iFi ZEN Air DAC 2 Debuts with Balanced 4.4mm Output and Increased Power Output

The entry level desktop DAC and headphone amp category is not short on competition, and iFi Audio knows it. With established options from Schiit Audio, FiiO, and Topping setting a high bar under $200, iFi’s new $129 ZEN Air DAC 2 arrives as a direct response. It builds on the original Zen Air with a revised DAC stage, higher output power, a balanced 4.4 mm headphone output, and a cleaner midnight blue design, all aimed at listeners who want a simple and affordable desktop upgrade without stepping into mid-tier pricing.

Designed Around A New DAC 

The ZEN Air DAC 2 uses a bit-perfect DAC from Cirrus Logic that iFi has deployed across a range of its portable products. The focus here is on stable, low noise decoding rather than shaping the sound. This is the first time that implementation has been used in one of its entry level desktop units, and any gains in clarity, dynamics, and distortion are likely to be incremental rather than dramatic. Support for high resolution formats includes PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD256, which is standard for this category.

Balanced Headphone Output 

The ZEN Air DAC 2 adds a balanced 4.4 mm headphone output, a feature previously limited to the standard ZEN series. It allows use with compatible balanced headphones, which can help lower noise and crosstalk depending on the setup. For conventional headphones, a 6.3 mm single ended output is also included.

Increased Power Output

With the addition of balanced circuitry, the ZEN Air DAC 2 offers higher output than its predecessor. iFi claims up to three times more headphone drive, which should provide better control with a wider range of headphones, especially when using the balanced output.

Rated output is ≥5.57 V / 484 mW at 64 ohms via the 4.4 mm connection, and ≥3.02 V / 286 mW at 32 ohms through the 6.3 mm single ended output.

XBass+ and PowerMatch

To provide more support for increased power output when needed, the ZEN Air DAC 2 includes two of iFi audio’s favorite analog audio features, which can be instantly toggled via the dedicated buttons on the front panel. 

• XBass+: This feature enhances low frequencies for additional energy and excitement, and is essential for restoring the bass often lost in open-backed headphones.
• PowerMatch: This features provided an additional 6dB of gain to bring hard-to-drive headphones to life.

Refined Design

Alongside the updates and added features, the ZEN Air DAC 2 includes a few practical refinements that improve day to day use, including a new midnight blue finish with a metal front panel that feels more consistent in a desktop setup, and a dedicated power button added in response to user feedback that makes it easier to control without having to disconnect cables or power sources.

Comparison

The Bottom Line 

The iFi ZEN Air DAC 2 sticks to its role as an affordable, no-nonsense entry point into desktop audio, but adds enough to stay relevant in a crowded field. The move to a revised DAC implementation, higher output power, and the addition of a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output are meaningful upgrades at this price, especially for users with harder to drive headphones or balanced cables.

At the same time, the removal of MQA support signals a shift in priorities that not everyone will miss, but some might notice. This is aimed at listeners who want a simple, compact DAC and headphone amp that can also double as a basic preamp for powered speakers, without stretching beyond a modest budget or overcomplicating the setup.

Pricing & Availability 

For more information: ifi-audio.com

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