In review: ifi Zen Air DAC
A $99 DAC doesn’t sound like it could do very much to your music. The iFi Zen Air, however, is something different and, dare I say, well worth the price.
Basically, this is a USB-C DAC for your desktop. It supports RCA out for speakers as well as 1/4-inch and balanced headphone outputs. When you plug in a pair of good headphones or monitors you essentially get a surprisingly good audio system with lots of headroom and plenty of detail.
Housed in iFi’s familiar curved desktop chassis, the ZEN Air DAC strips away some of the premium materials found in the company’s higher-end models while retaining the core audio technology that made the original ZEN series popular among headphone enthusiasts. Basically it’s a plastic box clad in rubber which doesn’t give a premium vibe but is definitely cool looking.
At the heart of the ZEN Air DAC is a Burr-Brown True Native DAC chip paired with a 16-core XMOS USB processor. This combination allows the unit to handle PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD256, DXD, and MQA content. Unlike many entry-level DACs that convert everything to a single format internally, the Burr-Brown architecture preserves the original data stream, helping maintain the character of the source material.
The ZEN Air DAC functions as both a standalone DAC and a headphone amplifier. A front-mounted 1/4-inch headphone jack is paired with an analog volume control, while rear RCA outputs allow the unit to feed powered speakers or an external amplifier. PowerMatch gain adjustment helps users match the amplifier output to different headphones, whether they are using sensitive in-ear monitors or more demanding over-ear designs.
One of the most useful features is XBass+, iFi’s analog bass enhancement circuit. Rather than using digital signal processing, XBass+ adds low-frequency weight through an analog circuit that can help compensate for headphones that sound thin or lack extension in the lower registers. The effect is subtle enough for daily listening and can add welcome warmth to smaller headphones without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range.
In use, the ZEN Air DAC delivers the smooth, slightly warm sound signature that has become associated with iFi products. Vocals sound natural, instruments retain good separation, and the presentation avoids the harshness sometimes found in budget DACs. While it lacks the outright power and refinement of more expensive desktop amplifiers, it offers a substantial improvement over the audio outputs built into most laptops, desktop computers, and gaming systems.
I compared the Zen Air with the Fosi Audio ZH3 and there was honestly no contest. Bass was deeper, resolution was better, and, as you’d expect, the ZH3 was $100 more expensive than the Zen Air. That said, the Zen Air performed admirably in comparison to the ZH3 and an older tube DAC I use but, in the end, you get what you pay for.
The ZEN Air DAC is aimed at listeners taking their first steps into dedicated desktop audio. It combines broad format support, solid headphone performance, and useful analog features in an affordable package. For anyone looking to improve their listening experience without building a complicated audio system, it remains one of the strongest values in the entry-level DAC and headphone amplifier category. The bottom line? Plugging this into your computer and adding a nice pair of entry-level headphones will change your life when it comes to digital audio. It’s a great first step for anyone wondering what the fuss is about when it comes to dedicated audio hardware and it’s well worth the price of admission.
Specs
DAC
Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
DIMENSIONS
158 x 117 x 35 mm
6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”
DNRLine 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
315 g
0.694 lbs