iFi Zen CAN 3

What is even more impressive about Zen CAN 3, though, is its practicality for listeners of entry-level headphones, right up to easy-to-drive Focal and IEM flagships.

iFi's use of their custom 'Operationsverstärker' op-amps means that they're fully in charge of how much – or importantly, how little – gain is applied internally to Zen CAN 3.

This mini marvel is capable of working at unity gain at the push of a button. With 0dB of gain applied to the incoming signal, Zen CAN 3 is realistically able to drive 90 per cent of transducers out there, from the easiest to the most difficult, without suffering any noise penalty.

It's unlikely users will ever find it necessary to go beyond unity gain on their iFi, allowing listeners to climb up their knob where signal-to-noise can reach a leading 125dB, while always enjoying perfect channel balance.

Zen CAN 3's flexibility doesn't stop there. With built-in 'Movie' and 'Gain' modes on top of favourites like XBass and XSpace, all implemented in the analog domain without lossy digital EQ, iFi owners can tweak the Zen CAN 3 to their exact liking.

Feed Zen CAN 3 signal from iFi's own Zen DAC 3 and Zen Blue 3, or take hip-dac 3 on the go as you explore the rest of their range here.