iFi Zen DAC V2 Review (including impressions on Signature version)

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Oct 27, 2022.

  1. Entropy

    Entropy Facebook Friend

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    Absolutely! I'm not one to make recommendations here, I'm just sharing an alternative viewpoint on the topic.

    1. Yeah, I get that. I was just commenting on a more mainstream take (where the zendac is recommend as an all-in-one) and a different use case.
    2. That's a pretty cute little amp, looks pretty nice.
    4. 5. 7. Covered in prior response to another member.
    6. It's just a different take on the topic. I'm not trying to beat around the bush.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2022
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  3. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Thanks! We're aware that ZEN DAC V2 is one of those products that won't be taken seriously by many folks considering its price, but we're also happy that it's one of those stable non-FOTM products that constantly get some traction.
     
  4. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Loaners are always welcome, specially for this type of situation, to help change some mentalities. We all like to be pleasantly surprised (i believe).
     
  5. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    iFi loaned me a Zen Signature DAC v2 and it’s been a listening pleasure with the piety.
    let me see what’s possible about shipping it around AFTER the Holidaze madness….
     
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  6. ilikebananafudge_

    ilikebananafudge_ Friend

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    I've been thinking about either the Zen DAC V2, the Modi+, or the Modi Multibit 2 to pair with my Piety. Not much info on any of them so far. The Piety sounds pretty good with my old Modi 2 Uber, and the Modi footprint is appealing because then it makes a neat little stack, but I've generally heard good things about iFi products and I'm tempted to try one out.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2022
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    f**k, I knew it! - given my experience with the non-sig V2 and Piety. I may just grab one for myself.
     
  8. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Is there a comparison chart between the entry level ifi DACs? Reading this thread it sounds like there are potentially three DACs with the same sound sig but differing features (Zen Air, Zen V2, and Zen Signature V2). Is the sound actually the same across all three units?
     
  9. ilikebananafudge_

    ilikebananafudge_ Friend

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    There's also the Zen One Signature, which looks like it might be similar to the Zen Signature V2 but without volume adjustment and with a bluetooth receiver.
     
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    If I’m reading the copy on iFi’s site right, that Zen One Signature might be the best bet for a straight up DAC. Uses the same DAC stage as the Zen V2, has the Signature analog components, a SPDIF in, no unnecessary headphone outs or onboard volume control.

    Oof, it also is the most expensive, $349. That puts it up against the upcoming Modi MB 2 new or a modded Bifrost MB on the used market.
     
  11. TamHo

    TamHo New

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    The snr spec is better on the Zen dac signature compared to the Zen one signature if I remember correctly
     
  12. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    I am very curious to try this one in a second setup. I read a few complaints about the BT with some codecs but overall people seem pleased.
     
  13. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    If I may ask, what's that?

    Thanks!

    Sure, we're here to make this happen if the community's interest is there :)
     
  14. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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  15. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Update: iFi corporate has agreed that the iFi Zen DAC Signature V2 currently in my possession CAN go out on an SBAF Loaner Tour !
    Thanks iFi!

    Next steps:
    I shall create a loaner thread on SBAF soon as my Holidaze chores, obligations and cooking are completed.
    watch for that thread and sign up there.

    Initial ship out date won't be until (soon) after Jan 3 2023.
     
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  16. Entropy

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    Let me aknowledge #6 before I start. I understand that the comparison may be your point, but I'm here to discuss different aspects. I wanted to come back to this topic, because I'm still curious about a few things.

    Firstly, I'd like to straighten something out. The community I primarily partake in (and referenced in my above message) is not like SBAF- Hell, I spend 50%+ of my time advising people that go in looking for gaming-branded audio. I am not the most adept or experienced in any subject. I give advice because If I wasn't there, the guy that would make the recommendation instead of me would probably have no idea what he's saying.

    Since I began giving advice, I've introduced a fair share of online buddies to audio, and I've slowly pushed them into this hobby, starting by taking a strong stance on what I perceive is a mediocre or bad product- much like what you did in the above post. Some of them are now more involved in this hobby than I am. The problem with this is that it alienates a good amount of people I convse with (again, with the mindset that these are random people with practically no knowledge of audio). I've certainly felt this way a times when confused about a subject in audio... but I kept coming back, because I was deep enough into the hobby to not leave once I ran into such an issue. For nearly 1/2 of the people that I interact with though? Nope. They wanted something that accomdated their features, not a hardline stance that wouldn't accept their wants.

    Sure, maybe I would have higher success rates if I really put some effort and passion into into convicing somebody that they should really go with say, ksc75 and a lav mic rather than a headset, but at the end of the day, is it always worth the effort? I'll be completely candid with somebody that says they're prioritizing sound quality, but at the same time I typically try to accomodate the preferences of people that don't, and just inform them of the sacrifice(s) they're making. This really just is another hobby, and the statement of "ignorance is bliss" is highly applicable here. I never purposefully want to give a bad recommendation or something that isn't ideal for a person- so oftentimes I find it's a balance between the budget, what they care about now, what they might care about later, etc, not just sound quality or sq+budget.

    So here comes the questions. Would you still define this as "evil" or incorrect? If so, what would you do in my shoes, or do you have any advice?
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's all relative and a matter of audience. Within SBAF, recommending bad or mediocre sounding gear is evil. And jumping in and providing alternatives (which may not be incorrect) but in the wrong context and use-case (example here: https://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-ultimate-lurker’s-guide-to-pinning-yourself-to-a-cross.13002/page-2#post-397940) is just plain rude.

    Instead of sealioning this thread, the better way would be to start new post, comparing the Zen DAC v2 to the SMSL C200 which you recommended, in the context of an AIO. However, you really cannot do this because I'm not sure you've heard both.

    The best way would have been to participate in other online communities which focused more on features rather than sound quality. SBAF focuses on sound quality for particular use cases; not features, as readers here can determine features themselves on manufacturers webpages or other websites.

    So yes, you are evil. The worst kind of evil because you recommended a product, which you admittedly haven't heard, but also suspect may be meh sounding, for its features.
     
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    Last edited: Jan 6, 2023
  18. WoodyLuvr

    WoodyLuvr Friend

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  19. Entropy

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    That's fair. I should've focused more on telling the story I was trying to tell and my experience with it, rather than making a recommendation. It wasn't really my intention to make such a recommendation, but looking back at that first post, I do definitely see it.
     
  20. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    One nice feature of the iFi Zen DAC Signature V2 I enjoyed was the variable signal output to the Piety.
    the Meze 109Pro doesn't need much turn of the volume pot, even with Piety in Low Gain.
    Setting the DAC Sig v2 to "Variable" and lowering it's output, allows for more room on the Piety volume pot.

    Interesting that with DAC Sig v2 in "Variable" setting and it's knob to max - this seems to be "lower" output than when the DAC Sig v2 is in "Fixed" (output) mode.

    Update: the iFi Zen DAC Signature V2 arrives at @ChaChaRealSmooth today, who will be setting up the loaner page shortly.
     
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