iFi Audio · Updated July 2026
iFi Zen DAC 3: price & specs
The iFi Zen DAC 3 costs $229, #4 cheapest of 10 dac amps (median $239). It earns a Silver Deskmark — 58/100 pay-blind standing, #4 of 9 in class.
Verified Jul 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Refined, detailed and spacious sound presentation; Flexible connectivity: 4.4mm balanced + RCA outputs, USB-C, fixed/variable output.
- Skip if Sound lacks verve, punch and rhythmic drive on energetic tracks is a dealbreaker.
iFi Zen DAC 3. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: ifi-audio.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the iFi Zen DAC 3 a good buy?
At $229, the iFi Zen DAC 3 is #4 cheapest of the 10 dac amps we track, where the median is $239. On the spec sheet, its max pcm of 768 kHz is the highest of the 9, its snr of 113 dB is the lowest of the 7, and its thdn percent of 0.005 is the highest of the 8.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 2 outlets have it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the iFi Zen DAC 3
Two whitelisted testers (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi) reviewed the exact iFi Zen DAC 3. Both praise its refined, detailed and spacious sound, flexible connectivity and the USB-B to USB-C upgrade. TechRadar is enthusiastic and rates it near-flawless value; What Hi-Fi is noticeably cooler, finding the sound smooth but lacking verve and punch and not a clear step up over the V2. Neither outlet published lab measurements.
Tested by TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?
Consistently praised
- Refined, detailed and spacious sound presentation · 2 sources
- Flexible connectivity: 4.4mm balanced + RCA outputs, USB-C, fixed/variable output · 2 sources
- Solid build and finish · 2 sources
- Good feature set for the price (MQA, XBass+, Power Match, flexible power/output options) · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- Sound lacks verve, punch and rhythmic drive on energetic tracks
- Needs good headphones and hi-res files to shine; disappointing with compressed audio
- Not a clear step up over the previous generation, now in broad price parity with AudioQuest's DragonFly Cobalt
- Notable price rise breaking the $200 / GBP200 barrier versus earlier Zen DAC models
Where reviewers disagree Direct clash on dynamics: TechRadar calls the sound clean, punchy and convincing (5/5), while What Hi-Fi finds it soft centered, lacking verve and punch on hard-charging music, and no clear step up over the V2.
The sources (2)
It's a musical, informative and entertaining listen, a device that is able to analyse a recording fully but not at the expense of engagement.
The soundstage the Zen DAC 3 conjures up is open, properly defined and allows every element of the recording the space it needs in which to express itself.
You're unlikely to hear a) where your money has gone, and b) what the iFi is capable of, without headphones that are able to do it justice.
This new generation model has a smooth yet even presentation that is packed with a good amount of detail for the money.
For all the iFi's insight and clarity, music such as this makes it feel soft centered.
The iFi Zen DAC 3 is well featured and is easy to get along with, but its play-it-safe approach won't suit all tastes
Specifications
| Price (US) | $229 Apos Audio (US retailer) lists "Sale price $229.00 USD" for the "iFi ZEN DAC 3 Desktop DAC" — this is the standard US price/MSRP. The manufacturer store (ifi-audio.com) shows only the EU price of €249,00, so the USD figure is sourced from the corroboration page. |
|---|---|
| Brand | iFi Audio |
| Released | — |
| Form factor | desktop |
| Dac chip | Burr-Brown True Native |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 768 |
| Max dsd | DSD512 |
| Max power mw | 300 |
| Snr (dB) | 113 |
| Thdn percent | 0.005 |
| Balanced output | Yes |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm |
| Digital inputs | USB-C |
| Weight grams | 456 |
Source: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-07-11) · corroborated by apos.audio. The official iFi audio product page (ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3) confirmed model identity as the "ZEN DAC 3" and provided the spec sheet: Burr-Brown True Native DAC, PCM to 768kHz / DSD512, USB Type-C input, balanced 4.4mm plus single-ended 6.35mm headphone outputs, MAXIMUM OUTPUT POWER BAL 4.4mm ">300mW @ 32Ω", and NET WEIGHT 456g; it lists the line-section figure as DNR ≥113dBA. Apos Audio (US retailer) corroborated the exact model as the "iFi ZEN DAC 3 Desktop DAC", supplied the US price of $229.00 USD, and provided the THD+N figure (<0.005% BAL, best case) and labeled the ≥113 dBA (line) figure as "DNR/SNR". No release date was stated on either fetched page, so releaseDate is null.
Is the iFi Zen DAC 3 worth it vs cheaper dac amps?
iFi Zen DAC 3 against its closest cheaper and pricier dac amps on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 10 ranked →
| Product | Price | Form factor | Dac chip | Max pcm (kHz) | Max dsd | Max power mw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iFi Zen DAC 3 this | $229 | desktop | Burr-Brown True Native | 768 | DSD512 | 300 |
| FiiO K11 | $142.99 | desktop | CS43198 | 384 | DSD256 | 1400 |
| SMSL DO100 | $239 | desktop | ES9038Q2M | 768 | DSD512 | — |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the iFi Zen DAC 3?
Two whitelisted testers (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi) reviewed the exact iFi Zen DAC 3. Both praise its refined, detailed and spacious sound, flexible connectivity and the USB-B to USB-C upgrade. TechRadar is enthusiastic and rates it near-flawless value; What Hi-Fi is noticeably cooler, finding the sound smooth but lacking verve and punch and not a clear step up over the V2. Neither outlet published lab measurements. Praised: Refined, detailed and spacious sound presentation; Flexible connectivity: 4.4mm balanced + RCA outputs, USB-C, fixed/variable output; Solid build and finish; Good feature set for the price (MQA, XBass+, Power Match, flexible power/output options). Flagged: Sound lacks verve, punch and rhythmic drive on energetic tracks; Needs good headphones and hi-res files to shine; disappointing with compressed audio; Not a clear step up over the previous generation, now in broad price parity with AudioQuest's DragonFly Cobalt; Notable price rise breaking the $200 / GBP200 barrier versus earlier Zen DAC models. (From 2 tester reviews.)
How much does the iFi Zen DAC 3 cost?
The iFi Zen DAC 3 has a US price of $229 (Apos Audio (US retailer) lists "Sale price $229.00 USD" for the "iFi ZEN DAC 3 Desktop DAC" — this is the standard US price/MSRP. The manufacturer store (ifi-audio.com) shows only the EU price of €249,00, so the USD figure is sourced from the corroboration page.), as of 2026-07-11.
How does the iFi Zen DAC 3 compare on price?
At $229, the iFi Zen DAC 3 is #4 cheapest of the 10 dac amps we track, where the median is $239.
What are the iFi Zen DAC 3's key specs?
iFi Zen DAC 3 (iFi Audio): formFactor desktop, dacChip Burr-Brown True Native, maxPcmKhz 768, maxDsd DSD512, maxPowerMw 300. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.
Similar dac amps
Nearest in price — swipe to browse. Every pick sourced and dated.
All dac amps ranked → · Open data & methodology · Queryable via MCP
Compare with
Head-to-head
Cheaper dac amps
- FiiO K11 $142.99
- Schiit Magni Unity $119
- Qudelix-5K $109
Step up
- SMSL DO100 $239
- Fosi Audio K7 $239.99
- Topping DX5 II $299
- AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt $300
- JDS Labs Element IV $549
- Chord Mojo 2 $650