IFi Audio – ICAN Phantom – Reference-class Analog Headphone Amp

iFi Audio – iCAN Phantom – Reference-class Analog Headphone Amp

iFi’s new reference-class analog headphone amp, the iCAN Phantom, takes the Pro iCAN, refines and enhances every element of its circuitry to further elevate its performance, incorporates technology from the Pro iESL ­– previously a separate component – for electrostatic headphones, and adds a new, advanced user interface and network-connected control system.

Exemplary build quality, sophisticated technology, unrivaled specification, and remarkable versatility, expertly engineered to drive every headphone type to its full sonic potential. From ultra-sensitive IEMs, to the finest dynamic driver and planar magnetic headphones, to the most power-hungry electrostatic designs, the iCAN Phantom delivers a truly exceptional headphone experience – exquisitely tailored to the requirements of the listener.

The iCAN Phantom also performs as a high-end preamplifier – to feed a power amp and speakers (or powered speakers) – enabling headphone and speaker listening to be combined in a single high-performance audio system.

The iCAN Phantom’s design gives the appearance of two units but in fact, it is a single, dual-level device, the full depth of which is fully utilized by its multi-layer circuit design. Its enclosure is sturdily constructed from aluminum, with the bottom layer sporting cable connections front and back, and the top layer offering tactile controls and a colorful OLED display. The top of the iCAN Phantom incorporates a flush-fitting smoked glass panel enabling you to see the amp’s circuitry and its glowing audio valves. Circular aluminum vents ensure the circuitry within does not overheat.

When not in use the sockets at the front or back can be hidden by a neat aluminum panel that attaches magnetically. This panel also holds the data cards for the electrostatic bias voltage settings. The iCAN Phantom also comes with a remote control.

The iCAN Phantom sports two input stages – one valve/tube-based, the other solid-state – enabling the user to switch between the two in real-time. It is, indeed, like having three amplifiers in one, each with a different sonic presentation. Solid-state offers pace and immediacy. Tube mode adds fluidity and a free-breathing dynamic quality. Tube+ accentuates the sonic influence of the valves, delivering a spellbinding romantic warmth that may suit, for example, acoustic and vocal musical styles.

The GE5670 valves have an expected lifespan of around 10,000 hours of use. When the time eventually comes to replace them, the iCAN Phantom’s smoked glass panel is easily removed to provide access, meaning the job can be completed in minutes. The amp is compatible also with 6922 valves.

Electrostatic drivers need a separate energizer. The iCAN Phantom incorporates our original standalone iESL energizer technology with regular amplifier technology to make a single amplifier that can handle every headphone type with aplomb. And all users benefit as the component quality and clever circuit design required to deliver such a high level of performance with electrostatic headphones elevates the amp’s performance with other headphone types too.

Electrostatic headphones have varying requirements when it comes to bias voltage. The iCAN Phantom has two outputs for electrostatics – one set at the ‘normal’ bias voltage of 230V, the other offering variable bias voltage between 500V and 640V, selected by the user. If the wrong voltage is selected, it is possible to damage the headphones.

To make this far less likely, the iCAN Phantom has a series of data cards that specify different bias voltages (these are supplied with the amp). Simply select the card that matches the headphone’s specification and pop it in the card slot – there are cards for 500V, 540V 580V, 600V, 620V and 640V each with a handy guide on the back showing which headphone brand is compatible with that voltage.

The iCAN Phantom is the first product to incorporate iFi Nexis, a module that combines with an app to provide a comprehensive, scalable network-connected control system. The features that Nexis offers will grow over time. At launch, the Nexis app enables your Android or iOS device to act as a ‘super remote control’ for the iCAN Phantom, providing access to additional features not accessible via the amp’s fascia or standard remote control.

 

FEATURES:

• Capacitive Battery Power Supply, originally developed for the Pro iESL, is intrinsic to its high level of performance. Rather than relying on a mains-powered switched-mode step-up circuit, a large battery of film capacitors rated at 1,000V DC is charged and occasionally topped up using AC mains power. This ‘virtual battery pack’ delivers pure DC power, completely free from all AC and switching noise ­– the perfect high-voltage supply for electrostatic headphones.

• Balanced Circuit Design has long been considered a righteous path to audio excellence in high-end amp design, but the term ‘balanced’ is used in different ways and does not always mean the same thing. The iCAN Phantom takes balanced circuit design to the extreme – fully differential from input to output, minimizing noise and crosstalk in the signal path for ultimate sonic purity.

• Two Input Stages: The iCAN Phantom sports several unique features that set it apart from other headphone amps. One such facility is the incorporation of two input stages – one valve/tube-based, the other solid state – enabling the user to switch between the two in real time. These input stages are entirely separate, which means they can be kept short and direct for optimal purity rather than complicating the signal path (for example, by switching valves in and out of a single circuit).

• XSpace: The iCAN Phantom includes two separate Space analogue matrices, one for headphones and the other for speakers, with automatic switching between the two.

  XSpace for headphones is designed to compensate for the ‘in-head localisation’ effect that can occur when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers, effectively widening the headphone soundstage to deliver a more spacious and speaker-like experience. XSpace for speakers increases the width of the apparent soundstage beyond the width dictated by speaker placement.

• XBass is a proprietary analog circuit and it can be engaged to enhance low frequencies, its sophistication enabling it to do so whilst maintaining bass definition and without muddying the midrange. This is useful with, for example, some open-back headphones that sound bass light; it ‘corrects’ the bass so that the listener hears the low frequencies the artist intended. The iCAN Phantom offers three XBass steps – 10Hz, 20Hz, and 40Hz – or it can be switched out of the signal path altogether.

• Transformer Quality is critical to sound quality, which is why the iCAN Phantom incorporates a custom-made PPCT (Pinstripe Permalloy Core Transformer). These incorporate a GOSS/Mu-Metal hybrid core and complicated multi-section winding with both vertical and horizontal sectioning, using an extremely thin wire that is hand-wound with great precision. This transformer is capable of exceptionally wide bandwidth, ultra-low distortion, and perfect linearity.

• Three Gain Settings – 0dB, 9dB and 18dB – enable the amp to precisely match the connected headphones. Unity gain (0dB) is useful to ensure low noise with more sensitive headphones and IEMs, while the higher gain settings make the most of tougher headphone loads, delivering excellent dynamic headroom.

• iEMatch: This proprietary iFi circuit attenuates the output to better suit high-sensitivity IEMs (in-ear monitors), removing potential background noise and increasing the usable volume range. This can be optionally applied to the 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs.

• 15,000mW: The iCAN Phantom is an extraordinarily powerful headphone amplifier, capable of delivering more than 15,000mW from its balanced outputs and more than 5,760mW from its single-ended outputs in a 16-ohm load. In terms of voltage, it can supply more than 27V into a 600-ohm load; when it comes to electrostatic headphones delivers up to 640V.

CONNECTIVITY:

• Source inputs: 1x balanced XLR (L/R), 3x RCA (L/R)
• Headphone outputs: 1x 3-pin balanced XLR (L/R), 1x 4-pin balanced XLR, 1x 4.4mm balanced, 1x 6.3mm (positive phase), 1x 6.3mm (inverted phase) and 1x 3.5mm (includes S-Balanced technology to cut distortion by 50 per cent)
• Electrostatic headphone outputs: 1x 5-pin normal bias, 1x 5-pin custom bias
• Preamplifier outputs: 1x balanced XLR (L/R), 1x RCA (L/R)

CONTENTS:

• iCAN PHANTOM
• iPower Elite
• RCA Cable
• Infrared Remote Control
• User Manual
• Instruction Card