iFi Audio Zen DAC V2 and Zen Blue V2 Review

[@Torontokid]

The blue 2 is such a awesome piece of kit. Got it yesterday. Sounds great on my As501 and Elac 6.2s. Easy to setup a tablet as a Flac dump on a micro sd. Tons of fun great stuff.

[@macleod1592]

Very well produced video. I was surprised to see you didn't have 100K+ subs. Cool channel name as well. I have a feeling you'll be up way passed 100K subs soon.

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thank you!

[@davidrucker7900]

Excellent video production, I just recently purchased the ifi Zen blue v2 . i have it connected to my Kanto YU6 Powered speakers and MacBook Pro M1. I also have the Zen Can and I'm awaiting delivery on The Zen DAC Signature and ifi Zen Can Signature 6XX amp. Your review speaks to every genre of your audience. I can't imagine listening to my music any other way going forward i was blown away by the Zen Can which is connected to my iMac desktop. I've listened to my IEM's and wow what a difference. I have previously used portable DAC's by Dragonfly, THX, and Helm Audio. There is a clear and distinct difference in sound signatures with the ifi audio equipment. Thank You.

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@SandsOfArrakis]

I've bought the Zen DAC V2 this week. It's my first DAC, and it sounds awesome. I don't need the streaming part as it's hooked up to my M1 MacBook Pro. It was 199 Euro. But I reckon it will last for years.

[@steventsimtsos4029]

Did you compare using the rca analog with the optical or digital inputs from the ifi zen blue 2 ? Any difference in sound quality? Thank you

[@attilio7]

Very slick presentation, great use of natural light. I wish you well with your channel, you deserve to do well.

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thank you!

[@adrianamerio2831]

Great review, ¿how they connect one to each other? or htey should be connected separately to an integrated amp?, many thanks

[@johnmills3163]

Great Review ! ... you sold me , I'm getting one ( Zen DAC V2) Thx. 👍

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thank you!

[@monykaram84]

is this Zen Dac good with PS5? and can I output the audio wirelessly via Bluetooth?

[@MiracleRed]

On Samsung, codecs can be enabled by enabling "developer options" mode > Bluetooth codec settings

[@ivanteo1973]

i have this. is coaxial or optical connection better on this for apple lossless music? or it doesn't matter because they are digital?

[@radus1682]

Is the Zen DAC a good pairing with the DT770 250ohm?

[@6643bear]

Great video, I bought the zen air by mistake as meant to get zen v1 as yiu know have switch fir variable and fixed outputs and the gray led shadow behind the vol control . Does sound petty good, regards mark

[@michaellindquist31]

I just purchased the Zen Dac 2. Right out of the box, it played with my iPhone and iPad and Focal Celestes and thought I wouldn’t need the iFi power adapter. That lasted about a minute! Luckily, I bought both together. The unit looks great on the table by my chair where I listen to music. Now, I have a question: is it my imagination that listening through the iPhone with the lightning connector sounds better than using the iPad and USB-C? I can’t find anything definitive on this. Maybe you can help, thanks. Also, would using balanced cables with my Focals be an improvement over the unbalanced cables that came with the headphones?

[@neilmcsweeney6286]

What are your backing tracks..very enjoyable...pleased let me know..thank you..

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Oh man....this is an old video. Normally, I can just pull the pre render video file up, and it will show me the track names. Unfortunately, I don't have that anymore. So sorry! Thank you for watching!

[@tanachip]

Wow. I’m super impressed with your production value!

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@tanachip]

@@Audio-In-Reviews I do have a question for you. Im between the zen dac v2 and the hip dac v2. Looks like they have the same internal electronics. Do you know if they sound the same? If so, I’m more inclined to go for portability as opposed to expandability. The hip dac also puts out a bit more power. I would be using it to run the Focal Clear. Thanks!

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

@@tanachip unfortunately I haven't heard the Hip dac V2 but have heard good things about it.

[@rajivgoes6]

Great video. Is it normal for the front two lights to go off after 5 seconds while the music is still playing? I thought they would have stayed on.

[@north08]

You mean on the Blue, correct? Press the pair button once connected and the lights will stay on, or vice versa if you want them to turn off when in a dark room.

[@fatboyvin]

ifi zen dac v2 or zen blue v2 for desktop use with active/passive bookshelf speakers? help please

[@csosayt]

Cómo puedo conectar los dos para que trabajen juntos? How can I connect the two to work together?

[@williambaskerville5773]

Nicely put together. Two questions: 1. Why did you use the 'iFi iDSD Diablo'? ~ 2. How does the Zen Blue sound without the Diablo?

[@north08]

Th3 Zen blue is a BT receiver / DAC, not an amp. You need an amp with it.

[@torriejohnson6347]

Iwas wondering, my tv has pcm n Bitstream. Will this device let me use Bluetooth from my TV to reciever? Just for a two channel set up nothing fancy.

[@S_M_0009]

Detailed review . Thanks

[@klepp19]

Does Zen stream do gapless audio?

[@DirkDien]

Great review, thanks a lot! Subbed and I'm going to get one of these beauties.

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thanks!

[@nature_sweet_vibes]

Hi folks ! I have one question: Do you really feel the difference between LDAC bluetooth and wired connection? I am testing my Hifiman Edition XS with ifi zen blue v2 connected to ifi zen CAN from my Samsung S10+ via LDAC and I cant tell a difference at all compared to wired connection from ifi zen dac v2 connected to ifi zen CAN... I have some good quality flac files and I really tried to hear at least some little differences but to be honest I cant.... I am 36 years old and I would say my ears are pretty good and trained, I can hear differences in music resolution and fidelity where my friends barelly feels it. How is your experience if you tried comparing LDAC bluetooth with a wired connection ?

[@north08]

The fact that you don’t hear the difference between those setups means the Bluetooth LDAC is working. A wired connection, especially via the Zen Dac, should be better than the BT. The advantage of the Zen Blue is to get the best out of your files when you don’t hard wire.

[@andrestrat]

Thanks for the video! very helpful

[@dddd8800]

Does it give a high or low sound?

[@samyg123]

Some people have complained about a channel imbalance at low volumes using the unbalanced output. Did you experience that at all?

[@andreasborkes695]

From the product page on amazon: Please note that the ZEN DAC V2 has an analog volume control - these ensure the best possible sound, but have a channel unevenly in the lower volume range. This disappears from a volume setting of 10 o'clock

[@meenmug5797]

I just got my Zen DAC v2 and was scared of this being as bad as I have read. Mine has standard analog imbalance at very low volume (8 o’clock). After that is it just amazing. I am super picky about this stuff and I couldn’t be happier with the ZDv2.

[@JPC326]

How does this compare in sound to the Hip dac and a Schiit Stack ?

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Unfortunately, I haven't heard those

[@meenmug5797]

I just returned my Schiit stack for the Zen DAC v2. The Magni / Modi 3 sounds just a bit sharper (for example vocals are very clear but almost harsh at he end of notes). The ZDv2 is just as accurate and full bodied but just a tad more warmth to my ear with great musicality without losing any detail at all. The Schiit’s sharpness was slightly distracting in FPS gaming where the ZDv2 allows me to focus on the game and sounds so natural.

[@andrestrat]

I want to connect Digital music from iPhone (spotify, I tune, etc...) and my TV to an old Linn Hifi system (amp+Loudspeakers). I guess the Zen Blue is the unit I need. Has the Zen DAC any utility for my case then? thanks to anyone here for your guidance you have time.

[@helwic]

dorst have a bluetooth IF ?

[@brianeliel7095]

Is the Dac in the Zen Blue good enough, I was thinking of pairing this with the ifi Zen Can so can I skip the DAC?

[@steven2809]

The problem is not the DAC it’s that Bluetooth is ‘lossy’…..

[@alabamacampandhike]

How can I hook up the Zen blue to my zen DAC V2? The blue has coaxial and optical outputs but the Zen dac V2 only has a usb-b input?

[@gtmarora]

The 2 devices can't be connected directly. They were not meant to be used together.

[@anonymousmc7727]

They should have put a digital and and optical

[@seanjoe1704]

next time just wrote your opini and read it. many reviewer did that and that's really ok. thanks for the review.

[@Anh-Áo-Nâu]

Bought one and died last week after only 2 years. Lost 1 channel

[@OSCARDEMELERO]

[ ___ ] = "DIABLO" ??? ... WHY ???

[@scottkieserman]

He speaks so haltingly and tentatively that it’s hard to listen to.

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thanks for watching! This is a pretty old video. I've been working on improving that quite a bit. Please check out my newer stuff and let me know what you think!

[@Peter_Jenner]

Wow, that was incredibly long winded. Try to be more succinct.

[@steven2809]

Constant background Muzak is annoying and distracting……..

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your input. I guess everyone is different. I remember (before I was a reviewer) watching videos with no background music and I thought the exact opposite. It just seemed dry I guess. When I'm hanging out with family and friends at home I usually have a little music playing in the background. I guess I was kind of going for that vibe, we're just friends hanging out. Again, thanks for your input and for watching.

[@designwithdaniel]

How do you connect a Zen Blue (V2) to Mac to update the firmware?

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

I'm trying to figure this out but not having much luck unfortunately. The instructions included in the update zip file only give instructions for a PC. I used my PC so I didn't run into this problem. Sorry man, I'm not sure how to help with this other than to suggest reaching out to Ifi. Thanks for watching and let me know if you figure it out.

[@designwithdaniel]

@@Audio-In-Reviews appreciated! How did you connect to PC?

[@Audio-In-Reviews]

@@designwithdanielI'm so sorry. I was thinking of the Zen V2. With the Blue V2 you can only update using an Android phone or tablet via Bluetooth. You have to download the Gaia app on your android phone or tablet. Heres a good place to start - ifi-audio.com/downloads/?fwp_downloads_product=nano-idsd-discontinued&filter_firmware_products=zen-dac

[@designwithdaniel]

@@Audio-In-Reviews ah, thanks! I guess I’m out of luck as an iPad user. My Blue V2 is starting to dropout now and again connected to my TV. My previous Blue V1 was perfect. I was thinking that a firmware update might help.