iFi audio xCAN - The Official Thread
2 questions if I may:
- With unblanced input, can I use the balanced output?
- With the right cable (2,5mm 4-pole connector on the amp end), can I use the balanced output with any headphones?
If so I'm ready to order this one.
Only thing I am still doubting about is the xCan or Micro iCan SE used seen the 4W of power.
- With unblanced input, can I use the balanced output?
- With the right cable (2,5mm 4-pole connector on the amp end), can I use the balanced output with any headphones?
If so I'm ready to order this one.
Only thing I am still doubting about is the xCan or Micro iCan SE used seen the 4W of power.
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1. Yes, though you get less volume from my experience.
2. as long as the cable is properly balanced, any headphone or IEM will work well.
@Gabehcuodis is correct in my personal experience! Out of curiosity, what headphones are you looking to use the 4.4mm to 2.5mm adapter with?
The xCAN will take any headphones as long as you have the right adapter for its termination.
It would be a 2.5mm balancd to 3.5mm unbalanced, not 4.4mm if I'm right.
Different headphones, HD800 as well as a Drop THX Panda for example.
Different headphones, HD800 as well as a Drop THX Panda for example.
If you mean 2.5mm to dual 3.5mm, like what hifiman or focal use, then you're fine.
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If you mean 2.5mm to dual 3.5mm, like what hifiman or focal use, then you're fine.
No, I mean 2.5mm from the amp’s balanced input to for example single 3.5 like the Drop THX Panda phones.
Just to be sure, I can't run an unbalanced output (from an Xbox controller) into the balanced input of the xCAN using a custom made cable can I?
no, only balanced to balanced.
I thought so but was asking because I actually did that with the SE output of a soundbar to the XLR input of a subwoofer.
But probably different for a stereo signal.
Promenadeplatz
100+ Head-Fier
Is it an official TRRS balanced input like Astell or Onkyo devices have or is it special?
Is the balanced circuitry totally independent from the s/e or is it just "bridged" into balanced?
Is the balanced circuitry totally independent from the s/e or is it just "bridged" into balanced?
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It's the usual:
I'd have to double-check, but xCAN is a fully balanced device and in 99% I'm positive that its SE circuit is based on that.
Just got mine this week. This device is pretty great and definitely a keeper.
It drives my Aeons surprisingly well using a TRRS adapter from XLR.
Edit: looks this also drives ETHER Cx really well too. The xCAN must be putting out a lot of power at low impedance values.
Bluetooth sounds pretty good, but wired sounds better. I have found great synergy with the dragonfly red as the DAC.
One question, should the bluetooth source be run at 100% and volume controlled with the xCAN to preserve dynamic range or is this not a thing with bluetooth?
It drives my Aeons surprisingly well using a TRRS adapter from XLR.
Edit: looks this also drives ETHER Cx really well too. The xCAN must be putting out a lot of power at low impedance values.
Bluetooth sounds pretty good, but wired sounds better. I have found great synergy with the dragonfly red as the DAC.
One question, should the bluetooth source be run at 100% and volume controlled with the xCAN to preserve dynamic range or is this not a thing with bluetooth?
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Yes, you want to have digital vol. control maxed out and use xCAN's in-built rotary.
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