ifi Audio ZEN DAC Signature V2
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
75/100
Features Connectivity
79/100
Value for Money
91/100
The ZEN DAC Signature V2 brings an open, even-handed sound to desktop listening, pairing stronger clarity and expressive dynamics with tighter bass and a more refined sense of space. What Hi-Fi? highlights its meaningful computer-audio uplift, while balanced connections, variable outputs and adjustable gain make this a versatile headphone hub with genuine hi-fi poise.
Pros
Clear, smooth and tonally balanced presentation with stronger dynamics, refinement and tighter bass than the previous version.
Flexible desktop hub: balanced and single-ended headphone connections, fixed/variable outputs, PowerMatch gain and TrueBass.
Delivers a substantial, well-regarded improvement over computer audio with strong value for newcomers.
Cons
No mains power adapter is included; an external supply is recommended for more demanding headphones.
USB is the only digital input.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
What Hi-Fi finds the ZEN DAC Signature V2 open, smooth, tonally even-handed and more refined than its predecessor. Its clearer, more dynamically expressive presentation and tighter bass make it an especially convincing upgrade for a desktop headphone system.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
91/100
What Hi-Fi describes a clear, open and smooth character with frequencies handled in a nicely judged, even-handed way. Added clarity makes vocal expression and piano notes more emotionally communicative, while tighter bass and stronger dynamics bring more life to the music.
Resolution and Detail
90/100
The review hears a meaningful lift in clarity and refinement over the earlier model. Background piano, sampled drum patterns and subtleties in vocal inflection become more apparent, creating a wider and more informative window into recordings.
Digital Performance
87/100
The ZEN DAC Signature V2 is reported to provide a significant improvement over computer audio, with an atmospheric and composed presentation rather than an overtly digital one. Reviewers do not provide detailed comments on noise-floor behavior, jitter, or measured conversion performance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
75/100
The review notes that the V2 retains the original model's exterior, apart from a discreet rear-panel marking. It says little about chassis robustness, internal component quality, power-supply implementation, or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
79/100
USB supports high-resolution PCM up to 384kHz, DSD256, DXD and MQA decoding, while RCA and balanced 4.4mm outputs can be used fixed or variable for preamp duty. Headphone users also get 6.3mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs, a volume control, Power Match gain adjustment and TrueBass; connectivity is otherwise USB-only, and a mains adapter is not included.
Value for Money
91/100
At $299, What Hi-Fi considers the asking price justified and calls the combination of performance and features best in class. The review frames it as a substantial quality jump for newcomers to desktop DAC and headphone systems, despite describing the update as evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- DAC
- Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
- DIMENSIONS
- 158(w) x 117(d) x 35(h) mm\n6.2" x 4.6" x 1.4"
- DNR
- >117 dB(A) @ -60dBFS (BAL/SE)
- FORMATS SUPPORTED
- PCM (384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz)\nDSD (256/128/64), DXD(384/352.8kHz), \nMQA (Decoder)
- INPUT
- USB3.0 B Socket (USB2.0 compatible)
- NET WEIGHT
- 505g / 1.11lbs
- OUTPUT
- Balanced 4.4mm: 2V-6.2V max. (variable) / 4.2V (fixed)\nUnBAL RCA: 1V-3.3V max. (variable) / 2.1V (fixed)
- POWER CONSUMPTION
- No Signal ~0.5W \nMax Signal ~2.5W
- SNR
- <-117 dB(A) @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
- THD+N
- <0.0011% @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
Manufacturer's Description — ifi Audio
A DAC – pure and simple.
The ZEN DAC Signature is a dedicated DAC with true-differential, dual-mono architecture, inspired by our Pro series. With boutique components and direct signal paths, it’s the perfect match for your favourite amp.
A ‘Bit’ special…
The ZEN DAC Signature V2’s digital stage retains its True Native DAC architecture. It delivers Bit-Perfect up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 as well as DXD. The iFi-programmed XMOS chip, which processes data received at the USB input, and jitter-eradicating, audiophile-grade oscillators, contribute to exemplary handling of digital audio signals as they are received, processed and converted to analogue form.
Confident connections
The ZEN DAC Signature V2 ensures jitter-free data transfer via its asynchronous USB Type B input, regulated by upgraded audio clock circuitry. It features RCA sockets for single-ended output and a 4.4mm Balanced output for compact, balanced connections. The balanced circuit design delivers optimal performance with amps or speakers equipped with 4.4mm Balanced or XLR inputs.
Balanced. Blissfully quiet.
The ZEN DAC Signature V2 incorporates boutique parts and circuitry inspired by the £3,000 iFi Pro range. It sports a fully-symmetrical, true differential balanced dual-mono signal stage with direct signal paths to ensure optimal signal purity.
The new low jitter crystal clock means >20dB better noise reduction. The ZEN DAC Signature V2 will remain quiet wherever it’s used.
Outstanding components including C0G capacitors from TDK, Panasonic OS-CON and ELNA Slimic II capacitors complete the design.
16 core means more…
MQA an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. Thanks to the processing power of the new 16 core XMOS chip, the ZEN DAC Signature V2 is now a full MQA decoder.
The ZEN DAC Signature V2 includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.
Fixed or variable. You decide.
The outputs of the ZEN DAC Signature V2 can be switched between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’.
Variable – use this setting if you wish the ZEN DAC Signature V2 to control the volume of powered speakers or its volume as a preamp.
Fixed – this option is for when you use it with downstream equipment with its own volume control. This will bypass the ZEN DAC Signature V2 as if there was a ‘straight wire’ from the digital source to the analogue amplifier.
Greater, purer listening experience.
Enjoy an enhanced experience.
The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material.
It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ifi Audio ZEN DAC Signature V2
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acoustipower — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
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