[makatech]

Question about the power switch button on the Zen Dac.

I am using the HD6XX and balanced cables together with the Zen Dac (and a power supply).

Is it better having the power switch button disabled if I get enough of volume or it's best having it enabled all the time?

Or it doesn't matter?

 

[funksoulava]

You wrote this:
I'm confused, but let me double-check: is the green LED on your ZEN DAC engaged if iPower is connected?

Yes but the volume dial in front is not. However, when connected via USB, the volume dial is lit.

 

[funksoulava]

So I brought the Can and DAC to the shop to check what's wrong. So when the green light at the back of the DAC is lit, there is power supplied to the unit. The reason why the light on the volume dial is not lit is because the source is not feeding to the DAC. It appears the (third party) USB cable is not working. We used the USB cable supplied with the ifi audio OTG cable and everything works. Sorry for the trouble.

 

[makatech]

Posting my experiences about using a balanced cable together with the HD6XX and the iFi Zen Dac (and a power supply).
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/forza-audioworks-impressions-thread.661441/page-203#post-15885053

Short summarize: The balanced cable is giving me extra headroom and now I probably won't buy an amp (was thinking about Zen Can or THX 789 before). I'm aware of an amp possibly could improve the sound even further but I do have more headroom now and I want to be a bit economical. Now I will chill and listen to music. The differences in quality of sound are more subtle/tiny but a small improvement I would say.

 

[iFi audio]

So I brought the Can and DAC to the shop to check what's wrong. So when the green light at the back of the DAC is lit, there is power supplied to the unit. The reason why the light on the volume dial is not lit is because the source is not feeding to the DAC. It appears the (third party) USB cable is not working. We used the USB cable supplied with the ifi audio OTG cable and everything works. Sorry for the trouble.

Was just about to suggest checking other USB cable

But all good, I'm glad you were able to find the problem.

Question about the power switch button on the Zen Dac.

I am using the HD6XX and balanced cables together with the Zen Dac (and a power supply).

Is it better having the power switch button disabled if I get enough of volume or it's best having it enabled all the time?

Or it doesn't matter?

Power Match is for cans/IEMs that go too loud too fast. If without it engaged your HD6XX work fine, I wouldn't turn it on.

 

[makatech]

Perhaps this has been discussed before but this review is really, really good and interesting, spot on if you have the HD6XX/HD650.


First of all, the true bass button on the Zen Dac may be a bit over the top for the HD6XX, pushing it to the limit where distortion may occur. EQing may be the better choice if using the HD6XX/HD650 together with the Zen Dac for boosting the bass.

The reviewer is really emphasizing music being subjective and we all have difference in taste. Personally he is enjoying the original HD6XX sound with slightly laid back/rounded highs and not very happy about boosting the treble/highs frequencies at all, all he wants is a slight bass boost.

If you like the original EQ/sound of HD6XX but only want a slight bass boost then Zen Can + Zen Dac may be the best choice. The bass button on Zen Can will give you a perfect bass boost for the HD6XX.

If you want exactly the same bass boost but also a brighter treble (boosted low treble/highs 5-6kHz) then you may like the Signature stack more (the HD6XX button).

Of course the buttons on Zen amps are very convenient but it's really easy EQing the sound yourself using EqualizerAPO together with the Peace gui on a Windows 10 PC (which is for free). You will find many good EQ curves to use together with HD6XX/HD650 if googling/searching the net.

My own comment/conclusion: I believe I would prefer the Signature (the HD6XX button) a little bit more. Even though I really like the smooth treble on the HD6XX opening them up a little bit would be nice. But in the same way, this is pretty easy accomplishing with EqualizerAPO & Peace on a Windows 10 PC.

If you are running your software in exclusive mode using Tidal Hifi or another software in exclusive mode then it may be much more convenient using the buttons though (or the only way). Only way EQing the sound running Tidal in exclusive mode on a PC is Roon I think (and perhaps JRiver), I know it works with Roon for sure (but Roon is expensive).

Finally from a strictly economical perspective it may get more expensive if wanting a fully balanced setup, some reviewers are not mentioning this fact. Balanced cables 4.4 mm cables for the headphones and a 4.4 mm - 4.4 mm for connecting the amp and dac. This is a bit annoying because these kind of cables are difficult to get and also expensive if you want quality ones. If changing amp/dac and/or headphones in the future you may not have any use for these I think unless getting adapters. Also potentially added cost for power supplies if not included with purchase.

 

[VALIENTE]

iFi ZEN DAC on test with Grado SR60, Philips Fidelio X1, and Sennheiser HD600. Thank you.

 

[iFi audio]

iFi ZEN DAC on test with Grado SR60, Philips Fidelio X1, and Sennheiser HD600. Thank you.

Please let us know how it goes

 

[chaotic_angel]

Light slowly shining down on my P1 - finally the abundant lows, perfectly served by Zendac

 

[makatech]

Question about the usb cable for the Zen Dac, I am thinking about buying a longer one. Referring to my two pictures below:

This is the right one, USB 3.0?

This will not work? (USB 2)

 

[iFi audio]

This is the right one, USB 3.0?

Yup.

This will not work? (USB 2)

It will work. USB3.0 is backwards compatible with USB2.0.

finally the abundant lows, perfectly served by Zendac

Thanks and enjoy!

 

[makatech]

Yup.

It will work. USB3.0 is backwards compatible with USB2.0.

Thanks and enjoy!

Ok, both cables will work, nice, because I find it much easier finding high quality USB 2 cables, not sure why.

Had an interesting experience recently when connecting an external headphone amp (Topping A90) to my Zen Dac using RCA cables and running the Zen Dac in fixed mode.

I experienced interference/noise using USB 3 port but it is dead quiet when using the USB 2 port (on my computer). Connecting the Zen Dac using the iPower X 5V power supply. If not running it with the iPower X (thus USB powered) I could actually hear some interference from the USB 2 connection too (the iPower X helps for sure).

Another forum user in the Topping A90 thread explained the RCA "noise" is a ground loop noise (from Topping A90) - and ground noise brought in from USB cable through the Zen Dac. Best/easiest way solving this is using balanced cable between amp and dac.

It's dead quiet right now (no interference) connecting to USB 2 but I am thinking of a higher quality USB cable anyway. Also I will switch to a balanced cable (4.4mm -> dual 3 pin XLR) between the Zen Dac and the Topping A90 within 2-3 weeks.

 

[ultraman31]

Ok, both cables will work, nice, because I find it much easier finding high quality USB 2 cables, not sure why.

Had an interesting experience recently when connecting an external headphone amp (Topping A90) to my Zen Dac using RCA cables and running the Zen Dac in fixed mode.

I experienced interference/noise using USB 3 port but it is dead quiet when using the USB 2 port (on my computer). Connecting the Zen Dac using the iPower X 5V power supply. If not running it with the iPower X (thus USB powered) I could actually hear some interference from the USB 2 connection too (the iPower X helps for sure).

Another forum user in the Topping A90 thread explained the RCA "noise" is a ground loop noise (from Topping A90) - and ground noise brought in from USB cable through the Zen Dac. Best/easiest way solving this is using balanced cable between amp and dac.

It's dead quiet right now connecting to USB 2 but I am thinking of a higher quality USB cable anyway. Also I will switch to a balanced cable (4.4mm -> dual 3 pin XLR) between the Zen Dac and the Topping A90 within 2-3 week.

I think it also has to do with the amount of current/power that USB3 can bring from the computer and therefore might have more noise, but it's my guess... I'll let anyone with electronic background to answer this.

 

[makatech]

I think it also has to do with the amount of current/power that USB3 can bring from the computer and therefore might have more noise, but it's my guess... I'll let anyone with electronic background to answer this.

Yes, ok, USB 2 made it quiet but only if using a power supply for the Zen Dac.

I do think this is Topping A90 related though (in certain cases when using the RCA connections). Another forum user in the Topping A90 thread explained the RCA "noise" being a ground loop noise (from Topping A90) - and ground noise brought in from USB cable through the Zen Dac.

I never experienced interference/noise when using the Zen Dac standalone connecting to the same USB 3 port and using a power suppy.

 

[Bazaar]

What length are your cables? There was a discussion awhile back on one of these threads that recommended not going over 3 feet or so...