iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music DAC

Ms de lo que uno da por su dinero, excelente calidad

Any of these are going to greatly improve the sound over plugging your headphones directly into the mini-jack on a computer.Listening was done with a few different headphones but mostly with beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones. Music source was a laptop connected to the DAC/Headphone Amp via USB. If an external power supply was included, I used that. If not, power came via USB.I've kept notes on my impressions brief and included comparisons amongst the DAC/Amp's in this list. They are listed below in my order of preference with my favorites at the top. If you want flowery vocabulary I'm sure in depth reviews are available out there on the web.Headphones make the greatest difference in sound - spend more on them, if necessary. The DAC/Amp is secondary but does add its own flavor to the music.---iFi Zen DAC V2 | Desktop Digital Analog Converter(Listening only with "TRUEBASS" off.)Very good.Slightly better than the FiiO K7. Better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass.I ended up comparing this with the FX-Audio DAC-X6 head to head, which continued to surprise me as I put it up against significantly more expensive competitors. Across several hours and many pieces of music, I prefer the iFi... but the difference is infinitesimal. Possibly the iFi has a little more punch to the bass? Maybe a bit more space ans separation? If you're working to a budget, get the FX-Audio and put the extra cash towards better headphones.FX-Audio DAC-X6 Mini HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DACThis thing is good. Surprisingly good. I ended up putting it head-to-head with amps costing three times its price.Slightly warmer sound, with slightly less detail in the vocals than the iFi Zen Air, but more space in the music, and more enjoyable to listen to. Slightly better clarity than the Topping.FiiO K7 Full Balanced HiFi DAC Headphone AmplifierThis is indeed better than the K5 version. Vocals are more lifelike. And a particular emphasis on the mid-treble heard in the K5 is absent. There is more separation between the instruments.Very close call with the iFi V2, with my preference going to the iFi for better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass.iFi Zen Air DACNot quite as good as the V2, but close. Closer than the FiiO K5 is to the K7. There is, again, a comparative emphasis in mid-treble and the vocals get a bit lost. The sound is slightly thin compared to rivals at this price point.FiiO K5 Pro Headphone Amps Portable Desktop DAC and AmplifierNot quite as good as the K7, but at half the price one cannot really complain. Vocals are not quite as lifelike and there is more mid-treble - but not in a good way.Topping DX1 Mini Stereo DAC Headphone Amplifier ComboVery good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized.Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone AmplifierI thought this unit was DOA. Turns out that you must long press the volume knob to turn it on. (Short press to select input.)Not terrible, but not as musical as the others in this test. Also, the only one with bass and treble knobs. And only a mini-jack - no 1/4" jack.Pro-Ject Head Box S2 DigitalThis DAC/Amp had an issue that makes it unlistenable. The sound is very nice... but... there's some faint static. Only in the music, not in silence. A faint crackling.... Can't have that.

I am using original first Zen Dac over 2 years now and I love it !I was planning to buy Zen Dac Ver 2 for my second stereo audio set up.Likely for me this cheap version of Zen Dac just came up and I taught I am going to give it a try.For this money ? Incredible sound, no worse and maybe better than my original Zen Dac which picture I am posting here together with ZenDac Air.Built Quality is great. If you need metal case than you have to buy $ 100 more Zen Dac V2 which have more connectivity options plus fixed RCA stereo audio output switched.This little gem has only variable stereo output which is fine with me.No balanced headphones output either which I am not using anyway on my first Zen Dac.My best headphones are Sennheiser HD 6XX and this Zen Dac Air amp has no problem to deliver enough power to deliver great sound.Anyway to wrap up: Same Sound Quality as on more expensive IFi DACs for bargain price !Buy before price will go up. Always Ifi DACs at the start of sale are cheap and than would go up $ 20-30Update driverI am running these Dacs on Windows 21H2 and on Mac OS Monterey 12.3.1Audio Software used: Audirvana 3.5, Audirvana Studio, JRiver Media Centre 29, Foobar 2000, Roon 28, Brio by Ora Stream. Playing all kind of files including Flac, DXD , DSD, SACD ISO, media monkey, Wav, Alac and others. Streaming services: Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music, Amazon HD, Deezer.Apple Music and Amazon HD do not change colors of sample rate being played.Apparently they upsampling everything and display orange on Zen DACs.Good luck !Happy listening !

Perfect for the iPad

It adds warmths to the sound. Great improvement for the sound of my laptop.