It's currently out of stock but I bought this last month to stack my Dac with my CAN and it works great. Got it for $22.50 for reference.. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08279BFXS

I’m a classic rock fan so virtually everything I listen to is CD quality as well

I’m a Debian user and it works fine with Buster (10). Have you tried using PulseAudio? I use it for EQing and it works really well.

It’s literally showing the bitrate of the files/music being processed by your device.

Mine haven’t scratched. Maybe your rubber feet have moved? That said I’m contemplating hiding my Zen DAC behind my monitor or down in the computer cabinet and just having the Zen CAN visible on my desk for a cleaner look. It looks a little off with both devices having volume knobs to me.

I have the original firmware on it as it's a nice warm sound. I don't care about MQA and never will most likely since it's not really part of the music I listen to. The fun part is you can play around installing them at your leisure seeing what you like best.

I already asked and the person running the iFi account here said no. I agree with you by the way, I’ll just get a JDS Labs El DAC II or something similar.

That’s what I figured I’d have happen as well. I mostly listen to 60s & 70s Rock/Classic Rock so I know MQA compatibly is irrelevant for my preferred music.

Do you think the difference is audible between Tidal and Spotify? I really like Spotify and am hesitant to change but I would consider it if it’s genuinely worth it.

Have you reached out to their support yet?

I don’t know as I don’t have any IEMs besides what came with my iPhone..lol

I have the same setup. I doubt there will be an audible improvement but what do I know. I’d probably tell people unless you need the power of the CAN I’d not bother getting it as a Zen owner. I’ll eventually pair my CAN with a dedicated DAC but until then it’s a nice to have unit but not a need...

I honestly don’t know as I certainly don’t have a 4.4mm interconnect but I can’t imagine it’ll be anything audible if you have quality RCA cables feeding the Zen CAN. I’m no expert by any means and just theorizing.

Why would it matter? The RCA and 4.4mm inputs are just receiving an analogue signal from the DAC or DAP.