--- product_id: 417806416 title: "iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music" brand: "ifi" price: "2389 kr" currency: NOK in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "I Fi" url: https://www.desertcart.no/products/417806416-ifi-zen-air-dac-high-resolution-dac-mqa-renderer-high store_origin: NO region: Norway --- # 32bit/384kHz PCM & DSD256 native PowerMatch gain for perfect headphone level XBass+ bass tailoring tech iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music **Brand:** ifi **Price:** 2389 kr **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > 🎢 Unlock Studio-Quality Sound β€” Because Your Ears Deserve the Best ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music by ifi - **How much does it cost?** 2389 kr with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.no](https://www.desertcart.no/products/417806416-ifi-zen-air-dac-high-resolution-dac-mqa-renderer-high) ## Best For - ifi enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted ifi brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Versatile Connectivity:** RCA outputs feed your Hi-Fi system or powered speakers, making the Zen Air DAC the hub of your premium audio setup. - β€’ **Compact & Stylish Build:** Sleek aluminum chassis fits seamlessly on your desk, combining durability with a modern aesthetic that complements your workspace. - β€’ **Custom-Tuned Bass Boost:** XBass+ lets you sculpt bass response to perfectly match your headphones, reviving old tracks with rich, punchy lows. - β€’ **Audiophile-Grade Clarity:** Experience pristine high-res audio with native 32bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 support, elevating every note to studio quality. - β€’ **Optimized Headphone Gain:** PowerMatch technology automatically adjusts output gain, ensuring flawless volume and zero distortion for any headphone. ## Overview The iFi Zen Air DAC is a compact, high-resolution digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier featuring native 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256, and MQA decoding. It includes PowerMatch gain adjustment for optimal headphone output, XBass+ bass enhancement, and RCA outputs for versatile connectivity. Crafted with an aluminum body, it delivers audiophile-grade clarity and customizable sound, perfect for professionals seeking premium audio performance without breaking the bank. ## Description Buy iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music: Amplifiers - desertcart.com βœ“ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Review: Excellent for the price - 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 DAC This 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 Amplifier This 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 DAC Not 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 Amplifier Not 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 Combo Very good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized. Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier I 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 Digital This 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. Review: The good sound does not mean $$$$ spent, great DAC. - Finally, the mystery of 11 year old and unbeatable, until now, Denon DA-300USB is solved - it was Burr Brown DAC chip. ZEN Air DAC has very natural and clean sound thanks to Burr Brow True Native MultiBit DAC chip. A few notes about line out RCA: - The volume(voltage) is very low by default - you need to enable PowerMatch mode to get voltage on line out > 2V (with in specs). - Analog type variable volume is aways on, but it does not matter really, also you can use it as pre-amp when needed. - The XBass+ is available on line out as well, so you can boost bass on old recordings that are often lack bass. The only small con: the RCA jacks are a bit on the loose side. ## Features - Get the best high resolution audio quality from the source device - Features RCA outputs to feed a Hi-Fi system or self-powered speakers - PowerMatch adjusts the gain so that it functions at the right level for your headphones - XBass+ allows you to tailor the bass to suit your headphones - Supports PCM 32bit/384kHz fully native DSD256 and MQA formats ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B09T6Y27R1 | | Audio Output Mode | Headphone, Speaker | | Best Sellers Rank | #138,960 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #814 in Audio Component Amplifiers | | Brand | iFi | | Brand Name | iFi | | Compatible Devices | Computers, Smartphones, Tablets, Headphones, Speakers | | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 429 Reviews | | Interface | USB | | Interface Type | USB | | Item Dimensions L x W | 6.2"L x 4.6"W | | Item Weight | 550 g | | Manufacturer | Abbingdon Music Research | | Material Type | Aluminum | | Maximum Supply Voltage | 5 volts | | Model | ZENAIR-DAC | | Number of Channels | 1 | | Number of Items | 1 | | Number of Pins | 6 | | Part Number | ZENAIR-DAC | | Product Dimensions | 6.2"L x 4.6"W | ## Product Details - **Brand:** iFi - **Interface Type:** USB - **Maximum Supply Voltage:** 5 volts - **Number of Channels:** 1 - **Number of Pins:** 6 ## Images ![iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61aPlRriH5L.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Plugged this into my pc via usb and connected the power and plugged in my sennheiser 599s and started music on the pc. silence. drivers?** A: Did you download the iFi Windows driver? Go to the iFi page and download the driver. **Q: How many volts does this put out?** A: Thanks for your question. Line Output: 1V / 3.3V max. Headphone Output: 1V / 3.3V max. (variable) World Wide Stereo – since 1979 – and a proud authorized iFi dealer. **Q: Doe this work with Chromebook with intel chipset?** A: Yes **Q: Does this iFi DAC run very hot, when in use or not?** A: Had mine for 2 years, never ran hot for me. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for the price *by P***H on May 12, 2023* 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 DAC This 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 Amplifier This 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 DAC Not 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 Amplifier Not 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 Combo Very good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized. Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier I 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 Digital This 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. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The good sound does not mean $$$$ spent, great DAC. *by B***T on March 12, 2025* Finally, the mystery of 11 year old and unbeatable, until now, Denon DA-300USB is solved - it was Burr Brown DAC chip. ZEN Air DAC has very natural and clean sound thanks to Burr Brow True Native MultiBit DAC chip. A few notes about line out RCA: - The volume(voltage) is very low by default - you need to enable PowerMatch mode to get voltage on line out > 2V (with in specs). - Analog type variable volume is aways on, but it does not matter really, also you can use it as pre-amp when needed. - The XBass+ is available on line out as well, so you can boost bass on old recordings that are often lack bass. The only small con: the RCA jacks are a bit on the loose side. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lacking some features, but great sound. *by L***Y on May 1, 2026* Overall, the dac is good. Everything feels well built and all the features work perfectly. I really don’t like that. It doesn’t have an on switch, though having to manually unplug it every time I want to switch to speakers is very annoying. ## Frequently Bought Together - iFi Zen Air DAC - High Resolution DAC - MQA Renderer - High Resolution Music DAC - Monoprice 1.5ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - Black - iFi Zen Air CAN - High Resolution Headphone Amplifier for PC/Mac/Smartphone/Tablet/TV's/Streamers | 3.5mm Audio and RCA Outputs to Speakers | US --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.no/products/417806416-ifi-zen-air-dac-high-resolution-dac-mqa-renderer-high](https://www.desertcart.no/products/417806416-ifi-zen-air-dac-high-resolution-dac-mqa-renderer-high) --- *Product available on Desertcart Norway* *Store origin: NO* *Last updated: 2026-09-22*