Zen Blue from iFi Audio is the first Bluetooth receiver on the market to support all the latest Hi-Res codecs, delivering the best audio quality for remote streaming directly from your smartphone/tablet to your hi-fi audio system.
iFi Audio Zen Blue V2, an improved version of Zen Blue, now features a better Bluetooth antenna to increase transmission distance by 80%. This model also uses a new GMT clock for even lower jitter.
Compact, versatile, designer and extremely powerful, Zen Blue V2 is a concentrate of technology ideal for music lovers who want to enjoy remote streaming of their audio files.
The entire Zen Blue V2 architecture features a smart design, starting with the integration of Qualcomm’s superior QCC5100 Bluetooth receiver chip for fast and efficient audio stream processing.
Although this Bluetooth chip also contains a digital-to-analog converter, iFi Audio chose to integrate an independent and more powerful ESS Saber DAC chip. ESS Saber chips use patented HyperStream and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies to provide low distortion, very low jitter and improved dynamics.
Thus, all the latest audio protocols and Bluetooth codecs are supported, including aptX-HD from Qualcomm, LDAC from Sony and HWA from Huawei. Also supported are aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC and SBC codecs. This complete coverage of Bluetooth codecs in Zen Blue V2 ensures full compatibility with source devices, allowing you to enjoy the highest resolution audio supported by Bluetooth.
In addition, Zen Blue V2 is capable of maintaining the pairing of 7 source devices, allowing you to quickly switch from one device to another, while taking advantage of the large reception range offered by Bluetooth in its version 5.0.
The Zen Blue V2 DAC stage supports much higher sampling rates than Bluetooth currently allows. Thus, it will never become an obstacle to reading your Hi-Res audio files and, in addition, will provide high-level conversion for rich, dynamic and transparent restitution.
As for the interface, there is nothing simpler. The LED in the center of the Zen Blue V2’s front panel changes color so you can easily identify the Bluetooth codec you’re currently using. The LED on the right indicates the sampling rate of the file being played back. Finally, the QCC5100 Bluetooth chip can be upgraded remotely so that future Bluetooth codecs can be added to Zen Blue V2.
Particularly versatile and able to integrate into the vast majority of HiFi audio systems, Zen Blue V2 offers a very comprehensive panel of digital and analogue connections. The rear panel contains a stereo RCA output, a coaxial S/PDIF output and an optical Toslink output. More rare for products in this price range, the Zen Blue V2 also features a balanced output on the 4.4mm jack to limit interference and interference. The switch allows you to select the digital signal path: through the DAC, then to the analog outputs, or directly to the digital outputs.
iFi Audio Zen Blue V2 Specifications:
- Product Type: Bluetooth Receiver
- Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm QCC5100
- Bluetooth version: 5.0
- Input: Bluetooth 5.0
- Outputs: 1x optical Toslink/1x coaxial/1x stereo RCA/1x balanced line output Jack 4.4mm
- Supported Bluetooth codecs: AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, HWA/LHDC
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+0/-0.5dB) (44.1kHz) / 1Hz – 44kHz (+0/-3.0dB) (≥88.2kHz)
- Output voltage @ 0dBFS: 2.05V (±0.05V)
- Dynamic range: 109 dB(A)
- SNR: 109 dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- THD+N @ 0dBFS: 0.0015% @ 10k Ohm
- Output impedance: 50 ohms
- Power: DC 5V
- Consumption: 2.5 W
- Dimensions: 160 x 107 x 35 mm
