[Hinomotocho]

I have used it about two years ago so I don't know if it was the current version or something older.
I didn't like the sound presentation as I found it clinical and mechanical without any engaging factor.
Sound was seriously lacking body and dynamics plus stage.
I tested it both with headphones and speakers and didn't like it.
It sounded - according to my subjective opinion - as a professional tool missing excitement.

I have heard similar comments - good to hear your opinion.
I hope to try the NEO soon - good price

 

[yeboyi]

I have used it about two years ago so I don't know if it was the current version or something older.
I didn't like the sound presentation as I found it clinical and mechanical without any engaging factor.
Sound was seriously lacking body and dynamics plus stage.
I tested it both with headphones and speakers and didn't like it.
It sounded - according to my subjective opinion - as a professional tool missing excitement.

This reminds me THX 789 except THX have good soundstage. Did you tried Topping and Schiit amps ?

 

[Ichos]

This reminds me THX 789 except THX have good soundstage. Did you tried Topping and Schiit amps ?

No Topping till now.
From Schiit I have owned or reviewed the Magni 2 , Valhalla 2 , Mjolnir 2 , Lyr 3 and Ragnarok 2.

 

[yeboyi]

No Topping till now.
From Schiit I have owned or reviewed the Magni 2 , Valhalla 2 , Mjolnir 2 , Lyr 3 and Ragnarok 2.

I wonder if this negative feedback thing responsible for the sterile sound. I need to listen these high negative feedback amps like Topping. I have the picture of THX.

 

[Ichos]

I don't think so.
There are excellent sounding amps with negative feedback.
I believe it is the whole implementation.
They need perfect measurements and an ultra clean and detailed sound.
They just don't care for the rest "subjective" parameters.

 

[sapphiro]

I got this Zen CAN for my previous Zen DAC as a stack. I love the sound.
Great that it has included official power supply but for the love of God @iFi audio please make 4.4mm pentaconn interconnects for your products. Sell them separately if you don't want to include them in the box. That glaring omission is baffling to me.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

4.4mm pentaconn interconnects for your products

Do you mean this bad boy? We do! Here's the link on our site and Amazon.​

 

[sapphiro]

Do you mean this bad boy? We do! Here's the link on our site and Amazon.​

Ugh £70 in UK at half of the price of entire ZEN DAC for a short piece of cable?
I'm sure it's great but at this price can't justify using it with budget ZEN line products.
Do you have plans for budget version?

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Ugh £70 in UK at half of the price of entire ZEN DAC for a short piece of cable?
I'm sure it's great but at this price can't justify using it with budget ZEN line products.
Do you have plans for budget version?

Not at this time, no - we'll make it known if we have a budget version come out!

Any 4.4 to 4.4 should do if you're on the budget - totally understand!

 

[Bernard23]

Do you mean this bad boy? We do! Here's the link on our site and Amazon.​

Must be popular, it's "currently unavailable"!

 

[Bernard23]

You have to pay a lot more in order to get more body , greater slam and dynamics , better micro detail and greater extension to both ends.
Or if you want something with a flavor for example a tube amp or a hybrid or a slightly "colored" solid state amp.
The zen can for my ears is an astounding value.
95% of the users out there won't need anything else.
I just wish it has full xlr inputs instead of the 4.4mm.

In these lockdown times, then this really is the multi £££ or $$$ question! How much more? 50%? Double? several times over? Plus in order to get the best out of the IFI stack, you need to buy the PSUs, the interconnects; so suddenly it's a £500 headphone dac/amp.

 

[vonbonds]

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

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

In these lockdown times, then this really is the multi £££ or $$$ question! How much more? 50%? Double? several times over? Plus in order to get the best out of the IFI stack, you need to buy the PSUs, the interconnects; so suddenly it's a £500 headphone dac/amp.

And that's why we leave these choices up to the buyer! It's entirely up to folks to decide how much extra they want to get as far as the PSUs, interconnects, etc.

We know times are hard for everyone

 

[Bernard23]

And that's why we leave these choices up to the buyer! It's entirely up to folks to decide how much extra they want to get as far as the PSUs, interconnects, etc.

We know times are hard for everyone

The lockdown issue is you can't go an audition stuff, and I'm not about to buy a ton of kit knowing I've got to return most of it. I get the modular thing, and it makes sense, as you can strip back to the absolute minimum.
I'd love to know how a fully loaded DAC+CAN compares to the dacmagic plus, then I've got a reference point! But then, at £500, you're not far off solid midrange gear, there's the venerable but beautiful Marantz HD DAC1 for that sort of money.

 

[domiji]

This is how mine is set up and it runs beautifully. Dx 220 Max > IFI Zen Can>Stellia/Utopia

Does the Zen Can sound much better than the DX220 max alone or is it just the raw power?