[whitedragem]

Can Zen CAN, be used as a preamp before an poweramp?

I am thinking of: Computer USB -> iFi ZEN ONE Signature -> iFi ZEN CAN Signature -> Poweramp -> Speakers

just be sure that you will be feeding out from the 4.4mm jack (eg to ‘balanced XLR’).

most of my older power amps have not way to interface with the rear of the unit (the 4.4mm output), but I could always use the front headphone output, ie single ended, and use a 3.5mm to 2x phono/RCA plugs and then you can use power amps going back to before the eighties…

Not sure which model poweramps you are using, but this is important to make sure that they can handshake easily, and that you buy knowing what you want to do.
Ideally you would have a power amp that has XLR inputs, and is then happy to use a fairly standard ‘iFi’ 4.4mm to 2xXLR cable

Others may have more suggestions on this topic… just making sure you know to have the right parts ready to go when you want to hook it all up.
Cheers

 

[iFi audio]

just be sure that you will be feeding out from the 4.4mm jack (eg to ‘balanced XLR’).

Not sure which model poweramps you are using, but this is important to make sure that they can handshake easily.

Well, yes, ZEN CAN is a balanced product that doesn't feature a single-ended output, so it would be more than happy about connecting it to a balanced power amp.

 

[OCC7N]

just be sure that you will be feeding out from the 4.4mm jack (eg to ‘balanced XLR’).

most of my older power amps have not way to interface with the rear of the unit (the 4.4mm output), but I could always use the front headphone output, ie single ended, and use a 3.5mm to 2x phono/RCA plugs and then you can use power amps going back to before the eighties…

Not sure which model poweramps you are using, but this is important to make sure that they can handshake easily, and that you buy knowing what you want to do.
Ideally you would have a power amp that has XLR inputs, and is then happy to use a fairly standard ‘iFi’ 4.4mm to 2xXLR cable

Others may have more suggestions on this topic… just making sure you know to have the right parts ready to go when you want to hook it all up.
Cheers

My poweramp does have xlr input, and I also have the 4.4 to xlr which was included in the ifi diablo

Well, yes, ZEN CAN is a balanced product that doesn't feature a single-ended output, so it would be more than happy about connecting it to a balanced power amp.

Thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

My poweramp does have xlr input, and I also have the 4.4 to xlr which was included in the ifi diablo

You're good then, enjoy!

 

[whitedragem]

My poweramp does have xlr input, and I also have the 4.4 to xlr which was included in the ifi diablo


Thanks.

I also use that Diablo included cable (sometimes for a FiiO M11+) and having two sources in the house that support XLR input, was considering the ‘upgraded’ iFi XLR cable (silver’d)..

Haven’t seen anyone give impressions on them… but they look like an easy purchase (to consider) if another cable is needed.
I would use the standard cable into the ‘lesser stereo’ and the nice silver one if any benefit can be gained for vocals etc,.. in the dedicated ‘nice’ stereo…

(Suppose this is for people who have completed their build, still have hobby money in their budget, and believe that cables can alter sound quality (and not just ‘for the worse’ if not able to deliver the most basic purpose of what a cable does.. ie if ‘steel wool were in use’ (as a cable)).

To be fair, whilst I am a convert as to the contribution of what cables can do,.. XLR avoids most of what the most significant benefits of a ‘well built‘ cable offers.

The only reason I haven’t bought ‘quality‘ XLR cables is that this would make me a cable zealot.
Of course I wouldn’t know unless I tried… fortunately my local iFi store hasn’t had them in stock any time I have visited…


This be them:https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/ifi-audio-4-4mm-to-xlr-balanced-interconnect-cable/

 

[OCC7N]

I also use that Diablo included cable (sometimes for a FiiO M11+) and having two sources in the house that support XLR input, was considering the ‘upgraded’ iFi XLR cable (silver’d)..

Haven’t seen anyone give impressions on them… but they look like an easy purchase (to consider) if another cable is needed.
I would use the standard cable into the ‘lesser stereo’ and the nice silver one if any benefit can be gained for vocals etc,.. in the dedicated ‘nice’ stereo…

(Suppose this is for people who have completed their build, still have hobby money in their budget, and believe that cables can alter sound quality (and not just ‘for the worse’ if not able to deliver the most basic purpose of what a cable does.. ie if ‘steel wool were in use’ (as a cable)).

To be fair, whilst I am a convert as to the contribution of what cables can do,.. XLR avoids most of what the most significant benefits of a ‘well built‘ cable offers.

The only reason I haven’t bought ‘quality‘ XLR cables is that this would make me a cable zealot.
Of course I wouldn’t know unless I tried… fortunately my local iFi store hasn’t had them in stock any time I have visited…


This be them:https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/ifi-audio-4-4mm-to-xlr-balanced-interconnect-cable/

Trust me when I say this. I spend atleasgt 1 hour a day on iFis homepage to see if there is anything new, and those cables I consider everytime

I want both cable in silver. 4.4 to 4.4 and the XLR version. But Im slow in my decision. Thinking about pairring the the ZEN ONE with af preamp before the sound hits my poweramp. ZEN CAN signature doesnt come in a iFi version but HFM, MEZ and SEN. I just want a standard version.

 

[iFi audio]

I just want a standard version.

I hear you, but by design ZEN CAN Signature products are tailored for specific cans. Still, perhaps one day we'll make it in a way that would work without any specific EQ curve and with most if not all headphones out there.

 

[Ab10]

Just make a Zen CAN Mobile / Portable version..... Please.

 

[iFi audio]

Just make a Zen CAN Mobile / Portable version..... Please.

hip-dac 2 would be the closest thing to it and at this time there are no plans for ZEN CAN's mobile version, but this might change. We're always up to something

 

[OCC7N]

Just make a Zen CAN Mobile / Portable version..... Please.

or xCan?

 

[Ab10]

or xCan?

Ahh...Don't say the name - this manufacturer gets scared about their just newly launched product.

At the moment a 'Zen CAN Mobile' can become the market leader and completely wipe out any sale of Topping NX7.

 

[iFi audio]

Ahh...Don't say the name - this manufacturer gets scared about their just newly launched product.

Naaah, it's all good, there's place for everything

At the moment a 'Zen CAN Mobile' can become the market leader and completely wipe out any sale of Topping NX7.

The question to ask here is whether it makes sense to make a portable product that's just a headphone amp. We're always into providing as many options as possible and that's been working out great for us. That said, even our xCAN designed as a balanced amp in the first place was also a wireless DAC.

 

[Ab10]

That said, even our xCAN designed as a balanced amp in the first place was also a wireless DAC.

.....Only lack 4.4mm on both sides.

 

[iFi audio]

.....Only lack 4.4mm on both sides.

When xCAN came out 4.4mm wasn't as popular as it is now, but all our recent products feature this standard and it seems that now it's here to stay