Bluetooth receiver and transmitter with aptX Lossless for the hi-fi system
The iFi Audio ZEN Blue 3 brings lossless Bluetooth to the hi-fi system and to headphones. According to iFi it is the world's first Bluetooth DAC able both to receive and to transmit CD-quality audio with the aptX Lossless codec, and it adds a wired DAC mode for desktop use.
It has many uses: receiving music from a phone and passing it to the amplifier, listening to a turntable on wireless headphones, or sending the sound of a TV or computer to Bluetooth headphones and earbuds.
Qualcomm QCC518x Bluetooth 5.4 and all the high-definition codecs
The Qualcomm QCC518x series chipset handles Bluetooth 5.4. With aptX Lossless, 16-bit/44.1 kHz audio travels with no data loss, at a maximum bitrate of 1,200 kbps; LDAC and LHDC/HWA reach 24-bit/96 kHz. aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC and SBC are supported too, and the Bluetooth module can be updated over the air.
For films and games, Low Latency mode, used with a receiver that supports aptX Low Latency, drastically reduces the delay between picture and sound.
Separate stages for Bluetooth, conversion and output
Instead of the usual single chip that does everything, the ZEN Blue 3 follows the architecture of a hi-fi component: the Qualcomm chip handles the Bluetooth signal, a dedicated ESS Sabre DAC converts it to analogue and an output stage with iFi's OV series op-amps takes it to the sockets. The femto-precision GMT clock keeps jitter under control.
Stated dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio are 109 dB. There are two analogue outputs: balanced 4.4 mm, with 4.1 V RMS, and RCA, with 2.05 V RMS.
DAC mode via USB-C and S/PDIF, inputs for transmission
The ZEN Blue 3 also works as a wired DAC: it accepts up to 24-bit/96 kHz from the USB-C port and up to 24-bit/192 kHz from the optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs. When transmitting, it sends over Bluetooth the signal coming from USB, optical, coaxial or the analogue RCA input.
It is powered from the USB-C port or a 5 V input. It weighs 447 g and comes with an RCA cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable and a power adapter.
