British manufacturer iFi Audio is relaunching its entry-level range with the new ZEN Air 2 series, which includes the ZEN Air Blue 2 HD Bluetooth receiver, the ZEN Air DAC 2 USB DAC, and the ZEN Air Phono 2 phono preamplifier. Designed to offer comprehensive, affordable solutions, this revamped range is designed to cover all the main applications in a compact format and at a particularly attractive price.
An affordable range
Since its inception, the ZEN Air series has occupied a special place in the iFi Audio catalog. It is aimed at those who wish to enhance their listening experience without complexity or excessive investment. With this new generation, the brand maintains this philosophy, while integrating technologies previously reserved for more ambitious models: lossless Bluetooth, a balanced headphone output and high-precision RIAA equalization. This modular approach means you can adapt your system to suit your needs. The ZEN Air Blue 2 modernizes an existing installation by adding Bluetooth, the ZEN Air DAC 2 transforms a computer into a true hi-fi source, while the ZEN Air Phono 2 enhances a vinyl turntable.
iFi Audio ZEN Air Blue 2: high-fidelity Bluetooth
With the iFi Audio ZEN Air Blue 2 Bluetooth receiver, the British manufacturer enables anyone to upgrade their hi-fi system with high-quality Bluetooth streaming. To achieve this, it incorporates a Bluetooth 5.4 controller that supports aptX, aptX HD, LDAC and aptX Lossless codecs to transmit a lossless audio stream. It offers CD-quality audio with a bit rate of up to 1200 kbps in aptX Lossless and a resolution of up to 24-bit/96kHz in LDAC. So you can enjoy music efficiently from a smartphone, tablet or computer without sacrificing sound quality.
To get the most out of your music, the iFi Audio ZEN Air Blue 2 receiver adopts a triple-stage architecture, with a dedicated Bluetooth section, a high-precision ESS Sabre DAC and a separate analog output stage. This approach limits interference and maximizes transparency. Compatible with a 5 to 12 V power supply, it can be easily integrated into a living room or a car, with automatic activation upon startup or manual control via the front-panel button. A line-level RCA output is provided for connection to a car radio or sound system.
iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2: a 32-bit Hi-Res DAC
The iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2 is the heart of the range for headphones and hi-fi systems. Connected to a computer via USB-C, it bypasses the limitations of integrated sound cards and makes full use of high-resolution audio files. This new version introduces a Cirrus Logic DAC for music up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256. Thanks to a latest-generation USB XMOS controller and a precision clock, the ZEN Air DAC 2 decodes these files with minimal jitter to preserve the finest details and nuances of recordings.
The most striking evolution, however, concerns the headphone amplifier. More powerful, it can power a wide variety of headphones with greater control. The ZEN Air DAC 2 delivers up to 484 mW into 64 ohms via the 4.4 mm balanced output and 286 mW into 32 ohms on the 6.35 mm jack output, with a voltage of up to 5.57 V. The addition of a 4.4 mm balanced output is also a real plus, offering a cleaner signal and better channel separation with compatible headphones. Finally, iFi Audio retains its in-house XBass+ and PowerMatch functions, which can be used to boost bass and adjust impedance depending on the headphones used. In addition to these headphone outputs, a pre-amplified RCA output allows the iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2 to be used as a preamplifier with a power amp or a pair of active speakers.
iFi Audio ZEN Air Phono 2: rediscover your vinyl records
With the iFi Audio ZEN Air Phono 2 phono preamplifier, the British manufacturer is targeting vinyl enthusiasts wishing to improve the playback quality of their turntables. While many amplifiers and turntables incorporate a phono preamp, their performance is sometimes limited. The iFi Audio ZEN Air Phono 2 preamplifier offers a dedicated, optimized alternative for processing low-amplitude cartridge signals.
At the heart of the system is a highly accurate RIAA equalizer, essential for faithfully reproducing the signal engraved on the record. Added to this is an intelligent subsonic filter, capable of suppressing the vibrations associated with warped records without altering the frequency response, particularly in the low frequencies. Compatible with MM and MC cartridges, the iFi Audio ZEN Air Phono 2 preamplifier adapts to the majority of configurations while offering extremely low noise levels. It promises to help you rediscover vinyl in the best possible conditions.
With these three models, iFi offers a simple but effective vision of modern hi-fi. Each device is designed for a specific purpose, but can also be integrated into a larger system. This makes it possible to gradually build a complete installation:
add Bluetooth with the iFi Audio Zen Air Blue 2 receiver, enjoy Hi-Res music with the iFi Audio Zen Air DAC 2 or optimize vinyl playback with the iFi Audio Zen Air Phono 2.
