It represented the first click, but note the volume control does not use step increments and is smooth with no clicks. I did detect at the very bottom of the volume control, but only at the highest gain level that the right side would come in before the left side but at that volume level, I doubt anyone will find the amp useful and most certainly will never use this amplifier at that volume level. This multi-track potentiometer promises excellent channel matching even at low volume levels which have always been an issue with analog potentiometers. IFi decided to go fully analog even at the volume control level and the ZEN CAN employed a Japanese made Tokyo Cosmos electric company analog volume control. The amplifier section is also a dual mono design in where each channel has its own 4 stages but 2 separate circuits operate left and right channel outputs.ĭual mono designs are usually reserved for top-tier amplifiers and never seen at this price point especially with a class A circuitry. The iFi ZEN CAN have a discrete 4 stage amplifier design, using an output chip at every stage and each stage represents a 6 decibel gain. Other features of this class A proprietary circuitry is a FET single-ended input stage ensuring loading of the source and always maintaining a constant Class-A operation. Performance-wise their rated distortion levels are at 0.0001% and that is a lot of zeros. These Op-amps are an iFi exclusive component and are the same class A discrete output buffers used on the Pro ICan. Part of the circuitry in the iFi ZEN CAN use their German code-named ‘Operationsverstarker’ custom made IFI/AMR J-FET OV2637A Op-amps. Even on the single-ended side, you could power up some very hungry cans. This is enough power for basically any headphone out there. The balanced output side can output 1890mw at 64 ohms. iFi was able to squeeze out a very respectable 15.1 volts at 300 ohms. Running in constant class A, the ZEN CAN is capable of 1600mw at 32 ohms on the single-sided output. It seems this is a feat that was achieved well by iFi with no heat sinks or fans and no apparent ventilation whatsoever. The ZEN CAN employs basically the same class A discrete power output stage as the Pro iCAN.Įvery class A amplifier produces lots of heat because of the nature of the design but iFi managed to get this one to run just slightly warm. IFi borrowed lots of technology from their flagship $1700 Pro iCAN and used it to produce the ZEN CAN. On top of that, they offer it at a very low price of just $169. iFi seems to have taken all the technology they have, except for the kitchen sink as they say, and incorporated it into the ZEN CAN. Sure there have been lots of changes but they all seem to be for the better.Ī perfect example is their new ZEN CAN. Their components seem to get less and less expensive with each model but pack just as many features as the previous models. IFi has also gone through a shift in style, concept, and even value lately. They also gave us their own unique balanced headphone input and output topology. They have given us many unique features like XBass, S Balanced, IE match, proprietary circuitry, and custom components. There is no doubt in my mind that iFi is a company that loves to innovate and push boundaries.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |