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iFi Audio ZEN Air DAC 2, ZEN Air Phono 2 & ZEN Air Blue 2
iFi Audio has refreshed one of its most accessible product families with three new ZEN Air 2 devices, each designed to solve a different and very common problem in everyday music listening. The ZEN Air DAC 2 is a compact digital-to-analog converter with a headphone amplifier, aimed primarily at people who listen from a computer, play games, watch movies or work at a laptop and want a clear upgrade over a standard audio output without building a large system. The ZEN Air Phono 2 is a phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges, allowing a turntable to be connected to an amplifier, active speakers or another component that lacks a suitable phono input. The ZEN Air Blue 2 serves a different purpose again. It is a Bluetooth receiver that allows a traditional amplifier, stereo system or pair of active speakers to gain wireless playback from a phone, tablet or computer. Together, the three models form a simple, affordable and compact route to upgrading an existing system without replacing its core components. In other words, iFi is not offering one universal box that tries to do everything, but three specialized tools - one for headphones, one for vinyl and one for Bluetooth streaming - each aimed at one of the most familiar weak points in home audio.
The most universal model in the new trio is the ZEN Air DAC 2, a compact USB DAC with a headphone amplifier designed for listeners who use a desktop computer or laptop as their main source for music, movies, games or audio work. In practice, it is intended as a straightforward upgrade over a computer's built-in audio output. Once an external DAC is connected, the signal path is handled by circuitry designed with sound quality in mind, not merely basic functionality. For this new generation, iFi has chosen a Cirrus Logic DAC, which the company says should bring improved clarity, dynamics and lower distortion. One of the most important changes in the ZEN Air DAC 2 is the addition of a balanced 4.4 mm headphone output. At this price level, that is still not a given, and for users with more demanding headphones it may be a meaningful advantage. iFi claims the new design delivers up to 300% more output power than its predecessor, with up to 484 mW RMS available from the balanced output, giving the device more headroom and better control at higher listening levels.
The front panel also carries two familiar iFi features, XBass+ and PowerMatch. The first is an analog bass enhancement circuit that lifts the lowest part of the range without relying on software EQ, while the second adjusts gain to better suit the headphones being used. The ZEN Air Phono 2, meanwhile, is aimed at vinyl listeners and shows how iFi continues to bring ideas from its more expensive products into more accessible designs. The new phono preamplifier supports both MM and MC cartridges, giving it more flexibility than typical budget phono stages designed only for the most common moving-magnet cartridges. The manufacturer highlights its precise RIAA equalization, specified at +/- 0.15 dB. In a phono preamplifier, this is not a secondary detail. The accuracy of this correction has a direct effect on whether the signal stored in the groove is reproduced with the correct tonal balance.
Another notable feature of the ZEN Air Phono 2 is its intelligent subsonic filter, designed to reduce distortion caused by warped records without harming bass response. This is a practical solution, especially in systems where a turntable is partnered with a powerful amplifier and speakers capable of reaching low into the frequency range. Uncontrolled infrasonic energy is not part of the music, but it can place unnecessary strain on the amplifier, cause excessive woofer movement and reduce the overall cleanliness of playback. The device also uses a symmetrical channel layout, which is intended to keep noise low and preserve separation, while its low self-noise should help retrieve more detail from records.
The third device is the ZEN Air Blue 2, a Bluetooth receiver for people who want to add wireless playback to a classic audio system. It is designed for owners of amplifiers, active speakers or older hi-fi setups that still sound good, but lack modern wireless functionality. The ZEN Air Blue 2 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports a wide range of codecs, including aptX Lossless and LDAC. In practical terms, this should allow wireless transmission at quality levels much closer to CD than basic Bluetooth implementations. iFi describes the model as its most affordable Lossless Bluetooth DAC to date, with aptX Lossless supporting bitrates of up to 1,200 kbps.
Inside the ZEN Air Blue 2 is a dedicated ESS Sabre DAC and iFi's three-stage Bluetooth architecture, in which separate sections handle reception, digital-to-analog conversion and signal amplification. This separation matters because in simple Bluetooth receivers the whole signal path is often treated in a purely functional way. The only goal is to get music from a phone to an amplifier. iFi approaches the task differently, treating the wireless receiver as a proper audio component rather than a convenience accessory. As a result, the ZEN Air Blue 2 is intended not only to make an existing system easier to use, but also to avoid wasting the sonic potential of a more traditional setup.
The new ZEN Air 2 series shows iFi continuing to develop the lower end of its catalog with compact, focused devices that address specific user needs. The ZEN Air DAC 2 answers the problem of weak headphone outputs in computers. The ZEN Air Phono 2 offers an affordable but properly engineered phono stage for turntables. The ZEN Air Blue 2 adds modern Bluetooth playback to conventional systems without reducing the idea to a basic wireless dongle. All three models are priced at $129/€149/£129. Info and photos by iFi Audio.
