ifI iCan Pro - Impressions & Discussion
Apr 20, 2016 at 7:08 PM Post #31 of 2,267
Thx Priaptor,
I am a borderline basshead but want to have quality and enjoy the bass slam and rumble without sacrificing mids or highs.
I am looking at SE or Pro as my end game amp for Th900 MK2 and JVC HP Dx1000 phones for having ability to tune bass to my liking without having to tinker with EQ. My old Fiio E07K does a good job with ability to boost bass with +5 setting and looking to replace it with a better amp having similar tone control abilities.

From power perspective SE is more than enough for my needs, is sort of portable and fits the price bracket but want to find out how much difference xbass tuning variance exists with Pro so that I can see which route to go.

I had the SE here for an extended trial.  There is no comparison between the two units, IMHO.  I have a Cavalli Liquid Carbon here until my Gold arrives and thought the LC was a much better sounding amp than the SE (for brevity I will leave out all the sonic verbiage).  The PRO is extremely good.  I was truly not expecting it to be this good (actually hoping).  I recognize iFi has always made excellent products when weighed against price versus the competition but I was very leery about their ability to jump to the "high end".  While I get the price differential, this could easily be a person's endgame purchase as it is that good, will meet all your future needs should you decide to move in a different direction including electrostatics with their add on module.  It is incredibly flexible, built like a tank with a sound to die for.  It will bring out the best of your cans.  It really is a huge step up from the SE.  It gets my highest praise and despite it's price I think it is a bargain.  


Ditto wasupdog. Please give us sonic verbiage. In what way is it better than SE and LC?
 
Apr 21, 2016 at 12:05 AM Post #32 of 2,267
Ditto wasupdog. Please give us sonic verbiage. In what way is it better than SE and LC?


The LC is an incredibly detailed amp. More than the SE. In terms of spatial resolution particularly with the HD800s one is holographic while the SE makes the HD800s sound on your head limiting the can's true capabilities. Bass on the LC was very good on the HD800s (not a bass head delight mind you) fair with SE and not very controlled. With the LCD-X IMO IT sounded like a speaker with significant bass overhang or a poorly placed speaker. I felt the SE was rolled off and much less appealing than the LC with either the LCD-X or my 800s. The main strength of the SE were midrange and upper mids which it did very well on either headphone. However when having the LC as an alternative I found it hard to want to listen to the SE. The LC has much better balance albeit with slightly less authority than the SE even at high gain on the LC when using the 800s. The LC timbre was more accurate and transparent and overall more enjoyable, listenable and more like my big system than the SE.

However the Pro is a different beast altogether. I still haven't even evaluated in anything other than Tube+ mode. First it is an amp with authority with a sound signature very comparable to my ARC GS150 on my big speaker system. It will bring out all that your headphone is capable of reproducing. Midrange and upper octaves are to die for. Strings and horns surreal. Vocals are warm and rich and right there perfectly imaged. Bass is strong and accurate and not overpowering. The best I have ever heard Heartplay by Forcione and Haden the latter playing double bass that really taxes any system. The best I have ever heard either the LCD-X or 800s. The LC doesn't compare below 125 Hz . It is as detailed as the LC as holographic as the LC but a touch less analytical. It is not overly "tube like" that softens or warms the music in that subjectively (by many) likeable way that so many describe as "analogue like" but is almost perfectly balanced.

I thought the LC had a very dark and black background but the Pro has it beat. Noise floor incredible.

As much as I enjoy the LC (and I obviously do as I ordered the Lau at the LC discount) if I had to choose the LC versus the Pro and had to stretch at double the price (now with the LC at 799) I would go for the Pro. Between the SE and the LC I would take the LC in a heartbeat. The Pro is also built beautifully and looks and feels "high end". The ergonomics of the thing is better than most 40k amplifiers or preamps.

I obviously like this product. So much so I put myself on the list and will probably sell my LC. Lastly I was about to sell my LCD-X as the HD800s, IMO outperformed it so much with the LC I thought I would never listen again. I figured I was getting the best I could from the LCD-X with the LC. Well the Pro mates great with it with authoritative bass and while not the HD800s in terms of spatial resolution or articulation is absolutely fantastic with a broad range of music particularly symphonies where the full audible spectrum is needed.
 
Apr 21, 2016 at 5:12 AM Post #33 of 2,267
Thanks Priaptor! Fantastic insight into the 3 amps. I'm totally game for the Pro then. From your description the LC sounds better than the SE in the same ways as the Taurus Mk2 and I already have that. But when u say the Pro is less analytical, rich and with great mids, I immediately know that's what I want. In fact I'm using the SE more than the Taurus for those reasons. Seems like a signature of ifi but clearly the Pro takes it to a whole new level.
 
Apr 21, 2016 at 10:37 AM Post #34 of 2,267
Thanks Priaptor! Fantastic insight into the 3 amps. I'm totally game for the Pro then. From your description the LC sounds better than the SE in the same ways as the Taurus Mk2 and I already have that. But when u say the Pro is less analytical, rich and with great mids, I immediately know that's what I want. In fact I'm using the SE more than the Taurus for those reasons. Seems like a signature of ifi but clearly the Pro takes it to a whole new level.

I think it was Eaban (not sure of the spelling) who wrote an interesting article at Six Moons about likes, dislikes, audio dogma, etc.  There are those people who want to hear a mouse fart in the corner of a concert hall and believe that is "right way", in other words being part of the band/orchestra, etc hearing every nuance as though you are one of the performers; while others want front row center; while others want mid orchestra, etc etc.  I am not here to say what is right or wrong just where my tastes lie.  
 
While I am not looking to insult anyone's tastes, it really is a matter of tastes.  In my old days I was an audio dealer and those who first got blown away by the "high end" wanted an ultra detailed sound in order to hear that mouse fart.  For me, that kind of a sound usually leads to fatigue, is not what I would interpret as accurate from a listener's perspective, but that is me.  But there was a time, early on, that was enticing to me.  
 
After listening to these three amps, it is my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Pro.  It really is that good.  
 
Apr 21, 2016 at 1:10 PM Post #35 of 2,267
Thanks Priaptor! Fantastic insight into the 3 amps. I'm totally game for the Pro then. From your description the LC sounds better than the SE in the same ways as the Taurus Mk2 and I already have that. But when u say the Pro is less analytical, rich and with great mids, I immediately know that's what I want. In fact I'm using the SE more than the Taurus for those reasons. Seems like a signature of ifi but clearly the Pro takes it to a whole new level.

I think it was Eaban (not sure of the spelling) who wrote an interesting article at Six Moons about likes, dislikes, audio dogma, etc.  There are those people who want to hear a mouse fart in the corner of a concert hall and believe that is "right way", in other words being part of the band/orchestra, etc hearing every nuance as though you are one of the performers; while others want front row center; while others want mid orchestra, etc etc.  I am not here to say what is right or wrong just where my tastes lie.  
 
While I am not looking to insult anyone's tastes, it really is a matter of tastes.  In my old days I was an audio dealer and those who first got blown away by the "high end" wanted an ultra detailed sound in order to hear that mouse fart.  For me, that kind of a sound usually leads to fatigue, is not what I would interpret as accurate from a listener's perspective, but that is me.  But there was a time, early on, that was enticing to me.  
 
After listening to these three amps, it is my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Pro.  It really is that good.  


I have no doubt it's something I'd salivate over. But in my haste I forgot that my SE is paired with an iTube so I should hear a lesser difference than that between your SE and the Pro. Still there will be a difference and given how much I love the SE+iTube I am just dying to know how much better things can get and whether it justifies the additional bucks.
 
May 1, 2016 at 10:53 PM Post #36 of 2,267
The LC is an incredibly detailed amp. More than the SE. In terms of spatial resolution particularly with the HD800s one is holographic while the SE makes the HD800s sound on your head limiting the can's true capabilities. Bass on the LC was very good on the HD800s (not a bass head delight mind you) fair with SE and not very controlled. With the LCD-X IMO IT sounded like a speaker with significant bass overhang or a poorly placed speaker. I felt the SE was rolled off and much less appealing than the LC with either the LCD-X or my 800s. The main strength of the SE were midrange and upper mids which it did very well on either headphone. However when having the LC as an alternative I found it hard to want to listen to the SE. The LC has much better balance albeit with slightly less authority than the SE even at high gain on the LC when using the 800s. The LC timbre was more accurate and transparent and overall more enjoyable, listenable and more like my big system than the SE.

However the Pro is a different beast altogether. I still haven't even evaluated in anything other than Tube+ mode. First it is an amp with authority with a sound signature very comparable to my ARC GS150 on my big speaker system. It will bring out all that your headphone is capable of reproducing. Midrange and upper octaves are to die for. Strings and horns surreal. Vocals are warm and rich and right there perfectly imaged. Bass is strong and accurate and not overpowering. The best I have ever heard Heartplay by Forcione and Haden the latter playing double bass that really taxes any system. The best I have ever heard either the LCD-X or 800s. The LC doesn't compare below 125 Hz . It is as detailed as the LC as holographic as the LC but a touch less analytical. It is not overly "tube like" that softens or warms the music in that subjectively (by many) likeable way that so many describe as "analogue like" but is almost perfectly balanced.

I thought the LC had a very dark and black background but the Pro has it beat. Noise floor incredible.

As much as I enjoy the LC (and I obviously do as I ordered the Lau at the LC discount) if I had to choose the LC versus the Pro and had to stretch at double the price (now with the LC at 799) I would go for the Pro. Between the SE and the LC I would take the LC in a heartbeat. The Pro is also built beautifully and looks and feels "high end". The ergonomics of the thing is better than most 40k amplifiers or preamps.

I obviously like this product. So much so I put myself on the list and will probably sell my LC. Lastly I was about to sell my LCD-X as the HD800s, IMO outperformed it so much with the LC I thought I would never listen again. I figured I was getting the best I could from the LCD-X with the LC. Well the Pro mates great with it with authoritative bass and while not the HD800s in terms of spatial resolution or articulation is absolutely fantastic with a broad range of music particularly symphonies where the full audible spectrum is needed.


While I can't comment on this amp and the SE I only have the Ican to compare, my LC was just flat out poor sounding to the lowly Ican. Granted I don't have the complement of your headphones, but somehow made all my headphones sounding thin and shouty. It was anything but dark or black background, especially in SE mode. Balanced was as such, but so is my cheap Fiio amps. I'm glad that so many of you like it though, it was an easiest sell of anything I ever tried to do so. YMMV.
 
May 7, 2016 at 4:14 AM Post #37 of 2,267
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/pro-ican/

For those who aren't subbed to the other ifi pro thread. Here the link. It's finally here!!
 
May 17, 2016 at 8:05 AM Post #39 of 2,267
Why does the remote not provide continuous increase or decrease to volume when you keep your finger on it?
 
May 17, 2016 at 10:50 AM Post #40 of 2,267
Maybe a kid-safe remote.  I know what happens when my kids grab the stereo remote :)   Only happened when they were one year olds, but boy did they learn that sound can make one cry.
 
But more seriously, I guess it is about safety because that amp of yours packs a punch.  Helps keep one's headphones from blowing up from rare accidents (stranger/friend/relative just grabbing the remote and turning it up; something falling/sitting on top of the remote volume button;  holding the remote upside down after one's favorite cocktail).    
 
Excited to read impressions of the iCan Pro.  I'm not in the market for a new amp as I'm enjoying my current amp and I have a Liquid Carbon coming in a couple months.  However, I never let rationality influence my purchases :)  I probably need the iDSD Pro before the iCan Pro, but lets read what you all have to say about this special amp.
 
 
 
 
Quote:
  Why does the remote not provide continuous increase or decrease to volume when you keep your finger on it?

 
May 27, 2016 at 12:27 AM Post #43 of 2,267
I got my iCan Pro last week and have been burning it in continuously for the past week (~120hrs). Here are some quick listening impressions of the amp thru a pair of HD800S. 
 
Settings: Solid state mode, XBass and 3D Holographic off, 0 gain, 4-pin XLR output
 
Sound: The iCan Pro offers a beautiful creamy mid-range, deep slamming bass and sweet silky treble, with the most organic and natural tonality out of all my previous amps (hdva600, bha-1). It is easy to appreciate how the different elements of a recording are presented in their own 3-dimensional spaces with pinpoint precision in a wide and deep, holographic soundstage. The amp is able to faithfully reproduce the delicate nuances of any recording. It is incredibly smooth with no hint of grain even on solid state mode, and yet can sound enthusiastic and dynamic when the music calls for it. Taken together, the experience is nothing short of stunning.
 
I'm loving it and it ranks among the best headphone amps at any price. 
biggrin.gif
 
 
May 27, 2016 at 1:32 AM Post #44 of 2,267
Drooling more now. Just curious what test tracks did you use?
 
May 27, 2016 at 2:54 AM Post #45 of 2,267
Drooling more now. Just curious what test tracks did you use?

 
Santana - Black Magic Woman
Eagles - Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over Live Version)
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven (Acoustic)
John Martyn - Strange Fruit
Pink Martini - Tea for Two
Hooverphonic - My Autumn's Done Come
Brad Mehldau - Song Song
Nina Simone - Wild is the Wind
Bebel Gilberto - Samba e Amor
 
Anne Sophie Mutter - Carmen Fantasie - Zigeunerweisen Op. 20
Anne Sophie Mutter - Carmen Fantasie - Meditation
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake - Act II: Scene and Pas de Deux
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite - Ravel - Bolero
 
Massive Attack - Angel
Henrik Schwarz - Unknown Touch
Gui Boratto - Arquipelago
 

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