ZEN DAC Signature V2

This is a DAC-only unit that takes digital audio over USB and outputs analogue. It uses a balanced, symmetrical dual-mono signal stage with short signal paths, and it uses components borrowed from the maker's higher-priced Pro range, including C0G, OS-CON and Slimic II capacitors. It runs a Burr-Brown converter and an iFi-programmed 16-core XMOS chip, with a low-jitter crystal clock.

It plays PCM up to 384kHz, DSD up to DSD256 and DXD, and it works as a full MQA decoder. An LED shows green or blue when an MQA stream or MQA Studio file is playing. The outputs can be set to variable, so the unit controls the volume of powered speakers or acts as a preamp, or to fixed, which bypasses its volume control for use with an amplifier that has its own.

Connection is by an asynchronous USB Type B input. Analogue output is on single-ended RCA sockets and a 4.4mm balanced socket, and both can be used at once. It is supplied with the SilentPower iPower2 supply, though it can also be powered over USB.