The King of Desktop Dacs? The IFI Zen Dac 3

This is a review of the new IFI Zen Dac and Headphone Amplifier.
00:00 Intro
01:24 Unboxing
01:46 First Impressions
03:57 Specifications
05:28 Unique Features
06:36 Performance & Sound
08:36 Comparisons
10:34 Wrap Up
✅The IFI Zen on Amazon amzn.to/3Rwl3en
My Amazon Affiliate Link amzn.to/2sfgypU
Amazon Store www.amazon.com/shop/frugaltech
✅Check out Amazon Music HGD amzn.to/3G32V5D
My Audio Gear
✅Marantz PM 8006 amzn.to/3DyZAd3
✅Topping D70 Pro Sabre Dac
✅Wiim Pro Plus Streamer amzn.to/3SNfCZB
✅HIFIMAN EF400 amzn.to/4aDBWLs
✅KEF Q350
✅ NAD C538 amzn.to/449Hxqv
✅Fosi Audio ZA3 amzn.to/3UsegD9
✅ HIFIMAN EF400 amzn.to/3QJCKpw
✅ Pro amzn.to/3QmODDj
✅ DX3Pro+ Dac/Amp amzn.to/3RoZEAR
✅KEF Q150 amzn.to/3P20Xpu
✅Wharfedale Linton Speakers amzn.to/3lXOhCy
✅NAD 316BeeV2 Amp (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3vsuaAE
✅ D10S Dac (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3rwQNmk
✅Klipsch R-51M Speakers (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3rARDP1
✅HIFIMAN Sundara (Affiliate Link) Headphones amzn.to/3JS3NcF
✅Yamaha AS-501 (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3Otx0hI
✅ RT-85 Turntable (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3uOMBQS
✅ RP-600M Speakers (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3xEEg4p
✅ Modi3 Dac (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3jIiGnk
✅Schiit Magni 3 Headphone Amp (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3OmpcOO
✅Elac SUB1010 Subwoofer (Affiliate Link) amzn.to/3El29iu
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[@TheBoomerConsumer]

Please keep comment civil. Comments with Links will be removed

[@mcbowler]

Ifi was the first burr-brown op-amp I've heard, and now I have two! It's a very nice powerful sound. You can use the balanced output to xlr connectors and plug directly into powered studio monitors... woah... so good, so simple.

[@scottbennett3119]

Good video, very informative!

[@frankwhite2230]

Is it much of an upgrade from the 1st Zen Dac? I also have the Zen Can, together they are awesome.

[@SHHoo-yy6lh]

Hows the sound ? U didn't explain the sound signature?

[@ricsim78]

He did, it has a warm sound signature with good dynamics. Generally warmer than ESS and AKM based DACS, but not so much where resolution is degraded. I owned the Zen DAC Signature and it should sound fairly similar to this one. HIGHLY recommend getting the Ifi upgraded power supply (Silent Power 2), it does make a noticeable difference.

[@MorTphyr]

Ifi zen dav v3 vs schiit magni internal dac?

[@ricsim78]

Ifi is going to sound better, I have had Modi, Modi 2 Uber, and Modi 3+ (Latest gen).

[@LyuboA]

if it Only had a power button plus output selection and comes with power supply it would be worth it but as someone that has Zen Dac v2 i can say this STAY Away it's very Overpriced it has lots of issues like usb detection btw IFI needed 2 years to fix that on v2 many are defective out the box same for v1, v2 and now same with v3 plus 3 versions and it still Lacks basic features like output selection and power button and as a bonus you get that signature iFi Dac High Noise Floor you can hear with even 80ohm DT770 Pro on low gain btw v3 is literally v2 with USB-C that been said the Zen Can is really good