IFI - ZEN DAC 3

Relax, and Enjoy High-Res 768kHz PCM, DSD512, and Fully Decoded MQA for Less: Versatile iFi ZEN DAC 3 Also Functions as a Balanced Headphone Amplifier and Preamplifier
Chill with your music at a price that won't make you sweat with the iFi ZEN DAC 3. Doubling as a USB DAC for active speakers, compact headphone amplifier, and preamplifier, this exemplary 1.1-pound device features a balanced analog stage as well as switchable balanced and single-ended outputs for extended flexibility. Plug-and-play operation comes courtesy of a USB-C input and both 6.3mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs to connect to the ‘phones of your choice. ZEN DAC 3 can even hook up to preamplifiers and power amplifiers.
Yet the connectivity pales in comparison to sonic acumen that’s guided by a Burr-Brown chip, 16-core XMOS low-latency microcontroller, and True Native Architecture that reproduces 768kHz PCM, bit-perfect DSD up to DSD512, and fully decoded MQA in resplendent fashion. Credit the balanced design that incorporates high-quality circuit components, including an audiophile-grade analog volume pot. What's more, extensive clock-locking exists throughout the digital stage to eradicate jitter. (Please note: ZEN DAC 3 does not come with a power supply).
Compared to its acclaimed predecessor, ZEN DAC 3 touts a few important improvements – including an enhanced output DC offset, upgraded GMT clock, USB input over-voltage protection, better internal circuitry, and the ability to handle higher-resolution DSD and PCM. It also lets you restore lost bass frequencies from open-back headphones via iFi’s XBass+ technology. Also standard: PowerMatch switchable gain, a staggering >109 dBA SNR rating, and up to 390mW of headphone output power.
On the outside, ZEN DAC 3 continues iFi’s slim, slender, albeit robust construction profile that suits both practical and aesthetic needs. Providing levels of accuracy, purity, detail, and dynamics that are practically unthinkable amid its price range, ZEN DAC 3 is a no-brainer for listeners seeking an affordable, accessible way to enjoy high-res music through multiple devices and/or take advantage of the full performance a good pair of headphones can deliver.