iFi Audio – Zen CAN Signature MZ99 – Meze ActivEQ Headphone Amplifier

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 Meze 99 Classics headphones are revered the world over for their exceptional tonality and dynamic expression – they are loved by artists and audio enthusiasts alike. The ZEN CAN MZ99, with the perfectly matched ActivEQ mode, adjusts the treble for more ‘vivaciousness’, and 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.

The original ZEN CAN, the all-analog 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 iFi thought deserved the ActiveEQ treatment – the Meze 99 Classics.

iFi loves this headphone and know it works well with their gear but iFi just wanted to push its performance as far as they could.

iFi’s ActivEQ

The 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 the 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.

Gain, set, match

The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 has four gain settings in six dB steps – 0dB, 6dB, 12dB and 18db. iFi’s 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 localization’ effect that can occur when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers.

It widens the headphone sound-stage to deliver a more spacious and speaker-like experience.

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 mesmerizing 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.

Output Power Comparison

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

52x more headphone power!

Quick Start Guide Video