The award-winning ZEN DAC 3 doubles its high-resolution support to 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA decoding, continuing its legacy as WHAT Hi-Fi?’s Best DAC under £200 for four years. With USB-C connectivity, overvoltage protection, and reduced DC offset, it delivers superior performance and seamless usability.
Fresh New Look. Unleash Every Music Detail.
The ZEN DAC 3 supports sample rates up to 768kHz, ensuring compatibility with all high-resolution streaming formats for exceptional sound quality. With a built-in headphone amplifier and the ability to function as both a DAC and DAC/Pre, it’s your all-in-one solution for connecting headphones, amplifiers, or active speakers—perfect for home or office setups.
Powering Your Headphones
The ZEN DAC 3 is more than a USB DAC, it features a 390mW headphone amplifier with both balanced 4.4mm and SE 6.3mm outputs, compatible with a wide range of headphones.
Enhance bass with XBass+, a pure analogue mode perfect for IEMs or open-back headphones, while PowerMatch provides switchable gain for demanding headphones. For even more power, pair it with the ZEN CAN via a 4.4mm balanced cable to create a stacked ZEN system.
DACtivate your speakers and amplifier.
The ZEN DAC 3 features a Variable or Fixed output switch. In Variable mode, adjust volume using the knob when connecting directly to active speakers via our 4.4mm to XLR cable or RCA cables.
Use Fixed mode for connecting line outputs to a receiver or main amplifier. The ZEN DAC 3 is the most versatile USB DAC in its class, offering multiple usage options.
USB-C Powered, Upgradeable Performance.
The ZEN DAC 3, powered by USB-C, offers simple cable management with an upgrade option via its 5V power input. Pair it with the iFi iPower2, an ultra-quiet power supply featuring Active Noise Cancellation II, eliminating EMI and RFI noise for a cleaner, purer audio signal—over 10 times quieter than standard audiophile power supplies.
ZEN DAC 3 features two 4.4mm balanced outputs, one for headphones and one for other amplifiers, effectively minimising distortion and crosstalk.
ZEN DAC 3 also benefits from input overvoltage protection
via the all-new USB-C port
Specifications
| DAC |
Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| DIMENSIONS |
158 x 115 x 35mm (6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”) |
| DNR |
Line Section:
≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS
Headphone Section:
≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm) |
| FORMATS SUPPORTED |
PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz)
DSD (512/256/128/64)
DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz)
MQA (Decoder) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE |
5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB) |
| GAME CONSOLE COMPATIBILITY |
SONY PS5 and Nintendo Switch
“SONY” is registered trademark or trademark of Sony Group Corporation.
“PS5” is registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Nintendo Switch™ is trademark of Nintendo.
|
| INPUT |
USB Type-C |
| LIMITED WARRANTY |
12 months |
| MAXIMUM OUTPUT POWER |
Headphone Section:
BAL 4.4mm: >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω
Single-Ended 6.35mm: >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω
|
| NET WEIGHT |
456g (1.0 lbs) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE |
Line Section:
Balanced 4.4mm ≤200Ω; Single-Ended RCA ≤100Ω
Headphone Section:
≤1Ω |
| POWER CONSUMPTION |
No Signal ~0.5W; Max Signal ~2.5W |
| RMS OUTPUT POWER |
Headphone Section:
BAL 4.4mm: >390mW @ 64Ω
Single-Ended 6.35mm: >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω
|
| THD+N |
Line Section:
BAL 4.4mm: <0.0015% @ 0dBFS
Single-Ended 6.35mm: <0.003% @ 0dBFS
Headphone Section:
BAL 4.4mm: <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω)
Single-Ended 6.35mm: <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω)@ 32Ω
|
| POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT |
USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (centre +ve) |
