iFi audio Zen Air DAC

iFi Audio Zen Air DAC – Compact High‑Resolution USB DAC & Headphone Amp

The Zen Air DAC is an affordable, high-performance USB DAC and headphone amplifier that elevates everyday audio. It supports PCM up to 384 kHz, native DSD256, and MQA playback, alongside dual analogue tunes for stronger bass and headphone gain.

Key Features

• Burr‑Brown DAC with XMOS chip: Provides bit‑perfect PCM (32‑bit/384 kHz) and native DSD256 decoding for clean, detailed sound
• MQA rendering support: Unlocks higher‑resolution streams like Tidal Masters without extra hardware
• Analogue-style Bass and Gain controls: XBass+ enhances low frequencies and PowerMatch adds +6 dB gain for demanding headphones
• Analogue volume dial: Preserves clarity at all levels, unlike digital attenuation
• Combined headphone and line outputs: Delivers up to 230 mW @ 32 Ω to headphones and line-out for speakers or amps

Customer Benefits

Clean, rich audio becomes effortlessly accessible. Plug into your computer, phone, or tablet and instantly upgrade sound quality. Easy-to-use tone and gain controls tailor the experience for any headphones or speakers, making your gear sound much more premium without complication.

Quick Specs

• Formats: PCM up to 384 kHz, native DSD256, DXD, MQA
• SNR / DNR: > 113 dB A-weighted
• THD+N: < 0.04% @ 0 dBFS
• Headphone output: ≤ 1 Ω impedance, > 230 mW @ 32 Ω, >36 mW @ 300 Ω
• Line output: ≤ 50 Ω impedance, 1 V / 3.3 V max
• Power consumption: ≈ 0.5 W idle, 2.5 W max
• Input power: USB‑B or 5 V / 2.5 A DC
• Dimensions: 158 × 117 × 35 mm
• Weight: 0.315 kg

What’s in the Box

• iFi Zen Air DAC unit
• 1 m USB‑B to USB‑A cable
• Quick Start guide

Use Cases / Ideal For

Perfect for desktop audio systems, headphone listening in bedrooms or offices, and as a simple yet powerful secondary DAC for digital devices and wireless streamers.

Compatibility

Connects seamlessly via USB to Windows, macOS, Linux, smartphones, and tablets (USB‑OTG). Works with speakers through RCA line-out and with any headphones using the 6.3 mm jack.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Rich high‑resolution sound in a compact form
• Analogue controls (XBass+ and PowerMatch) for easy tuning
• Pro‑grade PCM, DSD and MQA support at under €120
• Very low noise and distortion

⚠️ Cons:

• Plastic housing feels less premium than metal models
• No balanced outputs or digital inputs other than USB‑B
• USB cable is relatively short—longer cable may be needed

The iFi Zen Air DAC offers a refined, high-resolution listening experience with simple analogue controls in a sleek desktop-ready format.