MEZE X IFI COMPLETE AUDIOPHILE SET

99 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

Selecting the MZ99 button on the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 calibrates its signal to complement the headphone’s response characteristics right across the frequency range. This then tunes its performance to work with Meze 99 headphones. This feature can be switched on or off, according to your preferences.

XSPACE

This analogue processing mode compensates for the ‘in-head localization’ effect that can occur when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers. It widens the headphone soundstage to deliver a more spacious and speaker-like experience.

GAIN, SET, MATCH

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db, a feature called PowerMatch. This enables the amp to precisely suit the connected headphones. Unity gain (0dB) is useful to ensure low noise with sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings make the most of tougher headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom.

BALANCED IS BETTER

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99’s circuitry is a balanced, symmetrical dual-mono design – a topology usually reserved for high-end headphone amps – with a number of key elements trickled down from the discrete Class A circuitry developed for iFi’s flagship headphone amplifier, the Pro iCAN.Key components have been upgraded to enhance performance in line with the improvements made to the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99, including the use of Panasonic OS-CON and Elna Silmic II capacitors. The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 offers stereo RCA and 3.5mm single-ended inputs, plus a balanced 4.4mm Balanced input. There is also a 4.4mm balanced output so you can connect to power amps equipped with a balanced input.

ZEN DAC SIGNATURE V2

This ZEN DAC Signature V2 is the upgraded version of the original ZEN DAC Signature – a pure DAC that benefits from true-differential balanced circuit design. It has upgraded circuit components and short, direct signal paths for optimal signal purity.

It delivers bit-perfect PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz), native DSD (up to DSD256) and DXD. The use of the 16- core XMOS chip, rather than the original 8-core, means it is now a full MQA decoder rather than a renderer. It offers a pair of RCA sockets for single-ended connection to an amp, plus a Balanced 4.4mm output.

The full benefit of the ZEN DAC Signature V2’s balanced circuit design comes to the fore when it is connected to an amp or active speakers equipped with a balanced input. This can either be a 4.4mm Balanced input or stereo XLR inputs via a 4.4mm-to-XLR cable. It can switch between ‘variable’ and ‘fixed’ outputs.

iFi 4.4MM TO 4.4MM CABLE

This cable employs heavy OFHC continuous cast copper and silver matrix conductors with a total thickness of 14AWG for the best signal transfer.

It’s a perfect addition to our ZEN Signature Set MZ99 as this audiophile-grade cable will give you maximum quality balanced signal transfer and minimum interference.

The cable construction is a custom helix design, minimised both in capacitance and inductance. It has intrinsic shielding provided by minZ™ helix construction. This protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise and provides the cleanest transfer medium possible.

To insulate the cable even further, we used an RoHS compliant super-soft (60P) HD polymer with 1500V AC spark resistance and excellent dielectric properties.