VSystem

Refined to Perfection

The acclaimed ZEN DAC series has garnered numerous awards, including being named WHAT Hi-Fi?’s Best DAC under £200 for four consecutive years.
The ZEN DAC 3 continues its legendary status by doubling its high-resolution support up to 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA decoding capabilities.
The USB-C connectivity streamlines cable management and provides USB input overvoltage protection, safeguarding it against potential harm.

The ZEN DAC 3 goes beyond being just a USB DAC, boasting a built-in headphone amplifier equipped with both balanced 4.4mm and SE 6.3mm headphone outputs.
With its high-performance 390mW headphone output power, you can use it with a broad range of headphones.
XBass+ is a switchable pure analogue signal processing mode designed to enhance the bass without compromising the clarity of the mid-range. It is perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones, which may lack bass response.

The amplifier stage includes a switchable gain feature called PowerMatch, which provides a gain boost for more demanding headphones.If you have headphones that demand even more power, you can connect the ZEN DAC 3 to the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier using a 4.4mm to 4.4mm balanced cable, stacking them up as a ZEN system.


The ZEN DAC 3 features a Variable or Fixed output switch.
In Variable mode, adjust volume using the knob when connecting directly to active speakers via our 4.4mm to XLR cable or RCA cables.
Use Fixed mode for connecting line outputs to a receiver or main amplifier.

The ZEN DAC 3 is the most versatile USB DAC in its class, offering multiple usage options.

What's in the box?

• ZEN DAC 3
• USB 3.0 A-C cable
• Dual RCA (male) cable
• 3.5 mm F - 6.3 mm M adapter

Technical information

• Input: USB Type-C
• Game Console Compatibility: SONY PS5 and Nintendo Switch
• Formats: PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz)
  DSD (512/256/128/64)
  DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz)
  MQA (Decoder)
• DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown

Line Output Section / Output Power

• Balanced 4.4mm: 2V / 6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed
• Single-Ended RCA: 1V / 3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed
• Output Impedance: Balanced 4.4mm ≤200Ω; Single-Ended RCA ≤100Ω
• SNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS
• DNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS
• THD+N: Balanced 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS; Single-Ended RCA <0.003% @ 0dBFS

Headphone Output Section

• Balanced 4.4mm: >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω
• Single-Ended 6.35mm: >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω

• Balanced 4.4mm: >390mW @ 64Ω
• Single-Ended 6.35mm: >210mW @ 32Ω
• Output impedance: ≤1Ω
• SNR: ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm)
• DNR: ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm)
• THD+N: Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω); Single-Ended 6.35mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω)

General

• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB)
• Power supply requirement: USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (centre +ve)
• Power consumption: No Signal ~0.5W; Max Signal ~2.5W
• Dimensions: 158 x 115 x 35mm
• Net weight: 456g