![]() It may seem odd to some that I list the bit rates on the USB rather than on the DAC chip but I do so as the USB is the limiting factor here. Input is then handed off to the Burr Brown DSD1793 DAC chip immediately above it. This appears to be a 2nd generation XMOS208 series chip and supports inputs up to 384kHz for PCM, DSD256, DXD 384, and MQA. USB input is handled by the large Xmos chip at the rear edge of the board (blue/green dot in the photo). Once removed the board is a bit empty looking until you flip it as most of the chips are mounted to the underside of the board. Removing the 4 screws from the rear of the unit will allow the board to be removed via the front without having to remove the volume knob or disconnect the LED as is required to remove the board to the rear of the unit. It can be used as a headphone output with the switch in variable position (although with a proper jack on front there is little reason to) but when switched to fixed line-level output it is entirely too loud and will damage your hearing if not your gear. It should be noted that the rear 4.4mm TRRS is intended for use as a pre-out and not as a headphone jack. The rear face, from left to right, starts with a 4.4mm TRRS balanced line-out connector followed by a fixed/Variable switch, then the RCA connectors, a USB 3.0 input, and a barrel connector for external power supply. The outputs are a 6.3mm TRS single-ended output and a 4.4mm TRRS jack for balanced output. The front face has two buttons on the left, a large central volume knob with the LED indicator behind it, and two outputs to the right. ![]() The board is slotted into the case so has no play in any direction when the screws are tightened down. Four screws run the entire depth of the unit and connect the front and rear face-plates making disassembly straight forward if ever required. The Zen is well made with an aluminum shell and face-plates. For those interested, I purchased a 4.4 balanced to dual XLR for testing from LQi Cables (I have no affiliation). As of this writing, the iFi website does not list any such option. The cable I most wish was included or at least offered via iFi’s website as an add on is the 4.4 balanced to dual XLR adapters for use with balanced gear. I guess those using the Zen to feed powered monitors will disagree here. I think knowing this is a stand alone unit, I would have been inclined to skip the RCA cables and include the power supply if only providing one or the other. While the Zen does have a barrel jack for an external power supply, none is provided so if you wish to power it off something other than USB (which I recommend) you will need to purchase the power supply separately. An instruction card and warranty card round out the package. The Zen ships in a lift top style box with the main unit housed in an egg-crate surround with the USB cable and RCA cables in a small box to the right of the unit. If you are interested in the Zen series or other iFi products, check their website. I have previously reviewed the Zen Blue and this is the other model in the Zen line and is a desktop DAC/Amp. I have no financial interest in iFi or its parent AMR. Disclaimer: The Zen is a loaner provided by iFi Audio for review and must be returned when the review is complete. ![]()
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