[Bazaar]

Were you using the correct iPower. Zen CAN requires 9 Volts I believe.

Oh man, I just swapped my ifi power from 9V for 5V on my Zen DAC as it doesn't seem to step down automatically and I was having problems. But, I *think* the power plug is included in the Zen CAN kit?

 

[iFi audio]

I didn't realise that the Drop ended so soon, otherwise I would have tried to do a review earlier.

My impression of the amp so far is, using the matching iFi DAC via a balanced connection is that the amp (with the HD6XX and 3D settings off) is similar in performance to the Magni 3+ I have here. With the HD6XX setting on, as per what iFi posted, it fills out the bass a bit with the HD6XX, and adds a very tiny bit of treble. Noting here that the one I have is likely pre-production, I just went to power it on again, and it wouldn't power on at all. I measured the output of the iPower included, which was fine, but then the iPower died too, and the amp wouldn't work with an alternate 5V 3A power supply, so I wont be able to do a detailed review.

I'll try and review the DAC if I can.

Thanks for letting us now Amos, I'll reach you via PM.

Do I think the amp has plenty of power, including specifically for 300ohm? Yes.
Do I think the Zen CAN Sig. is quiet enough for sensitive iems? Yes (With my Thieaudio Legacy 3 iems both 0db and 6db settings I hear a dead silent noise floor, and I feel that the 0db setting was plenty powerful enough for them, with 6db maxing-out my loudest listening threshold by 12 o'clock on the volume.)
With my original 6yr old HD650, the straight performance was comparable to my THX SP200 or iFi iDSD Black Label on single-ended power, and superior to my Cavalli LCX +SDAC when no iFi "enhancements" were enabled. However, when I turned on the "HD6xx" and "3D" features the HD650 felt "corrected".

Yes, my original iDSD and Black Label have "X-boost", and "3D" enhancements as well, but they don't sound purpose-built to my HD-650 like the Zen CAN Sig.'s enhancements sound to me. The soundstage seems to spread "dynamically" & appropriate to what is being played, which I can't reproduce manually with a single EQ on any other amp. (That's including my Schiit Audio Asgard II, iFi xCAN, or iCAN Micro as well.) The bass feels a bit more authoritative, yet also crisp with sharp attacks, and not bloated or smeared-sounding on the decay. The treble opens up a tiny bit without becoming harsh, sibilant, or "shouty" to me, and the midrange feels both wider and "fuller" without feeling busy or compressed.

So do I have other amps that power my HD650 well? Yes. Do some cost more while others cost less? Yes. Do ANY of the others seemingly "fix" my HD650's sound signature to be more to my liking with the touch of a button? No. Does this amp increase the versatility of my HD650s for me to truly enjoy more types of music with them? Definitely. My HD650s are more "all-rounders" with the Zen CAN Signature.

Much appreciated, thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio - do you have a definite conclusion?
Should be easy to test:
1. Connect DAC out to ZEN CAN Signature 6XX RCA inputs.
2. Connect ZEN CAN Signature 6XX balanced out to a different amp.
Now see if changing XSpace and 6XX would affect the sound through the 2nd amp...

I know how to do it, but I don't have one where I'm at

I've asked internally, so once I know the final answer, I'll let you know.

 

[Zachik]

I know how to do it

Sorry - did not intend to insult you, but I try to never assume

I've asked internally, so once I know the final answer, I'll let you know.

Thanks! Looking forward to hear back.

 

[iFi audio]

Sorry - did not intend to insult you, but I try to never assume

It's alright, enjoy your weekend!

 

[mblain]

Hi Mblain!
I've gotten some initial thoughts jotted-down about the Zen Can Sig., so I thought I'd share them for anyone who is looking for real-world experiences with it.
Also, I got another factor added: Now burning-in some HD-6xx that just arrived today so I can compare them to my HD-650 on the Zen Can Sig.

Do I think the amp has plenty of power, including specifically for 300ohm? Yes.
Do I think the Zen CAN Sig. is quiet enough for sensitive iems? Yes (With my Thieaudio Legacy 3 iems both 0db and 6db settings I hear a dead silent noise floor, and I feel that the 0db setting was plenty powerful enough for them, with 6db maxing-out my loudest listening threshold by 12 o'clock on the volume.)
With my original 6yr old HD650, the straight performance was comparable to my THX SP200 or iFi iDSD Black Label on single-ended power, and superior to my Cavalli LCX +SDAC when no iFi "enhancements" were enabled. However, when I turned on the "HD6xx" and "3D" features the HD650 felt "corrected".

Yes, my original iDSD and Black Label have "X-boost", and "3D" enhancements as well, but they don't sound purpose-built to my HD-650 like the Zen CAN Sig.'s enhancements sound to me. The soundstage seems to spread "dynamically" & appropriate to what is being played, which I can't reproduce manually with a single EQ on any other amp. (That's including my Schiit Audio Asgard II, iFi xCAN, or iCAN Micro as well.) The bass feels a bit more authoritative, yet also crisp with sharp attacks, and not bloated or smeared-sounding on the decay. The treble opens up a tiny bit without becoming harsh, sibilant, or "shouty" to me, and the midrange feels both wider and "fuller" without feeling busy or compressed.

So do I have other amps that power my HD650 well? Yes. Do some cost more while others cost less? Yes. Do ANY of the others seemingly "fix" my HD650's sound signature to be more to my liking with the touch of a button? No. Does this amp increase the versatility of my HD650s for me to truly enjoy more types of music with them? Definitely. My HD650s are more "all-rounders" with the Zen CAN Signature.

Appreciate the quick initial thoughts. Especially compared to a range of other options you have to play around with. This definitely helps paint a better picture as to how the Zen Can Sig. performs.

 

[MalinYamato]

"McCol, post: 15754213, member: 26536"]
Thanks for the answer. Makes sense as well, my main query was around the differences driving the 660s from both.
I've missed the window to buy now anyway!!!
I'm assuming this will become available again and hopefully with an option to buy in the UK/EU. Cost of shipping and taxes along with returns issues makes this a tricky purchase, seems a bit bizarre considering there must be a fair few UK buyers in this position.

Same here, waiting time until December, shipping of $25 and custom charges at $85 held me bac, otherwise I would have bought this right away.

 

[MalinYamato]

IFI, can we expect this lovely thing to be available again? How about Europa? Drop sold some 90 units during 3 weeks and the offering has ended. This does not make sense to me as why not selling more?

 

[iFi audio]

IFI, can we expect this lovely thing to be available again? How about Europa? Drop sold some 90 units during 3 weeks and the offering has ended. This does not make sense to me as why not selling more?

Drop goods are available briefly and in intervals, and so was our ZEN CAN Signature 6XX. It might returen to Drop later on this year and possibly also in our regular sales channels, but I have no news on this subject now.

 

[Oishi]

It would be nice to see an addition of an optical input on the DAC. Kind of difficult to use multiple devices with just a USB.

 

[EdgeOfSound]

A new review comparing the Signature stack vs the standard stack

 

[Biskwit]

Hi guys! Would i get the same result if i stack the ifi can 6xx signature amp with an ifi zen dac as DAC?

 

[iFi audio]

A new review comparing the Signature stack vs the standard stack

Thanks a lot!

Hi guys! Would i get the same result if i stack the ifi can 6xx signature amp with an ifi zen dac as DAC?

Both ZEN Signature products are above the standard ZEN range on performance.

 

[Dixter]

so why didn't they include the balanced interconnect cable with this ??? when you add the $80 for the cable to the $250 it gets a bit expensive for a product specific Drop HD-6xx.

 

[Bazaar]

I agree, $591 to be exact for my order. I have seen some folks locating 4.4 M2M balanced cables...but haven't heard yet how good they are.