iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature MZ99

Special By Design

The original ZEN CAN, an all-analog headphone amplifier, had the ability to drive tough headphone loads with a balanced circuit design, vanishingly low levels of distortion, and exceptional sonics. The ZEN CAN Signature 6XX pushed this design even further with sonic tailoring specific to the “MassDrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphone”.

Now, iFi has finely tuned a brand-new ZEN CAN Signature to work with the Meze 99 headphones – the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99. Their custom ActivEQ setting is expertly tuned across the entire frequency response curve to bring out the best in these already remarkable headphones.

iFi's ActivEQ

The ActivEQ feature combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit a particular pair of headphones. This is performed in the analog domain without adding any additional noise or distortion. The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 features an ActivEQ finely tuned to match and improve the response of the Meze 99 Headphones. The Meze 99 Classic offers exceptional tonality and delivers outstanding dynamic expression. The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 adjusts the treble for more vivaciousness and enhances the mid-low bass to extract the last drop of sonic goodness.

Pressing the MZ99 button on the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 calibrates its signal to complement the headphone’s response characteristics right across the frequency range. As with the previous ZEN CAN Signature model, this feature can be switched on or off. Without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99’s performance is cleverly balanced to bring out the best in all other headphones and in-ear monitors.

High-End Circuit Design

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99’s circuitry is a balanced and symmetrical dual-mono design. This is a topology which is usually only reserved for high-end headphone amps. However, in this case, there are a number of key elements that trickled down from the discrete Class A circuitry developed for iFi’s flagship headphone amplifier, the Pro iCAN. Key components have been upgraded to enhance performance in line with the improvements made to the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99, including the use of Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors.

Plus, it has four gain settings in six dB steps (0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db) via iFi's PowerMatch. This enables the amp to precisely suit the connected headphones. Unity gain (0dB) is useful to ensure low noise with sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings make the most of tougher headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom.

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a 4.4mm balanced 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 balanced output for headphones offering balanced connection.

An increasing number of high-quality headphones and in-ear monitors often come equipped with or give the option of detaching the cable and upgrading to a 4.4mm balanced connector, and this output makes the most of them, which is why it is particularly recommended for high-impedance headphones.

Cracking Combo

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 works well with the ZEN DAC Signature. The two products can be bought separately but a ‘ZEN Signature Set’ is now available. This features both ZEN Signature units plus a high-performance 4.4mm Pentaconn cable to connect them together. When used in tandem, the two ZEN Signatures make a fantastic desktop-sized headphone system for both digital and analog sources, further extending the reputation of iFi’s ZEN Series for delivering exceptional performance and versatility at remarkable prices.