[bvhme]

The two third-party cables I used between the ZEN DAC and ZEN CAN resulted in significant static/noise

What I expect is that the third party cables don't connect the ground (the sleeve part of the jack) as is customary in many 'balanced' headphone cables and that the iFi cable does.

 

[iFi audio]

Can @iFi audio clarify if the power output of the ZEN varies according to the input type

If I recall correctly, input type doesn't affect ZEN's output power.

 

[vonspanky]

Im personally hoping they drop a dedicated amp with the classic iFi bass and 3D treatment but the new Diablo topography.

They acknowledge the painfully obvious missing Neo/Diablo level amp in their line up.

Since now that that Mr. Loesch has moved on from iFi I wonder if this will affect their future release dates.
The Zen line was a farewell from Thorston.

I got a Neo to try and didn't like it at all. Looked stunning next to my iMac27 but it definitely sounded thinner and just plain feeble when compared to my Zen Dac/Can stack. Musically these were miles better, to my ears anyway. My use case is Tidal and Spotify via iMac to headphones.

 

[Ficcion2]

I got a Neo to try and didn't like it at all. Looked stunning next to my iMac27 but it definitely sounded thinner and just plain feeble when compared to my Zen Dac/Can stack. Musically these were miles better, to my ears anyway. My use case is Tidal and Spotify via iMac to headphones.

I have feeling they designed the Neo with an iMac right on the design desk, real sleek.

Did you try out the Zen Can with the Neo as the DAC?

A lot of reviews say the Neo’s integrated amp doesn’t provide enough juice but I wonder if that pairing would sound a lot better.

I haven’t heard the Zen DAC/stack but my Can has been real solid.

I guess I can pair it with my Diablo to test out the DAC (I think both Diablo and Neo use the same design?)
but I don’t have pentaconn interconnect.

Still, fingers crossed some updated dedicated amp with X Bass and everything eventually materializes.

 

[iFi audio]

Still, fingers crossed some updated dedicated amp with X Bass and everything eventually materializes.

Do you mean an amp equivalent of NEO iDSD?

 

[letlive]

I have a Zen DAC / CAN Stack. The DAC is USB powered only. Does it make sense to get a power supply for the DAC to get the best of the Stack?

 

[iFi audio]

I have a Zen DAC / CAN Stack. The DAC is USB powered only. Does it make sense to get a power supply for the DAC to get the best of the Stack?

Our ZEN range powered by our silent iPower rather than USB line works better, so it makes sense to use iPower with your ZEN DAC

 

[Slice313]

Hi, i have the zen stack, do i maxout the volume on the dac and control volume with the amp?

 

[Deceneu808]

Hi, i have the zen stack, do i maxout the volume on the dac and control volume with the amp?

You can set the DAC to fixed output and just use the volume pot on the CAN
OR you can leave it in variable and just play with both knobs until you find a good volume on the DAC that give you a nice range on the CAN but I'd go with option 1.
Also if you want both bass boosts you will have to go with option 2 for the BB to pass through from the DAC

 

[Slice313]

You can set the DAC to fixed output and just use the volume pot on the CAN
OR you can leave it in variable and just play with both knobs until you find a good volume on the DAC that give you a nice range on the CAN but I'd go with option 1.
Also if you want both bass boosts you will have to go with option 2 for the BB to pass through from the DAC

yeah im using option 2 with bb, but im not sure whether to max out the dac does it make a difference?

 

[Deceneu808]

yeah im using option 2 with bb, but im not sure whether to max out the dac does it make a difference?

I found that maxing out the DAC or even going beyond 1-2 o clock with the bb on, it distorts and the sound becomes a mess.
I used to run it Variable, 1 o clock on the DAC and Second gain position on the CAN for most of my headphones and switch the true bass or xbass whenever I felt like it. Have a go

 

[iFi audio]

yeah im using option 2 with bb, but im not sure whether to max out the dac does it make a difference?

Volume control on your DAC should be bypassed for the shortest signal path. Your setup needs only one volume control

 

[noobphileXXL]

.

 

[iFi audio]

If so, is battery power sufficient for zen can?

ZEN CAN works with DC 5V/2.5A and doesn't care from where it gets it, so a power bank will do fine

 

[letlive]

Volume control on your DAC should be bypassed for the shortest signal path. Your setup needs only one volume control

Focal Clear + fixed volume ZenDAC + Tidal exclusive mode: The lowest volume on ZenCAN without having the channel imbalance is definitely too loud for me (most of the time). So the variable option is a must for Tidal!