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Showing 1 of 71 conversations about:
Zeos
648
Jul 14, 2020
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So I got the full ZEN DAC/CAN stack early from ifi, The CAN really steals the show but this DAC is also a pretty wonderful piece of kit. I saw that they added a $90 option for a 4.4 jumper to go between the two (which FEELS pricey) but I couldn't find anywhere else. So all my assumptions of this unit are based on just RCA feeding the Zen CAN Sig.
With its dedicated volume knob I can 100% see this being the go-to USB dac for Powered speakers or desktop power-amp users (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) as it sort of dominates the facade with that knob, which you can bypass, but who doesn't want to use a nice knob all day. I want to try balance output on other things which means I have to break out a specialty cable I had made for the Woo WA11 Topaz and throw some gender changers on to test with powered speakers. I wish they would add a short 4.4 male to XLR male as an optional accessory. Would make this a bit easier to use in this weird world where that is NOT a common cable. The RCA performance is on par with other dacs from what I have gathered in my limited testing.
I haven't been asked to return them yet. (Please Note the Dates are SLIGHTLY OFF due to ifi delaying the launch and not Drop, for the first time ever) so until then I will probably throw this DAC on a bunch of other items to test performance. here is the review below of the CAN, which sort of includes the DAC, I might do a dedicated one later on if I find it works magically on its own.
https://youtu.be/QLH4bMvaMag
gtjwolf
112
Jul 14, 2020
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ZeosFound this for $23 on amazon, probably not a ton stocked: https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Silver-Plated-Headphone-Adapters/dp/B08279BFXS/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=4.4mm+male+to+4.4mm+male&qid=1594733485&sr=8-6
Also if running this DAC to a balanced amp that doesn't accept 4.4mm input, $32: https://www.amazon.com/4-4mm-Balanced-Headphone-Adapter-Silver/dp/B07WSRRN1X/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=4.4mm+male+balanced+xlr&qid=1594736725&sr=8-4
otaking241
38
Jul 15, 2020
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gtjwolfThanks for these! When the Zen first came out I couldn't find any 4.4mm to XLR cables (I think there was one on eBay for like $250) but glad the situation seems to be changing in the right direction. Of course it would be optimal if they put one in the box...
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