An Audiophile's Review of the iFi Zen Can vs. iFi Zen Can 6XX Signature
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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I was able to pick up the Signature can and amp on eBay this weekend, for $340 which is a much better price for this stack. I actually had the Schiit Heresy, Modi stack and the original ZENDAC and really prefer the sound of the ZENDAC much better, so returned the Schiit stack. Thanks for the review and your insight.
You're very welcome. Enjoy the tunes!
@@intoitreviews Wow! I received the Signature Can earlier today and compared it to the IFI Can which I had also bought. I wanted to compare them to see if what you said was correct about the sound difference, since you where the only reviewer who had compared them that saw a big difference between the IFI Can and to Signature Can. After going back and forth with both Amps, I must say you where 100% correct in your analysis, The Signature Can does sound much better then the regular Can. I can hear the sound is fuller and brighter in the Signature and the bass is also more pronounced. You where correct when you needed to have bass boost on all the time on the original Zen Can, to get what is normal sound of the Signature Can. I actually shipped back the normal IFI Zen Can back today. Thank You for your review its what motivated me to buy the Signature and end up with a much better sounding stack.
Very glad it worked out for you! Thanks for your investigation and kind words. Hoping my reviews can help more people like you! Spread the word to other audiophiles, let's grow the Neighborhood :)
Hello ! What is your favorite amp for the DT 880 600 ohms , what amp managed to drive it at its full potential ?
Gold Note DS-10; I also have a review of the iDSD Micro Signature on my patreon atm, it worked quite well as well. Gold Note is supreme though. Thanks for being a subscriber!
@@intoitreviews Thanks for replying
Sorry for late jump in but I just got mine Zen Can recently. Nice review and thanks by the way. What I observed with my CAN is different than you stated. My CAN is full rich and sweet slight warm sounding. I have the Beyedynamic DT 880 600 Ohm variant and they sound wonderfull with this AMP. I have only 2 AMS the Beyer DT 880 600Ohm sound good and rich, the Zan CAN and a small high output impendance AMP the 8 amps left I have they sound thin and not so special. I was afraid to by the Zen CAN because of your review, I'm glad I still did.... AWSOME AMP (only with a good and powerfull power source only). If I would use the Zen CAN with the delivered power supply I would return it, but I didn't and because of this I own a GEM now. I use a high power Powerbank with 3.4 Ampere at 5 Volt and this is the "Key" to reveal the full potential of this AMP. The Ifi PowerX power supplay is of low noise and 3 Ampere at 5 Volt not 2 to 2.4 Ampere of Ifi power supply and the generic one. PLEASE OWNERS AND FUTER BUYERS USE A 3 TO 3.4 Ampere Powersupplay (cheaper and better a high capacity Powerbank for 20$). The Zen CAN is a GEM and I have more expensive AMPS than the CAN that I now don't use that often because of the Zen CAN. If someone has Questions about teh Zen Can or the Beyer DT 880 600Ohm feel free to ask. I have the Zen DAC v2 even this DAC/AMP sound better with a high power Power bank up to 2.4 to 3 Ampere a much more defined sound signature. Can's I used in my test; Beyer DT 880 600 Ohm, AKG K712, Senn HD 600, Fostex Trp (20 and 50) Mk3, AKG 240 and 140 600Ohm Sexttet's, HiFi Sundaras and a bunch of others.
Why hello there my friend. I'm happy you found a solution for your situation that fits your desired use at this time. And, if that works for you, then amazing! What matters most is that you enjoy your set up! However, I did test the Zen Can with multiple power supplies. So unless iFi has made adjustments to its design, I'm not really sure how to account for your findings. But no reviewer can account for every possible combination. With that said, If I were you, I'd consider trying your 600 ohm variant 800's on other amps in the future to realize what they are truly capable of. Keep in mind there aren't many amps in the Zen Can's price range that can both drive a 600 ohm headphone properly and sound good at the same time while doing so... My hunch is that you mearly think you have a "gem" because it sounds good enough to you at this time based on your current expectations of your headphone. But trust me, you headphones are capable of much better sound than what the Zen Can can offer, and when you hear that sound, you'll know it too my friend. My advice to you would be to not let your current understanding hold you back from such other experiences. Instead, be open to other possibilites, because like in the Matrix, you have to be willing to swallow that other pill. Best of luck to you on your audiophile journey. I'm hopeful that you've subscribed to this channel, so you can contine to consider other audiophile possiblities along your future journey with all the other members of the InToit Reviews Neighboorhood.
@@intoitreviews Thanks for the answer. Of course I'm subscribed and will continue watching your videos. I have a small class A AMP with high output impedance (100 ohm or so) with Muse and Burson OPamps, with this AMP the Beyer DT 880 600 Ohm sound thik with more base and a more musical sound signature (love to listen with the Beyer on it, actually with all my 600 Ohm variant HP's). I didn't mentioned that I used the Zen CAN with a Audio GD R2R DAC 1 (fixed line out) and the combo with the High power Power Bank and the Beyer produced a sweet lowly sound that I couldn't stop listening to it. I was suprised that the Beyer sounded so round and energetic but still kind of lovely (crazy isn't it). The only complain that the base was better on the high impendance AMP (when I turn the xbase on, the HP sounded off so I left it off (with both amps) ). I know that there is always a improvement down the road (Synergy plays a big role too). I don't know but I prefer high impedance Headphones more than high sensetive ones. By the way "Happy new year" I wish you a great and healthy 2022 (pss.... and a lot more content like this one). Tumbs up!
I'm looking to buy a ifi zen dac v2, but I need the ac adapter to use it on my phone and that will cost me 270 dollars. Now I realized that the ifi zen dac signature is on sell for only 230 dollars on Amazon (SE) which also have the ac adapter included. This seems to be a very good deal but the signature dac doesn't have the Xbass, which I kind of need to fix the lose of bass of my dt880's! The amp I'm gonna be using doesn't have a bass boost thing so. The amp is a lake people g103-S by the way, you think that will be enough to drive my 880's 600 ohm at their best potential? It should and is the only alternative for me in Europe, and for my budget! (300 dollars.)
Now is the zen dac signature dac still a better choice even though it doesn't have the Xbass? Or should I pay more for the worse zen dac just to get the xbass? I mean the dt880's doesn't lack that much bass so an xbass feature will fix this easily. The signature dac does have a better soundcard, so maybe this will still fix the bass anyway?
Great review:) btw.
I wondered about both of these. I love my zen dac. Funny they call it a dac since it’s a great amp even if the power specs on paper don’t look that good. I use mine with that balanced youkamoo cable you show in the intro on my 789. I wonder why IFI made these amps since the zen dac can power most cans easily especially balanced.
Marketing/Market Capture...
Please review Fiio FH3,
thank you so much,
Hopefully I can make it happen soon. FiiO requires 5k subs, so hopefully more people subscribe soon, or a Neighborhood member sends them into the channel or donates them to the cause! I'm anxious to check out the FH3, the FD5, the Dusk, and the Hana myself.
@@intoitreviews you will get there,
your reviews are good.
Thanks!
You're right on the button again but it's too late for me as I've already bought the ZEN CAN. Completely falls flat as far as I'm concerned.
Sometimes I hate being right! I do like the Signature variant a lot though! Thanks for your support, and being part of the Neighborhood!
Are you unsatisfied with the CAN?
I'm sure you're asking Patel, but I was not as satisfied with the Can as I was with the Signature. Those component upgrades do make a difference. I was surprised at how much.
@@nonenothing4412 Extremely.
@@ParasKPatel what exactly you do not like? And what did you compare it against? I am asking because it's my first amp and I'm very happy with it, even with stock PSU
I believe the older black (iPower) power supply introduces noise into the Zen-Can that reduces audio quality. I just use another 5V power supply that I already had and the Zen-Can sounds much better.
Yeah using an alternative power can help for sure. I tried both an alternative power supply and the Signature's power supply; and both were better than the black, iPower one... although the iPower power supply was better on other things, and did do a good job there. So, its unclear what exactly is going on there. Unfortunately, the Signature was still significantly better, as were the other amps I mentioned, even with this adjustment. I usually like cheaper stuff/value products too, when they can hack it. It baffles my mind that other reviewers can't hear the difference, or pretend not too. The Zen Can is still a decent amplifier, and not "bad" by any stretch. It just is not one I can get behind as a recommendation at the price, given what else is out there. Thanks for being a subscriber, for your valuable input, and for supporting the channel/the Neighborhood as it grows! You are appreciated!
@@intoitreviews Yeah, there's something odd going on, it seems to interfere specifically with the class-A amp of the Zen-Can. If I use the old black iPower with the Zen-Dac it also bleeds noise into the Can aswell.
Very helpful information for the Neighborhood indeed!
I can confirm this is false. My Zen Dac was significantly clearer with the addition of the $49 iPower.
@@MrAhuraMazda How can you confirm it as false, when you're not even using the product we"re talking about. The Zen Can.
Sounds amazing! I'm still at the edge of order a pair of hd6xx headphones and pair it with this amp or the regular zen can. But here's deal, I'm not primarily after the perfect music experience, but more after a good substitute for a dedicated home theater system watching movies on 4k UHD player/apple tv 4k etc. Since I live in an apartment I need to go the headphones route instead. Therefore I really wonder how this combo will do for movie watching were rumble bass and soundstage is prio one. Any experience with movies buddy?
I would recommend considering some other pairings to get better staging for movies. Price range should be considered though as well. For movies I tend to gravitate towards the Arya Stealth, which are likely the headphone of the year, but also at a different price point. Around 200, I have enjoyed the 1more triple drivers and the original deva for movie. These would probably be my open and closed recs for movies around 200.
I have a Zen Dac running into a Topping L30 and it's a great combo. I then found a 4.4 to RCA out cable to utilize the Zen Dacs 4.4 output and it really shined. If you were to stack, the 4 4 interconnect would be worth the upgrade
Great information! Sounds like others might want to give that a shot! Thanks for being part of the Neighborhood and supporting the channel with your insights, comments, and subscription!
Have you heard another zen can besides this one sample? just curious because I've heard instances of factory variations from ifi lately. I also saw another review where the zen dac and zen can's amp supposedly almost sound identical unless trying to power very demanding cans.
Check out some of the comments here, and the pinned one as well. Anything is possible, but I think unit variation is less common than a lemon is here or there. I'd question someone who says they sound the same, as they either think the public can't hear the difference, can't hear the difference themselves, or they are afraid of community scrutiny. I, on the other hand, always keep it 100. Thanks for subscribing!
@@intoitreviews I trust you, Sorry if I missed it but have you scrutinized whether both of them use the same circuit in the 3d mode vs the signatures space mode etc. I like crossfeed circuits
about the different sound, I can see why from the caps used alone being different based on the web info. The signature caps maybe faster to chargeup and take lesstime to warm up as well.
panasonic vs tdk
They are different effects. I like the xspace effect more than 3D too. But it won't work for every headphone.
Too bad its impossible to get the signature 😫
Its been up on drop every now and then. Keep an eye out. I'm gonna buy the one I have atm... so I feel you. Thanks for subscribing!
They sell it now also non drop exclusive
Hi, I'm new and I had that question before buying it. so signature is better than zen can, then loxjie p20 and ocean brave is better than these
I'd say signature is on par with p20 snd ocean depending on the headphone. 6xx signature is great with 6xx for example. Thanks for being a subscriber to the channel.
@@intoitreviews I do not have the 6xx I have thought to buy it but I doubt , something better than 6xx but less than 500 $ also I have the hd58 and he4xx, wgtone and nm2 + thanks.
58x geshelli archel pro, 4xx bravo ocean. Thanks for subscribing!
Since the discussion we had a month ago in the comments below this, I have purchased the newer ifi/non-drop version of the signature bundle. With my hd6xx in balanced configuration, I really love the whole experience with both the 3d and 6xx button engaged. I don't think I can ever get this sort of live 3d experience with any other amp for these cans. I use the amp for some other cans I have lying around as well mostly in flat mode.
yeah i bought mine off iFi just for the 6xx, its definitely the best amp for them. even compared to my 3000 dollar reference amp... its crazy to me that some people say they think the regular zen can is the same... they must have borked ears ir a terrible dac or chain or something... its unexplainable to me...
So my first amp is a bad one :(
Not sure what you are referring to. If you are referring to the Zen Can, please note that I did NOT say it was "BAD," I said it was "far from bad." I merely said I would pick the others I mentioned over it for a number of reasons... including the other Zen Can 6XX Signature, as they are better choices to my ears and for my gear. So not recommended by me, but not bad either. Your results may vary. Thanks for subscribing and supporting the channel!
Why did I look at this review, I was happy with my Zen Can ..... but after listening to Home Studio Basic review I regained my sanity.
I'm so sorry! There are plenty of great options out there. I do really like the signature! I still use it all the time! Thanks for subscribing to the channel to support it!
I’m the 1000th subscriber. 💪💪😎
Super exciting! Welcome to the Neighborhood!