The iFi Zen Air DAC 2 is a consumer-conscious digital-to-analog converter that aims to provide impressive power and clarity to your favourite audiophile headphones. A follow-up to the original Zen Air DAC, this latest iteration offers improvements across the board, with enhanced design, power output, and clarity, all brought together in a sleek, compact form factor. Promising a HiFi-certified audio experience at a budget price is a tall order to fill, yet it is the one that iFi aims to provide.
Following the design of the original Zen Air DAC, the Zen Air DAC 2 offers several notable upgrades. The first is the removal of the dedicated 5V DC port, eliminating the need for an additional power cable running to the unit. On the topic of cable management, the Zen Air DAC 2 includes a new USB-C-to-USB-A cable for digital input, replacing the older, larger USB cable used in the previous generation. Finally, the existing RCA outputs are back, allowing for easy connection to speakers.
Examining the front of the unit reveals a new balanced 4.4mm audio jack set beside the existing 6.3mm port. This is a marked improvement over the Zen Air DAC, as it provides support for balanced headphone output. Back is the Zen Air DAC’s signature XBass+ and PowerMatch. The former bumps up low-end frequencies to provide a richer bass experience.
“The iFi Zen Air DAC 2 is a consumer-conscious digital-to-analog converter that aims to provide impressive power and clarity to your favourite audiophile headphones.”
The latter is an impressive feature I’ve not worked with in this specific application. In essence, PowerMatch, on the fly, adjusts the output gain to the headphones to compensate for higher-impedance drivers in some headphones. While power mode selection on a DAC isn’t new, I find the Zen Air DAC 2’s implementation provides a smooth gain transition without the jarring volume increase common in such systems.
The construction and look of the Zen Air DAC 2 are impressive, offering a clean, minimalist interface that presents pertinent information concisely. Its compact form factor (158 x 100 x 35mm) and weight (315g) make it ideal for most any PC/Laptop, easily fitting into a laptop bag for portable setups. It’s a plug-and-play experience at its finest, requiring no additional drivers or setups. Regarding ease of use, iFi has created a great DAC.
As for the audio experience, once again, as an entry-level DAC with built-in preamp, the Zen Air DAC 2 is impressive. The frequency response is solid, covering 20Hz-90KHz. As for dynamic range, the Zen Air DAC 2 is in line with many budget-friendly DACs at 118dBA. Dynamic range, in layman’s terms, is the measurement of how quiet and loud of an audio capture the DAC can reproduce. The higher the number, the cleaner the signal, particularly in quiet moments.
“The detail the Zen Air DAC 2 produces is also quite impressive.”
In testing the Zen Air DAC 2 performed exceptionally well, honestly better than I expected. Signals came through incredibly clean, clear and with plenty of power. A/B testing between the Zen Air DAC 2 and the FiiO K7 I have in the office yielded almost identical results. I tested a wide range of headphones as well, including the Audeze MM-100, Sennheiser HD505, ROG Kithara and Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, all with different impedance requirements to see how iFi’s PowerMatch would handle the impedance differences.
I was not disappointed, as the Zen Air DAC 2 had no issue powering not only the DT 990 Pros (impedance of 250 ohms) but also a second pair of headphones in the 4.4mm headphone jack simultaneously. The inclusion of balanced audio has allowed the Zen Air DAC 2 to push up to 300% more drive power to headphones, and it is evident in the listening experience. Each headset tested (even when tested simultaneously) produced a powerful, clear, and loud audio sample without distorting the mix.
The detail the Zen Air DAC 2 produces is also quite impressive. When testing the new balanced headphone port, I found the signal to be exceptionally clean and noise-free. This is achieved in large part by the inclusion of the Cirrus Logic chip used in the latest iteration of the Zen Air DAC. The results speak for themselves: the listening experience is exceptional and powerful, and it was a joy to test.
While there are many DACs to choose from, I appreciate iFi’s dedication to creating a truly quality plug-and-play DAC setup. This is, perhaps, the best feature of the Zen Air DAC 2. Whether you are a veteran audio engineer or someone wading into the waters of the audiophile experience, the Zen Air DAC 2 will serve you well without breaking the budget.
The Zen Air DAC 2 is an impressive piece of hardware that delivers a solid audio experience, delivers impressive power distribution, and will not break your budget. Its plug-and-play design and sleek profile make it a great addition to any audio setup. Without hesitation, if you are in the market for a consumer-friendly DAC, I can recommend the Zen Air DAC 2 without reservation.
