Ifi's Zen Blue 3 DAC boasts lossless Bluetooth audio

If you’re looking to be an audiophile, then you’re going to need to know about a little something called the DAC (digital to analog converter). Ifi just announced a DAC that almost sounds like a contradiction. The Ifi Zen Blue 3 is a DAC that boasts lossless Bluetooth audio.

The DAC is the device that takes the digital signal stored and processed by your phone and converts it into an analog (raw electrical) signal. The driver in your headphones/speakers converts that raw electrical data into sound waves.

As such, the quality of the DAC dictates the quality of the final audio you hear. Technically, all of your devices have a DAC in them if they have a speaker. If your phone has a headphone jack, there’s a DAC that converts the signal before it heads to your headphones.

However, those are typically your run-of-the-mill DACs. You can purchase premium external DACs to handle converting the signal for you. This is where companies like Ifi come in.

Ifi unveiled the Zen Blue 3 high-quality DAC

So, you understand how a DAC works; digital signal goes in, science happens… and an analog signal comes out. What makes the Ifi Zen Blue 3 special is that it has a focus on Bluetooth audio. Most DACs focus on direct input through a wire.

However, Bluetooth is another story altogether. It’s not the ideal tech to use if you like lossless audio. The Bluetooth signal transmitted from the player to the headphones/speaker is intrinsically compressed due to the limited bandwidth. This is why Bluetooth audio isn’t as high-quality compared to wired tech. It’s also why all audiophiles hiss when they hear the word “Bluetooth.”

The Ifi Zen Blue 3 is a DAC that aims to solve the Bluetooth dilemma. The company says that it can transmit a lossless Bluetooth signal to your device. So, you’ll use your phone or other device to send a Bluetooth signal to the DAC. Then, it will convert that signal to an analog signal and send it through the wired output.

It’s all in the codec

The Zen Blue can achieve this by using the best codecs on the market. The codec is the technology that compresses and transmits the Bluetooth signal. More typical codecs will heavily compress the audio. However, as Bluetooth audio has gotten better, it’s become possible to send higher-quality and less compressed signals.

Along with being compatible with several typical codecs, it’s also compatible with Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless. This is the technology that Qualcomm claims can deliver a bit-perfect signal to your headphones/speaker. It boasts the ability to send a CD-quality signal at 16-bits/44.1kHz or 1411.2kbps. It’s also compatible with three other codecs: AAC, SBC, and aptX.

Outputs

You have several options for audio output. You can use your typical wired headphones with a 4.4mm headphone cord. Along with that, you can output through the RCA ports. These are the red and white ports for the left and right channels. There’s also the option to output to USB-C and SPDIF.

Working in reverse

The Zen Blue 3 isn’t only a DAC, but it’s also an ADC (analog to digital converter). This means that you can use it in reverse. You’re able to send a wired signal into it and output a Bluetooth signal. Maybe, you have a device that doesn’t support Bluetooth, and you want to use it with your Bluetooth device, that’s an option.

What’s neat about this is the fact that you can expect low latency when listening with this DAC. It’s compatible with the aptX Low Latency codec.

Specs

This DAC can transmit a 24-bit/96kHz (4608 kbps) signal through USB-C and up to 24-bit/192kHz (9216 kbps) through SPDIF. Also, it uses the Bluetooth 5.4 standard. Powering the device, there’s the Qualcomm QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip.

It supports RCA, Bluetooth, 4.4mm headphone, SPDF and USB-C input. It also outputs through RCA and Bluetooth.

There are knobs on the front of the device that let you select the different modes and outputs.

This is a fantastic device to get if you’re looking for an affordable solution for your audio setup. It costs $299, which is a good price for what you’re getting.