iFi iCAN Phantom flagship headphone amplifier

iFi presents its brand new iCAN Phantom headphone amplifier which, among other things, can drive electrostatic headphones.

Headphone hi-fi sometimes seems to be a somewhat neglected child, but there is a large fan base of this branch of the sport. For them, the new iFi iCAN Phantom headphone amplifier might be an interesting device. In terms of appearance, it looks like two stacked devices, but it’s really one unit. It is a pure analog device, where you can choose between a tube or solid state input stage. Under the hood you’ll encounter a Class A input amplifier for both scenarios. One built with tubes (computer matched pair GE 5670) and the other with J-FETs. The tube stage also has two switchable modes: Tube and Tube+, just whatever is more pleasing to your ear.

Phantom battery

Furthermore, the electronics of the iFi iCAN Phantom are fully differentially set up, from input to output. To drive electrostatic headphones, iFI has chosen for IESL technology. On the power supply side, we also find something special: a “phantom battery”. A very interesting compromise between the advantages of batteries without the disadvantages. The idea is simple: a battery of capacitors is charged by the power supply, after which the power supply is disconnected. From then on, the iCAN Phantom runs entirely on the capacitor bank. If its capacity falls below a certain value, the bank is briefly reconnected to the power supply to refuel. Finally, provision is made for the proprietary Nexus network control system that allows the iCAN Phantom to be controlled by an iOS or Android app if desired.

The price of the iFi iCAN Phantom is £3749. Pre-orders are already accepted, with delivery expected from the end of June.