iFi ZEN DAC Signature v2 USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

Outstanding Desktop DAC Delivers an Even Greater, Purer Listening Experience Than Its Predecessor

The iFi ZEN DAC Signature V2 desktop DAC offers an even greater, purer listening experience than its predecessor. Just like the original, its sole purpose is to feed an external amp, be it a headphone amp, or an amp and speakers.

Unlike the original, the V2 model has a 16 core XMOS chip instead of an 8 core chip. This new and improved digital engine is more powerful than ever. iFi also upgraded the clock circuitry to enhance the purist audiophile design even further. Enjoy music without any distortion or coloration.

Balanced and Blissfully Quiet

The ZEN DAC Signature V2 incorporates boutique parts and circuitry inspired by the £3,000 iFi Pro range. It sports a fully symmetrical, true differential balanced dual-mono signal stage with direct signal paths to ensure optimal signal purity. The new low jitter crystal clock delivers >20dB better noise reduction. The ZEN DAC Signature V2 will remain quiet wherever it’s used. Outstanding components including C0G capacitors from TDK, Panasonic OS-CON, and ELNA Slimic II capacitors complete the design.

A ‘Bit’ Special

The ZEN DAC Signature V2’s digital stage retains its True Native DAC architecture. It delivers Bit-Perfect audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 as well as DXD. The iFi-programmed XMOS chip, which processes data received at the USB input, and jitter-eradicating, audiophile-grade oscillators, contribute to exemplary handling of digital audio signals as they are received, processed, and converted to analog form.

16 Core Means More

MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. Thanks to the processing power of the new 16 core XMOS chip, the ZEN DAC Signature V2 is now a full MQA decoder, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams. The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and it denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.

Confidence-Inspiring Connections

You can trust in accurate, jitter free data transfer from your source device. The USB Type B input is asynchronous, meaning that the data rate is regulated solely by the ZEN DAC Signature V2’s specialized, and now upgraded, audio clock circuitry.

The full benefit of the ZEN DAC Signature V2’s balanced circuit design can be heard when connected to an amp or active speakers equipped with a balanced input. This can be either a 4.4mm balanced input, or stereo XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable. A pair of RCA jacks provides a single-ended connection to an amp and a balanced 4.4mm output enables balanced signal transfer between compact products that cannot accommodate traditional, bulky XLR connections.

Crucial Combo

The ZEN DAC Signature V2 works well with both the iFi ZEN CAN Signature 6XX and the new ZEN CAN Signature HFM model. When used together, the two ZEN Signatures make a fantastic, desktop-sized headphone system for both digital and analog sources, further extending the reputation of iFi’s ZEN Signature Series for delivering exceptional performance and versatility at remarkable prices.