iFi Zen Can 3: Best Budget Analog Headphone Amplifier

There’s something uniquely immersive about listening to music through headphones. The right pair can transform an ordinary playlist into an extraordinary experience, offering unparalleled clarity and depth. Headphones draw you closer to the music, creating a personal soundstage that enhances your listening pleasure. However, before the advent of the Sony Walkman in the late 1970s, headphones were largely reserved for audiophiles. Today, they have become one of the most popular ways to enjoy music.

For dedicated headphone enthusiasts, typical audio setups or smartphones often fall short of delivering the best sound quality. Many audio devices lack a dedicated headphone amplifier designed to drive headphones effectively. So, what’s a music lover to do? The answer might be a dedicated headphone amplifier, especially if you own high-quality headphones or premium in-ear monitors.

One such amplifier is the new iFi Zen Can 3, a remarkable headphone amplifier from the British audio brand. Designed to drive headphones with 2,000mW of pure Class A amplification, the Zen Can 3 eschews cheap digital stages for superior analog performance. This compact yet solidly built device maintains the classic aesthetic of the iFi Zen family, which includes a DAC, Bluetooth transmitter/receiver, and the Zen Can 3.

The build quality of the Zen Can 3 is impressive for its price. It has a substantial feel, though smaller than a paperback book. On the front panel, from left to right, you’ll find a power button followed by an input selector. This selector allows you to choose between a 4.4mm balanced input, an RCA line-in, or a single-ended 3.5mm source. These options cater to most needs, with many users likely connecting the Zen Can 3 to the preamp output of a hi-fi system with an average-quality headphone output.

The other two inputs accommodate devices such as a smartphone with an audio jack or a digital audio player with a 4.4mm output. If you have a balanced 4.4mm input, it’s best to use it, but if not, the next control—a gain knob—allows you to adjust the gain to 0dB, +6dBV, +12dB, or +18dB. The appropriate gain level depends on how demanding your headphones are. All headphones have an impedance rating, which dictates the power needed for optimal performance. Experimenting with the gain setting will help you find the best match for your headphones.

Next to the gain control is a large rotary volume knob, which offers precise adjustments with its smooth, tactile feel. Adjacent to the volume control is a 6.35mm single-ended jack for full-sized headphones and a 4.4mm balanced output for mid-tier headphones like the Sennheiser HD660S.

The Zen Can 3 also features a Mode button that cycles through various EQ modes, allowing you to tailor the sound for gaming, movie watching, or use with xMEMs IEMs. There are XBass and XSpace modes to enhance the low end or simulate a surround sound effect. All mode adjustments occur in the analog stage, which ensures better output quality. Finding the right mode is a matter of personal preference, and it’s worth experimenting to see what sounds best to you. I prefer the sound without any mode adjustments, but the choice is yours.

On the rear panel of the Zen Can 3, you’ll find the physical inputs for the RCA line-in, 4.4mm balanced, and 3.5mm single-ended connections. There is also a fixed-level output for a 4.4mm balanced connection, but be cautious with this output—it’s intended for driving a fixed input on an amplifier and could damage high-end IEMs if connected directly.

Now, let’s talk about performance. The Zen Can 3 comes with a 5V mains power supply. Although it would have been convenient to have a USB-C power port, this is a minor issue. The amplifier also includes a short RCA phono stereo lead for connecting to an amplifier’s preamp output.

Setting up the Zen Can 3 is straightforward. I connected the headphone output of my Mac Mini to the 3.5mm balanced input and set the gain to 12 dB. Instantly, the sound enveloped me with warmth. The Class A amplification in the Zen Can 3 is magical, even when enhancing the headphone output from a computer or smartphone. This represents a significant upgrade from the headphone amplifiers found in most audio systems.

My initial test was with Shelby Lynne’s rendition of “The Look of Love.” The Zen Can 3 rendered this classic song from the Great American Songbook into a beautifully warm and languid performance. The amplifier’s impressive capabilities are partly due to the technology borrowed from iFi’s flagship iCAN Phantom headphone amp.

Switching to a pair of balanced A&K Empire Novus IEMs, I tested the Zen Can 3 with Eva Cassidy’s “Autumn Leaves.” Cassidy’s poignant vocals were conveyed with remarkable delicacy and emotional depth. The Zen Can 3 transformed the music, turning harsh digital sources into a smooth analog experience that made me feel as though I was listening to vinyl.

Verdict: If you’re passionate about headphone listening, the iFi Zen Can 3 is an exceptional value. This amplifier will significantly enhance the audio quality of almost any device driving your headphones. Its superb analog engineering provides warmth and detail, making any pair of headphones sound their best. The Zen Can 3 can handle everything from the demanding A&K Empire Novus IEMs with their 13 drivers to the more budget-friendly Sennheiser HD620S closed-back headphones. For its price, the Zen Can 3 is unparalleled and a must-have for serious headphone enthusiasts.

Pricing & Availability: The iFi Audio Zen Can 3 is available now for $229 / £229 / €229.

Tech Specs:

• Input Voltage: 5V/2.5A DC
• Analog Inputs: SE RCA L/R (2.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 1MegOhm Zin), SE 3.5mm (1.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 1 MegΩ Zin), Balanced 4.4mm (4.0V nominal @ 0dBFS, 24kOhm Zin)
• Max Input Level: SE RCA 3.8V RMS, SE 3.5mm 1.92V RMS, BAL 4.4mm 7.4V RMS
• Output Impedance: BAL 4.4mm HP <2Ω, SE 6.3mm HP <1Ω
• Headphone Output (RMS): BAL 4.4mm >11.5V/2,000mW (@ 64Ω), SE 6.35mm >7.2V/1,600mW (@ 32Ω)
• Headphone Output (Max.): BAL 4.4mm >15.1V/385mW (@ 600Ω), >6.2V/1,200mW (@ 32Ω), SE 6.35mm >7.6V/98mW (@ 600Ω), >7.2V/1,600mW (@ 32Ω)
• xMEMS: BAL 4.4mm >21Vpp, 22Ω, 11V DC bias
• SNR: BAL 4.4mm ≥125dB, SE 6.35mm ≥122dB
• DNR: BAL 4.4mm ≥119dB(A), SE 6.35mm ≥119dB(A)
• THD+N: BAL 4.4mm <0.006%, SE 6.35mm <0.006%
• Output Impedance: <200Ω
• Output Level: 4Vrms (0dB 200kΩ load)
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-200kHz (-3dB)
• Power Consumption: No Signal ~5W, Max Signal ~13W
• Dimensions: 158 x 117 x 35mm
• Net Weight: 495g