Hi guys, I am HIFI Daydreaming, and we have a special guest tonight: an incredible DAC that holds its own in the very saturated €200 and below DAC market. It aims to be the crown king and show the world what can be done in this price range. So keep daydreaming—it's review time.
Features, Function and Fundamentals
There is a big market for budget DAC devices, and there are many great options in this price range. Interestingly, the big names in the Hi-Fi world don’t seem to have answers to DACs from brands like iFi, Topping, Fiio, etc. These companies deliver tremendous value for their asking price. They produce capable devices, often lacking some special characteristics and talking points, but always delivering what they need to do with great fundamentals. For someone looking for a DAC in the €200 range, those fundamentals are the most important. Whether it's a DAC for desktop computer usage and streaming or part of a Hi-Fi stereo system, it is the fundamentals that we seek to excel at first and foremost.
This DAC comes with great features like a 32-bit decoder, MQA decoder, and DSD up to 256. It's all powered by a multibit Burr-Brown chip. Even though ESS Sabre is now the talk of the town with its features and sound, I really like how Burr-Brown is being integrated into more affordable devices. I prefer it over the clinical and cold sound of AKM. Burr-Brown stays neutral as much as possible, which helps with the fundamentals I mentioned earlier.
It lacks a screen, but there are color changes to indicate the quality of the input it receives. It takes some time to remember what each color represents, but it's a budget device, and this isn't a significant downside. There are no filters or equalizers, except for True Bass and Power Match, but in my listening sessions, those two didn't add much to the sound.
The ports are somewhat limited, as the main purpose of this device seems to be enhancing your PC’s streaming capabilities, acting as a headphone DAC/amp rather than a full-fledged device for a Hi-Fi system. There are no optical or digital inputs besides USB B, but the output is decent with RCAs, balanced, and unbalanced outputs. This makes it great for both headphone and speaker/amp output, providing versatile ports, unlike the inputs. However, iFi doesn’t include a power cable in the packaging, which is a bit disappointing as it’s a small cost-cutting measure.
Sound Quality
ZEN DAC V2 is a fantastic device for budget options. I was pleasantly surprised by how this DAC outperforms many DACs in different integrated amplifiers, even those up to €1500 or maybe €1000. It does what a great DAC is supposed to do:
- Declutter and make sense of information from your source
- Structure and organize it for your amp, speakers, or headphones to help them flourish and show their talents better
- Expand on its dynamic range and detail information, creating perceptions of a bigger soundstage
The strongest point of iFi is its transparency, which is immediately noticeable. It organizes everything precisely, creating layer separation and fundamentally changing how sound opens up, allowing you to explore more textures and details. This requires that your speakers/headphones are great resolvers and transparent, but nonetheless, the midrange benefits massively. Vocals have weight, cymbals and hi-hats are more defined in their space, and all this comes out of your speakers smoothly and easily.
There is great insight given to listeners. For instance, listening to Radiohead's "Videotape," the piano loop holds its presence full of dynamics without overshadowing Thom Yorke's vocals, enhancing your system so much that it becomes almost a necessity if you have €200 to spare.
Even complex structures in jazzy rock, like Steven Wilson's "The Raven That Refused to Sing," show how well it separates musical details, allowing you to easily track their timing and presence. The transparency is incredible without sounding anemic, allowing instruments to expand dynamically, providing more detail and reach.
Even Handed, "Colorless" Presentation
When discussing dynamic reach and scale, the DAC is "colorless" or evenly balanced in delivering information. I appreciate devices that color sound with their unique take on the dynamic scale, but I also respect when a device aims to be a conductor for other gear in your system. The ZEN DAC V2 is just that, allowing your amp/speakers and headphones to perform uninterrupted by providing balanced information. If you prefer a DAC that behaves like this in your setup, you’ll be pleased with the ZEN DAC.
The lower end is good but not commanding. While it’s better controlled than a typical DAC with more width and detail, it won’t enhance your bass response if your amp, speakers, or headphones don’t already have a great lower end. It provides decent bass but nothing special. Similarly, the treble is nicely detailed and balanced, without pushing dynamically tipped treble that is harsh or bright. It complements the bass well, creating a great mix for the mids. The soundstage is great and depends on the rest of your gear, but it can provide an additional inch and definition, rounding and presenting the sound wider and higher.
Fiio K7
The biggest rival to this device is the Fiio K7, another incredible machine at this price point. It uses dual ESS 4493 DACs, rare in this range, and works as a preamp with a pre-out, which is uncommon. Sound-wise, it's similar to iFi, being even-handed but with hints of warmth, helping with bass reproduction. It can sound more energetic and lively, whereas iFi is more transparent and clean with better detail exposition. Depending on your equipment, Fiio might sound more fun, while iFi is more elegant with details and resolution.
Topping DX3 Pro+
The Topping DX3 Pro+ is also a great DAC worth its asking price, throwing the deepest soundstage among the three. However, in comparison, it is the weakest in detail retrieval and elegance of tonality and sound color. Without A/B testing, it works great, but the other two offer a more mature, elegant, and detail-rich sound.
Audioquest DragonFly Red and Cobalt
Another alternative is the AudioQuest DragonFly Red and Cobalt, especially now with discounts. Red generally costs similarly to the ZEN DAC V2, and Cobalt, on discount, is in the same price range but usually more expensive. These are mobile DACs, so they lack the features, inputs, and outputs of iFi and the others, but the sound quality is amazing, especially with the Cobalt. They provide rich dynamics, excellent bass, great timing, presentation, and transparency. If sound quality and portability are your main concerns, these two are must-haves. The Red is similar to the ZEN DAC in sound quality but with more elegance in detail retrieval, while the Cobalt does everything the ZEN DAC can do, just a bit better, with fantastical precision and timing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ZEN DAC V2 is a great investment and the best DAC at this price point. It makes your sound cleaner, clearer, more transparent, and detailed, enhancing your gear significantly. It cuts a lot of resonance and noise floor, making it almost a must-have. With great features, output, and sound, the question is where and when to buy it.
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