iFi ZEN Blue 3 Hi-Res Bluetooth Desktop DAC

Bluetooth That Finally Keeps All the Bits

Most Bluetooth receivers throw data away to make the link fit. The iFi ZEN Blue 3 does not have to. It speaks aptX Lossless over Bluetooth 5.4, so a CD-quality file leaves your phone and arrives intact. Your existing amplifier gets a wireless front end without giving anything up.

The codec list is long on purpose. aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, plain aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC are all supported. Whatever phone, tablet or laptop you own, it will connect at the best quality that device can manage, and you never think about it again.

It Sends as Well as Receives

A switch on the back picks RX or TX. In RX it is a receiver. In TX it takes a wired source and transmits to Bluetooth headphones or a wireless speaker. Every codec works in both directions, so the turntable rig in the living room can reach the headphones on the sofa.

There is a small DAC hub in here too. USB, optical and coaxial inputs all feed the converter, so a TV, a games console and a computer can share one set of outputs. Balanced 4.4mm and single-ended RCA outputs run to your amplifier.

What Happens After the Signal Lands

Bluetooth duty falls to a Qualcomm QCC518x chipset. Conversion is handled by an ES9023, with a CT5302 for processing and a MAX97220 on output. Signal-to-noise measures 109dB, and THD+N stays under 0.005% into a 10k load across the audio band.

Enough Output to Drive a Long Cable Run

The balanced 4.4mm output puts out 4.1Vrms at full scale, and the RCA pair 2.05Vrms. Output impedance is 102 ohms balanced and 51 ohms single-ended. That is a healthy signal for an integrated amp sitting across the room.

Sample rates depend on the road the music takes. Bluetooth in either direction runs to 24-bit/96kHz. Through the USB input it is the same. Feed the optical or coaxial input instead and the ZEN Blue 3 takes 24-bit/192kHz, so a disc player or a console arrives at full resolution.

Power It However Suits the Shelf

Run it from USB-C or from a 5V DC supply of at least half an amp, whichever your rack makes easy. The chassis weighs 447 grams, enough to stay put when you unplug a cable. The power adapter, an RCA cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable are all in the box.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Headfonics, in a December 23, 2024 review scored 8.5, called the ZEN Blue 3 "one of the best-sounding Bluetooth solutions around and the most future-proof," and listed "Central audio hub capability with a generous IO section" among its strengths.

Jordan Aaron of Major HiFi, writing on July 23, 2024, singled out the transmitting side: "The ZEN Blue 3 offers impressive sound quality at its price point, with the key feature of transmitting AptX Lossless setting it apart."

One practical note from the same Headfonics review: there is "No 3.5mm Optical/Coaxial connector adapter included." The digital input is a combination jack, so budget for an adapter if you plan to use a full-size optical cable.

Who Is This Bluetooth DAC Best For?

• Your amplifier has no Bluetooth and you want it to — one RCA or 4.4mm run adds wireless to a system you already like, with no boxes retired.
• You care that the wireless link is lossless — aptX Lossless carries CD-quality audio intact, so streaming to the big system stops being the weak link.
• You want to send audio out too — TX mode feeds Bluetooth headphones from a wired source, so late-night listening does not mean rewiring the rack.
• You have a TV, a console and a computer to juggle — optical, coaxial and USB inputs share one output pair, and the optical and coaxial inputs take 24-bit/192kHz, so all three stay plugged in and you stop swapping cables.
• If you were expecting a headphone jack, plan around it — the 4.4mm socket is a line output at 4.1Vrms, meant for an amplifier rather than headphones. Add one of our Headphone Amplifiers and the ZEN Blue 3 feeds it happily.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the RCA cable from the ZEN Blue 3 to a spare input on your amplifier, or use the 4.4mm output into a balanced input if you have one. Attach the antenna, power the unit from USB-C or the supplied adapter, and pair your phone. Wired sources go to the USB, optical or coaxial inputs, and the RX/TX switch decides which way the Bluetooth points.

Then your phone is just another source, and nothing about the system changed.

Pairs Well With

Building around the ZEN Blue 3? These are the natural companions:

• Integrated Amplifier: The box the RCA output is looking for — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Headphone Amplifier: Turns the line outputs into a desk system — see our Headphone Amplifiers.
• Interconnects: A decent RCA pair for the run to your amp — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Bookshelf Speakers: The end of the chain for a compact system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bluetooth codecs does it support?

aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC. All of them work in receiving and in transmitting mode.

How do I switch between receiving and transmitting?

Use the RX/TX selector. RX takes Bluetooth in from a phone or tablet; TX sends a wired source out to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker.

What resolution does it handle?

Bluetooth runs to 24-bit/96kHz in both directions, as does the USB input. The optical and coaxial inputs go to 24-bit/192kHz.

What comes in the box?

The ZEN Blue 3, a power adapter, an RCA cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable and a quick start guide.

How do I power it?

From USB-C, or from a 5V DC supply rated at half an amp or more. The supplied adapter covers it either way.

What warranty does it carry?

iFi covers it for one year in the US. Register the product on iFi's website within 30 days of purchase to activate the cover.

See It in Action

Record-ology puts the lossless claim to the test:

Prime Audio Reviews walks through the connections and modes:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about Bluetooth codecs, DACs, or adding streaming to an older system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.