ZEN CAN Signature MZ99

Made for Meze

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 with its tailored ActivEQ is precision tuned to extract the last drop of sonic goodness from Meze 99 headphones.

The majestic Mezes

The original ZEN CAN, our all-analogue headphone amplifier, had the ability to drive tough headphone loads with a balanced circuit design, vanishingly low levels of distortion and exceptional sonics. The specially tuned ZEN CAN Signature 6XX  and ZEN CAN Signature HFM swiftly followed.

However, there was one more headphone we thought deserved the ActiveEQ treatment – the Meze 99 Classics.

We love this headphone and know it works well with our gear but we just wanted to push its performance as far as we could.

ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 from iFi audio

iFi’s ActivEQ

Our ActivEQ feature combines active and passive components to create a specific EQ curve to suit a particular pair of headphones. This is performed in the analogue domain without adding any additional noise or distortion.

The Meze 99 Classics are revered the world over for their exceptional tonality and dynamic expression – they are loved by artists and audio enthusiasts alike. The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99, with the perfectly matched ActivEQ mode, adjusts the treble for more ‘vivaciousness’, and the enhanced mid-low bass extracts the last drop of sonic goodness from the Meze 99 Classics.

The Meze 99 Classics & ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 performance is simply magnificent.

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.

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 does not only work with the Meze 99 Classics, but also with the Meze 99 Neo and the Meze 99 by Drop.

As with our previous ZEN CAN Signature models, this feature can be switched on or off. Without ActivEQ engaged, the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99’s performance will bring out the best in all other headphones and in-ear monitors.

ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 from iFi audio

Gain, set, match

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db. We’ve called this 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.

XSpace

This analogue processing mode compensates for the ‘in-head localisation’ 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.

ZEN CAN Signature 6XX from iFi audio

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.

A ‘meze’ ing

The amp provides magnificent drive capability, delivering 1600mW (7.2V) into 32 ohms from the single-ended output, with 15V+ available to loads of 600 ohms or more through the balanced output.

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 delivers monumentally low distortion, rich sonic detail, and mesmerising dynamics and the ability to drive all manner of headphones with ease.

Stay connected

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.

It features a pair of headphone outputs – a 6.3mm output for headphones that have a standard single-ended connector (compatible with all headphones) and a 4.4mm Balanced output for headphones offering balanced connection.

An increasing number of high-quality headphones and in-ear monitors either come so equipped or give the option of detaching the cable and upgrading to a 4.4mm Balanced connector, and this output makes the most of them (it is particularly recommended for high-impedance headphones).

Making magic happen

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 works magically with the ZEN DAC Signature V2.

Although you can buy each unit separately, a ‘ZEN Signature Set’ is also available. This includes both ZEN Signature units plus a high-performance 4.4mm Balanced cable (worth £69 when purchased separately) to connect them together.

When used together, the two ZEN Signatures make an unbeatable, desktop-sized headphone system for both digital and analogue listening.

Majestic measurements

ZEN CAN Signature MZ99: 1,600mW
Laptop Headphone: 30mW

52x

more headphone power

Analogue v Digital

Most modern systems use Digital Signal Processing. DSP samples analogue sound waves into a limited set of numbers and records them. The overuse of DSP can result in an over compressed unnatural sound and the translation and reassembly of data make digital devices prone to loss of quality.

All iFi products use Analogue Signal Processing as we believe it is better suited to audio. ASP does not cause signal quality to be lost as it records waveforms as they are and produces a more natural sound.

Gain

Gain is the amount of increase in audio signal strength. Gain is often expressed in decibels (dB).

Soundstage

So, what is a soundstage? Imagine yourself in a small theatre, 10 rows from the front, dead centre, watching an orchestra perform on stage. Now close your eyes. This is the ‘sound stage.’

In audio speak, it is an imaginary 3D space created by the high-quality reproduction of sound in a stereo speaker system. In other words, the soundstage allows the listener to hear the placement of the orchestra vis-a-vis instruments when listening to a given piece of music.

Balanced v unbalanced headphone connections

An unbalanced headphone cable has a left + and right + wire, for each respective side. The other, the third – wire is shared by both left and right channels. As this is shared, this gives rise to undesired coupling noise which is commonly referred to as ‘crosstalk.’

A balanced cable has the same left + and right +. But it has a separate left – and right -. With totally separate wiring ‘crosstalk’ is negligible. Therefore, a balanced connection is the superior headphone wiring configuration.

The Audiophile Starter Set

*Limited Time Offer*

Purchase the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 and Meze 99 Classics and SAVE up to 20%

This bundle is perfect for those taking their first step on the journey to better-sounding music.

The Meze 99 Classics deliver perfect natural sound even to the pickiest of audio lovers. The walnut wood earcups, soft earpads, and spring steel headband make the 99 Classics an heirloom rather than just a pair of headphones.

The RRP of this bundle is £608. Pay just £499 with this offer and save over £100!

A fully-discrete and balanced amplifier audio circuit. The full symmetric dual-mono headphone amplifier with gold-plated 4.4mm balanced connection. Premium engineering is more expensive but lowers the noise floor to a whisper-quiet levels.

Check out the tech note for the details.

As with many other iFi audio products, we’ve incorporated a custom OV Series operational-amplifier. This top-notch component contributes to the extremely low noise, low distortion (0.0001%) and wide bandwidth.

A Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co. (TOCOS) multi-track potentiometer is used. This has close channel matching tolerance for optimal performance (always use above 11 o’ clock).

Switching between settings has been engineered to ensure sonic transparency with advanced trench technology MOSFET is used as a muting switch.

This FET-based switching is handled by a micro-controller, which only ‘wakes up’ when the user changes a setting, thus eradicating any sonically deleterious interference.

TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications.

Getting ever closer to the theoretical ideal of pure, frequency-constant capacitance, these capacitors reduce capacitor-induced distortion to vanishingly low levels.

They are pricey but are a perfect addition to our products.

Panasonic OS-CON caps totaling 5,410uF give very-low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), excellent noise reduction capability and frequency response characteristics. In addition, OS-CONs have a long-life span and its ESR changes little even at low temperatures since the electrolyte is solid.

They are not often found in products costing <US$1000.

We use ELNA Japan Silmic II capacitors for the power supplies.

The primary constituent of the newly developed dielectric is silk fibre. This material was believed as unfathomable as an aluminium electrolytic capacitor. The new material beats silk fibre and mixes it with Manila hemp fibre to provide the dielectric to an aluminium electrolytic capacitor used for high-grade music. The result is second-to-none superior acoustic properties and excellent linearity.

Distributor

iFi audio USA (West Coast)

California
Retailer

Apos Inc.

California
Retailer

Music Direct

Illinois
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Gramophone

Maryland
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Gramophone

Maryland
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Gramophone

Maryland
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Gramophone

Maryland
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Gramophone

Maryland
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Audio Advisor

Michigan
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High Definition Tape Transfers

New Jersey
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Bloom Audio

New Jersey
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Audio 46

New York
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Turntable Lab NY Storefront

New York
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AudioAdvice

North Carolina
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AudioAdvice

North Carolina
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Moon Audio

North Carolina
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Headphones.com

Oregon
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HIDEF Lifestyle

Pennsylvania
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World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Retailer

World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Distributor

iFi audio USA (East Coast)

Virginia

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

Input Voltage5V/2.5A
Max OutputBalanced


Single-Ended
>15.1V/385 mW (@ 600 Ohm)
>11.0V/1890 mW (@ 64 Ohm)
>6.2V/1200 mW (@ 32 Ohm)
>7.6V/98mW (@ 600 Ohm)
>7.4V/870 mW (@ 64 Ohm)
>7.2V/1600 mW (@ 32 Ohm)
THD&N<0.006% (@ 360 mW/2.4V 16
Ohm)
<0.005% (@ 100 mW/1.27V 16
Ohm)
SNRBalanced
Single-Ended
>121dBA (@ 15.2V )
>120dBA (@ 7.6V )
Max OutputBalanced
RCA
3.5mm
7.4V RMS
3.8V RMS
1.92V RMS
Gain0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18dB
Frequency Response10Hz - 200kHz (-3dB)
Power consumptionNo Signal ~5W
Max Signal ~12W
Dimensions158 x 117 x 35 mm
6.2" x 4.6" x 1.4"
Weight550 g
1.21 lbs
Line Section
OutputsBAL
UNBAL
6.7V max. (variable)
3.5V max. (variable)
Output ImpedanceBAL
UNBAL
<200Ω
<100Ω
SNRBAL
UNBAL
<110dB(A) @ 0dBFS
<110dB(A) @ 0dBFS
THD+NBAL
UNBAL
<0.007% @ 0dBFS
<0.015% @ 0dBFS
Headphone Section
OutputsBAL
UNBAL
6.7V max. @ 600Ω
3.5V max. @ 600Ω
Output PowerBAL
UNBAL
>1000mW @ 32Ω; >74mW @ 600Ω
>320mW @ 32Ω; >40mW @ 300Ω
Output ImpedanceBAL
UNBAL
<1Ω
<1Ω
SNRBAL
UNBAL
<116dB(A) @ 0dBFS
<115dB(A) @ 0dBFS
THD+N<0.005% (1V @ 16Ω)

“ZEN philosophy”

“Represents the ZEN philosophy of simplicity & intuition”

Mad Audio

(Click name to read original review)

For Meze 99 Classic Lovers and Not Only!

“Bass can dance incredibly deep with great authority and energy.”

“If concerts are full of instruments like base and drums, the xSpace custom curve in this case can really help a lot to bring life to voices and mid-range instruments

Different tonality at the flick of a switch.

Thanks to Mad Audio for testing our set-up with the 99 Classics, and other Meze and non-Meze headphones.

Mad Audio

(Click name to read original review)

Enjoying ZEN moments of music…

“The 99 Classics didn’t sound quite as stuffy and as bombastic in the base as it does on other amplifiers.”

Plus “lushness”, “naturalism”, “smoothness” and “laid back ohh” are just some of the words used to describe the above units!

Go to 10 mins in for sound impressions.

The Honest Audiophile

(Click name to read original review)