iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2 – Balanced Desktop USB DAC & Headphone Amp
The iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2 takes the entry-level Hi-Fi DAC further than ever, adding a true balanced 4.4 mm headphone output, a more revealing Cirrus Logic DAC and up to 300 % more amplification power than the original. With XBass+ and PowerMatch tuning controls, PCM 384 kHz and DSD256 support, and a premium midnight-blue metal fascia, ZEN Air DAC 2 is the easiest way to bring an emotionally engaging house sound into your desk, studio or living room — curated for you at Soundium.
Key Features
- Balanced 4.4 mm headphone output: Doubles voltage swing for greater control with high-impedance and demanding planar headphones
- New Cirrus Logic DAC: Bit-perfect PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD256 with a natural, musical presentation
- Up to 300 % more power: Drives sensitive IEMs and harder-to-drive cans with equal authority
- Analogue XBass+ and PowerMatch: Genuine analogue bass enhancement and gain matching, no DSP colouration
- Dedicated power button and metal fascia: Quality-of-life upgrades and a more premium midnight-blue finish
Customer Benefits
Plug into any laptop, desktop or USB-OTG device and instantly upgrade everything you listen to. The added headroom and balanced output mean even premium headphones come alive without an expensive separate amp, while the analogue tuning controls let you fine-tune for any pair you own — from sensitive IEMs to power-hungry studio cans.
Quick Specs
- DAC Chip: Cirrus Logic, bit-perfect
- Hi-Res Support: PCM 384 kHz, DSD256
- Dynamic Range: 118 dB(A) on both outputs
- SNR / THD+N: 118 dB(A) / ≤0.0011 % @ 16 Ω (6.3 mm)
- 4.4 mm Balanced Output: ≥5.57 V / 484 mW @ 64 Ω, ≤1.4 Ω impedance
- 6.3 mm Single-Ended Output: ≥3.02 V / 286 mW @ 32 Ω
- Line Output: 2 V / 3.4 V max (variable gain), ≤50 Ω
- Input: USB-C, 5 V / >1 A
- Power Consumption: ~0.55 W idle, ~3.55 W max
- Dimensions: 158 × 100 × 35 mm
- Weight: 315 g
What's in the Box
- iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2
- USB 2.0 cable
- Quick-start guide and warranty card
Use Cases / Ideal For
- Desktop headphone listening with sensitive IEMs and demanding planar cans
- Adding a clean DAC stage in front of powered speakers or an integrated amp
- Compact home studio monitoring and casual mixing reference
Compatibility
- USB-C connection to Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
- Works with any 4.4 mm balanced or 6.3 mm single-ended headphones
- Variable line-out for active monitors and amplifiers
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Genuine balanced 4.4 mm output at an entry-level price
- Significantly more headroom than the original ZEN Air DAC
- Analogue XBass+ and PowerMatch for transparent tuning
- Premium metal fascia and dedicated power button
⚠️ Cons:
- USB only — no optical, coaxial or Bluetooth input
- Compact form factor means single set of headphone outputs at a time
- No display, status shown via LEDs only
Step up to balanced desktop audio without stepping up the budget. The iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2 brings audiophile-grade DAC and amplification into one tidy desktop unit — available now at Soundium.
