The ZEN Air DAC 2 is a headphone amplifier by iFi Audio. It was released in 2025. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The ZEN Air DAC 2 has an MSRP of $129.
Performance Specs
The ZEN Air DAC 2 drives headphones rather than loudspeakers, so its power is quoted into headphone impedances instead of into 8 ohms: Balanced 4.4mm >=484 mW @ 64 ohms; single-ended 6.3mm >=286 mW @ 32 ohms. iFi Audio quotes a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of <=0.0011% (6.3mm, 1.27 V @ 16 ohms); <=0.0015% (4.4mm, 2.4 V @ 32 ohms) (lower is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 118dB Signal to Noise Ratio
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the ZEN Air DAC 2, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Inputs
Outputs
- Preamp Outputs
- 1/4 Headphone Output
DAC and Digital Music
The ZEN Air DAC 2's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
ZEN Air DAC 2 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Delivers 286 mW into 32 ohms, enough for the majority of headphones.
- ✓A preamp output means it can also feed active speakers or a power amplifier, so it is not limited to headphone listening.
- ✓A built-in DAC takes a digital source directly, with no separate converter to buy or find space for.
- ✗It has no speaker terminals - this drives headphones, not loudspeakers.
ZEN Air DAC 2 External Dimensions and Weight
ZEN Air DAC 2 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 1-3/8 x 6-1/4 x 3-15/16 inch (35 x 158 x 100 mm ). The unit weighs
0.32 kg (0.7 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the ZEN Air DAC 2 is approximately 158.0cm2 / 24.5inch2.
- Width: 158.0mm (6-1/4")
- Height: 35.0mm (1-3/8")
- Depth: 100.0mm (3-15/16")
- Weight: 0.32 kg (0.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~158.0cm2 / 24.5inch2
- Volume: ~0.6 liter / 0.1 gallon
| General |
| Brand |
iFi Audio |
| Full Model Name |
iFi ZEN Air DAC 2 |
| Release Date |
2025 |
| Amplifier Type |
Headphone Amplifier |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Headphone Output Power |
Balanced 4.4mm >=484 mW @ 64 ohms; single-ended 6.3mm >=286 mW @ 32 ohms |
| Output Impedance |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-90 kHz |
| THD |
<=0.0011% (6.3mm, 1.27 V @ 16 ohms); <=0.0015% (4.4mm, 2.4 V @ 32 ohms) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
118 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
|
| WiFi |
|
| CONNECTIONS |
| Preamp Outputs |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
|
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
35.0mm (1-3/8") |
| Width |
158.0mm (6-1/4") |
| Depth |
100.0mm (3-15/16") |
| Weight |
0.32 kg (0.7 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
Does the ZEN Air DAC 2 use vacuum tubes?
No. The ZEN Air DAC 2 is a solid-state amplifier - there are no vacuum tubes in it.
Does the ZEN Air DAC 2 have a built-in DAC?
Yes. The ZEN Air DAC 2 has a built-in DAC, so you can feed it a digital source directly without buying a separate converter.
Does the ZEN Air DAC 2 have a headphone output?
Yes. The ZEN Air DAC 2 has a 1/4-inch headphone output on the front panel for private listening.
How much does the ZEN Air DAC 2 cost?
The ZEN Air DAC 2 has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $129.
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