iFi Audio Zen CAN Signature 6XX Headphone Amp

iFi Zen CAN Signature 6XX Headphone Amp

iFi has reworked the award-winning ZEN DAC and ZEN CAN to create step-up Signature versions delivering even higher levels of performance, alongside an associated ‘crowd design’ initiative.

Sporting a smart new livery, the 158x35x100mm aluminium enclosure is finished in deep Space Blue – the colour iFi uses to differentiate special Signature editions of its products – rather than the grey finish of the regular ZEN Series devices. This is complemented by dark grey front and rear panels (silver-coloured on the standard versions) and blue controls. The differences, however, are so much more than skin-deep.

The new Signature edition ZEN CAN further improves sound quality with enhanced circuit design while maintaining the versatile features of the ‘regular’ version and adding something special– a custom EQ setting precisely tailored across the entire frequency response curve to make the most of a popular headphone model.

Features

• ActivEQ is an exact match with the HD 6XX headphone
• End-to-end True Differential balanced circuitry
• Adjustable gain to match other headphones
• XSpace analogue headphone spatialiser
• 4.4mm balanced output

ActiveEQ - made-to-measure equalisation

This new feature, called ActivEQ, combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit a particular pair of headphones, performed in the analogue domain without a hint of added noise or distortion. The first Signature model, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX, features ActivEQ for the ‘Massdropx Sennheiser HD 6XX’ – a popular pair of high-quality headphones (more than 120,000 sold to date) based on the Sennheiser HD 650 and created exclusively for Drop.com. These headphones are renowned for the quality of their midrange performance but exhibit some quirks in the bass and treble regions, which can be seen in frequency response measurements.

When the ‘HD 6XX’ button is pressed, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX calibrates its signal to complement the headphone’s response characteristics right across the frequency range, thus tailoring its performance to precisely fit the HD 6XX like a made-to-measure suit. The benefits of this ActivEQ curve are equally applicable to Sennheiser’s HD 650 headphones, which share the same sonic characteristics. This feature can be switched on or off; without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX’s performance is adroitly balanced to make the most of all manner of headphones and in-ear monitors.

Fully Loaded

ActivEQ aside, the Signature edition sports the same impressive facilities as the regular ZEN CAN. In the centre of the front panel is smooth-acting volume control, flanked by several sockets and buttons. On the left, beside the power button and input switch, resides a control for selecting gain. Four settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db – enable the amp to precisely suit the connected headphones; unity gain (0dB) is useful to ensure low noise with sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings make the most of tougher headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom.

To the right is a pair of headphone outputs – a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector (compatible with all headphones) and a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output for headphones offering balanced connection. An increasing number of high-quality headphones and in-ear monitors either come so equipped or give the option of detaching the cable and upgrading to a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector, and this output makes the most of them (it is particularly recommended for high-impedance headphones).

Next to the headphone sockets is a button to engage the ActivEQ mode, plus a further sonic tailoring option – XSpace. This analogue processing mode compensates for the ‘in-head localisation’ effect that can occur when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers, effectively widening the headphone soundstage to deliver a more spacious and speaker-like experience.

Around the back, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn input. A 4.4mm balanced output is also provided, to connect to power amps equipped with a balanced input.

Balance of Power

Like the regular ZEN CAN, the Signature edition features dual-mono, true-differential balanced circuitry – a topology usually reserved for high-end headphone amps – with a number of elements trickled down from the discrete Class-A circuitry developed for iFi’s flagship headphone amplifier, the Pro iCAN. Key components have been upgraded to enhance performance in line with the improvements made to the ZEN DAC Signature, including the use of Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors.

The amp offers prodigious drive capability, delivering 1600mW (7.2V) into 32ohms from the single-ended output, with 15V+ available to loads of 300 ohms or more through the balanced output, ensuring it takes even current-hungry planar headphones in its stride. Delivering ultra-low distortion, rich sonic detail, engaging dynamics and the ability to drive all manner of headphones with ease, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX is a truly transcendent headphone amp at a down-to-earth price.

Specifications:

• Input: RCA, 3.5mm (SE), 4.4mm (BAL)
• Outputs: 6.35mm, 4.4mm x2
• Gain: 0dB, 6dB, 12dB, 18dB adjust
• THD+N (A-weighting): 0.0066% (BAL), 0.0058% (SE)
• Max. Output Power (16 Ohms): 3.0V / 600 mW (BAL), 4.0V / 1000 mW (SE)
• Max. Output Power (300 Ohms): 5.1V / 756 mW (BAL), 7.6V / 196 mW (SE)
• Max. Output Power (600 Ohms): 15.2V / 385 mW (BAL), 7.6V / 98 mW (SE)
• SNR: 122 dB (BAL)
• Dynamic Range: -122dB (BAL)
• Frequency Response: (-3dB): 10 Hz - 200 kHz
• Zout (Headphone): 0.25 ohms (SE), 0.5 ohms (BAL)
• Zout (Balanced Line Out): 200 ohms
• Function Button: HD6XX adaption and/or XSpace; bypass
• IMD: 0.01%
• Max. Power Consumption: 13W / 2.6A
• Shipped with UK plugged power supply.
• Dimensions: 117(l) x 100(w) x 30(h)mm
• Weight: 850g (1.87 lbs)
• Warranty period: 12 months

About iFi Audio

iFi is a brand new line of electronics with trickle-down technology licensed from AMR and aimed primarily at the future, Computer Audio generation. All iFi products boast Class A analogue circuitry with no DSP and the signal stays ‘Bit Perfect’ throughout.

How a product looks and performs matters, but so does its impact on the environment. That’s why nearly every iFi product and its packaging are made from highly recyclable materials like aluminum, paper, recycled plastic and why we refuse to use harmful toxins in our components. iFi Audio do this to ensure that every product they release meets their environmental standards.