iFi ZEN One Signature - All-in-One Media Hub - Bluetooth 5.1, Optical, USB, RCA. Full MQA High Res Audio DAC.

Product Information

The ZEN One Signature’s ‘digital engine’ is based around a Burr-Brown DAC chipset that iFi uses extensively, selected for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. iFi’s experience with this IC means it knows how to make the most of it; but whilst intrinsic to the resulting sound, the creation of an exemplary DAC stage involves much more than the selection of a particular DAC chip. You have likely noticed that the ZEN One Signature DAC has a small white antenna protruding from its rear. This feature allows the product to receive a stable incoming Bluetooth signal and connect to your Bluetooth source. The MM-/MC-Phono- preamplifier "ZEN Phono" will join the affordable ZEN product line of iFi Audio. It features four different gain stages, a balanced pentaconn connector and an "intelligent" subsonic filter. The ZEN One Signature supports audio signals up to DSD256, 32-bit/384kHz PCM over USB, 192kHz over S/PDIF, and single- and double-speed DXD. The Burr-Brown DAC chip’s True Native Design allows for DSD and Again, I did not test the SPDIF port and only used the optical port but since most times both SPDIF and Optical ports are tied together I assume it should be able to reach the same 192k bit rate. Formats

There are two LED windows on the front panel which first off and foremost indicate power-on status. The multicolor LED window on the right indicates the format of the digital input or the Bluetooth codec level. Next, I switched to the USB input and connected my Envy X360 laptop to the ZEN One Signature using the supplied USB cable. While I was dazzled by the ZEN One’s Bluetooth connection, once I played some tunes through Roon, I realized I hadn’t heard anything yet. The Zen One by iFi Audio takes the award-winning ZEN DAC V2, adds the functionality of the ZEN Blue V2 and then upgrades this further using their premium Signature circuitry. The end result is a DAC that offers high-performance and unbeatable compatibility with any of your digital audio sources. For the latter, iFi makes a balanced 4.4mm to stereo XLR cable (sold separately), so you can connect the ZEN One Signature to an amp with XLR inputs. In addition, the Coax input doubles as a digital output when using Bluetooth or USB inputs.Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.

The Zen One Signature DAC has DC 5V (centre pin+ve) power and uses Bluetooth 5.1. ifi also integrated a Bit-Perfect DSD + DXD DAC, plus the Qualcomm QCC 5100 Series. Aside from that, it has an optical and SPDIF input which is selectable via the front panel selector. As for Bluetooth, the ZEN One Signature DAC has three digital connectors available. High-resolution D/A conversion is possible via iFi’s tried and true Burr-Brown DAC chip setup with a four-channel True Native design. This, in theory, lets PCM and DSD signals take separate pathways, so they stay bit-perfect before conversion.

Adblocker Detected

While seasoned audiophiles will naturally lean towards the ZEN One Signature DAC’s wired inputs and hi-res capabilities, its Bluetooth performance is what sets it apart from other DACs on the market and I can honestly one of its most impressive features. Listening to a 96kHz version of Phoebe Bridger’s take on that same Metallica song via Qobuz, I was hard-pressed to hear any perceivable difference in quality compared to a tethered USB listen a few minutes earlier. You should definitely think of Bluetooth as a “bonus” here, rather than a “compromise” - the addition of it in the ZEN One Signature DAC means that you’ll have far more reasons to jump in and simply enjoy your favourite music, whatever the occasion. From the press release: “…every element of its circuitry is designed for pure performance. Key surface-mounted components have been upgraded to high-end devices, including Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors, and the design has been refined to ensure short, direct signal paths.”