Does the iFi Zen DAC V2 drive the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x?

Computed from rated specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 600 Ω

Marginal

The iFi Zen DAC V2 marginally drives the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x; barely reaches target SPL (~0.6 dB headroom at 600 ohms; needs ~15.8 mW, delivers 18 mW). (Amp power at 600 ohms is estimated from its published figure at a nearby load.) Note: output impedance for this amp isn't reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 470 Ω load can't be assessed; treat low-impedance pairings with caution.

Headroom
0.6 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
15.8 mW
Delivered (@ 600 Ω)
18 mW *est.
Required voltage
2.73 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 0.6 dB 0 · target 0.6 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 15.8 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 18 mW at 600 Ω (+0.6 dB above target). Power figure estimated from an adjacent published load.

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance 470.0 Ω rated
Sensitivity 98.0 dB/mW rated
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Rated
Rated: Audio-Technica official spec (470 Ω, 98 dB/mW at 1 kHz). RAA has no measurement page. · Source ↗
iFi Zen DAC V2 Dac Amp · Single Ended
Output impedance assumed Not published
Power @ 32 Ω 280 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 36 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 18 mW *est.
Power source Manufacturer low confidence
* Loads marked "est." are derived from the published voltage ceiling at a lower-impedance load (V = √(P·R) → P_higher = V²/R_higher). All derivations are upward only.
iFi Zen DAC V2 SE output: 280 mW @ 32 Ω, 36 mW @ 300 Ω (iFi tech lowdown PDF and product page). Output impedance: conflicting sources (manufacturer PDF cites '≤100 Ω unbalanced' which may refer to RCA pre-out, not the headphone jack; likely <<1 Ω for headphone output but unconfirmed). Set null; damping check flagged as indeterminate. 600 Ω derived from 300 Ω. · Source ↗
Impedance — unknown output impedance

This amp's output impedance is not reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 470 Ω headphone cannot be assessed. Treat low-impedance pairings (below ~80 Ω) with caution.

Specification confidence: low

One or more amp specifications (power output or output impedance) are estimated rather than published by the manufacturer. Treat this pairing's verdict as approximate.

Power figure note

The amp's power at 600 Ω was not published directly — it was derived from the voltage ceiling at a published lower-impedance load. The actual delivered power may differ modestly.

Where to buy

iFi Zen DAC V2 on Amazon ↗ Audio-Technica ATH-R70x on Amazon ↗

Disclosure: links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate commissions do not influence verdicts; all analysis is computed independently from the data.

AmplifierHeadroom
Schiit Lyr 3 Ample 14.5 dB
Schiit Valhalla 2 Ample 14.5 dB
JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 Adequate 9.6 dB
Topping L30 Adequate 9.5 dB
Schiit Fulla 4 Marginal 1.0 dB
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Insufficient -10.0 dB

See all amplifiers for the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x →

HeadphoneHeadroom
Koss Porta Pro Ample 20.1 dB
Grado SR80x Ample 19.8 dB
HiFiMan Arya Adequate 9.4 dB
Sennheiser HD 660S Adequate 9.0 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Marginal 0.0 dB
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Insufficient -1.1 dB

See all headphones for the iFi Zen DAC V2 →