The iFi Zen series of inexpensive hi-fi elements has confirmed an enormous success, with the trio we have examined all garnering constructive critiques. Now, two of the fashions within the vary – the five-star Zen DAC/headphone amp and the Zen Can analogue-only headphone amp – have been handled to enhanced circuitry to spawn Signature variations.

The Zen DAC Signature (pictured beneath) and Zen Can Signature 6XX (high) had been initially made in a limited-edition capability to be bought by a US crowd-shopping website, however now that inventory has bought out the British audio model is launching a correct run of the Signature fashions worldwide. They each sport a deep Area Blue end, versus the darkish gray color of the usual fashions – however that’s on no account the one adaptation justifying their existence.

The Zen DAC Signature is definitely positioned as a barely completely different beast to the common mannequin, sacrificing the Zen DAC’s headphone amplifier and getting upgraded totally balanced circuitry as an alternative – particularly improved capacitors and shorter, extra direct sign paths – within the title of enhanced sound high quality. File assist and inputs match the exhaustive tally of the unique mannequin, although: it is appropriate with PCM (as much as 32-bit/384kHz), native DSD (as much as DSD256), DXD and MQA tracks and boasts USB Sort B and RCA sockets, plus a balanced Pentaconn 4.4mm output. For many who worth headphones listening, the thought right here is that the Zen DAC Signature is paired with the Can Signature 6XX headphone amplifier.

Talking of which, the all-new Signature variant of the Zen May largely mirrors the versatile performance of its legacy mannequin (particularly 4 acquire settings and RCA, 3.5mm, 6.3mm and balanced 4.4mm connections) however too advantages from superior balanced circuit design.

There is a new customized EQ setting referred to as ActivEQ, and within the Zen Can Signature 6XX it has been particularly tailor-made to the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones (based mostly on Sennheiser’s HD 650, which iFi says also can profit from this particular EQ curve). A second Zen Can Signature mannequin with ActivEQ tailor-made to a different pair of headphones is on the playing cards, with iFi having opened a vote for which mannequin it must be.