iFi Zen Air CAN - High Resolution Headphone Amplifier for PC/Mac/Smartphone/Tablet/TV's/Streamers | 3.5mm Audio and RCA Outputs to Speakers | US

Two years of ownership and use and this little amp continues to surprise me with its ability to drive my iems and headphones. The three dongle dacs I had purchased between $50 to $80 dollars for my iems worked as expected and provided very good sound with the amp. As I transitioned to headphones I was also delighted that the external dacs I had worked without issues with this amplifier to provide a level of audio that exceeded my expectations considering its price (including a few dollars for a 5v power supply). It also worked properly with a power bank I had previously purchased. I have not had any audio issues driving my Sennheiser or Hifiman headphones with good clarity and sound to volumes that over time would damage your hearing. It has proven to be an excellent purchase at a reasonable price for my listening needs…

I was in the market for a new dedicated headphone amp and didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg. The online reviews for the Air CAN were mostly glowing (for the price), so I bit the bullet and copped one. I don’t expect much from an amplifier—just transparent, quiet amplification from my source (TT and phono preamp) and solid reliability. I already have the Zen Phono 3 and mostly enjoy it, so I thought this would be a nice addition to my music setup. First, like everyone else has been complaining about, a power supply should be included. I’m not talking about their $80 one—a simple 5V 2.45A power supply would suffice. At the very least, it should be an option on their Amazon page. Kind of like how other audio companies let you add Bluetooth to speakers or a CD player, or choose a TT with or without an internal preamp. Thankfully, I had a 5V 1a power supply lying around and am using that. I don’t know if the missing 1.5 amps has a significant effect on performance, but it’ll work for now. I’m tempted to just fork over the 80 bucks for their “quiet” power supply, but I’d rather return this and upgrade to the Zen Can 3. Even though that one doesn’t include the "quiet" power supply either, it at least comes with a standard one. As far as materials go, I don’t really have any complaints. On my record stand, next to the Phono 3, I think it looks pretty good. While it definitely doesn’t look or feel as nice as the Phono 3 (and I assume the Zen Can 3), it’s at least $130 cheaper—so again, I can’t complain. I placed the Phono 3 on top of the Air Can, and from normal distances—outside of the huge plastic volume knob—you can’t tell it’s an all-plastic device. Step in a little closer and start touching it, and you’ll immediately see where they cut costs. But for the price, I think it looks pretty sharp and inoffensive. The only reason I bought this was so I could listen to records—loudly, I might add—late at night without disturbing anyone’s beauty sleep. As an amplifier, the Air Can accomplishes this beautifully. The spec’s show that this little thing is more than capable of driving all types of high impedance cans, so it had no issue pumping power through my headphones. The tunes don’t sound as good as they do blasting through my speakers, but I think that’s more a case of me having average headphones. I don’t own any exotic or high-end cans, but they do an above-average job of making me bust a move. I really dig the xbass and xspace features and use them all the time. Neither is overwhelming or over the top, and add a nice, full, robust enhancement to the music experience. I've tried them separately and definitely prefer them together. Depending on which headphones I’m using, I either have to use the second or third gain setting to get a respectfully funky volume. There’s more noise (hum) when I’m using active headphones, but it’s easily overridden with a turn of the volume knob. When I plug in a pair of passive speakers via 3.5mm, there’s less hum/buzz—but it increases as the volume goes up. I’m sure this could be easily fixed by copping iFi’s upgraded power supply, but that would bring the total cost to at least $180. At that price, I’d start looking at other options. While there may not be many, there are some. At this point, I don’t know if I’m going to return it or keep it. The music sounds fine, but I really can’t stand the humming/buzzing—minimal as it may be—and don’t feel like shelling out another $80 just to minimize it. I’m really leaning toward just getting the Zen Can 3 and calling it a day. But I'm mostly enjoying the Air CAN and don't think most would be dissatisfied with its features or overall sound.

After having this a little while now I have to say that if you pair this with a headphone system that is light on the low end the bass to sub bass section, you will love it! As far as volume, don't believe the hype. It's OK, not the loudest thing out, but it is the cleanest. I know that this company has had manufacturing issues in the past but mine seem to work right out the box no leveling issues whatsoever. As a side note if you are using the 400 SE, the 1060 C or the sundaras the second gain level is all you need. Great product Flawless sound you won't be disappointed

Excelent for the price. I paired it with a Raspberyy Pi with a hat DAC and sound is excellent. Tried it with Sennheiser HD58X and HD6XX, and with Hifiman He400. Plenty of volume for all of them without requiring to go past the midpoint in the volume knob. For the moment, I've used it mostly with the 58X and I feel a "clarity" that I didn't feel when paring them with a cheap Rockville Tubehead amp (not to say the rockville amp is bad, it's actually quite nice). Next couple of weeks I'll try it more extensively with the 6XX and the He400, but hoping to get good results too.

Matches perfectly with Ifi Zen Air Dac for streaming. It drives my HiFiMan Sundara headphones with aplomb! With 2 inputs in, 3 gain settings, and a balanced 4.4mm along with standard headphone jack, very functional. Don’t be mislead by description saying only use with ipad, iphone, etc etc. This is a full functioning powerful amp. Ifi Zen does it again. You will need a 5v ac adapter to power this amp properly.

Sounded good. I ended up returning it for an all in one DAC/amp that sounded just as good for only a couple of bucks more.

I don't know if there's something wrong with mine, but anything below about 150 Hz sounds SUPER distorted. It's literally the worst DAC or amp I've ever heard. I tried it with both an Audio Technica ATH-R70X and a Fostex TH909 and they both had very low, super distorted sounding bass. I tried it with all different settings and it was the same horrible quality with them all.

Una buena solucion para los tocadiscos que no tengan toma de auriculares

Habe mir den iFi Zen Air CAN aufgrund eines Probehörens auf der FINEST AUDIO SHOW in Dortmung bestellt. Es ist nicht so, daß bei uns ein Mangel an Kopfhörerverstärkern besteht (3 Stück), aber der Preis war sehr reizvoll. Und tatsächlich, mit einem AUDEZE LCD2 und einem Hifiman Sundara gab es klanglich kaum was zu meckern. Auch mit einem älteren hochohmigen SONY Kopfhörer harmonierte der iFi Zen Air CAN gut. Der iFi Zen Air CAN spielt eher auf der schlanken Seite, aber sehr präzise und tonal sehr ausgewogen. Ein deutlicher Gewinn gegenüber üblichen Kopfhörerausgängen an Verstärkern oder Handys*. Die räumliche Darstellung geht eher etwas in die Breite, unsere Eigenkonstruktionen machen dagegen mehr Tiefe beim Klangeindruck. Zusammen mit einem guten preiswerten CD-Spieler z.B. wie dem Project Project S3 und einem Hifiman Sundara hat man für unter 850€ eine richtig gute kleine Hifianlage. Außerdem kann man noch zusätzlich 2 weitere Quellgeräte anschließen. Also eine klare Empfehlung! * Kleine Anwerkung: Einen richtigen (TM) Hörtest sollte man NICHT mit einem Handy als Quelle(egal welche Firma) vornehmen, sondern mit einem vernünftigen Quellgerät, wie z.B. CD-Spieler. Die meisten "Smart"phones haben so abenteuerlich verbogene Frequenzgänge, daß man das als Quelle für andere Geräte getrost vergessen kann. Wahrscheinlich findet dort eher ein Vorentzerrung für die beigelegten Ohrstöpsel statt, damit diese überhaupt irgendwas in Richtung Klang erzeugen können..

Parfait associé avec mon casque Focal! Entreprise très réactive pour répondre aux questions. Vendeur très sérieux je recommande vivement. Sophie

What can i say? With a single word its perfect. I was using Zen Dac V1 for drive my Sony Mdr 7506 headphone. But when i got Hifiman Sundara Zen Dac was not powerfull to drive them. Then i got a balanced cable to use 4.4 balanced output of the Zen Dac beause there is more power than the 6.5 output, sound was better but it was going to distortion on the high volume because Zen Dac only deliver 380 mW max. and not enough very well. Then i decided to get Zen Air Can as separeted headphone amp. Because its 3 times more powerful than then the Zen Dac’s balanced output. (Air Can: 1,2 watt at 32ohm) (Zen Dac: 380mW at 32ohm) Now i using Zen Dac as a dac and Air Can to drive my Sundara. As power supply i using Dc 5v 2,4 A phone charger (12watt). Its feed up very well. **(Please mind about current level, because first i tried with 5V 1A charger, but 5V 2,4 A charger better about sound and all) The result is amazing. There is more power, sound stage and details on the Sundara withtout distortion on high volume(xbass is off). XSpace is a nice filter which i like turn it on, it adds more air and stage to music without change sound character. Yes its a plastic body but build quality nice enough with metal volume knob and looks premium with dark grey and black colors. On this price point we can not get better than this. I would like to say thanks to ifi Audio engineers and all ifi Audio team. This was more than i expect. And this setup put a big smile to my face. And also thanks to Peter Tyson’s shop for fast delivery, the pack was on my hand next day.

I am extremely happy with my ifi Zen Air Can headphone amplifier together with my Austrian Audio Hi-X15 headphones purchased and plugged in my Marantz CD6007 CD player together with Chord interconnects giving me head-fi heaven.