Would have been nice to see you throw a pair of IEMs on there for a baseline, and graph the response with the various sound modes on, to see how they color/alter the sound.
hi, which are differences among this model, previous IFI ZEN CAN (same inputs and outputs) and IFI ZEN AIR (supporting only unbalanced inputs) in terms of amplifier quality? I am looking for best performing amplifier in IFI catalogue for my Grado SR80 headphones. Thanks in advance fior your opinion
Great review as usual. 👍👍 Can all Zen Cans models be used even with very sensitive items? I don't need the power (have iems and low impedance headphones), but am interested in the coloring/features. Thanks
@@m_yy_m I wouldn't recommend it - I have the OG CAN, and it doesn't have negative gain output, so it's too powerful on sensitive IEMs. I have to lower the audio player or computer volume to tolerate
@@victorkangnz Thanks 👍 Is there background noise/hiss? Have you tried using a dongle/DAC instead of the computer's 3.5mm out? Altos made a video about how he uses dongles + portable amps, and I have been curious about trying that but with a desktop amp like the Zen which has several extra features...
@@m_yy_m on the zen CAN there is no background hiss but it's just very loud on sensitive low impedance sets. I use a Zen stack (DAC + CAN combo). Not sure I'd recommend hooking up the CAN directly to a lousy computer sound card. You can, in theory, use a dongle with a 4.4 output to feed into the CAN.
Hello ! Between this and fiio k7 which one do you recommend for more neutral uncolored sound for studio like applications, mixing ,mastering, to use as a headphone amp only with an external sound card? Thanks!
I still don't know why they didn't design the Zen series to look more coherent when stacked. For a product line meant to work together, it seems weird. That being said, it seems like a compelling option.
I think people do stack them but I agree, not as cohesive as it could be. Nice amp though and think this one has some fans who have been using a flavor of CAN for a while
I have ZenCan 2 for a couple of years but it has a channel imbalance at low volume, so I can't really use it optimally with earphones. Did they use better volume hardware with this one?
I don't do low volume often but I am not sure the design is radically different. I have an SMSL amp and that is one of their marketing points. I do think some brands specifically talk about that issue as it has been around forever.
I'd ask iFi on Head-fi. The thing on Signature was the power. I briefly punted on this, you would need to compare Signature and Can 3 using their spec on output power. Or ask them
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Would have been nice to see you throw a pair of IEMs on there for a baseline, and graph the response with the various sound modes on, to see how they color/alter the sound.
Yeah that would be interesting and I bet iFi might have that info too and might share it. It was also a loaner so can't do it now.
@@PaulWasabii #NextTime 😉
hi, which are differences among this model, previous IFI ZEN CAN (same inputs and outputs) and IFI ZEN AIR (supporting only unbalanced inputs) in terms of amplifier quality? I am looking for best performing amplifier in IFI catalogue for my Grado SR80 headphones. Thanks in advance fior your opinion
I have tried a few models but I'd say you need someone who has tried more. I'd ask that question on head-fi, probably the Zen Can 3 release thread.
Great review as usual. 👍👍
Can all Zen Cans models be used even with very sensitive items? I don't need the power (have iems and low impedance headphones), but am interested in the coloring/features.
Thanks
I tend to use very low OI devices so rarely notice it. Zen CAN 3 says
Thanks 👍
@@m_yy_m I wouldn't recommend it - I have the OG CAN, and it doesn't have negative gain output, so it's too powerful on sensitive IEMs. I have to lower the audio player or computer volume to tolerate
@@victorkangnz Thanks 👍
Is there background noise/hiss?
Have you tried using a dongle/DAC instead of the computer's 3.5mm out?
Altos made a video about how he uses dongles + portable amps, and I have been curious about trying that but with a desktop amp like the Zen which has several extra features...
@@m_yy_m on the zen CAN there is no background hiss but it's just very loud on sensitive low impedance sets.
I use a Zen stack (DAC + CAN combo). Not sure I'd recommend hooking up the CAN directly to a lousy computer sound card. You can, in theory, use a dongle with a 4.4 output to feed into the CAN.
Hello ! Between this and fiio k7 which one do you recommend for more neutral uncolored sound for studio like applications, mixing ,mastering, to use as a headphone amp only with an external sound card? Thanks!
iFi in general has a color to it, more for pleasure than mastering. I'd go Fiio K7, that has the THX AAA.
@@PaulWasabii Thanks !
Joss❤
I still don't know why they didn't design the Zen series to look more coherent when stacked. For a product line meant to work together, it seems weird.
That being said, it seems like a compelling option.
I think people do stack them but I agree, not as cohesive as it could be. Nice amp though and think this one has some fans who have been using a flavor of CAN for a while
I have ZenCan 2 for a couple of years but it has a channel imbalance at low volume, so I can't really use it optimally with earphones. Did they use better volume hardware with this one?
I don't do low volume often but I am not sure the design is radically different. I have an SMSL amp and that is one of their marketing points. I do think some brands specifically talk about that issue as it has been around forever.
@@PaulWasabii Thanks a lot. I think I’ll try to demo this first.
really Zen Can 2 as far i as i know there's Only Zen Can plus several Signature version and one Studio version but no v2
@@LyuboA My bad. You’re right, it’s the OG with brushed metal panel and army top.
What is the difference between this and the Zen Can Signature?
I'd ask iFi on Head-fi. The thing on Signature was the power. I briefly punted on this, you would need to compare Signature and Can 3 using their spec on output power. Or ask them