iFi Audio - ZEN CAN Signature HFM

The iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature HFM is a powerhouse, all-analogue headphone amp which can drive even the most demanding headphones with its balanced circuit design and distortion-free sonic tailoring. The ActivEQ feature combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit any pair of headphones. This processing is performed in the analogue domain without adding any additional noise or distortion, elevating your listening experience tenfolds. The ZEN CAN Signature HFM enhances the texture of the deep bass and injects more immediacy into the upper mid-range.

The iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature HFM is fine-tuned to work with 𝐇𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐍 headphones. The ActivEQ featured in the device offers specific calibration for 𝐇𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐍 planar headphones, elevating sound across the entire frequency spectrum to bring out the best in these already remarkable headphones. This offers unparalleled transparency and presents a wide-open sound stage. As with the previous ZEN CAN Signature model, this feature can be switched on or off and without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature HFM’s performance is cleverly balanced to bring out the best in all other headphones and in-ear monitors. Excellent results are noted with the Sundara, HE-4XX, HE-400S, Edition X, HE-5 headphones to name a few.

The iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature HFM has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db. This feature is called PowerMatch. PoweMatch enables the amp to precisely suit the connected headphones. Unity gain (0dB) is essential to ensure low noise with sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings make the most of headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom. So whether it's headphones or IEMs, the ZEN CAN Signature HFM brings out the best in everything. With the PowerMatch feature, gain staging has never been this easy.

The analogue processing mode in the ZEN CAN Signature HFM series compensates for the ‘In-Head Localisation’ effect. This can occur when using headphones to listen to music mixed using a pair of speakers. To solve this issue, iFi Audio added its analogue processing technology to the ZEN CAN Signature HFM. This feature is similar to the 3D functionality and is mainly intended for albums where the soundstage is mostly centred between the ears. With analogue processing mode, the ZEN CAN stretches the soundstage in a way that voices are still nicely centred, but details and effects are spaciously staged, creating a wider and deeper soundstage. The sound delivered is more spacious and has a speaker-like experience.

At the core of ZEN CAN Signature HFM is a balanced circuit and asymmetrical dual-mono topology design. It features a host of elements that are adopted from the discrete Class-A circuitry designed particularly for the flagship Pro iCAN. Experience lowest ESR, excellent noise reduction and improved frequency response elements with highly durable Panasonic OS-CON caps. For resonant circuit applications, you require advanced stability and minimum losses. The TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors ensure just that by bringing capacitor-generated distortion to negligibly low levels. The ZEN CAN Signature HFM relies on ELNA Japan Silmic II capacitors for power supply, which has dielectric silk fibre delivering excellent acoustic qualities and exceptional linearity.

Drive a range of headphones with absolute ease using the ZEN CAN Signature HFM. It offers a powerful 1600mW (7.2V) into 32 ohms through single-ended output and 15V+ of power into 300+ ohms through balanced output offering 52 times more capable than many other amps. The ZEN CAN Signature HFM continues the reputation of its predecessors and delivers ultra-low distortion, rich sonic detail, engaging dynamics and the ability to drive all manner of headphones with ease. The custom OV Series is an advanced component used in the ZEN CAN Signature HFM, which reduces noise to the lowest levels while widening the bandwidth. You don't have to struggle to switch between settings ever again with the advanced FET-based MOSFET technology which can be used as a muting switch. This switch is managed by a microcontroller which 'wakes up' only if you change a setting, leaving no space for unhealthy sonic interference. The device is also equipped with a Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co. (TOCOS) multi-track potentiometer, which offers close channel matching tolerance for optimal performance.

The ZEN CAN Signature HFM offers a wide range of connectivity options allowing you to connect it to a host of audio products. The device offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn input. There is also a 4.4mm balanced output so you can connect to power amps equipped with a balanced input. It features 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 Pentaconn balanced output for headphones offering a balanced connection.