iFi Audio ZEN CAN Desktop Headphone Amplifier

iFi Audio ZEN CAN Desktop Headphone Amplifier

 

Not long after the success of the ZEN DAC and ZEN BLUE, iFi set out to work on another ZEN family product. However this time, iFi wanted to bring high-end headphone amplifier performance to the desktop-sized components.

Utilising Class A discrete balanced circuitry from iFi Audio's Pro iCAN allows the ZEN CAN to output up to 52x more power than standard headphone outputs on your laptop/computer. complimentary to this is fully-balanced circuitry and high-quality components to ensure low distortion and noise even at high volume levels.

Compared to simply plugging headphones directly into a computer or smart device, the ZEN CAN transforms the listening experience - music is clearer, more detailed, more expansive and engaging, making the most of whichever headphones are connected.

Features

• Generic 5V Power Supply Included
• Class A discrete output buffer from the flagship Pro iCAN using Op-Amp (OV2637A)
• FET input avoids loading volume control – low distortion/noise
• SE inputs (1M Ohm) ensures loading of the source so always in Class A operation
• Output amplifier gain of four steps in +6dB perfect for headphone matching
• The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response.
• An ‘Out of Head’ listening experience. iFi's 3D Holographic® dual-analogue matrices place the artist with you in the room, not inside your head.

 

52x more power. Pump up the volume.

Laptops and smartphones have a really low power output of <1.0v. On a good set of headphones you’re always running out of juice. You never get to really hear what they can do.

Use a laptop, phone or DAC to feed your music to the ZEN CAN and connect your headphones. Pumping out 52x more power, now you’ll hear what you have been missing.

 

Balanced to thrill

The ZEN CAN has trickle-down Class A discrete balanced circuitry from iFi audio’s £1,799 flagship Pro iCAN. With 15.1v @300 Ohms on tap, it has serious power that will make even difficult-to-drive headphones thump to the beat.

• Class A discrete output buffer from the flagship Pro iCAN using Op-Amp (OV2637A)
• FET input avoids loading volume control – low distortion/noise
• SE inputs (1M Ohm) ensures loading of the source so always in Class A operation
• Output amplifier gain of four steps in +6dB perfect for headphone matching

 

Packed with premium goodness

Underpinning the Balanced and Active EQ circuitry are:

• Panasonic ECPU capacitors
• TDK C0G (Class 1) ceramic capacitors
• iFi/AMR ‘OV’ ‘Operationsverstärker’ series op-amps
• MELF resistors
• Texas Instruments low-noise ICs
• muRata capacitors and
• Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co. (TOCOS) multi-track potentiometer, with exceptional channel matching even at low volume

 

Ace of XBass

Behind XBass is iFi's active EQ circuit which meets a common gripe with headphones head-on, a lack of bass.

Open-back headphones in particular, let all frequencies (especially those precious bass frequencies that the drivers generate so little of) leak freely out of the back instead of trapping and redirecting them back to your ears.

XBass equalisation is a much more elegant solution to bass correction than seen elsewhere. It consists of active and passive components and its frequency response curve corrects their low-end response problems with precision.

 

Puts you at the venue. Not other way round.

Audio recordings are made for speakers and when played back on headphones, the sound is always driving you nuts by being only in your head.

iFi's 3D special sound circuit solves this:

• Stereo image that is truly out of your head, in front with height, width & depth
• Without colouration or loss of resolution
• All analogue circuitry (i.e. without costly and complex digital signal manipulation)

Satisfies all listeners.

"Often when the What Hi-Fi? team receives a new product for review, we like to pit it against a similarly specified class leader within its price category. But here, that’s not really possible, because the rather unique iFi Zen Can is an all-analogue headphone amplifier that costs just £149 ($150)... Although petite, the Zen Can is a desktop headphone amp rather than a portable device since it requires mains power (a 5V charger is included). Although it offers wired listening, you could of course pair it with the Zen Blue to add Bluetooth connectivity. As well as a headphone amp, it can double as a preamp to feed a power amp or a pair of active speakers, with the use of a dedicated, balanced 4.4mm to XLR cable... Switching to a hi-res (24-bit/88.2kHz) FLAC file from our server, we listen to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album in its entirety. There’s a human feel to Jackson’s vocal, alongside a pleasingly musical and competent layering of each musical passage. We play Billie Jean and while the strings toy with our left ear, a synth presents itself to our right, and Jackson’s numerous harmony lines are all different, emotive and noteworthy... The iFi Zen Can is a resoundingly good upgrade on plugging your wired headphones directly into your laptop or other source. It’s a solid, talented and capable little performer. And on top of this, it offers a premium-feeling build for a truly affordable price." What Hi-Fi? 5 Star Review - March 2021

 

Specifications:

• Inputs: 4.4mm Pentacon (Balanced), RCA L/R Socket, 3.5mm Jack
• Max Output (Balanced): >15.1V/385 mW (@ 600 ohm), >11.0V/1890 mW (@ 64 Ohm)
• Max Output (Single Ended): >7.6V/196 mW (@ 300 Ohm), >7.2V/1600 mW (@32 Ohm)
• THD+N (Balanced): < 0.0007% (4V our, 600 Ohm, 1kHz)
• THD+N (Single Ended): > 0.006% (@ 100 mW/1,27V, 16 Ohm)
• SNR (Balanced): >120dBA (@ 15.2V)
• SNR (Single Ended): >118 dBA (@ 7.6V)
• Max. Input: 7.4V RMS (4.4mm), 3.8V RMS (RCA), 1.92V RMS (3.5mm)
• Gain: 0dB, 6dB, 12dB & 18dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+0dB / -0.03dB)
• Power Consumption: ~5W (no signal), ~13W (max signal)
• Input Voltage: DC 5V/2.5V, AC 100 - 240V, 50/60Hz
• Generic 5V Power Supply Included
• Shipped with UK plugged power supply.
• Dimensions: 117(l) x 158(w) x 35(h)mm
• Weight: 515g (1.14 lbs)
• Warranty period: 12 months

 

About iFi Audio 

iFi Audio is an award-winning audio tech company dedicated to enhancing your music enjoyment. With a mission to improve sound quality and eliminate noise, distortion, and hiss, iFi Audio offers a wide range of products that cater to headphones, speakers, portable audio devices, phones, and TVs. By doing so, they aim to deliver studio-quality audio that allows you to experience music as the artists intended.

Since its establishment in 2012, iFi Audio has been driven by the love of music and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. With over 50 meticulously designed and manufactured products, they ensure every detail meets their high standards. Sourcing parts from around the world, including Germany, the USA, and Japan, they bring together global expertise to create exceptional audio devices.

At the heart of iFi Audio's business are its customers. They prioritise delivering the highest quality audio wherever you are, whether in the comfort of your home or on the go. Their distribution centre in the USA serves renowned retailers such as B&H and etailz, expanding their global network and reaching more music enthusiasts.

iFi Audio takes pride in its eco-friendly practices, using recyclable materials like aluminium, paper, and recycled plastics for its products and packaging. They strictly adhere to environmental standards, ensuring their components are hazardous toxins-free.

With a focus on Class A analogue circuitry and maintaining the audio signal's integrity, iFi Audio's products offer exceptional performance without compromising environmental sustainability. They believe that how a product looks, performs, and impacts the environment all matter, and they strive to deliver audio solutions that meet these criteria.

Experience the difference of high-quality audio with iFi Audio and immerse yourself in the joy of music.