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Recommended Component 2025 – Stereophile
All-Analog Headphone Amp Tailored to the MassDrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphone
The original ZEN CAN, iFi's all-analog headphone amplifier, boasted the ability to drive tough headphone loads, a balanced circuit design, vanishingly low levels of distortion and versatile sonic tailoring.
The ZEN CAN Signature V2 6XX takes this to another level. It further improves the sound quality with enhanced circuit design, whilst maintaining the versatile features of the ‘regular’ version and adding something special – a custom EQ setting precisely tailored across the entire frequency response curve to make the most of a popular headphone model: the MassDrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphone.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the iFi Zen Can Signature V2 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2025.
According to Stereophile, "JMu [Julie Mullins] auditioned both versions of the ZEN CAN with the appropriate headphones. With the EQ, she heard sharper transient attacks, more air and presence, and more detail and clarity, adding that 'yes, the EQ curve obviously boosts the bass,' which correlates with JA's [Jon Atkinson's] measurements. JCA found that the effect of the CANs' custom EQ wasn't dramatic, but it was positive, especially with the HiFiMan headphones, which could sound a bit woolly without it. Without EQ, JMu found that 'tonal balance with the ZEN set seemed extended and neutral, with rare hints of brightness.' JMu concluded that the ZEN Signature sets 'offer impressive sound quality—and a bit of style—for not a lot of money.'"
iFi's ActivEQ
iFi's ActivEQ feature combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit a particular pair of headphones. This is performed in the analog domain without adding any additional noise or distortion.
The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX, features ActivEQ for the MassDrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX high-quality headphones with more than 120,000 sold to date, based on the Sennheiser HD 650 and created exclusively for Drop.com. These headphones are renowned for the quality of their midrange performance but exhibit some quirks in the bass and treble regions, which can be seen in frequency response measurements.
EQ Activated
When the ‘HD 6XX’ button is pressed, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX calibrates its signal to complement the headphone’s response characteristics right across the frequency range, thus tailoring its performance to precisely fit the HD 6XX like a made-to-measure suit. In particular, the 7kHz treble and bass below 500Hz is gently elevated.
What’s more, the benefits of this ActivEQ curve are equally applicable to the Sennheiser HD 650, which shares the same characteristics. It also has an effect on other Sennheiser models, too. This feature can be switched on or off. Without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX’s performance is adroitly balanced to make the most of all manner of headphones and in-ear monitors.
Gain, Gain and More Gain
The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db. iFi calls this PowerMatch. It enables the amp to precisely suit the connected headphones. Unity gain (0dB) is useful to ensure low noise with sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings make the most of tougher headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom.
Balance of Power
The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX's circuitry is a balanced, symmetrical dual-mono design – a topology usually reserved for high-end headphone amps – with a number of key elements trickled down from the discrete Class A circuitry developed for iFi's flagship headphone amplifier, the Pro iCAN. Key components have been upgraded to enhance performance in line with the improvements made to the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX, including the use of Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors.
Driving Force
The amp offers prodigious drive capability, delivering 1600mW (7.2V) into 32 ohms from the single-ended output, with 15V+ available to loads of 300 ohms or more through the balanced output, ensuring it takes even current-hungry planar headphones in its stride.
Delivering ultra-low distortion, rich sonic detail, engaging dynamics and the ability to drive all manner of headphones with ease, the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX is a truly a driving force to be reckoned with.
Stay Connected
The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a 4.4mm balanced input. There is also a 4.4mm balanced output so you can connect to power amps equipped with a balanced input.
There is a pair of headphone outputs – a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector (compatible with all headphones) and a 4.4mm balanced output for headphones offering balanced connection.
An increasing number of high-quality headphones and in-ear monitors either come so equipped or give the option of detaching the cable and upgrading to a 4.4mm balanced connector, and this output makes the most of them (it is particularly recommended for high-impedance headphones).
