iFi audio xCAN - the official thread

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iFi David

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iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« on: 19 Oct 2018, 09:57 pm »
iFi audio xCAN
KILLER BLUETOOTH. BALANCED COMBO


 
INTRODUCTION
With every product release, iFi manages to surpass itself, and their latest release, the xCAN, is no exception.

The xCAN is a portable, wireless DAP amp capable of storing eight Bluetooth devices at once while delivering 1000mW of power per channel.  And with in-built aptX and AAC Hi-Res streaming via Bluetooth, music has never sounded this clear.

It’s so clever it replaces two previous iFi products in one go, the micro iCAN SE and the nano iCAN.

DYNAMIC RANGE
And by this we don’t just mean the music! Not only can the xCAN be used as a powerful headphone amplifier with smartphones, computers and DAPs, it can also be used at home with your smart TV.

SMART THINKING
Imagine the scenario. It’s late at night and you feel like watching a film or firing up the Xbox but you don’t want to disturb your other half.  Your headphones don’t quite reach from your smart TV to your bed or comfortable place on the sofa.

The xCAN is the answer. Pair the xCAN with your smart TV via Bluetooth, plug your headphones into the xCAN at your side and you are good to go. No more untidy wires! Or problems with short cables!

POWER BOOST
Got a digital audio player? While the DACs in most high-end DAPs are more than worthy of doing the job, their inbuilt headphone amplifiers often fall short as they lack in power. Give them the boost they deserve with the xCAN. With a 1000mW of power per channel, the difference is there to be heard. Match our power with your player for the perfect combo.

PHONE FREEDOM
Not happy with your smartphone’s amplification but don’t want wires getting in the way? Simple – plug your headphones into the xCAN, pair it with your phone and pop it into your pocket. No more wires. You are free to use your phone as you wish – to text, to take selfies or to finish that annoying game of Candy Crush – all while listing to your favourite hi-res tunes.

SONIC BOOM
With a pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels, the xCAN is a significant sonic step up for all smartphones, DAPs computers and TVs.

The 3D+® and XBassⅡ® functions bring both sensitivity and power and the listener will feel the music and lyrics flowing around the room. And it delivers high-end audio quality from both Balanced and S-Balanced outputs.

Powerful stuff.

FULLY-LOADED FEATURES
The xCAN is packed with advanced features, including:
•   Dual-mono headphone amplifier with 1000mW of power per channel, which can unleash the full potential of both 32ohm and 600ohm headphones
•   Wireless Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) for CD-quality wireless sound
•   ESS Sabre DAC with time domain jitter eliminator
•   Balanced 2.5mm headphone output deliver high power and all the benefits of balanced connection
•   S-Balanced compatible 3.5mm headphone output delivers the benefits of the balanced connection to single-ended headphones
•   Advanced Analogue Signal Process (ASP), 3D+® and XBassⅡ® headphone optimisation circuits
•   Pure analogue volume control retaining full-resolution at all volume levels
•   Large 2200mAh Lithium-Polymer battery providing six-to-eight hours of playing time

STRONG AND MIGHTY
All these features have been packed into a resilient magnesium-aluminium body measuring just 95 x 66.5 x 19mm, just like the xDSD.

And coming in at a weight of just 127g, the xCAN packs a mighty punch without breaking a sweat.

Take a look at the front panel controls (left to right) below:
•   2.5mm TRRS Balanced output
•   3.5mm TRS S-Balanced output
•   Stepped attenuator volume control    (-95dB...+18dB gain)
•   Analogue Domain 3D Matrix/ XBassⅡ®   (on/off)
 
 
Rear panel controls (left to right)
•   2.5mm TRRS Balanced input  (Balanced TRRS wiring ONLY)
•   3.5mm TRS input  (compatible with TRS Headphones/IEMs)
•   Analogue Domain XBassⅡ® iQ correction  (on/off with 3 presets*)
•   USB C charging input port  (charging only)

*based on the Olive/Welti target response for correct natural sound with Headphones and IEMs.

The xCAN gives audio the boost it needs by cutting background noise and restoring a natural, cleaner sound. Whether listening to the latest chart-topper or much-loved 60’s classic, music never grows old with the iFi xCAN. 

The retail price of the xCAN is US$299 (ex-tax) or €349/£299 (incl VAT).
« Last Edit: 19 Feb 2019, 02:54 pm by iFi David »

iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #1 on: 19 Oct 2018, 10:00 pm »



iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #2 on: 22 Oct 2018, 08:43 pm »



iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #3 on: 23 Oct 2018, 07:04 pm »



iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #4 on: 29 Oct 2018, 12:52 am »
Folks, we posted this vid but it's something worth seeing again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=88&v=XD1V30ol9Ow

From the horse's mouth directly!

iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #5 on: 30 Oct 2018, 09:16 pm »
One of our staff came up with this. Honestly, we have no idea what his intentions were. And yes, there are dinosaur toys at our HQ, but please don't ask about them  :lol:



iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #6 on: 5 Nov 2018, 09:36 pm »
xCAN - Tech Note 1/2
Killer Bluetooth + Balanced Combo




Introduction

The xCAN is the next generation in mobile headphone amplifiers – it replaces the micro iCAN SE and the nano iCAN.

  • With high-end Bluetooth connectivity, just about every modern device is able to stream audio to it without the need for cumbersome cables.
  • The xCAN delivers high-end audio quality from both Balanced and S-Balanced outputs, using a balanced dual-mono circuit topology that draws from the flagship Pro iCAN in an extremely portable package.
  • The 3D+® Matrix for Headphones and the new XBassⅡ® system enhance your enjoyment of music by correcting common flaws even in very expensive headphones, offering the most musical enjoyment from the widest range of headphones.
Bluetooth but not as you know it

Bluetooth functionality in a device is one thing. To make it sound really great is another.

The cookie cutter route - get a do-it-all SOC[1] module, implement according to the datasheet and you are done. Like this:



These SOCs are mainly specified for ‘voice’ calling. Is it any wonder that audio on Bluetooth is distinctly ‘average’?

This is not the iFi way. So, for the xCAN (and the xDSD) we developed a ground-up solution where the SOC is used only for reception (ie: no conversion/amplification) and includes aptX and AAC codecs for best audio quality from both iDevices (AAC) and Android devices, laptops etc (aptX).



The signal from SOC has a huge amount of jitter so it is then sent to an ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC chipset with Time Domain Jitter Elimination and discrete oscillator, to eliminate jitter for conversion to analogue, before being sent to the amplifier.

The result? Quite an amazing performance from Bluetooth that is a positive surprise. And for all wishing to enjoy cordless audio/movies, the xCAN (like the xDSD) has ‘cut the cable’.



[1] SoC (‘System on Chip’) is a module with several functions embedded. Various SoCs are inside smartphones, tablets etc. Great for miniaturization, not so great for sound quality
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iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #7 on: 7 Nov 2018, 11:02 pm »
Folks, the second biggest audio event in Europe and one of the biggest in general - Poland's Audio Video Show - starts in 9 days.

And we'll be there!



  • Where: Warsaw (Poland)
  • Where exactly: The PGE Narodowy stadium, 1st floor
  • When: November 16-18, 2018


If you're there, please visit us!

iFi David

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Re: iFi audio xCAN - the official thread
« Reply #8 on: 22 Nov 2018, 08:33 am »
Folks, this is what we do this weekend:



If you're around, please come and say hi!