iFi Zen CAN 3 – High-Resolution Analogue Headphone Amplifier

Got this to stack on a Zen Phono 3 to be able to listen to my records with headphones. Totally worth the money, amazing build quality, packed with all the features you need. Can easily power anything you throw at it (headphones, IEMs). Pretty good variety of inputs and outputs, using with balanced 4.4mm and sound quality is amazing, couldn't ask for more in this price range.

I love this little amp. It’s compact, stylish, and has more than enough features for my setup. More importantly, it can pump clean sound into everyday headphones like an elephant stepping on an ant. It’s not the best or most expensive headphone amp out there, but definitely a quality product that’ll work for most people. I use the Zen Can 3 when listening to CDs, vinyl, or through a Wiim at a dedicated music station. This amp is powerful enough to comfortably drive all my consumer-grade headphones with no issues. Think the Beyerdynamic Pro X line, the 1770/1990, or the Sennheiser 600 series. There’s plenty of headroom, and it pushes clean, full sound. The most-used feature in my setup is the gain setting. I mainly switch it when going from CD to vinyl. I’ll bump it to +6 dB for a bit, then drop it back to the default once my ears adjust. For most music vibing sessions, the default setting (0 dB) works best. I’ll occasionally turn the gain up if I’m spinning a quiet record. I tried the other gain levels just to mess around and make sure they worked, but haven’t needed them since. I’ve tried XBass and XSpace, and really dig XBass. It makes the bass sound more robust and gives it a little more physicality. Stuff like Amapiano and Baile Funk really kick with XBass on. Xspace is more a mixed bag for me and really depends on the song or headphones. It’s cool, but not necessary. I still keep both on for the most part, though. Overall, I’m really pleased with this little powerhouse of an amp and would definitely recommend checking it out if you want to vibe out without disturbing neighbors or family.

Very good buy, also is absolutely worth getting with the equivalent DAC and correct interconnect cable! The adjustability is also solid, sounds great, and isn't very big (portable even).

-sound quality was perfect -volume gain included for more volume! -includes Xbass and Xspace feature to deliver more bass and sound stage -it includes 5V DC Power Adapter (IFI Power 2), though it's recommended to have IFI Power X for more amps but also elimination electrical interface and background noises -expensive -it's recommend to connect 4.4mm balanced cable as an input, though it's sold separately -multiple inputs: 4.4mm, RCA -multiple outputs: 4.4mm (balanced), 6.35mm (1/4 TRS SE) Other thoughts: a perfect combination with IFI Zen DAC 3 to easily connect your headphone but also good opportunity to amplify more audio signal to make the audio quality sound better and louder, especially with open-back audiophile headphone which I currently use ASUS x Hifiman ROG Kithara Headset. Nonetheless, always make sure to update the latest firmware for IFI Zen Can 3 DAC to further optimize performance.

I've owned other iFi products in the past and do enjoy their analog XBass feature. I decided to try this model with the XSpace feature. It does literally nothing on any music genre I tried. I even recorded test tracks out of the output and compared on a PC. Unless mine is broken, this feature does nothing. The rest of the amp is OK but without the DSP features it's not a great value compared to more capable amps from Topping and others for the same money.

I genuinely love this thing. One of the best purchases I've decided to make.

Was mint as described, Exactly what my cans needed, Thank you very much!!

Using with the Zen Air DAC (going to upgrade to Zen DAC 3 soon) and now I can run my 560 S with XBass and Space on ear-bleeding volumes. Worth.

Zen canと組み合わせると本領発揮！もちろんそのまま単品での使用でも大きい満足感！

This is an amazing headphone amplifier! I've had the Drop Thx 789, Schiit stack with a Loki, Carver, Topping, and various DAPs... the ifi Zen Can 3 is a great dedicated headphone amp. I use a Lotto Paw 6000 as a source, rather than a DAC with a PC or phone, connected using a 4.4mm balanced connector. All of my music is FLAC format and I use Campfire Audio Ara's, Andromeda 2020's, Audeze LCD's, and Hifiman Edition XS's. All are set up for 4.4mm balanced connection. Sound floor and background is dead silent on this amp (when connected to the Paw 6000). Overall tonality is clean and balanced, timbre is slightly warm, and overall sound is somehow "natural" - I don't use the "xspace" and only rarely use the "xbase" - generally playing all tracks without any EQ from the Paw 6000 either. I am loving this amp! sound is full and natural, tones of gain/volume that will drive any headphone. Excellent build quality, unique design that isn't like the normal rectangular form factor, it grows on you in a hurry. A++, Highly recommend you try this amp if you want a great upper mid-range dedicated headphone amp.

Tiene mucha potencia, y permite sacar el alma de mis ath r70x a su máximo esplendor. Lo recomiendo sin dudar.

Qué maravilla de amplificador. Cien por ciento recomendado para sacarles todo el jugo a los planares magnéticos

I have been using the Zen Can v1 for 5 years and this is a nice update. The new aesthetics give it a more eye-catching appearance. Support for both balanced and single-ended headphones is great and the choices of gain settings gives lots of flexibility for headphones with different impedance.