Sorry for the mis-edit (is that a word?) - was watching the Olympics whilst editing 😁

@apefish2266

2 жыл бұрын

come on england

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

@@apefish2266 team GB!

@danb5779

Жыл бұрын

Is there a big difference between the HFM and this one? For the hifiman xs?

Thanks for the great review!

This video cleared my confusion if i needed the can, but for my usecase the DAC V2 is more than enough. thank you. :)

Great review, as someone who owns the IFI Zen Stack Signature edition. Listening to both Sennheiser HD 6xx and Hifiman Sundara on them is a just great experience. I love the smooth rich sound I get from them and that bass button on the Can, it gives it just the right amount of bass needed when you want that extra thump in you music. Love this stack.

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

It’s brilliant isn’t it? And such good value

Thank you man - wait, no -THANK YOU MAN for making this video!

Great review and straight to all the points I was interested in knowing. I too have the Sundaras and about to grab a Zen CAN to add to the DAC V2. Oddly enough, I have also been thinking I need to grab some 650s!

@AudioFixation

Жыл бұрын

Deffo grab the 650s - still in love with mine after almost 20 years of ownership!

@PartyMusic775

Жыл бұрын

The Zen CAN stacked on top is a noticeable upgrade, if and only if you used balance interconnect and balanced cables. The upgrade on using balanced cables is a bigger upgrade i.m.o. than upgrading to stack. Also I like the pairing of the 58X on these more than the 650, for some reason. It gives clean transients and fast punch, with crystal clean and sharp treble that's smooth not even a hint of harsh.

Thank you for the advice, i already bought the zen dac an i am soon to buy a HD650

Thanks for the review, I randomly purchased both of these (great price) to replace a failed old USB iBasso D2+ Boa DAC/AMP to power my old HD650's. I have to say, I am impressed. The power is more than enough, it really brings my old headphones alive. I am glad I got the Zen Can though, it makes a difference and I love the Xbass, so much better than the Truebass on the Zen Dac V2. I tried the 3D, but not impressed. Zen Dac V2, Zen Can and HD650 with Xbass is a great budget winning combo for me.

@Blackwing2345635

28 күн бұрын

3D stuff even doesn't filter bass from the processing, so the phase cancelling is insane) But otherwise agree - been running HD600 and active monitors with zen dac v2 only, it was great, got zen can for a great price - there is a difference for sure and bass boost is more adequate. Edit: I use both headphones and monitors through balanced, and zen can is actually so overkill for both, that on the lowest gain volume higher than on 60% is too loud for any application xD

Have you ever thought about listing albums / tracks that you are using for testing. I know you mention them in the video and that they are your personal taste but now that I am addicted to Apple Music I am always looking for suggestions. Thanks Love your channel.

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Good suggestion Robert. Might list them over on the discord server

Just got one of these w open back phones and wow !!

One question. I have extern soundmixer on my PC (a goxlr) can I use the CAN as an AMP for it? If i power on the CAN nothing happend. Thougt it is an AMP an feeded with any source?

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, great review. Got a bit of a question for you, I am in a tiny pickle you see. I currently own the Zen Dac v2, there's a pair of Edifier R1280DB (rca back) and DT990 (6.35 front) plugged in. I am thinking of getting the Zen Can to make the Dac/Can stack but from my understanding i'd lose the rear out for my speakers since everything will be powered by the Can (connected to the dac via the 4.4mm balanced cable on the back). Is there a work-around to this?

@benegesserit9838

2 жыл бұрын

oh no...are you sure about that? i have zen dac with my kef q 150 on RCA and i want to buy the can for my sen 660 S but if I can't use the dac for the speakers...is almost useless.

Hi, superb review - thanks 👍👍 Did you ever manage to test the Zen stack with the DT990 600 ohms? I have and although I feel the volume was quite ok, I thought they struggled a little with bass and aren't as dynamic as they could be... I tried the stack with hifiman hs400se and they were no problem to drive and sound great but I'm not convinced you're getting 100% from the Zen stack with the Beyers. Any thoughts? Thanks again...

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony - thanks Sadly I don't have my Beyers any more - interesting that the 600 Ohm load might be too much even for the zen can - I'm surprised!

For use exclusively with headphones (in my MacBook Air M2), is the Zen AIR Can less efficient than the Zen CAN ? For example, is the XSpace function of the AIR equivalent to the 3D function of the more expensive Zen CAN ? The problem with the AIR version is that it does not include the RCA cables or the electrical adapter block (the 2 are included in the Zen CAN box). My intention is to connect the Can or Can AIR in my Zen DAC Air. I would also like to know how is long the cable of the power adapter is included with the Zen CAN, this is an important detail for me.

What do you think about the FiiO K7 ?

Somebody here with experience from the HFM signature to this one? Is there a big difference for driving the Hifiman XS? Sorry my bad english

Very informative, thank you. I'm beginner on a budget seeking a quality, entry-level DAC -- which I will use with my laptop-connected amplifier + speakers, very rarely with cans if at all (though having the option w the Zen v2 is a nice bonus) . With that in mind, do you think the Zen v2 is sensible purchase? Also considering the Modi 3E. Any thoughts at all would be appreciated, thank you

@AudioFixation

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think the zen dac v2 would work well for you if you feed it into an amp. I used it like that for a while as a Roon endpoint (connected to raspberry pi running roopieee)

@andrehb

Жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixation great, thanks again

6:33 I have this stack and Sundaras too. Using it with a pentaconn interconnect as opposed to RCA. Looking at your gain settings, I have it on the same (+6dB), but I notice your volume knobs are on 8 o'clock position for both the dac and amp. For me that is VERY low volume. I have to have Zen Dac at 12 o'clock and the Can at 2 o'clock for the Sundara to get pretty loud. Wondering how you got the volume output so loud at those volume settings in the video? 🤔

@gamingandmusic9217

2 жыл бұрын

He might have used the fixed output from thed dac. Thats the only reason possibly be.

@citizenuk

2 жыл бұрын

I have zen dac v2 +sundara with SE cable and listen to Rock / metal music.But I feel sometimes annoying highs and drums too crisp not as dynamic and impactful. Can this change if I'll switch to balanced output? Or will this change with burn in time?

@bnplayii8923

2 жыл бұрын

@@citizenuk Bro we run almost the same setup, mine is Zen2 with stock Sundara also find a crips in high and drum too. it's not as harsh and tired like x2hr but it still there it could be good if it tone down just a bit. Just bought mine 2 days ago so I pursuit a same question as your. Or I might buy it to test it my self.

@citizenuk

2 жыл бұрын

@@bnplayii8923 let me know how it goes. 1) if balance cable instead of SE, 2) power adaptor fo Zen 2, instead USB 3) Zen Can

@bnplayii8923

2 жыл бұрын

@@citizenuk I'm back, I'll try to convey my experience as much as I can. Still use Sundara stock cable, the shop i order balance cable didn't ship a damn thing pass 15 day. change RCA to 4.4 balance to connect dac and can, sound is louder. It's maybe I got accustomed to it or maybe it finished burn-in or maybe the magic button Xbass on the Can did it job marvelously. The sound is now sweet and delicious drum is tone down BUT hi-hat and cymbal is still stand out but it......bearable? (or as I said above got accustomed to it) At first I use oratory1990 EQ preset but now just Xbass. I didn't owned any DAP I use Tidal on my PC so I can't test what you ask sry.

Do you like Sundara with Rock / Heavy Metal / Metallica + Zen Dac v2? I personally find highs annoying, and drums not enjoyable and too crisp. Acoustic though sounds good. But not a fast dynamic rock / metal.

Hey, great review, I bought the zen DAC V2 based on your review and I did not regret! I'm now looking up for comparing the Zen Can vs Zen Can signature 6XX, have you ever had a chance to try the signature?

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Sadly not 😔

@GeorgeWPush

Жыл бұрын

another reviewer did that video and they have the same frequency response except a 5khz spike on the Signature

@felipemotorhead

Жыл бұрын

@@GeorgeWPush Thank u, I have bought the signature since I left this comment haha

@GeorgeWPush

Жыл бұрын

@@felipemotorhead rip

@2:23 Can you clarify what you mean about it not being a preamp? If im going out to an amp, when would I need preamp outs?

@Blackwing2345635

28 күн бұрын

I may be late, but maybe someone will find it helpfull. It has pre-amp output on the back, and contrary to the author of the video - iFi themselves are saying it IS intended as a preamp, as well as a headphone amp. BUT its pre-amp output is not fixed and is affected by ALL Zen Can's controlls - gains, bass boost, 3D, volume nob. Zen DAC is more convenient - it has switch for pre-amp out to be fixed or affected by its controls, which is perfect. But if you use Zen Can - one of Zen DAC's pre-amp outputs is already occupied. And if you use balanced for Zen Can and you need balanced for your monitors - well... And I won't recommend using headphones outputs as pre-amp - in short, it will work poorly both with Zen Can and active monitors/other amps.

What those two accomplish together? What's the difference between using only one or only the other?

@Sharmac77

Жыл бұрын

He explained it in the video. He perceived more bass and a slightly wider sound stage…but was unsure if it most mostly placebo. Basically unless your driving the hardest to drive headphones, the zen dac on its own is just fine.

Hey, I was wondering about the zen can as an upgrade my pair of sundara, so thank you for your opinion. Did you try the balanced output to compare the can and the dac? I wanted to know if there was any audible differences :) (and about the se vs the balanced output of each device) Thx again for the review

@deadline7610

2 жыл бұрын

Just my thoughts as someone with the zen dac & Sundara's. The dac on the zen dac is better than the amp section IMO. The first thing I did was upgrade the Sundara's cables to balanced so you can get more out of the Zen Dac's amp and it was noticeable. I was about to upgrade to the Zen Can but decided on a different manufacturer. If you don't have the balance cable and don't plan to use the balanced output of the Zen Can then what a waste of money (in my opinion) all the power is in the balanced output. Hope that helps.

@dankravioli

2 жыл бұрын

@@deadline7610 Hi, which brand did you go with instead?

@deadline7610

2 жыл бұрын

@@dankravioli Drop had a sale on there THX AAA ONE SE amp over a month ago 2700 mW (32 ohm) It pairs nicely with the Sundara's. The Zen Can I'll assume has plenty of power using the balanced 4.4 input from the Zen Dac and a balanced headphone 4.4 jack. It also has 4 gain stages that will work well with items.

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah the incremental gain is a very nice feature

@deadline7610

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixation When I first started looking to purchase the Zen Can it was $169US now $189US - Amazon. Maybe it's different over the pond or just inflation :)

Hello! I'm struggling a little bit. I just purchased a Zen DAC V2 to power my DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm headphones. So far, it is much better than my smaller portable headphone amp. However, the volume is seemingly only a little loud. I really want to boost the volume a tad without cranking the Zen Dac V2 all the way. What exactly are my options? Do I buy the Zen Can to "stack"? Looking for options without spending over $200. Thoughts? Thank you for any assistance. I am very new, but really excited to learn more. -Justin

@AudioFixation

Жыл бұрын

Yeah the zen can pairs nicely with the dac and will definitely give you much more juice

@NVSTRZ34

Жыл бұрын

@Audio Fixation Thank you for your input! What's interesting is my AT M40s are perfect loud, but the DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm are just a little bit quieter. Hopefully this solves my issue.

@democritus37

Жыл бұрын

@@NVSTRZ34 your MT40s will be lower impedance or higher sensitivity I’d imagine.

The name of iFi Zen CAN does not appear in the list of products to update the firmware on the official iFi Audio website.

@silverfox74

5 ай бұрын

The CAN is only an analogue AMP - it does not have firmware.

Very late commenting this, but i'm thinking to buy a zen can (i have the zen dac v2) and i'd like to have some info about connections. So, i connect zen dac via usb to pc, THEN stack the zen can, connect it to power, connect them via 4.4 to 4.4, and use ONLY the volume knob of zen can when i listen to music? I don't have to use gain or bass boost on zen dac? If i use them , they work? Better disable them? Sorry for the noob questions but it is the first time i use something like this ^^

@silverfox74

5 ай бұрын

Connect Zen DAC to PC via included USB 3.0 type B to A cable. Interconnect DAC to CAN via either included RCA cable or purchase a 4.4mm balanced interconnect to slightly improve audio clarity (which it does). The CAN has it's own included 5v power adaptor and I suggest getting another one to power the DAC seperately. While the USB will power the DAC I find it more reliable to get an initial connection when powered separately. Once connected the DAC V2 becomes just a DAC and the CAN becomes the AMP from which you may control the gain, volume, bass boost and 3D functions. The gain and bass boost on Zen DAC is redundant when connected to the CAN and 'fixed' is selected on the DAC's back switch. Then output to your headphone with either a 6.35mm single-ended or 4.4mm pentacon balanced audio cable from the CAN. A balanced cable will provide more clarity, less distortion from external electronic devices and more power from the amp.

@Bombatomica78

5 ай бұрын

@@silverfox74 thanks a lot!

@silverfox74

5 ай бұрын

@@Bombatomica78 You're welcome - also ensure the DAC is on the latest iFI firmware from their website (the CAN doesn't have firmware being just an analogue amp).

@artabro

Ай бұрын

@@silverfox74 Correcto.😉

Do you think ZenDac v2 sounds better than hip dac v2?

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Yes but you obviously sacrifice portability

Can someone help me to choose between ifi DAC or AMP for beyerdynamics 250ohms ?. i can only afford one of these. i watch at 09:47 that ifi DAC can provide up to 80% of performance out from your headphones. but can it really power up my 250ohms headphones if only using Zen DAC ?. sorry i still confused, maybe i missed smthing here ?. *note: i use my headphones for daily works like video editing and gaming. and also i am more into treble and detail sound rather than big heavy bass lovers.

@silverfox74

5 ай бұрын

The CAN is only an analogue AMP - it is not a DAC. So it does not have a USB connection and will not convert digital sound to analogue (PC to analogue headphone). The ZEN DAC V2 is obviously a DAC and does have an AMP built into it. However, it is not very powerful, especially when using unbalanced input/output cables (230mw per 30 ohms). So for using with a PC get the DAC V2 with balanced cables and if not enough power then save up to add the ZEN CAN as a stack which will make the power output nearer 2,000mw...

Please someone can tell me why mi mic headset doesn’t work with the zen can . I paired a ( Ifi zen can / dac v2 with audeze lcd gx ) anything wrong with the mic I tested with an Astro amp . I’m willing to pay 1v1 appointment to someone who really knows to set it up .

@ashish2099

29 күн бұрын

Hi, to my understanding, the zen can is just an amplifier just like any other. Meaning that, it takes a clean analogue input (coming from any dac), boost it (amping) and send the signal to user through transducer (sound from headphone) i.e. it does not have any mic input. So, your headphone mic is not supposed to work on zen can (or zen dac). This stack to my knowledge does not support mic input, maybe try a stack which has a mic input capability. For reference, our phones / laptop have a combined audio jack, which ouputs the sound and are also capable of taking mic input from external mic.

@Mike-ru7qd

29 күн бұрын

@@ashish2099 hey , thanks for the reply , already bought a mic 🎙️ and connected straight to the pc .

If I have the zen dac v2 do i need another amp since dac v2 is considered as dac/ amp. Or am I wrong in this. Im new to this hobby so any guidance will be appreciated

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome. No, you don’t need another amp unless you’ve got some very high impedance/low sensitivity headphones.

@deepakshivraj4881

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixation so if I buy just zen dac v2 is it enough for a beginner audiophile. Or should I go for schiit stack (magni + modi 3 +) since I hear its good for a beginner. Thank u

@Sly_404

2 жыл бұрын

@@deepakshivraj4881 Both are excellent choices. Pick whatever is cheaper.

@deepakshivraj4881

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sly_404 Ok. Thanks

@AdhamHossam165

2 жыл бұрын

@@deepakshivraj4881 know that the schiit stack doesn't have a balanced output.

Will the zen can drive Hifiman Arya, with 94 dB sensitivity?

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

Should be fine

@Jacky1994

2 жыл бұрын

hey, did you try running the newer Arya Stealth only with the zen dac? Is the zen can an improvement in sound when using it (dac+can)?

Can you use this stand alone without the DAC?

@marmar3579

Жыл бұрын

yea

I nearly bought that stack but decided to throw more money and ended up on an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

I'm thinking of getting one of those. How do you like it so far?

@whollymindless

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixationGerman built by vendors of pro audio gear, Everything is documented and specified, yet the music is king. All kinds of adjustments, yet none will let you get too far in the weeds to destroy things. The IEM output is so silent, but a bit overkill when the headphone seems equally quiet. Just enough EQ and cross feed and filters that you can surely find some settings for anything. Drove everything including my DT880 600 Ohm without running out of power. So, I like it. Only feature that I think I miss is balanced output until I put on some headphones and just listen.

@whollymindless

2 жыл бұрын

P.S. I hate Hate HATE the name as I can't remember it when someone asks and they seem to have maybe 3 or 4 other products that start with the same letters that aren't this same device. It makes it impossible to talk about or make an off-hand reference to it it conversation.

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

@@whollymindless seen good reviews on it from darko etc.. looks like a brilliant Delta sigma dac. I'm also tempted by the denafrips Ares ii. I've never heard an r-2r dac

@whollymindless

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixation We would be delighted to hear your opinion. The electrical engineer (non pro) has massive doubts that a r2r DAC can be consistently manufactured and produce consistent results without a lot of adjustment and possible on going adjustment over time as components age.

I have zen dac v2 and pair it with hifiman edition x. Do I need zen can ?

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t think you NEED one, but you’ll enjoy the extra power 😊

@seanjoe1704

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFixation : thanks

zen can or zen dac 2 for gaming?

@fhf17

6 ай бұрын

zen dac does not have mic input

I came here right after listening to the new Billie eilish album. And then you bring it up too

@AudioFixation

2 жыл бұрын

I really like it!

@dialecticalmonist3405

2 жыл бұрын

I had a cheap pair of closed back headphones, but they broke and I bought the HE-400i's and was a little upset that I lost the ability to hear deep compression base from Billie Eilish type of sound, although I loved the upgrade overall. Now, I have the Arya SE, and the bass is massively improved along with everything else, but I STILL lack that closed back "feels like underwater" low end that I had on the cheap closed back. Is it impossible to find that kind of bass with open backs, or can massive power from an amp pull it off?

So what's the point of stacking them it's so confusing

@kentbergstrom3020

2 жыл бұрын

The Zen Can doesn't have a built in Dac, it is only an amplifier.

@sussychachi

Ай бұрын

@@kentbergstrom3020 THE extra gain buttons make it easier to drive any headphone. the EQ buttons add more fun texture to the music. its preference. you dont need to stack but stacking can offer more different sound. some amps have both a amp an dac. up to you ! i got the cans an its very fun! an has better bass texture then the zen dac 2. i think the zen dac2 sounds a little more detailed. but the cans stronger in power an more eq options.