Synergy
Power
This variant of the iFi Audio ZEN CAN seems better at driving some of my headphones compared to the past iterations. Perhaps the lower noise floor gives off that illusion but I don’t think it’s so.
It seems iFi managed to optimize parts of the circuitry to obtain a more robust power output. I was able to drive some hard-to-drive cans like the HE400se to ear-splitting levels with no loss of bass definition due to the lack of driving power.
The ZEN CAN 3 doesn’t offer their iEMatch but I did find the lowest setting of the gain switch and the second position of the gain switch to work well with sensitive IEMs and keep hiss to a minimum.
Pairing
The best thing about the iFi Audio ZEN CAN 3 is the synergy it offers with headphones that produce different sonic characters. If the headphone is bass-light, then the XBass+ takes care of that. If the soundstage needs help then the XSpace widens the sonic panorama.
The ZEN CAN 3 doesn’t blend in as far as aesthetics since it employs a unique shape, but it offers lots of sonic flexibility. It also offers some input flexibility but no preamplifier features. It can be used as a hub but remember, the outputs are fixed.
Select Comparisons
iFi Audio ZEN CAN 6xx/MZ99/HFM
Technical
The ZEN CAN is perhaps the amplifier that’s available in more colors than any other, and I’m not talking about cabinet color.
Apart from the ZEN CAN 1 which is no longer available, there’s the ZEN Air CAN which tightened up construction aesthetics and power supply circuitry, and there are three variants specific to certain headphones.
Each model substitutes the XBass+ feature for a sound curve that attempts to correct some of the most popular headphones out there.
My opinion is that it works on some occasions but at times, the sound curves push things too far and I prefer the XBass+ sonically over the rest.
The HFM variant attempts to correct the low-end deficiencies of their line. The 6xx variant attempts to correct even further since the frequency output since the 6XX feature takes the boosting further into the frequency bands.
The MZ99 pushed the bass response of the 99 Classics too far in my opinion and the variant is better suited for bass-light can bass compensation.
If I were to choose one I would choose the Signature series because the XBass+ is the more subtle bass boost of them all and sonically works best in general plus the ZEN CAN Signature seems to have a lower noise floor.
However, at this point, I would just jump on the ZEN CAN 3 because of the added features and the updated circuitry that seems to have lowered the noise floor below the other variants, including the Signature series ZEN CAN.
Design
All these models use the same rounded trapezoid shape and blue color scheme, and the only major difference seems to be the busier front panel with the addition of extra LEDs and features.
Cosmetically, a major facelift was given to the ZEN CAN 3 in that the front panel was split and took on an appearance that was not as monotone as the rest of the series. This one is distinct.
All the rest of the features remain identical, including the 4-way gain control, a 3-input section consisting of the same type of connectivity, and the 4.4mm and 3.5mm connectivity upfront.
Performance
Somehow, iFi Audio managed to retain the sonic characteristics of the line but lowered the noise floor on the ZEN CAN 3 over all the rest, and trust me, I’ve tested them all.
The new sound-shaping curves I can leave and I never used them during testing. The two curves are somewhat useful, but I felt that the ZEN CAN 3’s output quality with the XBass+ and XSpace was sufficient and the most pleasant setting.
Again, you cannot use the XBass+ feature and the XSpace with these sonic curves and they have to be selected singularly. The XBass+ and XSpace can be used simultaneously and that’s all I need.
Topping L70
Technical
You can call the Topping L70 the antithesis of the ZEN CAN 3. It’s fully digital, contrary to the analog ZEN CAN 3, it uses NFCA modules versus custom opamps and has no sound shaping features.
There are a couple of things the L70 does better, including power output and the comfort of remote control operation. The Topping L70 is rated to produce 7500mW which is much higher than the ZEN CAN 3, making this model more suitable for hard-to-drive cans.
There are a couple of sonic benefits in going analog, but there’s one drawback and that’s the small volume knob imbalance. However, on the ZEN CAN 3, iFi has improved the design and minimized the effect.
The Topping L70’s volume control is more granular, controlling volume at up to 5 increments and it’s an improvement, even over digital 100-step volume controls.
Design
The Topping L70 is boxy and has a single volume knob upfront alongside a connectivity set consisting of a 4.4mm balanced output alongside 4-pin XLR balanced connectivity. A full-size 6.35mm connection completes the package.
The L70 has just about the same inputs, except its XLR connectivity on the rear panel plus a 12-volt trigger. It can also act as a preamplifier since the outputs are controlled by the built-in multifunction volume knob.
The design is unorthodox in that the power button up front is a small touch panel and all the other features, including input selection and other features are accessed with the multifunction volume knob.
You can also access these features from the remote control which is something armchair audiophiles will find useful.
Performance
Again, we’re speaking antithesis here because the iFi Audio ZEN CAN 3 produces a warm, class-A sonic signature and the end user can add some color to the music by engaging the XBass+ and XSpace whereas the L70 has a one-sound profile, neutral.
The L70 has the power to spare and can produce enough power for any headphones you might have in your arsenal, but it only offers a neutral sonic profile, and a pure, close to sterile sonic profile.
Distortion levels are extremely low on the L70. The dynamic range rating is higher and it audibly is detectable. I would prefer the L70 in a monitoring scenario but the ZEN CAN 3 has sonic characteristics that might edge out the L70 when speaking of musicality.
My Verdict
The previous ZEN CAN line brought nothing new to the table over the first generation, however, the ZEN CAN 3 does, delivering a noise floor level below its predecessors which makes this amp worthy of consideration at check-out time and certainly an upgrade.
Considering how good the other ZEN CAN variants are, it’s a high compliment and praise when I say that the ZEN CAN 3 is the best in the series thus far.
I could take or leave the new sound presets but the XBass+ and XSpace have me spoiled. The added future-proof xMEMs capability, and warm iFi house sound, combined with robust construction, make the iFi Audio ZEN CAN 3 an outstanding offering in this price class.
iFi Audio ZEN CAN 3 Technical Specifications
- Input voltage: DC 5V / 2.5A AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz
- Analog inputs: SE RCA 2V, SE 3.5mm 1V, BAL 4.4mm 4.0V
- Max input level: RCA 3.8Vrms, 3.5mm 1.92Vrms, 4.4mm 7.4Vrms
- Output impedance: 4.4mm 2Ω, 6.35mm 1Ω
- Headphone output max: BAL 4.4mm 11.5V/2000 @64Ω, SE 6.35mm 7.2V 1600mW @32Ω
- Headphone output RMS BAL 4.4mm: 15.1V/385mW @600Ω,2V 1200mW @32Ω
- Headphone output RMS SE 6.35mm: 7.6V/98mW @600Ω,2V 1600mW @32Ω
- xMEMS: BAL 4.4mm 21Vpp 22Ω 11V DC bias
- SNR: BAL 4.4mm 125 dB(7.3V 4.4mm input 0 dB @600Ω), SE 6.35mm 122 dB 1.9V 0 dB @32Ω
- DNR: BAL 4.4mm 119 dBA @0 dBfs, SE6.35mm 119 dBA @0dBfs
- THD-N: BAL 4.4mm 0.006% @360mW 2.4V @16 Ω, SE 6.35mm 0.006% @100mW 1.27V @16Ω
- Line output impedance: 200Ω
- Line output level: 4Vrms 0dB 200kΩ load
- Line output SNR:125 dB (7.3V 4.4mm input 0db @200kΩ)
- Line output DNR: 119 dBA
- Line output THD-N: 0.006% (0 dB 200kΩ load)
- Gain: 0 dB, 6 dB, 12 dB, 18 dB
- Frequency response: 10Hz to 200kHz (-3 dB)
- Power consumption: no signal 5W, max signal 13W
- Dimensions 158x117x35mm (6.2”x4.6”x6.1“)
- Weight: 495g (1.09 Lbs)
