iFi ZEN CAN (Standard Edition) Desktop headphone amplifier

Space-saving desktop amp that provides substantial power

I named the iFi Audio ZEN CAN standard edition the best desktop headphone amp for a small workspace. And it happens to be the one sitting on my home office desk, stacked on top of the iFi ZEN DAC V2. This solidly built amp fits into small places and feeds clean, robust power to your high-performance headphones.

It can drive headphones of all shapes and sizes, with impedance from 16 ohms up to 600 ohms. In unbalanced mode, this amp can deliver up to 1,600mW of power — a ridiculous amount of power for its compact size. I barely have to budge the center knob to get enough volume for most headphones.

Part of iFi's popular ZEN series

The ZEN CAN Signature is unapologetically ONLY a headphone amp. There is no DAC inside and there are no digital audio connections at all. It receives the analog audio signal from a separate DAC and has one job — powering your headphones.

Controls and headphone outputs on the front panel.

It's built to complement the ZEN DAC V2 in sound and design. They stack neatly together and connect via included RCA cables (or a balanced 4.4mm-to-4.4mm cable that's not included). The whole setup takes up very little space on a desk, but each piece looks and feels like a premium audio component.

Works with all types of headphones

On the front panel, there is a 1/4" stereo headphone jack along with a balanced 4.4mm headphone output. The latter is the new industry standard balanced connection that helps cuts down on signal noise and distortion. A growing list of headphones from multiple brands use it.

There's also gain button, so you can properly match up the power with your headphone impedance. But my favorite feature is their "sound control processing" button that adds extra bass or expands the soundfield (or both). Most headphones have benefitted from the extra low-end punch, and it's as tight and controlled as it is strong.