer+ to form a powerful duo that addresses both noise and electrical interference issues. The iDefender+ works by disconnecting the ground loop, using its built-in features to ensure that the integrity of your audio signal is maintained without the hums and buzzes that can degrade your listening experience.
iFi was kind enough to send some of their filters, and I’ve had a chance to play with them. They proved particularly useful for my setup. My custom PC, equipped with 4090 and 14700K, draws about 800W with spikes up to 950W, causing my JBL LSR308 speakers to buzz noticeably, especially under load. Although some DACs I tried had mitigated this issue, others were ineffective. I tried using the iDefender and iSilencer combo for those I had problems with. I connected them in sequence. iDefender first, followed by iSilencer to my PC’s back panel/motherboard. This setup eliminated the buzzing I experienced, probably due to the poor implementation of the motherboard. If you have a similar issue, I recommend trying these little devices; they may also solve your problems. You can check this pdf for more info.
Last Words
The iFi ZEN DAC 3 delivers a unique experience with a warm, pleasant, and smooth sound. Priced at $229, it offers excellent build quality and thoughtful features like XBass+ and versatile connectivity, though it lacks some features found in competitors, such as alternative inputs. It is especially ideal for audiophiles with straightforward/simple setups looking for rich, engaging sound.
In a market crowded with similarly priced options, the ZEN DAC 3 stands out by offering excellent musicality, a secret sauce missing from DACs these days. Its ability to transform everyday listening into a more immersive experience is where it truly shines, making it a worthy consideration for those looking to upgrade their audio setup without breaking the bank.
Summary
Pros:
+ Unique signature
+ Warm & smooth presentation
+ Good technical capability
+ Excellent build quality
+ XBass+ is fun to use
Cons:
– Power adapter is optional
– Average power output
Page 1: iFi, Zen DAC 3, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality,
Page 2: Comparative Sound Impressions, iFi Filters, Last Words
