[BWythani]

Drop will be selling the Signature version of this. I think they've sold out their first drop. Lots of places like https://bloomaudio.com/collections/desktop/products/ifi-zen-can-desktop-headphone-amplifier. THere's a long list of stockist here in the US https://ifi-audio.com/stockists/americas/

Thanks! I did find it on another side but didn't say it was launch edition. I'll assume that it is because it doesn't sound like they shipped the other one yet.

 

[vonbonds]

I tried both outputs and can hardly hear differences on my hd650 and hd800s. But im using RCA in to my CAN, i'll need to try 4.4mm input to see if there's more improvements.

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 to have as a ZEN owner.

 

[brendancws]

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 to have as a ZEN owner.

How about sensitive IEMs? Since I'm getting some noise in the 4.4mm balanced output on the Zen DAC.

 

[vonbonds]

How about sensitive IEMs? Since I'm getting some noise in the 4.4mm balanced output on the Zen DAC.

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

 

[muscular]

How about sensitive IEMs? Since I'm getting some noise in the 4.4mm balanced output on the Zen DAC.

You will need something like the iematch by ifi to decrease the sensitivity. On my pure silver cables, there is audible hiss on my iem.

 

[Bazaar]

Thanks! I did find it on another side but didn't say it was launch edition. I'll assume that it is because it doesn't sound like they shipped the other one yet.

First Drop wave is not due to ship until Nov or so...I *think* I'm in the first wave and my ship date is 11th Nov.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio, do you guys make a dual XLR to 4.4mm cable? If not, you’re missing an opportunity.

Who knows, maybe we are but it might be too early to talk about it

On a more serious note, we're aware that some oflks might want such a cable.

I am expecting difference between RCA and balanced input. Otherwise what's setting a balanced AMP apart?

To make it short, SE signal is internally converted to balanced signal, and the difference is in connection standards. Not all connections perform alike, and that's where the difference is.

You will need something like the iematch by ifi to decrease the sensitivity. On my pure silver cables, there is audible hiss on my iem.

With highly sensitive IEMs iEMatch might come in handy, yes. ZEN CAN's circuit is rather powerful after all

 

[ultraman31]

@iFi audio So what's the difference between TrueBass on Zen Dac and xBass on Zen Can?

 

[Fawzay]

I'm still figuring out whether I need the xCan amp since Zen Can is also that powerful besides portability and not to mention the price difference between the two amps.

 

[FranzL]

Will there be a non drop exclusive DAC as well to go with the CAN anytime soon? I know there already is a Zen Dac, but it feels kinda wrong to buy a Dac/Amp for an Amp.

 

[vonbonds]

Will there be a non drop exclusive DAC as well to go with the CAN anytime soon? I know there already is a Zen Dac, but it feels kinda wrong to buy a Dac/Amp for an Amp.

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.

 

[EdgeOfSound]

Been meaning to mention this. I've had my CAN since Tuesday so sound wise I'm happy with it and I can't image not having an amp for my headphones.

My only gripe is that the buttons are quite lose. They rattle when you move the unit around and spin when you press them. So the moment you pick it up you get the feeling that it's broken (I guess this is the risk of buying a newly released product.). Another thing is that when you change the settings from XBass + 3D are on to both being off the volume spikes up just before they turn off. This again is somewhat annoying even at my moderate listening volumes. Luckily this is not something that I've played with once I've decided which setting I wanted it on.

I really hope that iFi will tidy these things up.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio So what's the difference between TrueBass on Zen Dac and xBass on Zen Can?

The technology behind both is similar on the fundamental level, but made to work in two differently sized products.

I'm still figuring out whether I need the xCan amp since Zen Can is also that powerful besides portability and not to mention the price difference between the two amps.

xCAN is a portable DAC/amp combo, whereas ZEN CAN is a desktop amp, so these are two substantially different products. If I were you, I would ask myself first whether I need different functionalities they provide or not

I already asked and the person running the iFi account here said no

Considering that we already have ZEN DAC and ZEN Blue, it's unlikely that the ZEN range will feature yet another similar product minus a headphone out. But who knows, we never say never

I really hope that iFi will tidy these things up.

Although we did the best we could to have our ZEN range as affordable as we could, thanks for letting us know about stuff you dislike!

 

[BWythani]

Mine just showed up in the mail. It is one heavy amp! definitely should solve my problem of pulling my amplifiers off my desk.

Seat of the pants this puts out a lot more power than my magni does

Using with 6xx

It doesn't seem to like my BTR5, but to be fair a few of my amps don't. So I'm looking forward to trying it on my modi, or my absolute favorite source of all time: my old iPod photo.

I love the aesthetics I think this might become the amplifier in my living room as I convert it to mid mod.

I'm not sure I noticed much of a volume change when switching between modes. it does feel like it goes out of phase when 3D is on, so I can see how a volume change may be perceptible there. So I quickly learned I like it with the effects off anyway



But I have two questions:
1. How do I tell if I have the good power supply? I paid the $169 and it should have been one of the first units as advertised but it just looks like a regular wall wart.

2. Will void my warranty if I open the amplifier up and hot glue the buttons to the switches? The rattling is pretty off putting.

 

[EdgeOfSound]

Mine just showed up in the mail. It is one heavy amp! definitely should solve my problem of pulling my amplifiers off my desk.

But I have two questions:
1. How do I tell if I have the good power supply? I paid the $169 and it should have been one of the first units as advertised but it just looks like a regular wall wart.

2. Will void my warranty if I open the amplifier up and hot glue the buttons to the switches? The rattling is pretty off putting.

the power supply says "iPower" which is the fancy one. no idea if it really makes a difference but it makes me sleep better.