Plug In. World Out.
The Award-winning DAC/headphone amplifier for Home and Office.
The ZEN DAC 3 serves as your gateway to the world of high-resolution music, offering support for sample rates of up to 768kHz. This future-proof feature ensures full compatibility with all music formats available on streaming platforms, bringing you the best in sound quality.
Equipped with a built-in headphone amplifier and the versatility to function both as a DAC and a DAC/Pre, this all-encompassing device is the only piece of equipment you’ll need on your desk. It seamlessly connects to headphones, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, or active speakers, offering a comprehensive audio solution for home and office.
Refined to Perfection.
The acclaimed ZEN DAC series has garnered numerous awards, including being named WHAT Hi-Fi?’s Best DAC under £200 for four consecutive years.
The ZEN DAC 3 continues its legendary status by doubling its high-resolution support up to 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA decoding capabilities.
The USB-C connectivity streamlines cable management and provides USB input overvoltage protection, safeguarding it against potential harm. Moreover, a significant reduction in DC offset minimises audio clicks when adjusting settings. These improvements propel the ZEN DAC 3 to new heights of audio excellence.
Powering Your Headphones
The ZEN DAC 3 goes beyond being just a USB DAC, boasting a built-in headphone amplifier equipped with both balanced 4.4mm and SE 6.3mm headphone outputs.
With its high-performance 390mW headphone output power, you can use it with a broad range of headphones.
XBass+ is a switchable pure analogue signal processing mode designed to enhance the bass without compromising the clarity of the mid-range. It is perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones, which may lack bass response.
The amplifier stage includes a switchable gain feature called PowerMatch, which provides a gain boost for more demanding headphones.If you have headphones that demand even more power, you can connect the ZEN DAC 3 to the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier using a 4.4mm to 4.4mm balanced cable, stacking them up as a ZEN system.
DACtivate your speakers and amplifier.
The ZEN DAC 3 features a Variable or Fixed output switch.
In Variable mode, adjust volume using the knob when connecting directly to active speakers via our 4.4mm to XLR cable or RCA cables.
Use Fixed mode for connecting line outputs to a receiver or main amplifier.
The ZEN DAC 3 is the most versatile USB DAC in its class, offering multiple usage options.
USB-C Powered, Upgradeable Performance.
The ZEN DAC 3, powered by USB-C, simplifying cable management. However, for audiophiles seeking to elevate their system, the 5V power input offers an upgrade path.
When an external power supply is connected, the USB-C port will only transmit data, ensuring a purer signal.
The iFi iPower2 is an ultra-quiet, ultra-clean audiophile-grade power supply, featuring Active Noise Cancellation II technology to cancel out all incoming EMI and RFI noise, you’ll never feel powerless against noise and graininess again.
It is more than 10 times quieter than most audiophile power supplies.
Specifications
| Input | USB Type-C |
| Formats | PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) DSD (512/256/128/64) DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz) MQA (Decoder) |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| Line Output Section | |
| Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | 2V / 6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed |
| Single-Ended RCA | 1V / 3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed |
| Output Impedance | Balanced 4.4mm ≤200Ω; Single-Ended RCA ≤100Ω |
| SNR | ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS |
| DNR | ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | Balanced 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS; Single-Ended RCA <0.003% @ 0dBFS |
| Headphone Output Section | |
| Max.^ Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω |
| Single-Ended 6.35mm | >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω |
| RMS Output Power | |
| Balanced 4.4mm | >390mW @ 64Ω |
| Single-Ended 6.35mm | >210mW @ 32Ω |
| Output impedance | ≤1Ω |
| SNR | ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) |
| DNR | ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) |
| THD+N | Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω); Single-Ended 6.35mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω) |
| General | |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB) |
| Power supply requirement | USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (centre +ve) |
| Power consumption | No Signal ~0.5W; Max Signal ~2.5W |
| Dimensions | 158 x 115 x 35mm (6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”) |
| Net weight | 456g (1.0 lbs) |