iFi audio ZEN Air DAC 2

The ZEN Air DAC 2 is a compact USB DAC and headphone amplifier for the desk, meant as an easy first step up from a computer's headphone jack. It uses a Cirrus Logic DAC and plays PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD256. It is the first ZEN Air model with a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output, next to a 6.3 mm jack, and iFi says it has up to 300% more power than its predecessor: 484 mW into 64 Ω balanced. XBass+ adds weight to the low end and PowerMatch raises the gain for harder-to-drive headphones. RCA line outputs with fixed or variable level let you connect active speakers or an amplifier. It has a midnight-blue finish, a metal front panel and a power button.

• 4.4 mm balanced + 6.3 mm, up to 484 mW
• PCM 384 kHz, DSD256 (Cirrus Logic)
• XBass+, PowerMatch and RCA line out