iFi audio ZEN DAC Signature V2 - The Official Thread

[AMR / iFi audio]

I was simply stressing the fact that if your network streamer and an amplifier do not have a built-in dac then It is best advised to incorporate a separate DAC in between these two. Since H95 is an integrated amplifier with a dac chip and a streaming functionality, technically you would not need to purchase a dac such as iFi Zen Dac Signature V2 or even the Zen Stream to be able to listen to music.

Now, addressing your question - would buying the Zen Dac Signature V2 yield any noticeable improvement in SQ. Sound-wise, that would be too subjective of me to reply.

Specs-wise the difference is significant. Unlike the AKM (24-bit/192kHz) DAC chip. incorporated in the H95, the Zen Dac Signature V2 delivers Bit-Perfect up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 as well as DXD.

 

[Vitorspg]

I was simply stressing the fact that if your network streamer and an amplifier do not have a built-in dac then It is best advised to incorporate a separate DAC in between these two. Since H95 is an integrated amplifier with a dac chip and a streaming functionality, technically you would not need to purchase a dac such as iFi Zen Dac Signature V2 or even the Zen Stream to be able to listen to music.

Now, addressing your question - would buying the Zen Dac Signature V2 yield any noticeable improvement in SQ. Sound-wise, that would be too subjective of me to reply.

Specs-wise the difference is significant. Unlike the AKM (24-bit/192kHz) DAC chip. incorporated in the H95, the Zen Dac Signature V2 delivers Bit-Perfect up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 as well as DXD.

Thank you

 

[Vitorspg]

I was simply stressing the fact that if your network streamer and an amplifier do not have a built-in dac then It is best advised to incorporate a separate DAC in between these two. Since H95 is an integrated amplifier with a dac chip and a streaming functionality, technically you would not need to purchase a dac such as iFi Zen Dac Signature V2 or even the Zen Stream to be able to listen to music.

Now, addressing your question - would buying the Zen Dac Signature V2 yield any noticeable improvement in SQ. Sound-wise, that would be too subjective of me to reply.

Specs-wise the difference is significant. Unlike the AKM (24-bit/192kHz) DAC chip. incorporated in the H95, the Zen Dac Signature V2 delivers Bit-Perfect up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 as well as DXD.

One additional question. How does the Zen One Signature compares soundwise with the Zen Dac Signature V2, using the USB port to receive the signal from the Zen Stream? Are they basically the same DAC? I'm asking because the extra 50 Euros isn't much given the additonal features of the Signature One. However, my main interest is the USB DAC and, therefore, I'd go for the Zen DAC Signature V2, should it be a superior product for what it's supposed to do. Thank you again

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Even though the implemented BB dac is of the same family in the Zen One Signature and he Zen Dac Signature V2, you will get a different SQ end result when you compare the two. The SQ is a result of many factors and components and that differs significantly between the two products.
The Zen One Signature is a more versatile product, whereas the Zen Dac Signature V2 is purely a DAC.



If you aim to have a more diverse product with digital and analogue inputs and BT connection - then I'd go for the One.



If you are a purist and prefer to have a separate, external dac then the Zen Dac Signature V2 is something tailored to your needs.

 

[Vangelis]

I was able to get Mconnect working. I did a update and it went to set up mode again I hit the right blinking light to turn it off now I have no audio and I can’t seem to get it out of the blinking mode. I am using the ethernet installation. How do I get the unit out of hotspot mode? Is there a formal support area or even phone support for Ifi in the US.

 

[Gregadd]

I can't answer your question. You can go to the website and open a "ticket". That will open a dialog.
Good luck.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I was able to get Mconnect working. I did a update and it went to set up mode again I hit the right blinking light to turn it off now I have no audio and I can’t seem to get it out of the blinking mode. I am using the ethernet installation. How do I get the unit out of hotspot mode? Is there a formal support area or even phone support for Ifi in the US.

You can open a ticket on our website (https://support.ifi-audio.com/) or you can send me a DM with more detailed info and we will solve the issue together.

 

[Vitorspg]

Even purer DAC performance.​

Our specialist desktop DAC, ZEN DAC Signature V2, has been upgraded to bring you an even purer performance than the original.

View attachment 81184

Enjoy an enhanced experience.​

The ZEN DAC Signature V2 has been improved to offer an even greater, purer listening experience.
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, it has a 16 core XMOS chip instead of 8. This new and improved digital engine is more powerful than ever. We’ve also upgraded the clock circuitry to enhance the purist, audiophile design even further.
Enjoy music without any distortion or colouration.

View attachment 81187

Balanced. 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 means >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.

View attachment 81185

16 core means more…​

MQA 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.

The ZEN DAC Signature V2 includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and 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.

View attachment 81186

Confident 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 specialised, and now upgraded, audio clock circuitry.
A pair of RCA sockets provide a single-ended connection to an amp and a Pentaconn 4.4mm output enables balanced signal transfer between compact products that cannot accommodate traditional, bulky XLR connections.
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 Pentaconn input, or stereo XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable.

Hi, I was connecting the Zen Dac Signature V2 to the RCA input of the Hegel H120 but now that I'm using the Balanced connection I'm surprised by how much loud the sound comes out of the speakers. What used to be 45-50 volume level, now is about 35 or so. The sound signature also became more forward, may a bit brighter, with a larger soundstage. Is this what I should expect from the balanced connection? Thank you

 

[Gregadd]

Just taking a stab at it. Mine has variable output level. Are you in fixed or variable output mode?

 

[Vitorspg]

Just taking a stab at it. Mine has variable output level. Are you in fixed or variable output mode?

I'm in fixed mode, using the Hegel Volume control only. Cheers

 

[Gregadd]

I think then the problem, if you want to call it that, is with the other component. Just switch to variable mode and adjust accordingly.

Anway, the rep will probably visit the forum tomorrow and give you a more informed opinion.
I trust you are enjoying your unit as am I.

 

[Vitorspg]

I think then the problem, if you want to call it that, is with the other component. Just switch to variable mode and adjust accordingly.

Anway, the rep will probably visit the forum tomorrow and give you a more informed opinion.
I trust you are enjoying your unit as am I.

Thanks for your suggestion. I don't want to bypass the hegel's internal preamp and use the Zen's one, which is what I would do by switching to variable mode. In any case, I was comparing the Zen Stream + Zen Signature V2 + Hegel H120 with the DAC in fixed mode but using the SE output with the balanced circuit. I don't call it a problem but rather a change in sound signature. It's like the the same rig but "on steroids"', meaning higher volume, larger sounstage and more forward presentation. It's more powerful but less relaxed, which is one of the things I like in the Signature V2. I understand the balanced circuit offers a higher gain and, therefore, more power, but I'm a bit surprised with the dimension of it. I wonder whether the fact that I'm using the balanced circuit for the first time, both in the DAC and the integrated amp, means that both are still in the break-in period?

BTW, I like this DAC a lot and wonder why there hasn't been much praise and scarce reviews about it. Maybe it's the lack of inputs other than USB (which suits me very well) and the fact that it has been marketed as a desktop DAC to be paired with an headphone amp, rather than a amp+speakers system.

Cheers

 

[Gregadd]

" I don't want to bypass the [H]egel's internal preamp and use the Zen's one, which is what I would do by switching to variable mode. In any case, I was comparing the Zen Stream + Zen Signature V2 + Hegel H120 with the DAC in fixed mode but using the SE output with the balanced circuit. "[Text omitted]

A common misconception that I myself once indulged in. There is no relation between output level and volume control. Of course, volume is a function of input level. When you increase the input level then the volume rises and vice versa. This allows many to effectively use it as a "volume control."

Not to worry leave it in fixed if you like.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

@Vitorspg
No worries, everything is working as intended. There is a reason that a balanced connection gives you a louder sound. It's because a balanced connection uses a two times larger output voltage. So, the amplifier is being feed two times stronger signal, so in the end it plays two times louder. There is nothing wrong with it. You can choose which sound you like more if the sound is different.

Some manufacturers use gain correction to make the RCA and XLR loudness the same. Some don't.