Small update as I do feel I should note this. As a stand alone DAC, I am perfectly fine recommending the Zen Air DAC. My review was strictly on the unit as an AIO option, however, I realize some may just purchase this as a DAC only. The DAC has a warmer signature that may mellow out (slightly) a treble peaky headphone with the right AMP. I also do mention this in my upcoming video on the Zen Air CAN. Hopefully this is useful for anyone looking into this!!
I like your smile and I like your style, Ryan. Like my Topping L30, I question the 1/4 inch socket when most budget cans use the 1/8 inch plug - other than that, it seems like a winner. Thanks for the review.
your advice is bizarre. you acknowledge the Air is directed at the budget end, but then your advice to a potential buyer is to spend 100% more on the v2?!?!lol. also the xbass+ button on mine works amazingly well for me
Do you have measurements to show this warmer sound coloration or is it just anecdotal? I’ve heard other reviewers saying it’s clean and flat not coloring the audio at all so it’s a bit odd. Thanks
The reason it doesn't work on amazon is because of amazon's fault. It uses Windows mixer to upsample and doesn't give a bitperfect rate out to the DAC. Can't blame the Zen Air Dac for this aspect. Just FYI.
Hi great video, I have bought the zen air but only got the blue data cable not the the power cable . The x button on mine does work even when it’s fed into the Rotel amp using the phono output . Regards mark
That's a tough price point and I was probably too harsh on the Zen Air DAC...but I do think the Schiit Fulla is a good option. It's 109 but you can probably find one at or under 100. Also look into some of the budget FiiO options. They tend to make some quality budget friendly options. What headphones will you be using?
Unfortunately I did still have that issue. I've also had it with the Uno, so it could just be a power delay on the units since they don't have a dedicated power supply within. I know iFi is looking into it too.
@@Skeeb23 the sound delay. It had me flummoxed for some time. I reburned some tracks, swapped out various parts including the entire PC (it was a new one so i had to be sure i didn’t need to return a defective computer.) Added extra ram. Updated drivers. I finally googled a lot and finally stumbled onto someone who suggested the firmware, so i did it and bingo, instant fix.
Small update as I do feel I should note this. As a stand alone DAC, I am perfectly fine recommending the Zen Air DAC. My review was strictly on the unit as an AIO option, however, I realize some may just purchase this as a DAC only. The DAC has a warmer signature that may mellow out (slightly) a treble peaky headphone with the right AMP. I also do mention this in my upcoming video on the Zen Air CAN. Hopefully this is useful for anyone looking into this!!
I like your smile and I like your style, Ryan. Like my Topping L30, I question the 1/4 inch socket when most budget cans use the 1/8 inch plug - other than that, it seems like a winner. Thanks for the review.
your advice is bizarre. you acknowledge the Air is directed at the budget end, but then your advice to a potential buyer is to spend 100% more on the v2?!?!lol. also the xbass+ button on mine works amazingly well for me
It would be nice if iFi had an app that would allow you to adjust the Xbass setting to your liking.
X Bass works great on my unit, listening on DT 990 and Mangird Tea2.
yeah, honestly something could have been off with the unit I had
Do you have measurements to show this warmer sound coloration or is it just anecdotal? I’ve heard other reviewers saying it’s clean and flat not coloring the audio at all so it’s a bit odd. Thanks
The reason it doesn't work on amazon is because of amazon's fault. It uses Windows mixer to upsample and doesn't give a bitperfect rate out to the DAC. Can't blame the Zen Air Dac for this aspect. Just FYI.
Hi great video, I have bought the zen air but only got the blue data cable not the the power cable . The x button on mine does work even when it’s fed into the Rotel amp using the phono output . Regards mark
You seem serious, so I'm interested in your opinion on the best DAC/amp under100$. Maybe more suggestions which are the best choice?
That's a tough price point and I was probably too harsh on the Zen Air DAC...but I do think the Schiit Fulla is a good option. It's 109 but you can probably find one at or under 100. Also look into some of the budget FiiO options. They tend to make some quality budget friendly options. What headphones will you be using?
Will I be taking advantage of the power of this DAC if I connect it to my Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones?
Yes that headphone has low impedance
It will be good with mobile phone and akg k702?
Does the Sound delay issue still exis?
Unfortunately I did still have that issue. I've also had it with the Uno, so it could just be a power delay on the units since they don't have a dedicated power supply within. I know iFi is looking into it too.
@@Skeeb23 Thanks for the answer. You are doing Great review by the way.
@@Skeeb23 fixed for most people thru update of the firmware. now that this issue is resolved, I am very positive on the unit.
@@eichelbergergary are you talking the sound delay or the xbass button? Either is good. From my experience, iFi does listen to feedback
@@Skeeb23 the sound delay. It had me flummoxed for some time. I reburned some tracks, swapped out various parts including the entire PC (it was a new one so i had to be sure i didn’t need to return a defective computer.) Added extra ram. Updated drivers. I finally googled a lot and finally stumbled onto someone who suggested the firmware, so i did it and bingo, instant fix.