[eargasam]

I have the same experience with the cayin n6. The n6 could hold its own by itself but the Ican se takes it to a whole different level.

 

[showme99]

Has anyone found a light weight rechargeable battery option for the IFi micro iCan SE TO MAKE IT TRANSPORTABLE? I travel and really think this amp has amazing synergy wth my QP1R DAP when paired with the HIFIMAN HE1000. In fact, it sounds as good as my home system using much more expensive DAC and amps. Has anyone else discovered this synergy??

It may be easier to just buy a micro iDSD.

 

[Dadracer]

Has anyone found a light weight rechargeable battery option for the IFi micro iCan SE TO MAKE IT TRANSPORTABLE? I travel and really think this amp has amazing synergy wth my QP1R DAP when paired with the HIFIMAN HE1000. In fact, it sounds as good as my home system using much more expensive DAC and amps. Has anyone else discovered this synergy??

I believe the nano iCAN has a battery and of course it is smaller then the iCAN SE so more transportable. Just a thought????

 

[moedawg140]

Just so it is documented on this thread as well: http://www.head-fi.org/t/778877/review-questyle-audio-qp1r-with-multiple-headphone-and-iem-pairings/3945#post_13195733

 

[iFi audio]

Has anyone found a light weight rechargeable battery option for the IFi micro iCan SE TO MAKE IT TRANSPORTABLE? I travel and really think this amp has amazing synergy wth my QP1R DAP when paired with the HIFIMAN HE1000. In fact, it sounds as good as my home system using much more expensive DAC and amps. Has anyone else discovered this synergy??

 
The iCAN SE can work with a fairly wide range of input voltage; with reduced maximum output to 9V it will be operational and 12 to 16V will work fine. Many battery packs with 12V output exist and can be used.

 

[Sigmaaa]

I opened my iCan SE after finding it hot at random times, regardless of playing/idling and found the TPA6120 very hot, I couldn't touch it for more than 1 second without burning my finger. Then I did the same thing for 2 other implementations and they were always near body-temperature warm, even when playing loud. Those other 2 implementations had almost the same maximum power of the iCan SE. Why did iFi make the chip in the iCan SE run that hot? The tiny chip basically heats up an entire aluminium case almost by its own (other parts were only slightly warm or downright cold). Is it the "A class" thing? Was this a neccessity or even needed? I can't hear any improvement over other cold-running amps with the same chip.
 
I also talked to 3 people who got their iCAN SE burned in the summertime, although I believe they had a wallwart problem, since my wallwart runs cold even when the amp is hot, but their wallwarts were overheating. I'm a bit afraid nonetheless
 
And why aren't there any perforations in the case if it's been made to run that hot? At least on the sides, so dust wouldn't get in that easily. 
 
How long should I expect the iCan SE to last in these conditions? I'm not very optimistic, although I may nontheless be wrong and it could last for a long time despite the heating of the chip. I'm also a bit worried about the electrolytics near the chip, they get a bit warm too and they're only 85 C degrees rated for 1000h. So for 50C they would theoretically last for 1 and a half year if let plugged in continuously.
 
Will iFi ever make a non-portable (no battery) headphone amplifier with 3D/xBass without a hot running chip? Maybe even USB powered? Or add 3d/xbass to the iDAC2 in the next generation? I would like something cooler and simpler, without a wallwart, like the iDAC2, but the 3D is a must for me, so I'm tied to the iCan SE without needing it other than for the 3D function.

 

[tunes]

I like some of the things it does but it seems to have a high noise floor with static and clicks and ground loop issues hum etc when music is not playing.

 

[Sigmaaa]

It seems like poor design and lack of experience, small/new brand, crowd design, good ideas, but also a lot of mistakes. I guess it's the "class A" gimmick that brought some of the problems. Small/new brands always want to impress, just like Fiio with it's wheel on their players, that didn't work properly and even worsened over time (some say it's been improved in the new models). They didn't have the know how but tried it anyway, just to impress.
A 3 year warranty would make them a lot more careful with their designs.
Maybe I'll slap some heatsink on the TPA6120 to bring it under 60 C (it's somewhere around 65 C now, hard to tell, and it's not even summertime yet). During summer it would maybe go to 75 C, being rated for 85 C, and I wouldn't trust it to work near it's maximum operating temp. continuously.
 
PS: Mine is also dead silent unless I use high gain/volume with inappropriate headphones. Some hear noises nevertheless, I gues it's sample variations, damaged batches.

 

[technobear]

I like some of the things it does but it seems to have a high noise floor with static and clicks and ground loop issues hum etc when music is not playing.

Either you have problems with your household electrics or it's faulty. It should be dead silent.

 

[Topspin70]

Looking at my XLR and balanced cables no longer in use, an idea came to mind for @iFi audio: how about a fully balanced iCAN SE, both input and out? For those of us who have yet to have courage or funds to get the iCAN Pro. And while you're at it, perhaps a balanced version for iTube2 as well.

 

[iFi audio]

Looking at my XLR and balanced cables no longer in use, an idea came to mind for @iFi audio: how about a fully balanced iCAN SE, both input and out? For those of us who have yet to have courage or funds to get the iCAN Pro. And while you're at it, perhaps a balanced version for iTube2 as well.

What you described is the iCAN Pro. For now we have no specific plans for any solution between our micro & pro range.

 

[Makiah S]

I'm starting my time with the iCan SE with the LCD XC and some Miles Davis!

I have to say the 20Ohm LCD XC is loving the power out of the SE! Sounds really phenomenal,

 

[eargasam]

Has anyone tried the se with the hifiman he6 ? Like to know does the se have enough juice to drive those?

 

[Bansaku]

Has anyone tried the se with the hifiman he6 ? Like to know does the se have enough juice to drive those?

The micro iCAN SE has enough power to drive my Mission Model 80 desktop monitors to room filing levels! I don't think there is any headphone the micro iCAN SE can not power!

 

[Makiah S]

Has anyone tried the se with the hifiman he6 ? Like to know does the se have enough juice to drive those?

I've got an HE 4, I'll be testing it with the iCan SE soon

The micro iCAN SE has enough power to drive my Mission Model 80 desktop monitors to room filing levels! I don't think there is any headphone the micro iCAN SE can not power!

You need both voltage and sufficient current for Planars, and the HE 6 is 50 ohms, the specs on paper for the iCan SE are 4W into 16 ohms, double that and your down to 2w into 32ohms... triple 16 and your at 48 and only 1W, my HE 4 doesn't sound too good with only 1W per channel assuming the measurement is a per channel rating

I will say that the iCan SE does an excellent job with the LCD XC, keeps the bass very taut and has good clarity