[eclein]

Hey ifi if you have a scratched up Xcan thats works ok let me know. I'm on disability so money is tight but I'm saving for one thats for sure. This is a device I always wondered about being made, my fav dac and bluetooth its the final piece I'd need to make Spotify sound awesome.
Thanks!

 

[sbtourist]

I‘ve got reports from a German forum (I asked an owner about this) that the pairing issue with iOS devices still persists with a newest FW version on xDSD. In particular, it pops up when pairing an xDSD to multiple devices (not simultaniously of course)... Kind of disappointing...

I can confirm xDSD still got some software issues:
1) After using it via USB input for hours, sound starts to come up distorted, until it's rebooted.
2) When switching from USB input to BT, it has to be re-paired again otherwise no sound comes out.

 

[iFi audio]

I can confirm xDSD still got some software issues:
1) After using it via USB input for hours, sound starts to come up distorted, until it's rebooted.
2) When switching from USB input to BT, it has to be re-paired again otherwise no sound comes out.

We'll take a look into this

An odd feature that some may not like is the bass/presence switch on the back. You must have one of them on at all times

This is incorrect. The switch on the back selects which particular correction is enabled when xBass is set to on via a button on its front. So if xBass is off, no correction is applied.

If set to "Bass", you get our standard xBass correction, this is appropriate with headphones that sound balanced but lack low bass. Some over ear headphones fall into that group, they usually sound "midrange focused",

If set to presence ONLY, this correction between diffuse field and Olive/Welti in the midrange only. It is appropriate for headphones with correct bass but subdued mids. Some IEM's with the so-called "fun" tuning and over ear headphones fall into this group, i.e. some American planars.

If Presence + Bass is on, the correction applied is between diffuse field and Olive/Welti. This EQ is appropriate for most open back, over ear headphones using diffuse field frequency response targets, here German and Austrian headphones come to mind.

 

[iFi audio]

But if i connect xCan thought 3.5 - 3.5 from line out of mojo or dfr(or other dac with 3.5 line out), and because of analog signal with already 1 ground, 2.5 output won't work at all, or just output se from 2.5 out?

The 2.5mm output is always balanced, regardless of input. Similarly to our Pro iCAN, unbalanced signals are converted to balanced.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio just to be certain: can I use the following combination from balanced source to xCan balanced (from xDSD and other balanced sources) or I might burn something?

Is your black cable supplied balanced? Otherwise I will order one from Mavismodz.



I want to do a set up balanced like this one:

The 2.5mm shorty cable in the xCAN box is balanced, it is meant to connect xCAN to devices with balanced outputs on 2.5mm using the standard pinout.

When using xCAN always set the device output to maximum, as long as it is less than 6V RMS.

The 3.5mm shorty is unbalanced and is compatible with 3.5mm unbalanced outputs and 3.5mm S-Balanced outputs.

The 3.5mm is not compatible with 3.5mm TRRS Balanced line or headphone outs.

 

[iFi audio]

xCAN - Tech Note 1/2
Killer Bluetooth + Balanced Combo



Introduction

The xCAN is the next generation in mobile headphone amplifiers – it replaces the micro iCAN SE and the nano iCAN.

• With high-end Bluetooth connectivity, just about every modern device is able to stream audio to it without the need for cumbersome cables.
• The xCAN delivers high-end audio quality from both Balanced and S-Balanced outputs, using a balanced dual-mono circuit topology that draws from the flagship Pro iCAN in an extremely portable package.
• The 3D+® Matrix for Headphones and the new XBassⅡ® system enhance your enjoyment of music by correcting common flaws even in very expensive headphones, offering the most musical enjoyment from the widest range of headphones.

Bluetooth but not as you know it.

Bluetooth functionality in a device is one thing. To make it sound really great is another.

The cookie cutter route - get a do-it-all SOC[1] module, implement according to the datasheet and you are done. Like this:

These SOCs are mainly specified for ‘voice’ calling. Is it any wonder that audio on Bluetooth is distinctly ‘average’?


This is not the iFi way. So, for the xCAN (and the xDSD) we developed a ground-up solution where the SOC is used only for reception (ie: no conversion/amplification) and includes aptX and AAC codecs for best audio quality from both iDevices (AAC) and Android devices, laptops etc (aptX).

The signal from SOC has a huge amount of jitter so it is then sent to an ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC chipset with Time Domain Jitter Elimination and discrete oscillator, to eliminate jitter for conversion to analogue, before being sent to the amplifier.



The result? Quite an amazing performance from Bluetooth that is a positive surprise. And for all wishing to enjoy cordless audio/movies, the xCAN (like the xDSD) has ‘cut the cable’.

[1] SoC (‘System on Chip’) is a module with several functions embedded. Various SoCs are inside smartphones, tablets etc. Great for miniaturization, not so great for sound quality

 

[sbtourist]

We'll take a look into this

Thank you. I've also opened a support request.

 

[ngoshawk]

We'll take a look into this



This is incorrect. The switch on the back selects which particular correction is enabled when xBass is set to on via a button on its front. So if xBass is off, no correction is applied.

If set to "Bass", you get our standard xBass correction, this is appropriate with headphones that sound balanced but lack low bass. Some over ear headphones fall into that group, they usually sound "midrange focused",

If set to presence ONLY, this correction between diffuse field and Olive/Welti in the midrange only. It is appropriate for headphones with correct bass but subdued mids. Some IEM's with the so-called "fun" tuning and over ear headphones fall into this group, i.e. some American planars.

If Presence + Bass is on, the correction applied is between diffuse field and Olive/Welti. This EQ is appropriate for most open back, over ear headphones using diffuse field frequency response targets, here German and Austrian headphones come to mind.

Thank you for the clarification!

 

[Bansaku]

We'll take a look into this



This is incorrect. The switch on the back selects which particular correction is enabled when xBass is set to on via a button on its front. So if xBass is off, no correction is applied.

If set to "Bass", you get our standard xBass correction, this is appropriate with headphones that sound balanced but lack low bass. Some over ear headphones fall into that group, they usually sound "midrange focused",

If set to presence ONLY, this correction between diffuse field and Olive/Welti in the midrange only. It is appropriate for headphones with correct bass but subdued mids. Some IEM's with the so-called "fun" tuning and over ear headphones fall into this group, i.e. some American planars.

If Presence + Bass is on, the correction applied is between diffuse field and Olive/Welti. This EQ is appropriate for most open back, over ear headphones using diffuse field frequency response targets, here German and Austrian headphones come to mind.

Nice, and wow! Maybe even, impressive! Ya... I like!

 

[Bansaku]

The xCAN is the next generation in mobile headphone amplifiers – it replaces the micro iCAN SE and the nano iCAN.

But the micro iCAN SE was never truly mobile other than you could easily transport it. Not to mention the lack of a 1/4" jack makes the xCAN less ideal than the micro iCAN SE for desktop use. I suppose the micro iDSD BL lives on for that reason... for now...

Can't wait for the xTube to complete the new stack! I know it's coming as I envisioned it in a dream!

No word of a lie or silliness here, I Schiit you not the dream went like this: I just happened to walk by an open door from a long, brightly lit hallway I was traversing and upon hearing chatter I peeked in. Lori Riot, with an entourage of cargo-shorts wearing metal-heads, and Antonio Meze were standing in a darkened room very similar to the hidden lab out in the desert in Westworld, chatting off to the side near a bunch of large translucent computer displays. Illuminated in a glass storage case in the centre of the room, I gazed upon the xTube! Upon realizing they had company, Lori shooed me away by running up to me and metal-screaming in my face as if he was in the mosh pit at a Dimmu Bogir concert as his friends jeered on, while Antonio quickly covered up the display with a large cloth he magically made materialize out of thin air like a magician! The door slammed shut and I continued down the hallway; Where I was and where I was heading I couldn't tell you. Then I woke up. Weird eh?

At the time of the dream I was only aware of the xDSD (as I had reviewed it), and I know that what I saw wasn't the xCAN because there was a window on top with a new style valve lit up under it, glowing purple no less! Man did it look sick with the polished metal casing! I have no clue why Lori + gang and Antonio were there in the room with the xTube; I probably was checking out Facebook briefly before bed that night. None the less, my subconscious never lets me down, even when sleeping, so expect an xTube!

 

[jwbrent]

The input does not determine the output.

I’m trying to understand this statement, because in my mind, the input does determine the output when it comes to being balanced or not.

If I input a balanced signal to the 2.5mm input, I get the same signal to the 2.5mm output. Of course, there will be a gain difference, and if one uses xBASS II or 3D+, the signal is altered by those options, but the innate nature of the signal, whether it’s balanced or not, remains the same. This applies to single ended 3.5mm inputs as well.

One question, though, do both outputs function with only one input signal, e.g., a balanced input is balanced on the 2.5 output, but singled ended on the 3.5 output?

 

[kukkurovaca]

Gg


I’m trying to understand this statement, because in my mind, the input does determine the output when it comes to being balanced or not.

If I input a balanced signal to the 2.5mm input, I get the same signal to the 2.5mm output. Of course, there will be a gain difference, and if one uses xBASS II or 3D+, the signal is altered by those options, but the innate nature of the signal, whether it’s balanced or not, remains the same. This applies to single ended 3.5mm inputs as well.

One question, though, do both outputs function with only one input signal, e.g., a balanced input is balanced on the 2.5 output, but singled ended on the 3.5 output?

Phase splitter to get use single ended input on a balanced amp is a pretty common feature.

 

[jwbrent]

Phase splitter to get use single ended input on a balanced amp is a pretty common feature.

I know what a phase splitter is, but I’m not understanding your comment.

 

[Mlambeo]

[QUOTE = "rafaelo, post: 14577989, member: 471662"] [USER = 361812] @iFi audio [/ USER] juste pour être sûr: puis-je utiliser la combinaison suivante de source symétrique à xCan équilibrée (à partir de xDSD et autres sources) ou je pourrais graver quelque chose?

Votre câble noir fourni est-il équilibré? Sinon, j'en commanderai un chez Mavismodz.

[ATTACH = full] 2575343 [/ ATTACH]

Je veux faire un montage équilibré comme celui-ci:

[ATTACH = full] 2575344 [/ ATTACH] [/ QUOTE]

 

[Mlambeo]

Bonjour, j'aimerais savoir si vous pouvez tester la connexion Xdsd à Xcan avec le câble court 2,5 à 2,5 et l'adaptateur. J'aimerais commander l'adaptateur et effectuer le même montage, merci.