Hificlube is all about high-end audio, but we also appreciate a good deal. And when it comes to high-tech products at affordable prices, iFI Audio is the undisputed champion.
Today, we're excited to introduce a trio of their offerings: the ZEN DAC 3 (€229), LAN iPurifier Pro (€299), and GO Bar Kensei (€449).
Alberto Silva, from Smartaudio, distributor of iFI Audio in Portugal, told me with some irony, after we'd been together at the Munich High-End Show, that he'd seen and heard a lot of high-quality digital products there, but at obscene prices that the actual performance can hardly justify.
The same can be said for iFi Audio's products, but in a different light. The performance and effectiveness of these three 'toys' from iFI Audio far exceed their low price. Their assembly in China makes this possible, of course, but that's not the whole story. The design and build quality suggest a much higher price too.
iFI Audio ZEN DAC 3 (€229)
The ZEN DAC 3 is the latest version of the blotter-shaped ZEN DAC. The outer capsule, made of aluminium anodised in a military grey colour, is light but rigid, hence fit to move around safely. However, it is not portable like the Diablo 2, which works on a battery (see test here).
The ZEN DAC 3 is the latest version of the blotter shaped ZEN DAC.
The front panel has a green leather-textured background at the top and brushed aluminium at the bottom, divided by a golden road map with roundabouts marked by the function buttons (Power Match and XBass); volume control, in the centre; and the 6.5 mm and 4.4 mm Jack outputs (Balanced). And the On/Off button? There isn't one. It's always on, if you don't disconnect it from the USB-C cable or the external PSU.
Power Match is like a turbo for recalcitrant headphones.
Power Match is like a turbo for recalcitrant headphones. But I didn't need to activate it with the Hifiman HE1000, and even less so with the Pryma or Dali iO12, or for that matter, the Meze Alba (with a3.5 mm/6.5 mm adapter). Of course, you can always opt for the 4.4 mm balanced output if you need even more power.
As the name suggests, the XBass is a low-frequency equaliser (30 to 120Hz). It works well and is quite discreet, but I prefer the sound 'au naturel'.
It only takes a glance at the back to realise that the ZEN DAC 3 is versatile. In Variable mode, the volume is controlled by the rotary knob for both the headphones and a pair of active speakers via RCA or Balanced outputs with a 4.4 mm/XLR Jack cable, or an external amplifier. Fixed mode disables the volume control, which may now be adjusted by an external preamp. If you're looking for Bluetooth, you'll have to look elsewhere; the Diablo 2 is a fine example of the art.
In the best iFI Audio tradition, the ZEN DAC 3 supports PCM 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 512, DXD and MQA (384kHz), based on Burr-Brown True Native DACs, which process PCM and DSD signals separately in native format.
And does it work? Yes, perfectly! But if you use a media player like JRiver32 installed on your computer, I advise installing the latest Asio Driver 5.57 from iFi Audio (available on the website).
Fixed mode disables the volume control, which is now adjustable by an external preamp.
Does it play well? Yes, very well. At €229, you can't ask for more. But be warned: it plays better with the iPower 2 PSU, which you must buy separately (€79). Here's why: When it's connected only with a USB-C cable, it carries both the power and the audio signal; when you connect the iFI Power 2, the USB-C cable transmits only the audio signal. Additionaly, the iPower2 has active noise cancellation systems (EMI and RFI).
The ZEN DAC 3 lacks the power, attack, and control of the Diablo 2, which costs four times as much. However, if you don't push it too hard, the sound is sweet, soft, and calm, without sudden dynamic variations, making it ideal for extended listening. Recommended.
The iFi Audio LAN iPurifier Pro – The Power Of Silence (€299)
The iFi Audio LAN iPurifier Pro is part of iFi's new Silent Power brand, created to improve audio performance and reduce noise and interference from Ethernet connections.
The iFi Audio LAN iPurifier Pro uses advanced optical galvanic isolation technology.
It uses advanced optical galvanic isolation technology, which converts incoming LAN signals into optical signals and vice versa, ensuring complete electrical isolation between input and output. This process helps prevent any noise from contaminating the audio stream or the DAC.
The main features of the LAN iPurifier Pro include:
Regeneration (reclocking) of the signal to eliminate jitter and errors in the signal flow, providing a clearer, more accurate sound.
- Optical galvanic isolation
- Supports 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) network protocols, IEEE 802.3x and 1000/100/10 Mbps speeds. This makes it compatible with practically all network devices.
- The LAN iPurifier Pro offers a simple solution without complex configurations, making it easy for beginners and audiophiles alike.
- It is powered via USB-C, or with iPower2 or iPowerX.
- Dimensions: 99 x 93 x 24 mm
- Weight: 240 g
- Price: €299
On a recent visit to Smartaudio, Alberto Silva demonstrated the effectiveness of the LAN iPurifier Pro, which is audible to anyone. I must admit that this audio accessory produces the most audible differences in the sound quality of any streaming-based system. Forget expensive Ethernet cables.
I am aware that data packets are very resistant to outside noise and always reach their destination, carrying out data transmission over Ethernet. But we're talking about audio, which is very sensitive to EMI and RFI, not data. Optical galvanic isolation and signal regeneration cleanse the signal of errors and impurities, and the result is incredible.
The device comes with an Ethernet cable of around 20 cm to connect to the processed output (Optical Isolated). I tried connecting it with a 1 m cable to my Hi-Fi Rose RS520, and the sound changed, perhaps because the longer length picks up more noise.
The device comes with an Ethernet cable of around 20 cm to connect to the processed output (Optical Isolated). The button in the middle switches off the LED light show.
My first impression was that the entire frequency spectrum was shifted upwards. As a result, the bass is tighter, the midrange has more presence, and the treble is more detailed. However, the LAN iPurifier is designed to influence the time domain, not the frequency domain. Despite this, you can also hear an improvement in instrumental separation and the silence of the soundstage backdrop. Even in studio recordings, voices and instruments stand out more distinctly from the surrounding acoustic context.
So, the difference you hear can only be due to the elimination of noise. It could also be due to what iFI Audio calls 'Adaptive Equalisation', which is an automatic adaptation to the impedance of the sound device it is connected to.
Whether you like this 'equalisation' is up to you, so I suggest you give it a listen before you buy.
I brought the LAN iPurifier home, and over the course of a month, I can attest that there is a noticeable difference. And there's no going back for me. Without it in the stream, the sound quality suffers, lacking clarity and rhythm. I can't explain why, but you ought to try it for yourself. I am buying the test sample.
iFi Go Bar Kensei - Sacred Creation (€440)
The little Kensei warrior is the big surprise of this iFi Audio trilogy. This pocket-sized DAC fits in the palm of your hand, boasting more power and resolution than many desktop DACs. Its sound quality rivals the best on the market.
This pocket-sized DAC fits in the palm of your hand, boasting more power and resolution than many desktop DACs.
The iFi GO Bar Kensei is a special edition of the original GO Bar, priced at €59. Featuring a stainless-steel body and top-quality components, it draws inspiration from the Japanese culture of Kensei warrior swords. Notably, it is the first and only DAC in the world to incorporate JVC's K2HD digital processing technology. Originally used in Victor Studio's CD mastering in 2004, this technology is designed to enhance signal quality, making the Kensei's inclusion a significant highlight.
The Kensei is compatible with MQA, PCM384kHz, DSD256, and 2x DXD. It also includes iFi Audio's patented XBass, XSpace, and iEMatch technologies, along with a 16-core XMOS processor, Cirrus Logic DAC, GMT clock, and a selection of four digital filters: Bit Perfect, Minimum Phase, Standard, and GTO—Gibbs Transient Optimised.
A 'Lighter' That Plays Music
How was it possible to fit all this into something the size of a cigarette lighter? Speaking of lighters, there is a limited edition of 1,000 units in gold-plated copper to commemorate 10 years of iFi Audio. It resembles a tiny gold Dupont lighter and is just as hefty (65g). It’s so substantial that it could even double as a defensive weapon, much like the sacred Kensei swords it is named after.
In the best Japanese tradition, the Kensei comes in an exquisite wooden box
In the best Japanese tradition, the Kensei comes in an exquisite wooden box. And it also offers a genuine leather travel holster and mini-USB C cables for Android and iPhone (USB-C/Lightening).
The back is engraved with the iFI and GO bar logos and two Kanji script symbols, meaning 'Sacred Creation', just as the Kensei warriors were considered sacred.
On the front, there are 9 LEDs (!) to indicate the digital format (PCM or DSD), the resolution (PCM44 to 384kHz and DSD 64 to 256), and XBass, Xspace, and K2HD.
The USB-C plug is at the top, and the two outputs for 3.5mm Jack (semi-balanced) and 4.4mm (balanced) are at the bottom.
On one side, there's the iEMatch switch and the three control buttons: +/- for the volume and a multifunction button that works as a selector for functions that can be navigated with the volume buttons. It's a bit confusing at first. Read the manual. An app would come in handy.
The Kensei also offers a genuine leather travel holster and mini-USB C cables for Android and iPhone (USB-C/Lightening).
The Kensei warms up to lukewarm and then maintains a relatively constant temperature while rapidly draining your phone's battery. Therefore, I connected it to my PC during long critical listening sessions via USB B/C cable. It could also have Bluetooth, but that would be asking too much.
Exceptional sound
I listened to the Kensei connected via USB-C to the Samsung S23 Ultra, the Hi-Fi Rose RS520, and my PC, with JRiver as the media player to play high-resolution files. At the other end, I connected the Pryma, Dali iO12, Hifiman HE1000 headphones, and the Meze Alba IEMs.
The Kensei is the best and most powerful dongle-DAC I've ever heard. It's expensive (€449) but delivers beyond expectations and can even power planar-magnetic headphones (300mW/32Ω or 3.8V/600Ω).
I enjoyed listening to it with all the functions active simultaneously: Xbass, Xspace, K2HD and with the GTO filter upsampling to 384kHz. With K2HD active, the maximum resolution is 192 kHz. That's why I sometimes switch it off so I can listen at 384kHz. The K2HD is also not compatible with DSD and MQA files, only PCM. Of course, with everything on, it heats up even more.
The sound is exceptional for a minimalist product. The bass has an incredible extension for such a small device. Voices sound clear, with a hint of artificiality mitigated by the K2HD technology, which improves the extension and quality of the treble. Transparency, definition, and detail are comparable to the best DACs, as is the tonal balance. The stereo image and soundstage also surprised me quite a bit.
The iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei is highly recommended, despite the relatively high price of €449.00. Nonetheless, it is worth every cent.