For everyone complaining that it stays on, change your USB power settings in BIOS. I can't remember the exact setting, but look it up, you most likely have it set to still provide power via USB even when the PC is off.
Quick thing. Power match is basically high gain when it's turned on. Lots of people got confused by it. Also, you can install additional drivers for the Zen DAC. I installed the USB drivers before installing the GTO filter. You can try the GTO filter and tell me what you think of it.
I run this stack, fully balanced, with my Sennheiser HD 560 S. The xBass is a perfect match for these cans. I love the sound signature paired with this headphone.
Just saw your review, I think you're doing a great job providing sufficient details for the everyday user. Do you think the zen can is still relevant today? I'm using the zen dac v2 and am considering it to be used as a preamp and for my iems. Keep up the good work :)
Nice review, there are different firmwares available for the dac. It changes the sound signature. I would like to see a zen poweramp. Together with perhaps the phono preamp would be a nice combination.
Nice! I have the iFi ZEN DAC and CAN set-up too! I pair it with my HiFiman Sundaras. I still need to make it a fully-balanced set-up though. But it's amazing you can play MQA on Tidal with this set-up. I also have XBass turned on as I feel it helps the bass/low-end that the Sundara kind of slightly lacks.
@@cricket4life249 yeah, I did get a 4.4mm interconnect cable! Added headroom and volume. A bit more airiness/details, like it ooened up a bit more. I stopped using MQA and Tidal though, and used lossless with Deezer.
the 3D function at the front of the Zen CAN, and even the Xbass function, have virtually no effect on the sound of my headphones (my headphones are a 48-ohm Beyerdynamic DT-900 ProX). Especially the 3D function that produces no sound difference, whether it is on or off. This is my great disappointment. I specify that I connect the Zen CAN into the Zen DAC AIR by RCA cables. Can connecting the original Zen CAN to the AIR version of the Zen DAC create incompatibilities?
Do you think that connecting the Zen CAN to the "ZEN DAC AIR" would improve this AIR version of the ZEN DAC? The Zen DAC AIR has, like the Zen CAN, the XBass+ function but also a function called Power Match. I don't know if this Power Match function is basically the same as the GAIN function on the Zen Can. I also don't know if the 3D function of the Zen CAN offers a better result than the Xspace function of the AIR version of the Zen Can. Last question : Does the iFi Audio Zen CAN amplifier include the wall power adapter and RCA cables in the box when purchased ?
Hi, I just got my own Ifi Zen DAC + Ifi Zen Can stack a few days ago and I was wondering if these two alternatives below are better instead. My headphones are the HD660s, the HD560s and the beyer tygr 300r. 1. Topping D10s + Magni Heresy 2. SMSL Sanskrit 10th Mark ii + Magni Heresy
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Great, thanks for the confirmation! Is the Ifi Zen DAC/AMP unit on its own still a better option than the two stacks I mentioned above?
Awesome review. Thank you. My question is: if I use iPhone or iPad as a source to stream Apple Music lossless, would that be any concerns to connect to Zen DAC? What kind of adapter or cable should I get for connection (lightening) to Zen DAC? Hope to hear from you soon
@@scottd1342 I was looking at all the ifi products page on line and yes they sell the cables separately also the balanced cable but I got mine through Amazon.
hi, i have ZEN DAC 3 with HD660S2, which is 300 ohm headphones. Do i need another pre/amp, like ZEN CAN for full potential of my headphones, or its ok?
one question can I use the zen can and connect it as you say to a Topping D10s DAC with RCA cables and then I want to connect my headphones to the zen can with a balanced cable, will it work? and this zen can give me enough power in volume at 100% to my hifiman he400se with balanced cable? with the configuration I just mentioned.
Hello , just ordered zen can(non signature) along with 6xx from drop.What is the best input and output connection to my motherboard? I'm new to this hifi world. Greetings from greece
Hello, if you're using it on a PC through the sound card then RCA out is the only connection, I don't know of any cards with balanced out. I have a XFI card and it worked well.
@@jubilant_ear_reviews I thought that I could plug a 3.5mm from the line out of my motherboard to the 3.5mm back of the zen can.Will it be ok or ? (sorry if the question is dumb , I'm totally new)
I would totally suggest you to get a DAC (first). 6xx and zen can are pretty good options, but if you're going to feed the zen can from ur PC DAC's audio, you're amplifying the bad stuff and it probably would not sound like multiple hundreds of $. If you're on a tight budget, I would highly recommend you to cancel the Zen can and get zen dac, then get the zen can in later point of time. PC + Zen DAC + 6xx should sound much better than PC + CAN + 6xx. The best is PC + Zen DAC + Zen CAN + 6xx. P.S. You can get any DAC you like, not just the ZEN DAC, but Zen DAC is one of the best in the price range.
didn't see in any review: will it be "truly balanced" with Zen DAC 4.4mm out -> Zen Can 4.4mm in -> Zen Can 4.4mm out? Not like i think this is necessary, but want to know if I will get experience i fully understand to know for what i should look in future
It's great, you just probably want to leave the gain at 0db. You will not need any of that gain, unless you're feeding it from a low voltage, or low level source.
Is the sound quality significantly improved by adding the Zen Can to the Zen Dac? I currently use the Zen Dac as Dac/Amp combo and I'm considering to add the Zen Can (using HD650 headphones)
Thanks for the review of both, nicely done!
Welcome, I'll be finishing up the written ones this week.
@@jubilant_ear_reviews We're looking forward to it!
For everyone complaining that it stays on, change your USB power settings in BIOS. I can't remember the exact setting, but look it up, you most likely have it set to still provide power via USB even when the PC is off.
Thank you for your detailed review. I love the sound of this stack
Quick thing. Power match is basically high gain when it's turned on. Lots of people got confused by it.
Also, you can install additional drivers for the Zen DAC. I installed the USB drivers before installing the GTO filter. You can try the GTO filter and tell me what you think of it.
I run this stack, fully balanced, with my Sennheiser HD 560 S. The xBass is a perfect match for these cans. I love the sound signature paired with this headphone.
how did you connect the HD 560S to the balanced output on the zen? THX!
@@jacoposangalli5574 www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-Balanced-Sennheiser-Headphone-XDP-300R/dp/B075C9HXW5/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=2.5+mm+to+4.4+mm+balanced+sennheiser+newfantasia&qid=1621731934&sr=8-3
www.amazon.com/DD-DJ44A-Balanced-Earphone-Amplifier/dp/B082CWSMN3/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=2.5+mm+to+4.4+mm+balanced&qid=1621732024&sr=8-6
@@phanatic23608 Thanks!
einfach power combo perfekt
Just saw your review, I think you're doing a great job providing sufficient details for the everyday user. Do you think the zen can is still relevant today? I'm using the zen dac v2 and am considering it to be used as a preamp and for my iems. Keep up the good work :)
Nice review, there are different firmwares available for the dac. It changes the sound signature. I would like to see a zen poweramp. Together with perhaps the phono preamp would be a nice combination.
Thanks, you save my $$$
Nice! I have the iFi ZEN DAC and CAN set-up too! I pair it with my HiFiman Sundaras. I still need to make it a fully-balanced set-up though. But it's amazing you can play MQA on Tidal with this set-up.
I also have XBass turned on as I feel it helps the bass/low-end that the Sundara kind of slightly lacks.
Did you go fully balanced yet? Looking to get the same set up😁😁
@@cricket4life249 yeah, I did get a 4.4mm interconnect cable! Added headroom and volume. A bit more airiness/details, like it ooened up a bit more. I stopped using MQA and Tidal though, and used lossless with Deezer.
@@mikes41720 a noob question please. If you buy there 4.4 balanced interconnect for there dac and amp do you have to run balanced headphones? Cheers
@@chefgav1 I don’t think there’s such a thing as a balanced headphone? Although I’m not toally sure.
@@chefgav1 It certainly helps ;-)
The name of iFi Zen CAN does not appear in the list of products to update the firmware on the official iFi Audio website.
Because the Zen can is just a amplifier
ok, I see@@jubilant_ear_reviews
the 3D function at the front of the Zen CAN, and even the Xbass function, have virtually no effect on the sound of my headphones (my headphones are a 48-ohm Beyerdynamic DT-900 ProX). Especially the 3D function that produces no sound difference, whether it is on or off. This is my great disappointment.
I specify that I connect the Zen CAN into the Zen DAC AIR by RCA cables.
Can connecting the original Zen CAN to the AIR version of the Zen DAC create incompatibilities?
Probably not
If you set the dac to variable instead of fixed, are you able to use the xbass and truebass at the same time?
Never thought about it, not sure it's needed one or the other was good
Do you think that connecting the Zen CAN to the "ZEN DAC AIR" would improve this AIR version of the ZEN DAC?
The Zen DAC AIR has, like the Zen CAN, the XBass+ function but also a function called Power Match. I don't know if this Power Match function is basically the same as the GAIN function on the Zen Can.
I also don't know if the 3D function of the Zen CAN offers a better result than the Xspace function of the AIR version of the Zen Can.
Last question : Does the iFi Audio Zen CAN amplifier include the wall power adapter and RCA cables in the box when purchased ?
It would be a good match
Yes it does.
Hi, I just got my own Ifi Zen DAC + Ifi Zen Can stack a few days ago and I was wondering if these two alternatives below are better instead. My headphones are the HD660s, the HD560s and the beyer tygr 300r.
1. Topping D10s + Magni Heresy
2. SMSL Sanskrit 10th Mark ii + Magni Heresy
They're not bad but I like the Zen stack better , it just fits my needs
Yes I would personally choose the Zen
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Great, thanks for the confirmation! Is the Ifi Zen DAC/AMP unit on its own still a better option than the two stacks I mentioned above?
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Have you installed the GTO filter? I've tried to but I can't
@@OMGitsMarkkus I liked the stock sound so I've kept it with the default filter.
I bought both just to use them for HD58x .
The regular or xxx edition
Awesome review. Thank you. My question is: if I use iPhone or iPad as a source to stream Apple Music lossless, would that be any concerns to connect to Zen DAC? What kind of adapter or cable should I get for connection (lightening) to Zen DAC? Hope to hear from you soon
USB-to-Lightning adapter. Or Apple's camera adapter, technically any lightning to USB cable should work.
@@jubilant_ear_reviews thank you so much,
May I ask where you bought that purple cable? It looks great and I'd love to pick one up myself!
It actually comes with the stack but , I'm sure ifi carries it separately
@@jubilant_ear_reviews had a look at the Ifi site and no luck. I have the stack myself and wasn't so lucky. I'll keep searching!
@@scottd1342 I was looking at all the ifi products page on line and yes they sell the cables separately also the balanced cable but I got mine through Amazon.
I'm not a fan of having two knobs that I have to control, to get the perfect sound between the two.
Yes I can see that is inconvenient, maybe a separate volume nob controller would help
@@jubilant_ear_reviews what are ur thoughts on the TOPPING DX5 DAC/Amp compared?
@@Shroomskyoffical Topping generally is more neutral, detailed but not as boring as Aune
Simply set the switch on the back of the dac to "fixed" output. Then adjust volume with knob on can.
hi, i have ZEN DAC 3 with HD660S2, which is 300 ohm headphones. Do i need another pre/amp, like ZEN CAN for full potential of my headphones, or its ok?
@@miroslavpaulovic17 I'll let you know, I just got the Zen Dac-3 and the Zen blue-3
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Thank you very much sir, i appreciate that.
if i want to run them balanced do i need extra balanced cable that connets the dac to the can ?
Yes
one question can I use the zen can and connect it as you say to a Topping D10s DAC with RCA cables and then I want to connect my headphones to the zen can with a balanced cable, will it work? and this zen can give me enough power in volume at 100% to my hifiman he400se with balanced cable? with the configuration I just mentioned.
Yes that would work okay, the best way would be a zen can and dac using the balanced in and out but I don't know the D10s inputs
Hi. Do you use the original Ifi power supply with the Ifi Zen Can?
For testing yes I always use stock cables
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Hi mate. With what firmware version do you use the Ifi Zen Dac with?
Hello , just ordered zen can(non signature) along with 6xx from drop.What is the best input and output connection to my motherboard?
I'm new to this hifi world.
Greetings from greece
Hello, if you're using it on a PC through the sound card then RCA out is the only connection, I don't know of any cards with balanced out. I have a XFI card and it worked well.
@@jubilant_ear_reviews I thought that I could plug a 3.5mm from the line out of my motherboard to the 3.5mm back of the zen can.Will it be ok or ? (sorry if the question is dumb , I'm totally new)
it would require an adapter or a rca TO 3.5 Cable as the zen jut has rca and a balanced in
I would totally suggest you to get a DAC (first). 6xx and zen can are pretty good options, but if you're going to feed the zen can from ur PC DAC's audio, you're amplifying the bad stuff and it probably would not sound like multiple hundreds of $. If you're on a tight budget, I would highly recommend you to cancel the Zen can and get zen dac, then get the zen can in later point of time. PC + Zen DAC + 6xx should sound much better than PC + CAN + 6xx. The best is PC + Zen DAC + Zen CAN + 6xx.
P.S. You can get any DAC you like, not just the ZEN DAC, but Zen DAC is one of the best in the price range.
@@prasanths96 Ive ordered zen dac also my friend thanks for your time ! I really appreciate it
didn't see in any review: will it be "truly balanced" with Zen DAC 4.4mm out -> Zen Can 4.4mm in -> Zen Can 4.4mm out? Not like i think this is necessary, but want to know if I will get experience i fully understand to know for what i should look in future
Yes, this is what i run. It's fully balanced all the way through the chain.
When I want to connect the headphones to the Can, but I also want to use Dac - do I need to set to "fixed" on the dac back?
The switch is for running it balanced
@@jubilant_ear_reviews Thanks.
How does it play with low impedance headphones? Eg DC Aeons that are around 12ohm and 92db sens
I don't have any really low impedance headphones, most of mine are 32 ohms to 300
It's great, you just probably want to leave the gain at 0db. You will not need any of that gain, unless you're feeding it from a low voltage, or low level source.
Does your zen can have any channel imbalance issues? I'm already on my 2nd unit and I still have imbalance issues.
I got one of the first runs in production, it's was fine up until I traded it for a better amp
Is the sound quality significantly improved by adding the Zen Can to the Zen Dac? I currently use the Zen Dac as Dac/Amp combo and I'm considering to add the Zen Can (using HD650 headphones)
i have the zen dac and ananda. Will the zen can improve the experience?
Yes , for me it definitely made this a great choice.
@@jubilant_ear_reviews should i get a 4.4 to 4.4 balance cable or will the rca stock cable will do?
@@ramli1111 the balanced cable improvement is worth trying out for sure.