Review of the iFi xCAN portable amplifier: a second audio maniac’s temptation

Although

Brexit and still there, British brands don’t stand still. Today we continue to get acquainted with iFI innovations. Six months ago we already reviewed a portable DAC amplifier for headphones

iFi xDSD

, And now it’s time for its analog cousin, the xCAN, a portable amplifier that accepts digital sound via the

Bluetooth. The device is ideal for those who are used to listening to music using modern streaming services TIDAL, Spotify, Deezer, etc. – via smartphone, tablet or laptop, as well as for those who are in the habit of throwing your favorite songs on the phone and taking the auxiliary device on the road. And that’s not all this new device can do…

We thank online store pult for provided sample for listening

Technical characteristics

Type: Headphone Amplifier, Wireless Digital to Analogue Converter ESS Sabre

Manufacturer: iFi Audio, brand country – UK

Series: X

Inputs 2: 3.5mm analog TRS, 2.5mm TRRS balance iFi components only

Bluetooth: 44.1 48k 16-bit AAC, aptX, aptX LL, SBC

Outputs 2: 3.5mm TRS headphones, 2.5mm TRRS balanced

Signal to noise ratio: 121dB

Harmonic coefficient: 0.005% at 100 mW 1.26 V 16 ohms

Playable frequency range: 2 to 200000 Hz -3dB

Power on headphones: 45 – 1000 mW 300-32 Ohm

Gain: -95 – +18dB

Output impedance: S-balanced 1 ohm balanced 2 ohm

Recommended load resistance: 16-600 Ohm

Playback Time: 18 hours analog 12 hours Bluetooth

Charging: USB type-C port

Dimensions: 9.5cm x 6.7cm x 2cm

Weight: 127 grams.

Appearance and kit

“Bah! All the familiar faces!”The xCAN is shipped in a traditional iFi style white box: the logo on the top, a photo of the device with a brief annotation of its “awesomeness”, model details and a red bumper with a message about a full-balanced circuit with 1000 mW of power!

A bubble-white box with silver “iFi” letters come out from under the outer packing. As always, strict, stylish and beautiful.

Inside is an amplifier, black cloth case, USB type-C/USB type A cable for connecting to a power source power adapter/laptop/power bank and two short analog connection cables with angled jacks 3.5/3.5 mm TRS, and 2.5/2.5 mm TRRS to use xCAN as an amplifier for normal balanced and balanced inputs. Also included are “self-stickers” for attaching the device to the signal source and various instructions-warranty.

The set, it must be said, is quite impressive. The only wish I had is that the USB cable would be longer, it’s too short. But this problem can be solved and is not a serious problem.

The unit is made in the same design as the model xDSD. Both devices are so similar that you can’t tell in the dark, but you can feel them by the different set of connectors.

The case of the novelty still shimmers with relief shining metal, reminiscent of a cigarette case or a flask with longitudinal ribs. And it is as pleasant and comfortable to hold this model in your hand as the previous one.

On the front panel there are: headphone output 2.5mm balanced , 3.5mm balanced , round volume knob which, when pressed, turns on/off the device and changes color depending on the signal level. On the right side are two 3D+ and Xbass+ indicators and their switch button.

On the back panel are: USB type-C connector for charging the device, just below the LED indicating the battery level. Then there’s a 3-mode bass switch Bass/Presence/Bass+Presence and analog 3.5mm TRS and 2.5mm TRRS inputs for analog signal reception.

The back of the body, where the BT-receiver is located, closed plastic, as a result of this approach, problems with loss of signal should not be. Build quality does not cause any complaints, no backlashes and clearances.

According to the manufacturer, the battery should last approximately 18 analog mode and 12 Bluetooth hours, which is usually enough even for the most “long-listening” music lover.

What can xCAN do

xCAN is a very versatile cooking appliance. Let’s say you have a desktop DAC, amplifier or CD player at home that outputs sound to your speakers, but the built-in headphone amplifier is only listed as a “check mark”, and. Maybe it’s not available at all. In this case you can use xCAN as a headphone amplifier by feeding it from your source’s line out. The same is true for a PC sound card. Using similar circuit you can also connect the hero of our review to a portable player for extra amplification.

If you turn xCAN into a wireless DAC/headphone amplifier, you can connect your smartphone, notebook or even TV to it, if it has Bluetooth functionality.

Mobile devices are another “unploughed field” for today’s novelty. Even in that case, if you are full of pride for your smartphone with a dedicated DAC, I highly recommend to connect to your mobile xCAN. I can assure you no “hi-end” phone can reproduce real sound yet. You will be very surprised by what you hear! And you don’t have to make a cumbersome “sandwich” by connecting your xCAN cable to your smartphone. Bluetooth is a great help!

And here the output of analog signal from audio player’s line output to our device has deep sense: the direct purpose of xCAN is to increase the power and transmit all the colors of sound!

In my case, the novelty was used in this way:

On the road – smartphone/Bluetooth/xCAN/headphones

At home, with demanding headphones – digital transport player/laptop via S/PDIF, USB or smartphone via Bluetooth /xDSD line output or audio player wire/line input xCAN/headphones

In general, a device called xCAN is very versatile and will be extremely useful in various situations.

Sound

As an amplifier xCAN worked with the following signal sources: iFI xDSD, Lotoo paw Gold, Cayin N3, HiFiMAN HM-601LE.

I used the following headphones: 64 AUDIO A18 Tzar, 64 AUDIO A12t, EarSonics S-EM6 V2, Vision Ears VE8, iBasso IT01s, Beyerdynamic dt250 250 Ohm , Beyerdynamic dt1350, HiFiMAN HE-4.

The device immediately surprised me with its great power. It worked quite well with HiFiMAN HE-4 planar headphones. I didn’t expect this much muscle from a portable device. Not every average amplifier is ready for this kind of loading, because HE-4 with its 38 ohms has pretty low sensitivity, equal to 86dB/mW. After that xCAN with high impedance Beyerdynamic dt250 expectedly coped with one left.

With low-impedance multidriver headphones, made on the basis of armature drivers, also I didn’t notice any problems. I tested them with a regular 3.5 mm connection, where the output resistance is 2 ohms. I think that in the case of the balanced connection 2.5 mm everything will be fine, especially since its impedance is even lower – only 1 ohm.

I tested the balanced connection with the iBasso IT01s dynamic in-ear headphones. In this case, the device showed a slightly better drawing of small details and b

o

More power.

The xCAN sounds well balanced, rich, smooth and very musical. The device presents the material in a solid, melodic way, with a slight touch of warmth, good detail and high quality bass workout.

It’s smooth and unobtrusive processing without any obvious dips in one or the other area of the frequency response. There is a slight coloration, mostly in the midbass area, which makes it sound cozy and a little more dense than its xDSD predecessor. This mannerism only adds richness and charm to the sound.

However, the differences between xDSD and xCAN are not cardinal. They are only noticeable in nuances in a cursory comparison they may not be picked up at all. If in S/PDIF and USB the work of the xDSD is distinguished by a more accurate and clear transmission of sound, in the “aerial” mode the difference between the two devices is less noticeable, we can rather speak about the tastes in perception.

iFI xDSD slightly better arranges the virtual space in width paying attention to small details, whereas xCAN is more interesting in depth of space filling the virtual scene with volume and displaying macro images in a nice and harmonious way.

The high frequencies in the xDSD version are more extended, more so than the xCAN, but they are somewhat simplified when transmitted through the air. xCAN on the other hand represents the upper register in a more modest, clear and unobtrusive way.

The mid and low frequencies are nearly identical. Slight difference in the prioritization of micro and macro nuances in the listened track. On xCAN vocals sound very interesting. At the right moment it fills everything, like the light of footlights, emerging from the depths of musical maelstrom and enveloping the listener, and after its part it slowly fades until it dissolves completely. It’s dramatic and mesmerizing.

The bass register is good on both instruments. The xDSD conveys that range more linearly and clearly, while xCAN puts a slight emphasis on the midrange, making it sound weightier, warmer and with better depth. The background is darkened a bit, the overall picture is saturated with the timbral sound palette. Bass lines are played quite dynamically with decent pressure and good control.

To put it simply, the sound of xDSD is more mellow and driving, while xCAN’s is more serious and mature.

And the cherry on our musical “Olympus” is the genre versatility of the device it handles all styles with ease: classical, instrumental, jazz, rock or electronic – it is not allergic to any of the genres.

Bottom line

Bass is tight, dense, well-crafted, not encroaching on the middle register. The midbass is slightly overdriven, which gives the sound a warm undertone. The beat is tight and precise.

The midrange is smooth, even, without peaks and valleys, rich, dense, well defined and very, very musical. Strings and especially vocals are wonderfully rendered.

Treble – smooth, precise, not too sharp, with decent definition, not boring.

Conclusion

A pleasant device in every way. Stylish design, compact size, light weight, easy to use. Its main advantages are sound quality and versatility. Can be used as an amplifier and as a wireless DAC/amplifier. I would also note the long battery life on a single charge.

To the natural question of choosing between xDSD and xCAN I have no clear answer. These twin brothers can perfectly complement or replace each other wireless scenario . For me both are equally valuable. At home with my laptop, when I have full-size headphones on, the xDSD is used as a DAC/External sound card, it passes the analog signal to the xCAN, which serves as an amplifier in this configuration. When I go on the road, paired with a smartphone via a wireless protocol, I put in my pocket one or the other, depending on the amount of charge on the device or the desire to enjoy this or that shade of sound.

But the cost of devices is noticeably different. The price of iFI xCAN in the online store pult at the time of writing the review was equal to 28 790 Dollars, and the model xDSD in the same store sold for a little more expensive – for 38 488 Dollars. In my opinion, the prices of both devices are justified.

Generally speaking, you should make your personal choice based on your needs. If you are a complete audiomaniac, then take both at once!

Pros of

Sound, package, appearance, functionality, price

Minuses

No.