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Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile
All-Analog Headphone Amp Tailored to HiFiMAN Headphones
The original ZEN CAN, iFi's all-analog headphone amplifier, had the ability to drive tough headphone loads with a balanced circuit design, vanishingly low levels of distortion and exceptional sonics. The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX pushed this design even further with sonic tailoring specific to the MassDrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphone.
Now iFi has finely tuned a brand new ZEN CAN Signature to work with HIFIMAN headphones – the ZEN CAN Signature HFM. This custom ActivEQ setting is expertly tuned across the entire frequency response curve to bring out the best in these already remarkable headphones.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the iFi Zen Can Signature V2 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.
According to Stereophile,"JMu auditioned both versions of the ZEN CAN with the appropriate headphones. With the EQ, she heard sharper transient attacks, more air and presence, and more detail and clarity, adding that 'yes, the EQ curve obviously boosts the bass,' which correlates with JA's measurements. JCA found that the effect of the CANs' custom EQ wasn't dramatic, but it was positive, especially with the HiFiMan headphones, which could sound a bit woolly without it. Without EQ, JMu found that 'tonal balance with the ZEN set seemed extended and neutral, with rare hints of brightness.' JMu concluded that the ZEN Signature sets 'offer impressive sound quality—and a bit of style—for not a lot of money.'"
iFi's ActivEQ
iFi's ActivEQ feature combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit a particular pair of headphones. This is performed in the analog domain without adding any additional noise or distortion. The ZEN CAN Signature HFM features an ActivEQ finely tuned towards HIFIMAN's planar headphones.
HIFIMAN headphones offer remarkable transparency and present wide-open sound staging. The ZEN CAN Signature HFM enhances the texture of the deep bass and injects more immediacy into the upper mid-range.
One EQ, Many Models
Pressing the HFM button on the ZEN CAN Signature HFM calibrates its signal to complement the headphone's response characteristics right across the frequency range. This then tunes its performance to work with HIFIMAN headphones.
Excellent results are found with the Sundara, HE-4XX, HE-400S, Edition X, HE-5 headphones to name but a few. As with previous ZEN CAN Signature model, this feature can be switched on or off. Without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature HFM's performance is cleverly balanced to bring out the best in all other headphones and in-ear monitors.
Gain, Gain and More Gain
The ZEN CAN Signature HFM has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db. iFi calls this PowerMatch. It enables 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.
Nothing Beats Balanced
The ZEN CAN Signature HFM's circuitry is a balanced, symmetrical dual-mono design – a topology usually reserved for high-end headphone amps – with a number of key 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 CAN Signature HFM, including the use of Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors.
Stay Connected
The ZEN CAN Signature HFM offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a 4.4mm balanced input. There is also a 4.4mm balanced output so you can connect to power amps equipped with a balanced input.
There 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 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 balanced connector, and this output makes the most of them (it is particularly recommended for high-impedance headphones).
