iFi ZEN Blue 3 DAC Has Hi-Res World’s First Claim

iFi Audio's Zen DAC 3 and Zen Phono 3 are joined by the iFi Zen Blue 3 wireless DAC and ZEN Can 3 headphone amplifier.

iFi proudly states that the Zen Blue 3 DAC is the "world's first wireless DAC that can transmit and receive lossless CD quality". This lofty claim is down to it supporting Qualcomm's latest aptX Lossless codec, which is capable of lossless 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD-spec) transmission over standard Bluetooth with a bitrate transmission between 1100kbps and 1200kbps.

We are assured that this is the current peak data transmission for a Bluetooth codec. Also supported is LDAC, which, in comparison, can transmit audio up to 990kbps. It will also decode aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs, meaning the ZEN Blue 3 covers pretty much any Bluetooth device.

In addition to the RX (Bluetooth receiver) mode, there is a TX mode, which transmits a Bluetooth stream to another device, and a Wired DAC mode, which gives you the option to connect a device via a hard-cabled connection. Moreover, the Low Latency button is handy should you decide to employ this DAC while watching movies or in your gaming rig, as it should reduce any audio-video sync delays.

Wired connections include a pair of RCA stereo inputs, a USB-C input, and S/PDIF optical and coaxial inputs/outputs (for 24-bit/192kHz native playback) alongside a pair of RCA stereo and 4.4 balanced outputs.

The iFi ZEN Blue 3 wireless DAC is available to buy from July 9th priced at £299.

Visit iFi Audio for more information