IFI Audio ZEN Blue 3 Bluetooth Receiver

iFi Audio's Zen Blue 3, successor to the Zen Blue 2, is a high-end Bluetooth receiver. It features a new Bluetooth chip, the QCC5181, the most advanced model in Qualcomm's 5100 series to date. This Bluetooth receiver chip enables it to support high-resolution codecs : SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptative, aptX HD, LDAC and LHDC for lossless wireless transmission. It is also capable of transmitting streams wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones or earphones.
Added to this is an ESS ES9023 DAC chip with jitter eliminator, enabling a dynamic range of 112dB, as well as use of the ZEN Blue 3 as a USB DAC (24bit/96kHz). It also features an optical Toslink/coaxial input on 3.5mm jack (24bit 192kHz) and analog stereo RCA. iFi Audio has opted for a balanced circuit with stereo RCA, balanced 4.4mm jack and Toslink/coaxial optical output on 3.5mm jack. Not only does the Zen Blue 3 benefit from numerous technical improvements, it also boasts a new look to match the brand's other devices, and a much more comprehensive control interface on the front panel. All these features make it a device of choice.

IFI Audio ZEN Blue 3: Bluetooth codec comparison

IFI Audio ZEN Blue 3: quality components

The Zen Blue 3 incorporates a MAX97220 amplifier chip, a CT5302 DSP and the brand's proprietary OV series OPAs. These OPAs deliver extremely low noise, low distortion (0.0001%) and wide bandwidth. The balanced circuit design also helps reduce noise, crosstalk and interference for a clearer sound.