Thanks to the 16 core tech, the ZEN DAC V2 is now an MQA Decoder rather than a Renderer only.

This enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. The LED glows green or blue to indicate that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA stream or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source material. It glows blue to indicate it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the copyright owner.

MQA rendering technology (used in the original ZEN DAC among other iFi products) connects to an MQA Core signal (such as TIDAL) and completes the final unfold of an MQA file. Usually, the computer has carried out the decoding.

A new and improved low jitter, crystal clock means >20dB better performance. The super-low noise performance means the ZEN DAC V2 will remain quiet even in noisy situations such as yachts or RVs.

The balanced design for the analogue stage – rare and not found at this price point – makes it pretty special and delivers the best sound quality, normally found in higher priced models.

The ZEN DAC V2 sports Balanced 4.4mm outputs at both the front and back. On the front, there’s also the popular 6.3mm headphone socket.

• Input: USB3.0 B Socket (USB2.0 compatible)
• Formats: PCM: 384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz, DSD: 256/128/64, DXD: 384/352.8kHz, MQA: Decoder
• DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
• Line Section:
• Output: Audio RCA (SE) — 2.1V fixed 1V / 3.3V max. (variable), 4.4mm (BAL) — 4.2V fixed 2V / 6.2V max. (variable)
• Zout: <= 200 Ohm (BAL), <= 100 Ohm (SE)
• SNR: < -116dB(A) @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
• DNR: > 116dB(A) @ -60dBFS (BAL/SE)
• THD+N: < 0.0015% @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
• Headphone Section:
• Output Power (@1% THD): 4.4mm (BAL) 330mW@32 Ohm; 6.6V@600 Ohm; 16 Ohm - 600 Ohm Headphone, 6.3mm S-BAL (SE) 230mW@32 Ohm; 3.3V@600 Ohm 16 Ohm - 600 Ohm Headphone
• Output Impedance: < 1 Ω (BAL/SE)
• THD+N: < 0.005% (125mW @ 32R)
• SNR: > 113dBA (6.2V BAL/3.3V SE)
• Power consumption: < 1.5W via USB power OR 5v DC (power supply not included)