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Bitperfect mono switch6/11/2023 iFi claims the benefits of this ActivEQ curve are equally applicable to Sennheiser’s HD 650 headphones (HFC 388), which share the same sonic characteristics. 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. The first Signature model is the ZEN CAN Signature 6XX, which features ActivEQ created for the ‘Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX’ headphone. IFi says the new Signature edition adds a custom EQ setting (called ActivEQ) with profiles for specific headphones to make the most of the performance As well as a headphone amp, it could also double as a preamp to feed a power amplifier and loudspeakers. It connected to any audio source with an analogue output – such as the headphone output from a digital audio player, laptop, tablet or a smartphone – or the RCA outputs from a DAC or phono stage. The initial ZEN CAN extended the ZEN Series with an all-analogue headphone amplifier. The fixed option bypasses the volume control, fixing the output at 4.2V (balanced) or 2.1V (single-ended) for connection to an external preamp, integrated amp or active speakers with their own volume control. The former applies volume control to the audio signal, enabling the ZEN DAC Signature to act as a preamp to connect directly to a power amp. It is asynchronous, meaning that the data rate is regulated solely by the audio clock circuitry.Īlongside the USB input is a stereo pair of RCA sockets for single-ended connection to an amplifier, plus a Pentaconn 4.4mm output.Īs with the regular ZEN DAC, the Signature edition’s outputs can be switched between variable and fixed. The USB Type-B input supports USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0 for backwards compatibility. The sample rate of incoming audio data is indicated by a multi-coloured LED that resides behind the aluminium volume control.Īside from the removal of the integrated headphone amp and associated front-mounted outputs, the Signature edition’s connectivity is the same as the regular ZEN DAC. The ZEN DAC Signature’s digital stage retains the same True Native DAC architecture of its sibling, delivering bit-perfect PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz), native DSD (up to DSD256) and DXD, plus MQA. Various key surface-mounted circuit components have been upgraded to high-end devices, including Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors, while the circuit has been refined to ensure short, direct signal paths for optimal signal purity. This simplification of its circuitry provides the opportunity to upgrade the signal path and critical components within it while the existing ZEN DAC introduced the benefits of fully balanced circuit design.” The company says: “Without the built-in headphone amplifier, its sole purpose is to feed an external amp, whether this be a headphone amp or an amplifier and speakers. This is complemented by dark grey front and rear panels (silver-coloured on the standard versions) and blue controls.ĭeeper changes from the ZEN DAC to the Signature edition include the removal of the headphone amp stage and an upgrade to fully balanced circuitry. The first thing those familiar with the earlier versions will notice is the colour change – both have their 158 x 35 x 100mm (WxHxD) aluminium enclosures newly finished in deep Space Blue rather than the previous grey. IFi Audio has reworked its ZEN DAC (USB DAC/headphone amp) and ZEN CAN (analogue headphone amp) to create what the company is calling its Signature editions.
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