iFi Audio ZEN DAC

摘要

We've come a long way since iFi Audio was started as an offshoot of high-end brand Abbingdon Music Research, building its initial reputation with its 'Purifier' products, designed to clean up digital signals. And if anyone was labouring under the delusion that these were devices designed to tackle non-existent problems - you know, the old 'digits is digits' thing - the company has since expanded into making everything from complete systems to some of the most cost-effective DACs and headphone amps around. After all, its excellent xDSD[HFN Jul '18], was a 2018-19 EISA Award-winner, following on from the 2014-15 winning footsteps of the nano iDSD[HFN Dec'14]. Headquartered in Stockport, Merseyside, and using a number of outside consultants as well as its own team to design and engineer its products in the UK, these days iFi Audio has expanded its catalogue, which now runs to some 30 components. It includes the striking-looking bamboo-clad, architect-inspired Aurora all-in-one network system alongside no fewer than eight DACs in the lineup. The most recent arrivals are the tiny pocket-sized hip-dac (£ 149), designed for music on the move, and the very affordable ZEN models, including the £129 ZEN DAC that we have here.