iFi Zen DAC Signature

When I reviewed the iFi Zen DAC in Issue 313, I mentioned that I was expecting the arrival of the Zen DAC Signature version, available exclusively via Drop.com. I ordered one many months ago, and after several delays, due in part to the current world health crisis, the unit finally arrived. It is priced at $249 versus $129 for the standard Zen. What does the additional money buy you? Well, less and more.

On the issue of less, the Zen DAC Signature eliminates all the headphone features included in the original Zen DAC. Gone are the “True Bass” and “Power Match” buttons and the headphone connections. The reasoning behind this is that it allows iFi to devote more fiscal resources to the other parts of the circuit (and opens the door for a new separate Zen Signature headphone unit). So, if your intention is to have a unit with DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier functions, the Zen DAC Signature won’t cut it.

Additions to the Zen Signature DAC include the $99 Power X power supply (the original Zen DAC doesn’t come with a power supply, since you can get power via USB). According to iFi, “where the Signature stands out is its upgraded circuitry with premium parts selection for unparalleled analog conversion. The Signature features high-end, low-noise capacitors and resistors found in iFi’s flagship Pro series.” So, the argument in favor of the Zen DAC Signature is potentially lower noise and higher overall performance.

One small issue with all original Zen DACs was that when they switched formats from MQA to FLAC or DSD, they emitted a low-level “pfft” noise. From user-group complaints, I have to assume that iFi is aware of this issue and may have a solution, though it has not made any changes in the Signature to eliminate this behavior. The Zen DAC Signature still makes the same soft “pfft” noise after every format change, just before the music begins. Will iFi come up with a firmware fix? Time will tell.

I had planned on using Roon to switch between the original and Signature Zen DACs in a matched-level, real-time, A/B comparison, but I was thwarted by the fact that Roon would only recognize one Zen DAC at a time. When both were connected via USB, Roon always defaulted to the original Zen DAC, not to the Signature. To get a signal feed to the Zen DAC Signature required completely disconnecting the original Zen DAC from the system. So I had to revert to a slower methodology of connecting and reconnecting DACs. At least both DACs had identical fixed-output line levels, so I could ensure that volumes were accurately matched. When I compared a “barebones” Zen DAC (without any other iFi devices attached to the USB or power inputs), I found that the Signature had slightly lower noise levels. (The difference was so small that I had to use the full output of the Benchmark HPA4 linestage, with my ear almost imbedded in a tweeter, to hear it.) Since I have the iFi iPuriFier3 ($129) and DC iPuriFier2 ($99), I installed both on the original iFi DAC, and the very slight difference in noise level disappeared. But since the dual iPuriFier solution ends up costing more than the Signature DAC, I doubt many people will go this route.

I listened to music with the single-ended outputs of both DACs routed through either the new Tortuga Audio LDR 300x.v3 or the Benchmark HPA4 preamplifiers via my nearfield system. After several sessions using Qobuz, Tidal, and my own recordings, I could not hear noticeable or meaningful sonic differences between the two DACs in sighted comparisons. That does not mean that in all setups there will be no sonic differences, however. Since a good deal of the improvement over the original Zen DAC is the result of the inclusion of the Power X power supply, if the AC power feeding your system has already been conditioned, the iFi may be trying to solve or improve upon a situation that has already been addressed. In my system, which is usually conditioned via a PS Audio Dectet and two iFi AC PuriFiers, I’m already equipped with low-noise AC power, so the improved power supply of the Zen DAC Signature made no audible improvement, hence the differences in sound between the original Zen and the Signature were minimized. If your AC is not conditioned, the power-supply improvements of the Zen DAC Signature may be more audible.

But how good can the iFi Zen DAC Signature sound? I went full-tilt-boogie tweeko-crazy, adding the iPuriFier3 and DC iPuriFier2 to the Zen DAC Signature with the PowerX and cued up the latest Diana Krall album, This Dream of You, and was greeted by sublimely seductive sonics. Krall’s voice was natural and relaxed without sounding dull or overly laid-back. Depth cues were obvious as the backing group was substantially behind Krall’s commanding centerstage vocals. When I went from Krall’s controlled perfection to Stiff Little Finger’s somewhat rude-sounding live version of “Alternative Ulster” via Tidal, the Zen DAC signature retained the track’s noticeable edge without descending into nastiness. If you want to experience the sound and impact of seriously ganged horns, give “Amor A Escondidas” by Banda Los Sebastianes a listen (via Tidal). The blat and bluster of the rhythm section is almost guaranteed to wake you up. Switching over to classical music, I spent over an hour auditioning different versions of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony via Qobuz and Tidal, before settling on the April 1961 version by Otto Klemperer and the Philharmonia Orchestra at Kingsway Hall, London, on Tidal MQA as my favorite, due to its outstanding soundstaging and arresting clarity.

Frankly, I don’t foresee the iFi Zen Signature DAC being a big seller. Yes, it does offer the potential for lower noise and cleaner output compared to the original Zen DAC. But the removal of headphone features kicks it up into a different equipment and price class, and puts it out of contention if your goal is a single-piece component that handles DAC, preamplifier, and headphone-amplifier functions at a budget price. If you require a basic DAC with balanced outputs on an extreme budget, the U.S.-made Schiit Modius ($199) might be a better option, since it has regular balanced XLR outputs instead of requiring a special cable to convert 4.4 balanced to XLR (necessary for connection to any standard balanced device with the iFi Zens). But the Schiit doesn’t do MQA conversion, which brings us back to the original Zen DAC, which does do MQA, has a balanced line output, and at $129 remains a superb and recommended value. 

Specs & Pricing

Type: DAC/preamplifier
Inputs: USB 2.0 and 3.0
Formats supported: PCM to 384/24, DSD to DSD128, FLAC, MQA
Output: Balanced and unbalanced analog via one pair RCA and one 4.4 Pentaconn, fixed or variable
Dimensions: 100 x 30 x 117mm
Weight: 491g (1.08 lbs.)
Price: $249 

IFI AUDIO
Abbingdon N.A./iFi audio USA
105 Professional Pkwy, Suite 1506, Yorktown, VA 23693
1085 Blair Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(800) 799-IFIA
ifi-audio.com