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iFi Audio ZEN CAN - Balanced Desktop Headphone Amplifier

  • Class A discrete output buffer from the flagship Pro iCAN using Op-Amp (OV2637A)
  • FET input avoids loading volume control for low distortion and noise
  • SE inputs (1M Ohm) ensures loading of the source so always in Class A operation
  • Output amplifier gain of four steps in +6dB perfect for headphone matching
  • Extremely low distortion and noise from a circuit design
  • Delivers up to 1600mW of power at 16 ohms
  • Xbass for accurate and more natural bass frequencies
  • Balanced 4.4mm pentaconn and a single-ended 6.35mm headphone output on the front
  • Three inputs on back including 3.5mm line out, RCA left and right sockets, and a 4.4mm balanced pentaconn
  • Additional 4.4 balanced output to connect to power amplifier or active speakers
  • Manufacturer warranty: 12 months
  • iFi Audio ZEN CAN

    Laptops and smartphones have a really low power output. On a good set of headphones you’re always running out of juice. You never get to really hear what they can do. Use a laptop, phone or DAC to feed your music to the ZEN CAN and connect your headphones. Pumping out 52x more power, now you’ll hear what you have been missing.

    Nitro for your headphones.

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    BALANCED TO THRILL
    The ZEN CAN has trickle-down Class A discrete balanced circuitry from iFi audio’s US$1,699 flagship Pro iCAN. With 15.1v @300 Ohms on tap, it has serious power that will make even difficult-to-drive headphones thump to the beat.

    BRINGS THE VENUE TO YOU
    Audio recordings are made to be listened to via speakers. When played back on headphones, the sound feels limited to being ‘inside your head’. It does not have the spaciousness it was meant to have. iFi Audio's 3D special sound circuit solves this. Stereo image that is truly out of your head, in front with height, width and depth without colouration or loss of resolution.

    ACE OF XBASS
    Behind XBass is our active EQ circuit which meets a common gripe with headphones head-on, a lack of bass. Open-back headphones in particular, let all frequencies (especially those precious bass frequencies that the drivers generate so little of) leak freely out of the back instead of trapping and redirecting them back to your ears. XBass equalisation is a much more elegant solution to bass correction than seen elsewhere.

    PACKED WITH PREMIUM GOODNESS
    Underpinning the Balanced and Active EQ circuitry are Panasonic ECPU capacitors TDK C0G (Class 1) ceramic capacitors, iFi/AMR ‘OV’ ‘Operationsverstärker’ series op-amps MELF resistors and Texas Instruments low-noise ICs. Also, muRata capacitors and Tokyo Cosmos Electric Company multi-track potentiometer, with exceptional channel matching.

    Features

    • Class A discrete output buffer from the flagship Pro iCAN using Op-Amp (OV2637A)
    • FET input avoids loading volume control for low distortion and noise
    • SE inputs (1M Ohm) ensures loading of the source so always in Class A operation
    • Output amplifier gain of four steps in +6dB perfect for headphone matching
    • Extremely low distortion and noise from a circuit design
    • Delivers up to 1600mW of power at 16 ohms
    • Xbass for accurate and more natural bass frequencies
    • Balanced 4.4mm pentaconn and a single-ended 6.35mm headphone output on the front
    • Three inputs on back including 3.5mm line out, RCA left and right sockets, and a 4.4mm balanced pentaconn
    • Additional 4.4 balanced output to connect to power amplifier or active speakers

    Technical Specifications

    • Inputs 4.4mm Pentaconn BAL: 4.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 24 kOhm Zin
    • Inputs RCA L/R Socket SE: 2.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 1 MegOhm Zin
    • Inputs 3.5mm Jack SE: 1.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 1 MegOhm Zin
    • Max Output Balanced: >15.1V/385 mW (@ 600 Ohm); >11.0V/1890 mW (@ 64 Ohm)
    • Max Output SE: >7.6V/196 mW (@ 300 Ohm); >7.2V/1600 mW (@ 32 Ohm)
    • Output Impedance (HP) BAL: <2 Ohms
    • Output Impedance SE: <1 Ohm
    • Zout Line out: <200 Ohms
    • THD & N Balanced: <0.0007% (4V out, 600 Ohm, 1kHz)
    • THD & N SE: <0.006% (@ 100 mW/1.27V 16 Ohm)
    • SNR Balanced: >120dBA (@ 15.2V)
    • SNR SE: >118dBA (@ 7.6V)
    • Max. Input Balanced: 7.4V RMS
    • Max. Input RCA: 3.8V RMS
    • Max. Input 3.5mm: 1.92V RMS
    • Gain: 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18dB
    • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+0dB / -0.03dB)
    • Power consumption No Signal: ~5W
    • Power consumption Max Signal: ~13W
    • Input voltage: DC 5V/2.4A; AC 100 -240V; 50/60Hz
    • Dimensions: 160(w) x 117(d) x 35(h) mm (6.3" x 4.6" x 1.4")
    • Net weight: 515g (1.14 Ibs)
    1. BrandiFi Audio