This amp is as spartan as it gets, but JDS crafted a product that balances function and form. $129.99USD. Thats crazy. You can also choose either variable output, for use with a power amplifier, or fixed, for use with a preamp or integrated amplifier. I can’t remember since it’s been so long. It still has everything you need as a beginner. This amp supports outputs at 32Ω, 150Ω, and 600Ω. No worries man! The JDS Labs Atom Amp is the best value. I have a question to ask before telling about that. Use it as a dedicated Amp (with separate DAC) on your desktop for music or gaming. Pretty nifty indeed! Does the MQA support on the Ifi Zen Dac really makes a difference compared to K5 Pro? Topping DAC + JDS Atom/Schiit Magni) as they are considered more powerful, but for my easy to drive setup I think the ifi Zen is better for the price range. Does the ifi idsd black label show any improvement over ifi zen dac/amp in sound quality? I would totally recommend the ZenDAC to a beginner, or someone needing an affordable back up piece of source equipment. Today we are having a look at the iFi Audio ZenDAC, their new entry level DAC/Amp combo unit. For the price you pay, this is a great performance. With the high gain option, this will be enough for most headphones, especially as this piece of gear will likely be used by beginners, and entry level headphones tend to be easier to drive. All of that’s well and good, but how do these sound in relation to each other? About that surpeise i had , i was listening to your YouTube videos lately and i watched almost all of them (Very good reviews and stuff. Now, the most important question. This provides a 6(ish) decibel boost to the low end, which is welcome on some headphones, and low and high gain settings (what iFi calls “Power Match.”) What I found really quite interesting was that the ZenDAC is a balanced piece of gear. Thank you so much. (516g) Knobs, buttons, and connections: JDS ATOM – Good, if a bit flimsy. The ZenDAC provides pretty much everything a beginner could ever need or want, at an MSRP of $129.99USD. I definitely remember your name – in fact, I was looking at it the other day and I said to myself “I know that guy from somewhere.” Lol. Hello, for listening on Tidal exclusively, would you recommend K5 Pro or Ifi Zen Dac? - JDS Labs customer support is known to be excellent. Honestly, i don’t remember the answers you gave me at that time. I went back and forth on a Master of “Come Together” by the Beatles (A song I’m very familiar with) through the AKG K702. Listening out of the Zen is sort of like a warm hug, whereas the Bravo + Red is more akin to opening a window in your home and letting some air in. Which closed headphones do you have in mind? Not the AudioQuest DragonFly Black but the forthcoming ZEN DAC from iFi that eschews the dongle in favour of a quarter-width aluminium chassis more becoming of a desktop rig.. I think what you ultimately decide on is more a matter of warm vs. cool preference and what you hope to accomplish in your studio space. Hook it up to your PS4 via its optical input. iFi Audio ZEN CAN [Added 07/10/2020] ... you get the ZEN DAC + ZEN CAN. Topping DAC + JDS Atom/Schiit Magni) as they are considered more powerful, but for my easy to drive setup I think the ifi Zen is better for the price range. So the differences between the Zen and K5 Pro aren’t that notable, but the difference between the DragonFly Red vs. the Zen and K5 Pro is. From the review: iFi ZEN CAN is surely an excellent performer with a tiny price. It has 2 pairs of RCA Analogs (A pair of inputs AND outputs), so it can be used as just a DAC or just an amp. Questions? Objectivly, the Liquid Spark and JDS Atom are better than the Magni. If the Zen is warm and more lush sounding, the Bravo Ocean + DragonFly Red is a little more open and crisp. Hook it up to studio monitors/speakers and use it as a preamp via its RCA Analog Outputs OR 4.4mm balanced output. Nice presentation). It’s simple as that. It is more detailed, has better timbre and tonality, but the ZenDAC isn’t as far off as you might think. After doing some research, I figured to enjoy my current setup (HD58X, VModa XS, Koss KPH30i, Phillips SHP9500) vs chasing that ‘end-game’ setup for now. As a newbie ‘audiophile’ who has gotten my feet wet due to the extra time indoors, I think this is the line that may have sold me on the ifi Zen Dac. Sorry for the spelling mistakes i had in the comment, i was using a very bad keyboard. It really is a testament to how far we have come as a hobby in such a short time span. If you’re going to run balanced cables, the Zen is my choice. The only real difference is that it’s a Class A Tube Hybrid Amp and thus gets extremely hot. I’ve always perceived the DF Red to have very good sound staging and expansiveness throughout the frequency spectrum. Please let me know how it goes. Its not meant to be a giant killer, its meant to get you started as a first option beyond the built in output to your laptop, or as a secondary set up beside your bed. As you can see, the Bravo Ocean behaves in a similar way to the ATOM and does pretty much all of the same things. I mean, think of it like this. Mac. Lol. I bought the CD version of an album to experience the ultimate sound quality but thanks to the iFi Zen DAC I can now experience the best quality through a music streaming service. So with that, let’s get into what’s in the box! 789 is … Two thumbs up. AMP/DAC Combo advice: JDS LABS Element II VS Atom/Topping D50 DAC - Desktop Hi, I have a LG V30 and a HRT Microstreamer dac/amp, while already having both ,I used to enjoy the sound directly from my laptop when using my headphones due to sound profile in the vocals. So you save good amount of money by purchasing the combination. You pay about 280$, and you have a formidable desktop setup for your headphones. @Will (Massdrop) was kind enough to send us the Grace m9XX for evaluation with no strings attached. Now, balanced doesn’t really matter to me, I would prefer a good single ended design over a poor balanced design, but it is something to take note of. Considering there isn't too much information on actual use of Heresy vs The JDS atom besides the readings on paper i wanted some more information on these before i pulled the trigger. Instead of talking about it again (for the millionth time and boring everyone), I’ll just link you here: iFi Zen vs. FiiO K5 Pro vs. JDS ATOM vs. Bravo Ocean! It’s so powerful and clean! ... My current desktop is senn HD 599, ifi zen dac, and streaming on Tidal HiFi. It’s definitely the most versatile out of these as well, and sounds fantastic to boot! It does have an update to iFi XBASS to what they now call TRUBASS. It is a simple, beginner level, $129.99USD MSRP, piece of gear, and I think it lives up to that mark very well. I think if you plan to utilize any of those features, the K5 Pro is the solution. Portable DAC with amplifier: iFi hip dac (9.5): slightly smaller than the Topping NX4 DSD, the hip dac is able to deliver an astounding 400 mW of power. ( Log Out /  The only thing that comes to my mind is the JDS Atom amp, which doesn’t have this build quality, power, or these features. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you should have a clear idea of what it is that might suit your needs best. I previously had ath-m50x and QC15. This unit would have been unthinkable back then. It can also hook up to a turntable very easily if you want to listen to vinyl. Requests? It’s a bit lighter than the iFi Zen DAC/Amp, coming in at 436g vs. 491 for the Zen. You took your valuable time to give me long informative replys. The ATOM is certainly the most neutral, crisp, and clean sounding Amp out of this bunch. I am excited to share my experiences of the zen dac from ifi audio. Buttons on the front move around a bit inside of their respective slots. Check out this helpful image that I grabbed from one of my YouTube videos! It’s like walking outside to a cool morning breeze in the fall. As alluded to above, what you go with here depends on your unique situation, whether or not you want to use a separate DAC, whether you’ll be console gaming, your sound preference, etc., etc. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Hey man! JDS Labs cMoyBB Review (Demoed) JDS Labs Objective 2 Headphone Amp Review (Demoed) However aside from having more power, I did not feel the Atom eclipsed Zen DACs 4.4mm BAL output. i think you helped me with some IEM, i was just getting into the audiophile territory at that time. A few people have been asking me about the differences between the iFi Zen and FiiO K5 Pro, so I thought I would make a big shootout and also include the ATOM and Bravo Ocean in for good measure! This is the same person who gave me lots and lots of advices and suggestions before, i think during 2016. The Zen is just a tad crisper. It uses the 4.4 mm jack to deliver balanced output and has iFi’s signature XBass technology. Just make sure the DAC in question has RCA Analog. Hook it up to your PS4 (with the help of an OL DAC + Optical) for gaming or any DAC that has an optical input. Thank you iFi for letting me give the ZenDAC a try , “…I’d say, well, listen to your headphones from your computers built in output for a while, but after that, if the itch is there, give the iFi ZenDAC a try.”. The Zen is a bit more limited, but does support MQA and should be used as a desktop Amp/DAC primarily. As you might expect, the iDSD is more capable, in every aspect. Hey John! Thanks for the reply. Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! For Tidal, the Zen will light up Magenta as the indicator for Masters, and the K5 Pro will light Yellow which indicates anything over 48kHz. At the end of the article, in the ‘about the author’ section i saw your photo. Wow man. I’m going to throw in the DragonFly Red as well here. As for the reasons why the K5 edges out the Zen? It even has similar driving power compared to the Atom, and it has a better body, metallic, with a more elegant design. Comparison of Mid-Fi DAC/Amp Combination Units (Grace, Schiit, iFi, LH, JDS, etc.) The Troops. You could use a 3.5mm interconnect or an RCA to 3.5mm (RCA to mini). It can drive power-hungry headphones with ease with great performance. You’ll see the comments on various Zen DAC videos and comparisons. Comments? The image is a bit wider and has more room to breathe. Stack Atom DAC with your Atom Amp and enjoy! His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry. But i know that, you helped me irrespective of my numerous noob’s questions with lot of mistakes. The Element II costs US $399 and is a marriage of the JDS EL DAC II ($299) and EL AMP II ($249). If someone had just purchased their first pair of headphones that are something beyond a gaming headset, the HD58X or HD6XX, something like that, and asked me the fabled question of “do I need an amp or DAC?” I’d say, well, listen to your headphones from your computers built in output for a while, but after that, if the itch is there, give the iFi ZenDAC a try. Click on the desired image to enlarge it; Press ‘Alt’ or ‘Option’ and click the enlarged image; Select ‘Save image as’ Click Save; Windows A dedicated transformer ensures mains isolation. I listened to a lot of music with these amps. But the tonal balance seems fairly neutral, and detail is certainly acceptable. I never had a clue that its the same person in that photo doing thise youtube videos. The front plate is adorned with a gain and input buttons, a volume knob, and a ¼” output. . Dunno which one to buy. . I tried using E30 with both entry-level AMPs, like an JDS Labs Atom, or the Periodic Audio Nickel (Through a 2RCA to a 3.5mm cable), and even something like iFi’s xCan.I also tested whether E30 does a good job by pairing it with Wells Milo, and Audio-GD Master 19, and those powered headphones like HIFIMAN Arya, HIFIMAN Sundara, Kennerton Thror, Sennheiser … I think it excels at those jobs. What a great story. In this article we review the JDS Labs ATOM DAC, which is selling for $99 USD. My current desktop is senn HD 599, ifi zen dac, and streaming on Tidal HiFi. Sure, there are spectacular amps out there but there aren’t many options cheaper than this. ( Log Out /  Hook it up to studio monitors/speakers and use it as a preamp. Objective 2 video! https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac/ Schiit Modi 3 dac review https://youtu.be/U6LPft7_x1A The reason being is because all four of these amps come in at similar price points, all are meant to be used on your desktop exclusively, and all have similar outputs and inputs, generally doing many of the same tasks that you may call on them for in the studio. Hahah! Hook it up to anything in your home theater via its Coaxial input. I had been getting a lot of spam so I had to run some filters and your message went into the trash and I didn’t see it for awhile. The ZenDAC provides less options than the usual iFi Audio fare, but for the asking price, that is expected. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Its not powerful enough to drive something like the HE6, but to be honest, I really don’t think that matters, its not what the ZenDAC was designed for. If you have a decent source you can wait on the DAC. Today, voilaaa…..! More coming soon as I remember them! K5 Pro seems like a nicer product overall. JDS ATOM – 9.3 Oz. I plan to buy zen can later if i decide to buy zen dac/amp now. Use it in conjunction with pretty much any DAC via its RCA inputs and line input. The ZEN can. It was kindly sent to me by JDS Labs. Distortion is nearly negligible at 1kHz, 32Ω as well. The incredible spacing made it almost feel as if you were listening in a studio environment rather than through headphones. Hope that helps! This is a much better connector choice than 2.5mm jacks, which are not as durable. Output it to a separate Amp via its RCA Analog Outs. Now, the ZenDAC is not the most powerful of amplifiers. The Zen being kind of in the middle of the 2. Thats right. I often see a lot of recommendations for stack setups vs the ifi Zen DAC (ie. 5 years ago this would have cost $500USD I would guess. The K3 is only 82g by contrast but still doesn’t feel cheap. Here iam reading Stu reviews again. I missed this website because i forgot to bookmark it. Use it as a dedicated Amp/DAC on your desktop for music or gaming. From features, to power, to sound quality, it is better. Let me know and apologies for the late response. The obvious thing to compare the ZenDAC to was my iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label, their top of the line transportable option. Zen DAC is fine for the 4XX according to many people I’ve talked to, plus my own experience. As a result, the iFi ZEN CAN makes its way to our Best Amplifiers List. Atom DAC is built to pair with the enormously popular JDS Labs Atom Amp, adopting our latest XMOS based USB Audio Class 2 input stage with support for future firmware updates. As you can see, the K5 Pro is a bit more valuable in a home listening environment because it can do a few more things. Let’s take a look at a video and some images before we get into the final word! I should note that I live in Canada and the conversion of buying one of the mentioned stack combinations hits roughly $280 CAD before shipping, whereas I can get the ifi Zen on Amazon for $189 CAD. I’m Canadian too, and think that the ZenDAC is a good deal up here. The Zen and K5 Pro are definitely warmer and more laid back, with less expansiveness. ( Log Out /  The open-back HD 599 is definitely my favorite in terms of sound stage and comfort, but wanted to upgrade my listening experience. Perfectly acceptable. Your email address will not be published. The K5 Pro sounded slightly warmer and maybe a bit less expansive, while the DF Red sounded a bit more open and airy than the Zen. Active Speakers: Which Are Best For YOU? In fact, this thing gets so hot that you can’t really keep your finger on it for more than a few seconds if it’s been on for a while. What is Asynchronous USB? Did I miss the mark on something? I chatted with them and they seemed to care about me and took time to give advice - I felt Schiit was extremely well marketed and designed, but reviews about sound quality were not as unanimous as Element II or Atom - JDS Labs was very honest about Element II vs El Dac II + El Amp II. That sort of thing, and honestly? (264g) approximately. i still cannot believe that this photo is you and it is the same person in the YouTube videos . With that out of the way, how’s build on each of these? I’ve always perceived the DF Red to have very good sound staging and expansiveness throughout the frequency spectrum. Regarding the Line outs I did find feeding into something like the JDS Labs Atom was an improvement over the native Zen Dac 6.5mm out. Iam so happy to interact again after alll these years. Perhaps I can help. as of now i am looking for a pre-owned zen dac and zen can. Please make sure to turn it off when not in use unless you want your house or apartment to burn down. Headamp GS-1 + iFi iUSB 3.0 > IFi iDSD BL > iFi iTUBE 2 > iCan SE + Topping D50S > JDS Labs Atom + SONY NW-WM1A > 5QS / AM3D, Uptone USB REGEN / iFi iLINK > Conductor V2+ > Burson Timekeeper > Usher X-718 Speakers / SVS SB12+ Subwoofer Feedback You heard me. Use it in conjunction with pretty much any DAC via its RCA inputs. Is it a giant killer? It was the first time receiving a product from a company where I thought, “Technology is truly advancing at an almost alarming rate.” Times are much different now. I previously had ath-m50x and QC15. An for my listening needs on 4.4mm BAL I did not go much past 1:00 (324g) FiiO K5 Pro – 15.4 Oz. Desktop: iFi Audio ZEN CAN. This would need a special cable to be made (4.4mm to dual 3pin XLR) for use with a balanced external amplifier, but the option is there, and that is pretty neat. BUT, as many have mentioned, both of those amps are pretty dry/square/boring or bright-ish. OMG! However, the iDSD retails for $600USD. You can get better performance than the ifi Zen DAC for less money by buying the Apple USB-C dongle for $9 and either the JDS Labs Atom or Schiit Heresy for $100 to go with it as an amp. The Bravo Ocean is a bit different in some ways with regard to the type of Amp that it is, and we’ll get into that as well! A subtle light ring glows when in use, and automatically powers down during inactivity. It just seems like everything has a bit more life to it. Thankfully, iFi has gone with the 4.4mm Pentaconn sockets for both balanced headphone output and line out. Before we get into the iFi Zen vs. FiiO K5 Pro vs. JDS ATOM vs. Bravo Ocean, grab a snack, sit back and relax because.. Now without further ado, let’s get rolling, shall we?! Change ), 64 Audio’s Tia Fourte – A Pure Powerhouse Of An IEM, Abyss Headphones Diana Phi – Video Review, ISN Audio C16 IEM Cable – Initial Impressions, Abyss Headphones Diana – The Original – “The Short Ones”. 789 was much cleaner, tighter, and more defined lower octaves. Because it’s a combo Amp & DAC rolled into one, you can use it with a separate amp if you want later on down the road. I remember the first time I heard an Objective 2. For only $200 you can get the iFi iDSD Nano BL which is, IMO, the best mobile DAC/amp at … ( Log Out /  It really is amazing what you can purchase at the entry level nowadays, even compared to 5 years ago. I also do talk to a lot of folks and try to help out in any way I can. Right off the bat, the ATOM is the lightest out of this bunch, coming in at a modest 9.3 Oz. It’s extremely clean like Windex homie! Yeah I would say the Black Label is an improvement. At 1.08 lbs., the Zen does feel more substantial as a full-time desktop amp, but I still love the way the K5 looks and feels sitting on my desk. It also has an optical input for console gaming as well as a coaxial input which is very versatile in a home theater setting. Connections on the back are all solid. It has RCA outputs, as well as a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output. Is the zen dac/amp enough to drive HE4XX to its full potential without the need for ifi zen can? ... iFi Audio is a UK-based manufacturers focusing primarily on DAC and Amps in various form-factors. iFi Zen Can Review. So great to hear from you again! The ZenDAC is not the most sonically competent piece of gear ever made, it’s not the most powerful, it’s not the most detailed, but its not designed to be. Home Studio Guide – Part I (Introduction), The Best Audiophile Headphones [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part II) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part III) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part IV) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The 5 Best Audiophile Headphones For Under $500, The Best Headphones for Gaming [In Depth Guide]. What did I help you with specifically? You purchase a pair of HD6XX for $200USD (or less if you buy them used) and the ZenDAC for $129.99USD, combine it with your laptop, and you are set. How does it sound? Make sure to Subscribe if you haven’t already to the channel and bookmark the site. I was a little surprised today. Today i came here in the website and read this article aboit dacs. (437g) ifi Zen – 18.1 Oz. This is unusual at this price point. Check out the screengrab from my JDS ATOM vs. JDS Labs Atom vs FiiO K5 PRO (100USD vs 150USD) – FiiO K5 PRO is probably the best direct competitor to the Atom because it costs 150 USD, but it comes with a DAC, and can also act as a pre. iFi Zen DAC/Amp Review (Popular) iFi Zen DAC/Amp vs. Zen CAN Signature 6XX; iFi Zen DAC/Amp + Zen CAN (Stack) vs. iFi Zen CAN Signature 6XX Stack (Coming Soon!) It’s not that serious, but should be done as a precautionary measure regardless. 1/4″ headphone adapter and extra rubber feet. Features abound in all directions so let’s keep it simple with four to … And here’s a screenshot of a motion graphic I designed as well: They also offer free shipping, the lowest price guarantee, a 2-year warranty, and a 30-day return. It is built to pair with the enormously popular JDS Labs Atom Amp.. Disclaimer: JDS Labs sent us the Atom DAC for this review free of charge, I only covered the import taxes and fees. It is indeed kind of a tough call, but I think the K5 slightly edges the Zen because it is simply more versatile. Almost immediately someone mentioned JDS The Element, and I mentioned the GOV2 and proposed a comparison review of several DAC/Amps a la the car magazines. Also, supposedly if you use a 5v DC power adapter with the ZenDAC, the output power doubles, vs using it strictly from USB. It was a really marginal difference though and could be my imagination. You should skip the iFi Zen, but no need to spend as much as the E30 and L30. Hey guys! His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in a crowded industry.”, iFi Zen DAC/Amp + Zen CAN Amp (Stack) vs. iFi Zen CAN Signature 6XX Stack, window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"0573ad2c5093a15ee16bc49c5","lid":"f49b0eb597","uniqueMethods":true}) }), iFi Zen vs. FiiO K5 Pro vs. JDS ATOM vs. Bravo Ocean. Please let me know down below or Contact me!! It costs much lower than many desktop amps and if you pair it with the ZEN DAC, you get a strong setup for just $280. With that said, the K5 Pro is the standout from this bunch because it can basically hook up to anything inside of your home studio or home theater listening environment and comes packaged as a combo all in one Amp + DAC. It’s an extremely valuable asset to have if you’re listening to music or gaming, as it works in a variety of ways. Somehow i domt see this website during my google searches amd slowly i forgot about thism. It just seems like everything has a bit more life to it. I figure if I ever want to drive more eventual power hungry upgrades such as the Modhouse Argons, I could always use the RCA/balanced output on the ifi Zen DAC to a different/more powerful amp in the future. As you can see, the ZenDAC may not have all the typical iFi features, but it has everything you need, and even some stuff you don’t. Passive vs. The iFi Zen DAC costs less than £130 and can reproduce these tracks to a level that is at least on par with my CD player. This is a review and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Element II DAC and headphone amplifier. tangentially, THX AAA 789 vs. JDS Element (amp only) was pretty significant delta. I hope you enjoy the ZenDAC. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The DragonFly does sound very open, airy, clean, and crisp. That is a system that would outdo a lot of more expensive set ups, especially from years past. Your email address will not be published. Great to have you back on board! I prefer a more balanced output, maybe acoustically good as well. It also … Dragonflies don't come with USB decrapifiers and are volume controlled by DSP, which does terrible things for the dynamic range of the tracks you're listening to. No longer does it require your kidney to achieve great sound, wheth… Even despite my complaining every time a DAC hits the market (and for good reason), it truly is a good time to be alive. The ZenDAC can also be used as a system DAC in combination with an external amplifier. (264g) Bravo Ocean – 11.1 Oz. That is almost 6 times more than the ZenDAC. What Is DSD In Audio? – Is It Worth Pursuing? In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. Before we get started, check out Apos Audio. Also planning to buy a closed back headphone in near future. The Zen can be used balanced via it’s 4.4mm jack, so if that’s a priority, I’d go with it instead of K5 Pro. An MQA DAC and headphone amplifier that will talk to a Mac, a PC and a smartphone* for a hundred quid (ish)? More of the same applies here with the ATOM. iFi Zen Blue Review (Popular) iFi hip-dac Review (Popular) iFi Neo iDSD Review (Demoed) JDS Labs. It also has the Coaxial Input for use with anything in your home theater. Required fields are marked *, “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”, “Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. Use it in conjunction with pretty much any DAC via its RCA inputs and line input. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. You have to keep in mind, this is $129.99USD! No need to freak out! They are a great up and coming distributor with a phenomenal looking website and excellent customer service. If you like a slight warmth the Liquid Spark is the way to go, both in sound, and as a warm place to rest your hand in winter. All thoughts and experiences with the product are naturally my own. The only thing that comes to my mind is the JDS Atom amp, which doesn’t have this build quality, power, or these features. The specs say 280mw at 32ohms single ended, and 380mw at 50ohms from the balanced output. Of course not. Since it is a DAC, pairings will be slightly more complicated, so I introduced it in a few systems, including in a Wells Milo Amplifier, driving an Ultrasone Signature DXP Headphone, a JDS Labs Atom driving a pair of HIFIMAN Sundara Headphones, and a Periodic Audio Nickel AMP driving a pair of FiiO FH7 IEMs. This is a piece of gear that will work great with something like the Drop/Sennheiser HD6XX, or similar. | Do You NEED It? iFi’s new Zen is part of the reason why. Spreading the word to everyone you know also really helps gain traction. Both can play Tidal Masters, both can hook up to separate speakers via the RCA Outs, both can play DSD files, and both have a very similar sound (almost identical really).