The iFi Zen DAC and Zen CAN – a DAC and headphone amplifier respectively – have been released in a Signature version. Available to the whole world, always nice.
Both the Zen DAC and the Zen CAN from the British iFi are pleasantly priced devices that are perfectly usable in the standard version. But good can always be made better, so the manufacturer must have thought. And so a while back iFi released Signature versions of both devices. Unfortunately only intended for the American market. And also quickly sold out.
Apparently, there was more to come and now there is a worldwide release of both the Zen DAC and Zen CAN in Signature version. Although somewhat more expensive than the standard versions, both devices are actually still pleasantly priced (£249 each or £499 together including a Pentaconn cable; if you are quick you will also receive a power adapter worth £99).
In any case, what stands out about the Signature versions are the deep blue tones. Under the hood, there are also some modifications. The iFi Zen DAC Signature has now become a ‘real’ DAC-only; the headphone amplifier has been dropped. In its place is a completely renewed balanced circuit, implementing better capacitors and shorter signal paths.
Remaining are quality up to 32 bit / 384 kHz (PCM), native DSD up to DSD256, DXD and MQA.
Custom EQ Setting
The iFi Zen Can Signature also benefits from a superiorly balanced build. Also new is a custom equalizer setting. This setting is aimed at the Massdrop x Sennheiser 6xx headphones. The Sennheiser HD 650 – on which the curve is based – also benefits from the new setting, according to the manufacturer.
Needless to say, the idea is to combine both devices if you are an avid headphone listener.