iFi Audio debuts ZEN Blue 3 DAC and ZEN CAN 3 headphone amp
The company says: “By merging wireless connectivity with lossless CD-quality audio transmission and hi-fi-grade circuitry, ZEN Blue 3 offers a true audiophile-grade Bluetooth experience for your hi-fi”. New to the ZEN Blue 3 are three operation modes including Bluetooth RX, TX and DAC, while also featuring an aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec to receive or transmit Lossless CD-quality and hi-res audio wirelessly, and a switchable low-latency mode.
iFi claims that the ZEN Blue 3 (pictured above) is the world’s first wireless DAC that can both transmit and receive lossless CD quality with no data loss. The new DAC uses the latest Bluetooth 5.4 and aptX Lossless codec, alongside hi-res 96kHz via LDAC and LDHC/HWA.
Explaining the three function modes, iFi says the RX mode receives Bluetooth from a source device, the TX mode transmits Bluetooth to a device and the Wired DAC mode allows the ZEN Blue 3 to act as a traditional wired DAC via USB-C or S/PDIF inputs. It features a two-tone front panel design and ‘smile-like’ button layout. The ZEN Blue 3 is priced at £300.
iFi Audio’s ZEN CAN 3, meanwhile, boasts xMEMS micro-speaker amplification mode, multiple EQ modes including Gaming and Movies, and up to 2,000mW output power. xMEMS speaker technology implements both actuation and diaphragm in silicon producing the world’s fastest and most precise speakers for IEMs. “With these next-generation speakers, there’s virtually no phase shift and they are close to 150 times faster than regular mechanical drivers. By integrating this technology into the new ZEN CAN 3, listeners can enjoy superior clarity and fidelity during listening sessions to reach a new dimension of audio quality.”
The ZEN CAN 3 claims to bring up to 2,000mW continuous output power to deliver: “an exceptional sound experience for almost every headphone on the market”. It also features 0-18dB adjustable gain, with +6dB steps to match most headphones and is priced at £230.
Available to buy now, you can find out more about the ZEN Blue 3 here and the ZEN CAN 3 here.
Inside this month's issue:
WiiM Ultra, System Audio Signature 5, Monitor Audio Studio 89, Volumio Rivo, SVS Ultra Evolution Nano, iFi Audio ZEN Blue 3 and much, much more
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