Amazing! I can't wait to hear your thoughts comparing it to the rest of the iFi line-up. Specifically, the micro BL since I have it, but good to know how it stacks up against the whole line-up.
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.