It should be noted that the rear 4.4mm TRRS is intended for use as a pre-out and not as a headphone jack. The rear face, from left to right, starts with a 4.4mm TRRS balanced line-out connector followed by a fixed/Variable switch, then the RCA connectors, a USB 3.0 input, and a barrel connector for external power supply. The outputs are a 6.3mm TRS single-ended output and a 4.4mm TRRS jack for balanced output. The front face has two buttons on the left, a large central volume knob with the LED indicator behind it, and two outputs to the right. The board is slotted into the case so has no play in any direction when the screws are tightened down. Four screws run the entire depth of the unit and connect the front and rear face-plates making disassembly straight forward if ever required. The Zen is well made with an aluminum shell and face-plates. For those interested, I purchased a 4.4 balanced to dual XLR for testing from LQi Cables (I have no affiliation). As of this writing, the iFi website does not list any such option. The cable I most wish was included or at least offered via iFi’s website as an add on is the 4.4 balanced to dual XLR adapters for use with balanced gear. I guess those using the Zen to feed powered monitors will disagree here. I think knowing this is a stand alone unit, I would have been inclined to skip the RCA cables and include the power supply if only providing one or the other. While the Zen does have a barrel jack for an external power supply, none is provided so if you wish to power it off something other than USB (which I recommend) you will need to purchase the power supply separately. An instruction card and warranty card round out the package. The Zen ships in a lift top style box with the main unit housed in an egg-crate surround with the USB cable and RCA cables in a small box to the right of the unit. If you are interested in the Zen series or other iFi products, check their website. I have previously reviewed the Zen Blue and this is the other model in the Zen line and is a desktop DAC/Amp. I have no financial interest in iFi or its parent AMR. Disclaimer: The Zen is a loaner provided by iFi Audio for review and must be returned when the review is complete.

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