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The TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors can provide excellent stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications. It reduces distortion induced by capacitors to make your audio closer to its purest quality. Panasonic OS-CON Caps
Another essential part of our ifi Zen One Signature DAC Review is the specifications. In this section, we will provide details to help determine if you should consider this product. Since this model is a Signature special edition iFi Audio cranked it up a notch with some top-shelf components like Panasonic OS-COM caps along with some ELNA caps, TDK COG caps, Texas instruments low noise ICs and Vishay MELF resistors just to name some of the internal components used. The ability to work as a Bluetooth “Receiver”, compatible with signals up to 96kHz from multiple newer higher-resolution codecs, including LDAC, HWA/LHDC, aptX Adaptive/HD/LL, and AAC.
It is also worth noting that, while the Z1S will work with just a USB connection, when powered by the included power supply, there is a noticeable increase in volume. This increase in volume actually also seems to increase the clarity and separation, yet this is probably just the mind interpreting it that way due to the volume increase. Perceived or real, I have to say that I prefer it with the iPower II in use. From the press release: “…every element of its circuitry is designed for pure performance. Key surface-mounted components have been upgraded to high-end devices, including Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors, and the design has been refined to ensure short, direct signal paths.” At the heart of iFi Audio's business are its customers. They prioritise delivering the highest quality audio wherever you are, whether in the comfort of your home or on the go. Their distribution centre in the USA serves renowned retailers such as B&H and etailz, expanding their global network and reaching more music enthusiasts. As with all iFi products that I have had my hands on, it is well built and shows no signs of corners being cut in the construction. The Zen One Signature is a DAC that comes in at just under 350€, placing it quite a bit above some of the recent devices I have reviewed from the brand, but still in the lower tiers of their price ranges (which range from under 100€ all the way up to over 2500€).
I find describing the sound of a DAC is difficult to say the least. It is a combination of what my brain tells me I should be hearing, what my ears think I am hearing and a lot of descriptive words that don’t actually make much sense. It has been said many times (and tested many times) that in a blind test, it is very difficult, or almost impossible, to identify different DACs unless there is something wrong with one of them. Just about every digital device that makes sound already has a “DAC” inside - whether it’s your smartphone, laptop, and even your Bluetooth headphones. The problem is, they often aren’t very good ones. The DAC chips that go into these devices are pumped out by the hundreds of thousands and they’re often fighting for real estate under the hood of your electronic device. As a result, they’re generally not optimised for audio quality and can be susceptible to noise, jitter, and generally have a poor power supply (among other problems). This means the music that comes out can be less lifelike, detailed, and well…musical. A dedicated DAC can yield noticeable improvements in the quality of your listening experience, including a greater degree of clarity and detail, plus a more immersive and layered soundstage. The SPDIF Coaxial connection functions as either an input or an output. If the source is set to SPDIF, then this connector is automatically an input. If the source is set to either USB or Bluetooth, then this connector automatically becomes an output, allowing you to convert USB or BT to a digital connection to feed another DAC.
16 core means more…
The analogue connections are pretty straight forwards, the 4.4mm gives you a balanced output which you can connect to an external amplifier (headphone or speaker), although you will need to supply the cable, either a 4.4mm to 4.4mm or 4.4mm to dual XLR, depending on the input of the amplifier.
With the Atom, the Z1S just seems to present a very clear, precise and yet warm signature, something that I really enjoy for my preferred music genres (which is mainly focused on vocals and acoustic instruments).While much of Taylor’s catalog was there on Qobuz, Stoned, Pt. I was missing. It was on Spotify, though (which I keep around for mobile listening and its excellent family plan, which lets me share playlists with my wife and daughter). And to my delight, the album has been re-uploaded without the static pops. I can only assume the same process is happening over on Qobuz.
Something I have found with the Z1S which seems to be much more apparent than with some of the other DACs I have tried from the brand is synergy. Yes, that is another term that many people will roll their eyes at but I did find that I found myself enjoying the Z1S more paired with certain amplifiers than with others.The Zen One Signature DAC has DC 5V (centre pin+ve) power and uses Bluetooth 5.1. ifi also integrated a Bit-Perfect DSD + DXD DAC, plus the Qualcomm QCC 5100 Series. This product has a 5Hz to 80kHz frequency response and 4V/2V max (BAL/UnBAL) outputs. Its output impedance is 72Ω/36Ω (BAL/UnBAL) or lower. Plus, it has a -105dB(A) @ 0dBFS SNR and less than 0.002% @ 0dBFS THD+N. The unit sounded clean, with spacious staging and good mid-treble balance. It was clean, a little bright, and mid-forward. Except for the mid-range boost, the sound generally had a linear response. Actually, all the formats mentioned above are hardware rendered by the ZEN One Signature which is preferred over software rendering and iFi Audio knows how to take advantage of all the power within the XMOS system as they do time and time again.
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