Filter response will change, THD+N ratio might actually be worse. GTO is a rather leaky filter. Other measurements will be unaffected, unless there's more changes (iFi does noise shaping and dithering without documentation of it anywhere).would it measure differently after the GTO firmware update?
oh?GTO is a rather leaky filter.
Would be really really nice with an updated review running the Zen Dac through a good power supply and running the 5.3c firmware using the GTO filter. This review is slightly confusing since there so many positive reviews out there (lots of them). Maybe it's performing bad running through USB power?
How about a subjective review I wrote of the JDS Labs Atom using the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro as a DAC. Only costs $10 more than the ifi Zen DAC without the power supply: https://www.reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile/comments/ibmnnf
Unless someone is determined to use balanced headphone cables, I just don't see the iFi Zen as a decent deal any which way you look at it.
Yes. There seems to be a lot of hype about the Zen DAC because people are buying it without experience with other options. So it sounds good compared to what they are used to. But they could have gotten more for their money
Zen DAC has more power output when balanced cables are used.
I don't know what a digitally sounding DAC is. A very well measuring DAC will not sound like anything. It will accurately convert the digital file to analog. Which is what a DAC should do. If you want to change how that analog output sounds, use EQ or get different headphones
To my taste zen dac was underpowered even for hd600. I returned it for this only reason.
Unless someone is determined to use balanced headphone cables, I just don't see the iFi Zen as a decent deal any which way you look at it.
Would be really really nice with an updated review running the Zen Dac through a good power supply and running the 5.3c firmware using the GTO filter. This review is slightly confusing since there are so many positive reviews out there (lots of them). Maybe it's performing bad running through USB power?
It is a possibility too that it measures poorly but sounding really good? Something is confusing with this dac/amp.
It's a somewhat less than state of the art dac in measurement terms coupled with a somewhat underpowered head amp but for not a lot of money. I'd wager if used as a dac to a separate amp, anyone would struggle to pick it in a blind test regardless of firmware or filters. Used as a combo, if not using harder to drive phones I'm sure it's fine and again, if level matched blind tested with appropriate cans, I reckon many would struggle to pick it out as different to many 2 to 300 combos or stacks.
Personally, the weakness of the head amp to drive a wider range of cans would take it out of the running for me. It is what it is though.
Very wise. I seem to have accumulated a few phones and bits of kit. The phones (much less so the amps, even less so the DACs) are all different and I have my favourites but, I do wonder if I started again, might I just get one or 2 cans and amps. Maybe one planar and one dynamic. Then just listen to the music.I really like it but luckily I haven't much to compare with. ;-) Like I wrote earlier if also buying a quality power supply & a pair of balanced cables then it builds on the total price making it less of a deal. It's best for headphones easier to drive with perhaps HD600 & HD650 being a limit. Since quality balanced cables are expensive it could be a better alternative buying a more powerful amp and running the Zen Dac as a DAC (if you really like it).
This is a dangerous fun new world for me, I have to stay focused not buying too much gear. ;-) I returned my Sennheiser Momentum 3s today tough, proud about that (I don't want to become a collector). They are great (I really liked them) but I have other bt headphones good enough.
MQA? Must Question Assumptions?
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I assume there is a different thread for the MQA debate on audiosciencereview but I thought MQA was the best quality available for streaming right now?
Or it's not possible to hear the difference between Hifi och Master tracks on Tidal? A lot having to do with the actual recording as well?
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mqa-time-domain-accuracy-digital-audio-quality
Would be really really nice with an updated review running the Zen Dac through a good power supply and running the 5.3c firmware using the GTO filter. This review is slightly confusing since there are so many positive reviews out there (lots of them). Maybe it's performing bad running through USB power?
It is a possibility too that it measures poorly but sounding really good? Something is confusing with this dac/amp.