Summary
iFi is a very well respected name in home and personal audio.
Next up is the Zen Dac V2.
So can it compete with its portable partner on a desktop level?
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TheiFi Zen Dac V2is, as you might imagine, the upgrade to the original Zen Dac.
For $159, you get extra features that elevate the V2 above the original.
Let’s find out if this desktop beauty is worth another 10/10 score…
The iFi Zen DAC V2 offers several upgrades to the original model. This time, with full MQA decoding and a 16-core XMOS chip, the latest desktop DAC/headphone amplifier from the brand builds upon the success of the OG to bring an improved device that still carries that signature sound quality and craftsmanship from iFi. A worthy addition to any desktop audio setup.
The iFi Zen DAC V2 offers several upgrades to the original model.
A worthy addition to any desktop audio setup.
More on that later in the review.
The iFi Zen DAC V2 offers several upgrades to the original model. This time, with full MQA decoding and a 16-core XMOS chip, the latest desktop DAC/headphone amplifier from the brand builds upon the success of the OG to bring an improved device that still carries that signature sound quality and craftsmanship from iFi. A worthy addition to any desktop audio setup.
However, the design remains beautiful, with gorgeous craftsmanship as per all of iFi’s audio components.
So, not much of an appearance/material upgrade in terms of the machine’s looks.
This doubles the clock speed of the machine.
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Not only that, but it also means that the V2 model can fully decode MQA files.
Other than that, the Zen DAC V2 remains unchanged from the original.
It still works as a headphone amplifier and a DAC.
Ste Knight / MakeUseOf
My only gripe with the Zen DAC V2 is the lack of an XLR output for headphones/speakers.
The 4.4mm balanced outputs are fairly niche, and having two of them feels like overkill to me.
iFi’s decision to omit the power adapter from the box isn’t an oversight.
Ste Knight / MakeUseOf
Of course, you’re free to if you wish.
I requested that iFi send me a dedicated power source to see if it improved the sound any.
In general, I absolutely love the sound from the iFi Zen DAC V2 amplifier.
Ste Knight / MakeUseOf
Detailing is excellent for a start.
Bass reproduction is perfect.
I noticed no muddiness when I was listening to bass heavy tracks.
Ste Knight / MakeUseOf
Those bass sounds are as punchy as you would expect.
Midrange frequencies retain warmth, particularly noticeable with acoustic instruments and vocals.
The texture across the midrange remains balanced and crisp.
Ste Knight / MakeUseOf
I noticed nothing gritty in the audio when I was focusing on the mids.
The Power Match and TrueBass features are excellent inclusions here, as with the previous version.
By activating ‘Power Match,’ you effectively adjust the headphone amp’s gain.
Additionally, I did not need to use the TrueBass feature.
The idea here is that leveraging this feature results in enhanced bass that doesn’t bleed into the mids.
So, if your headphones lack that bottom-end oomph, then this feature will come in handy.
Really, I would have preferred a 3.5mm and XLR output here instead.
But what do I know?
I didn’t design these, and iFi didn’t design them specifically for me, either!
In general, the Zen DAC V2 has fantastic clarity across the entire frequency range.
Should You Buy the iFi Zen DAC V2?
You’re getting a very powerful DAC/amp, and one you’ll struggle to match at this price point.
