Full Description
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Burr-Brown chipset delivers rich and natural audio
The ZEN Air DAC is designed to improve the audio quality of common digital sources, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and games consoles. Instead of relying on the internal audio hardware in those devices, it handles digital-to-analog conversion externally through iFi’s Burr-Brown implementation.
This gives audio more definition and cleaner separation with a more stable tonal balance than standard built-in outputs typically provide. Because it also includes headphone amplification, it can form the centre of a simple personal listening setup without requiring extra components. That makes it particularly useful as an entry point for listeners moving beyond standard device audio.
True Native architecture keeps formats intact
At the core of the unit is a Burr-Brown chipset with a four-channel True Native design. PCM and DSD data take separate pathways, allowing both formats to remain bit-perfect in their native form through to analog conversion. This matters for listeners using higher-resolution libraries, as it avoids unnecessary alteration of the original file format during playback.
iFi uses this chipset family across its ZEN DAC line because of its natural presentation and the flexibility of its architecture. In practice, the ZEN Air DAC is built to preserve the source material accurately while maintaining a clear, composed sound character.
Broad hi-res support across modern libraries
The format support is extensive for a DAC at this level. The ZEN Air DAC handles PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, fully native DSD up to DSD256, and single and double speed DXD. It also supports MQA playback, which makes it suitable for users accessing compatible studio-quality streams, including Tidal Masters.
That range gives the unit strong compatibility across both stored music files and streaming platforms, with no need to limit playback to basic compressed formats. If your library includes a mix of standard digital audio and hi-res content, the ZEN Air DAC is equipped to manage it through one compact desktop unit.
Gain boost and analog volume control
Alongside its core conversion stage, the ZEN Air DAC includes a small set of practical tuning features. PowerMatch adds 6dB of gain, helping the unit drive more power-hungry headphones at an appropriate level. XBass+ increases low-frequency presence with a deeper, tighter bass response, which can help balance headphones that sound light in the low end.
Volume is controlled through an analog circuit rather than a digital one, so lowering the level does not remove data from the track in the way digital volume control can. With headphone output at the front and RCA line outputs at the rear, the ZEN Air DAC stays flexible without becoming complicated.
Features
- External DAC improves sound quality from laptops phones tablets and consoles
- Burr Brown chipset delivers clear balanced and natural audio
- Built in headphone amplifier supports a simple all in one listening setup
- True Native design keeps PCM and DSD formats unchanged during playback
- Separate signal paths preserve accuracy for high resolution audio files
- Supports high resolution PCM DSD DXD and MQA formats
- Handles a wide range of music from standard files to studio quality streaming
- PowerMatch gain boost helps drive demanding headphones
- XBass plus enhances low frequency depth and impact
- Analog volume control maintains full audio detail at lower levels
- Front headphone output and rear RCA outputs for flexible connections
- Compact desktop design suitable for personal audio setups
Specifications
- DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC By Burr Brown
- Dimensions:
- 158 X 117 X 35 Mm
- 6.2" X 4.6" X 1.4"
- DNR: Line Section: >113dB(A) @ -60dBFS
- Formats Supported:
- 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384kHz PCM
- 2.8/3.1/5.6/6.2/11.2/12.4MHz DSD
- 353/384KHz DXD
- MQA
- Input: USB2.0 B Socket
- Input Voltage: DC 5V/2.5A
- Net Weight:
- Output:
- Line Section: 1V / 3.3V Max.
- Headphone Section: 1V / 3.3V Max. (Variable)
- Output Impedance:
- Line Section: ≤50Ω
- Headphone Section: <1Ω
- Power Consumption: No Signal 0.5W / Max Signal 2.5W
- RMS Output Power: Headphone Section: >230mW @ 32Ω ; >36mW @ 300Ω
- SNR:
- Line Section: <-113dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- Headphone Section: <-113dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- THD+N:
- Line Section: <0.04 @ 0dBFS
- Headphone Section: <0.04 (100mW @ 16Ω)
- Product Code: ZEN-AIR-DAC