iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC USB-audio DAC

Hearing is believing

The ZEN Air DAC outputs very hi-res (high resolution) quality audio. This is much better than the standard audio you would get from just using your computer, games console, tablet or smartphone.

Imagine the difference in quality from a standard TV to a 4K Ultra HD TV — but in sound! This is the difference an external DAC makes to your music.

Once you hear it, you’ll be converted (not just your audio)!

Flexible formats

The ZEN Air DAC supports different file formats – PCM 32bit/384kHz, fully native DSD256 and MQA.

PCM – Pulse Code Modulation is the file format used in CD, DVD, Blu-ray and other digital audio applications. It’s the next step up from MP3.

DSD – Direct Stream Digital is a very high-quality audio format, better than CD quality. The higher the number (sample rate), the better the recording – DSD64, 128, 256, 512 and 1024. Fully native means that it hasn’t been altered in any way from the original recording.

MQA – Master Quality Authenticated is an award-winning audio technology that enables music fans to stream the original master recording into their home, car or their mobile. With the ZEN Air DAC you can listen to MQA straight out of the box. Simply connect to Tidal Masters and check the option to stream MQA. Find out more about MQA here.

Most DACs still use digital volume control – ours is analogue.

And breathe…

What does this mean? When you reduce the volume on other DACs you remove data from the song or soundtrack. With analogue volume control, you reduce the volume whilst maintaining the quality.

Put simply, the ZEN Air DAC is an easy way to experience super clear, hi-res audio quality in your everyday listening.

Sift through the noise, breathe in the Air.

ifi Audio Zen Air

The latest products from ifi Audio are their ifi Zen Air products, where they have been saving with a gentle hand and made some good-sounding ifi Zen clones, where much of the sound quality, from the Zen products, is recovered.

Few features and inputs have been shaved off and savings have been made on the cabinet, which in the Air products is a high-grade thermoplastic with additives for better strength and fracture safety.

This has succeeded in preserving a large part of the Zen series' award-winning sound reproduction, but at an extremely attractive price.