iFi Audio Zen CAN Signature Balanced Desk-Fi Headphone Amplifier

Stupidly I, during the pandemic and despite being a loudspeaker lover, decided to "get into headphones." It hasn't gone well - they'll tell you it's cheaper than a two channel rig (objectively true), but won't mention that you'll go through five times the amount of "this didn't work for me" gear and will need at least 3 dedicated sets of >$500 headphones because they all have different flavors. The sweet spot in headphones for me is typically Sennheiser open backs, though I have owned two pretty expensive sets of ZMFs that I just didn't love. I've since backed away from high-end headphones - for me and my musicals tastes, the $500-$700 price point is perfectly fine and the things I can't get from headphones, regardless of price, are the things only speakers can deliver. The headphones I listen to most these days are the Sennheiser HD 660S2, Fiio's FT5 (not enamored with planar magnetics, but I love these), and Fiio FH7 IEMs. I listen predominantly to electronic music, experimental and avant classical, 80s indie rock and post punk, and some metal. I hate jazz, I do not enjoy "audiophile music." I do not believe you can measure your way to the right sound. I've been through a lot of headphone amps during this time including those manufactured by: Schiit (Magnius), Woo Audio, Feliks Audio, Fiio, an Audioquest Dragonfly Black, a Darkvoice (my great love), as well as the headphone outputs of some high quality speaker amps from Rega (my reference speaker amplification of choice) and Primaluna. My unquestioned favorite of all the dedicated headphone amps is the now sadly discontinued iFi Micro IDSD Black Label ($200 at time of purchase) - it has a sweet, smooth sound, is able to drive 300 ohm headphones without any issue, and it is portable! I'm still using it four years later. I recently decided to get off the upgrade train, moving away from boutique headphones, eliminating tubes for the most part (I'll never part with the Darkvoice and I've been on the Decware waitlist for over two years). In my office set-up, where I do most of my headphone listening, I decided to buy one dedicated headphone amp - my only criteria were that it be solid state, have adjustable gain and not be made by Schiit (the Magnius was, by far, the least pleasant sounding headphone amp I have ever owned). Knowing how great the Micro IDSD sounds, I went straight for the Zen Can Signature. The front-end of this system is a TEAC tape deck and an Audiolab CD transport running through a Schiit Bifrost 2 into a Rega Elex-R. No question in my mind, this thing is equivalent to the best headphone gear I've personally owned; at $300 it has been a bullseye. It's versatile, smooth and uncolored (some might say "musical" - I read this as "not overly analytic and hot in the treble," but both my systems tend to slew toward warm and laid-back, proper English hi-fi, so keep this in mind depending on your preferences. All of my headphones sound good out of this amp. The noise floor on the Fiio FH7 is absolutely unforgiving, the lowest gain setting on the Zen Can is dead quiet. The amp sounds as good as the headphone outputs of my reference speaker amps (Primaluna Evo 300 and Rega Elicit Mk 5); I presume unless you have extremely TOTL headphones, you will not hear the limitations of the Zen Can Signature (I'd sold the ZMF Atrium prior to owning the amp, so unfortunately could not listen to it with a flagship headphone and I doubt I ever will). The casework's industrial design is probably not to everyone's taste (I love it, it's futuristic without looking Chord ridiculous). It runs hot, though not tube hot, so beware of placement. I personally doubt you could do better for $300 from any manufacturer. Five stars from me.

I put this item on my wish list then one day i got a app notification about this item being on sale it was $200.00 .. I have the gryphon had it for 2yrs so use it as a dac and connect it this item . Both together sounds amazing .According to ifi this zen signature needs to be burn in to sound the best so they recommend for you to turn it on leave it on for 7 days straight.. i can tell you from using hifimann sandara and this signature together is a match made in heaven .. all the music i listen to is soul stirring, emotional , listen to live performance it depends on how its recorded and the source you are listen to... i felt like was setting middle row from the front seat to row 5 ..I highy recommend the zen signature to my ears it is a touch warm reference sound .. for me it makes the music stir your soul, emotionally connected, get lost in the moments of listen to live performance .. Just buy it and fall back in love with the music

I like these. They’re a good DAC. They can power the Hifiman and Sennheiser headphones I have. But the topping dx3 pro’s beat them in power and punch. You can clearly hear the difference. None of the headphones I use require extra base, so the extra base button although nice to see there have I used and when I use it, it sounds too much and takes away from that beautiful uncolored, pure sound that the album was meant to have. Except for listening to old salsa classics then that button comes in super handy.

Got this amp mainly for the customization it allows. The 4 setting gain you can't find on many. Also like that it's not tied to an app or anything else to use all it's features. I'm using it paired with campfire cascade headphones and it has plenty of power to spare. Build quality is excellent, knob and buttons are smooth and solid. Can't think of any negatives about it.

Adds way too much odd color and character for a solid state amp. Recommend a tube amp, or solid state from JDS Labs instead or perhaps Topping.

Paired with an iFi Zen DAC Signature for my desktop solution. Amazing sound quality. Using the 4.4mm balanced output with either my Meze 99 or Sennheiser HD6XX headphones. Couldn't be happier.

I did not think it would sound better than my topping amp but it does. I like it.

I have a GOXLR and wanted to be able to keep using it with my new sennheisers at full power. This thing does everything and more plus, paired with the IFI preamp, you will be the best DJ for all of your parties. It’s truly incredible.