iFi ZEN DAC V2 – Can it really provide Balanced audio at this price?!

iFi ZEN DAC v2

The iFi ZEN DAC v2 is a high-quality digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) that allows you to experience your music in a whole new way. With its advanced technology and sleek design, the iFi ZEN DAC v2 is a must-have for any audiophile looking to improve their listening experience.

One of the standout features of the iFi ZEN DAC v2 is its compatibility with a wide range of devices. Whether you’re using a computer, smartphone, or even a turntable, the iFi ZEN DAC v2 can bring your music to life with its high-resolution audio capabilities.

Technical Specifications

In addition to its compatibility, the iFi ZEN DAC v2 also boasts impressive technical specifications. It uses a high-quality Burr-Brown DAC chip and has a signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB, ensuring that you’ll be able to hear every detail of your music. The iFi ZEN DAC v2 also features a 3D+ setting, which uses advanced algorithms to create a surround sound experience, making it feel like you’re at a live performance.

Design

But the iFi ZEN DAC v2 isn’t just about technical specs – it also has a sleek and stylish design that will look great in any setup. Its compact size makes it easy to transport and set up wherever you are, and its brushed aluminium finish gives it a premium look and feel.

Testing

In testing the iFi ZEN DAC v2, we used an oscilloscope to confirm that it produces balanced audio, more info about this is in the video. This ensures that the audio you hear is true to the original recording and free from distortion.

Conclusion

Overall, the iFi ZEN DAC v2 is an impressive piece of technology that offers a significant upgrade to your listening experience. Whether you’re an audiophile or just looking to improve the sound quality of your music, the iFi ZEN DAC v2 is definitely worth checking out.

For more information on the iFi ZEN DAC v2, check out iFi Audio’s website.

Installing OpenWrt on the Xiaomi 4A, 4C, 3Gv2, 4Q, miWifi 3C and debrick method New 2022

After a good few years I decided to update the OpenWRT install guide for Xiaomi routers, I needed to update the method for new versions of software and gave me a chance to fix some points missed in the original video. I will add more to this blog post later but for now, you are all interested in the terminal command which follows:

After install of ubuntu copy and paste 1 line at a time:

su
sudo apt install update
sudo apt dist-upgrade
sudo apt install git pip python3
git clone https://github.com/acecilia/OpenWRTInvasion.git
cd OpenWRTInvasion
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
python3 remote_command_execution_vulnerability.py

At this point, you will need to input your router’s details password default password and router IP address then follow along with the Cyberduck FTP upload then:

telnet IP-OF-YOUR-ROUTER
cd /tmp
mtd -e OS1 -r write openwrt.bin OS1

Fibaro Z-wave Smart Wall Plug

This is the second product from Fibaro I’ve unboxed and reviewed and the quality and design hold true with what I’ve said before, they really know how to put together a good bit of IoT.

It’s really when you look at what sets the wall plug apart from the rest that you begin to notice the attention to detail, lets be honest there are thousands of brands all producing similar IoT switches so why would you want this one?

All the usual suspects

It does everything you would expect for starters and as much as any of its competitors which is that it uses either Z-wave or WiFi (depending on the version) to control your socket outlet and switch the power on and off, simple, effective and reliable I’ve found.

Watt else?

In addition, the Wall Plug acts as an energy meter, it measures the amount of energy being consumed in Watts this data can both be logged with your Z-wave gateway (for instance the HC3) and be displayed by the built-in LED’s.

Bright ideas

Next, we have the ring of RGB LED’s on the face of the plug, the default as above the LED’s are set to display the power consumption of the appliance in use and gives real-time feedback of power use. This however is not the only option, the LED’s can be configured to be triggered by anything using the Home Center Gateway, so you could set it up as a flashing light when your door contact gets opened or a night light for when you have switched your Fibaro light switch off in the room! Just a few ideas off the top of my head but the possibility are endless.

Conclusion

My final thoughts are that the Wall Plug holds up with what I’ve come to expect from Fibaro products. Setup and pairing were quick and simple. I’ve had no issues with reliability whenever I’ve triggered the device it always does as is told and quickly too. No complaints at all and I’m happy to recommend it.