[hoofman]

If using Zen Can with the original SMPS or even ipower X (or normal iPower) output power into low impedances is limited, especially if using balanced output. This is also documented in Amir's measurements.

This should not affect 300 Ohm or higher impedance Headphones.

But with (say) 50 Ohm Planar Headphones like the Fostex T50 (BMF Mod + some extra) I use, it is possible to exceed the undersized power supplies current limit causing clipping and dropouts.

I commented on that and discussed options here and showed my own solution:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sup...ucts-and-possibly-other-manufacturers.966163/

In the "Supercharged" version I find I can drive rather difficult to drive high end Planars well. Seems insane driving a 4,500 USD Headphone with a 500 USD DAC/AMP stack that was a little supercharged. But it works surprisingly well. Using a stock iPower instead, less so.

Thor

Wow you are the one who designed these magic. I love them so much! Thank you for the amazing products.

Also thank you for sharing the thread to fix the power issue. It was packed with much info so I will have to go through it slowly.

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

Wow you are the one who designed these magic. I love them so much! Thank you for the amazing products.

Also thank you for sharing the thread to fix the power issue. It was packed with much info so I will have to go through it slowly.

ThanX for the flowers.

Zen's were kind of my parting gift to the ifi customer base who had stayed with us, even through occasional messup's and all that. And to myself.

If I ever again do audio, I will make sure we charge like the light brigade...

Thor

 

[AnamCeoil]

ThanX for the flowers.

Zen's were kind of my parting gift to the ifi customer base who had stayed with us, even through occasional messup's and all that. And to myself.

If I ever again do audio, I will make sure we charge like the light brigade...

Thor

Just want to send more flowers; I love the Zen Can with my Atticus and HD 600 cans…so often I spend hours trying to find a significant upgrade for < $800 and never pull the trigger because there is nothing I find lacking in the Zen Can…of course, that might be a case of lack of experience, but any piece of gear that can hold me back from upgrading for so long deserves high praise

Thanks for stellar work, and for being so generous with your time and insights on these boards- it is hugely appreciated. Thanks and Kudos to you, sir!

 

[marekm]

I love the Zen Can with my Atticus and HD 600 cans…so often I spend hours trying to find a significant upgrade for < 3354zł and never pull the trigger because there is nothing I find lacking in the Zen Can

My experience too

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

My experience too

Mine too... But I may biased.

Thor

 

[Mike Foley]

I’ve got a ZEN Can, and thinking of connecting it to the Schiit Rekkr power amp. Can I safely use a 4.4mm to RCA adaptor to connect the two, using the pre-out socket on the rear of the ZEN? Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

I’ve got a ZEN Can, and thinking of connecting it to the Schiit Rekkr power amp. Can I safely use a 4.4mm to RCA adaptor to connect the two, using the pre-out socket on the rear of the ZEN? Thanks!

That speaker amp is a single-ended device, while our ZEN Can is a truly balanced design, so I'd stick to RCAs. Thanks!

 

[Mike Foley]

That speaker amp is a single-ended device, while our ZEN Can is a truly balanced design, so I'd stick to RCAs. Thanks!

Thanks for the info. I’ve got a Schiit Magni which will do the job, and use the ZEN purely for headphones.

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

I’ve got a ZEN Can, and thinking of connecting it to the Schiit Rekkr power amp. Can I safely use a 4.4mm to RCA adaptor to connect the two, using the pre-out socket on the rear of the ZEN? Thanks!

You need the correct adapter, that uses L+/R+/GND and not one that links L-/R- together and uses this as "gnd".

There is a lot of confusion with 4.4mm to 3.5mm SE or RCA SE, especially with low cost items from China. You might get hum or odd sound with incorrect adapters, but it will be safe to try.

The bigger issue is that the rear 4.4mm is not switched off, when the Headphone connection is in use, so you always have speakers and headphones running together.

You can switch off the Speaker Amplifier in this case, however this sometimes causes distortion in the Headphone out, as some Amplifiers load down the input when turned off.

You will need to try and be prepared to do troubleshooting yourself if the results are not as expected.

Thor

 

[Mike Foley]

Thanks for the detailed answer. It’s much appreciated. I was looking at using one of the adapters you mention, but after reading both replies to my question, and reading Amazon reviews, I’ll use a different unit as a preamp. I’ve a couple of Schiit units that have the correct output.
If the ZEN was compatible it would have been ideal, as it has more inputs than the Schiit.

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

Thanks for the detailed answer. It’s much appreciated. I was looking at using one of the adapters you mention, but after reading both replies to my question, and reading Amazon reviews, I’ll use a different unit as a preamp. I’ve a couple of Schiit units that have the correct output.
If the ZEN was compatible it would have been ideal, as it has more inputs than the Schiit.

I designed it, with the correct adapter or cable it is suitable/compatible.

As said, the main issue is how to must the Speaker (Amplifier) when using headphones.

In fact, I used my own Zen Can as a preamp for a while until I getting a 49" super widescreen monitor forced all else off the limited size table and I relocated my desktop system.

Mind you, I make my own cables and made a 4.4mm to RCA Cable using RG316 wire and generic RCA & 4.4mm Plugs I got of the local version of aliexpress (Lazada).

Thor

 

[Mike Foley]

Thanks for designing it, as it’s a superb sounding amplifier. I think for my usage, I’ll just use the ZEN for headphones, and connect the matching Schiit headphone amp to the power amp. Less chance of me breaking anything!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for designing it, as it’s a superb sounding amplifier. I think for my usage, I’ll just use the ZEN for headphones, and connect the matching Schiit headphone amp to the power amp. Less chance of me breaking anything!

How do you find the Schiit Rekkr? I know it's a bit off topic for here but all in all, it will be fine

Cheers!!

 

[Mike Foley]

How do you find the Schiit Rekkr? I know it's a bit off topic for here but all in all, it will be fine

Cheers!!

To be honest I only had it running for about 10 minutes, just to check it was working, as it’s going in a “man-cave” which isn’t finished yet. From my brief listen I was pretty impressed. Ran it into a pair of Tannoy 632, using Wiim Mini, Schiit Modi MB, and Schiit Magni. It seems powerful enough for use on a desktop, or in my case small room. Sound quality was good, but I need to listen properly before commenting further on the sound.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

To be honest I only had it running for about 10 minutes, just to check it was working, as it’s going in a “man-cave” which isn’t finished yet. From my brief listen I was pretty impressed. Ran it into a pair of Tannoy 632, using Wiim Mini, Schiit Modi MB, and Schiit Magni. It seems powerful enough for use on a desktop, or in my case small room. Sound quality was good, but I need to listen properly before commenting further on the sound.

I will look for any posts in the proper areas, lol

Cheers!!