Features

Overview: The iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 is a fully analog desktop headphone amplifier designed to drive your headphones to higher levels than most of your music sources alone. It features balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs, with 4.4mm and 6.3mm (1/4") jacks, respectively, with an adapter for your 3.5mm connected headphones. This "MZ99" version has a selectable ActivEQ setting that is specifically designed for the Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo headphones.

MZ99: iFi-Audio engineers recognize the sonic qualities of the Meze 99 Classic headphones. When updating the original ZEN CAN, they set out to create a specific EQ curve for a particular set of headphones. The MZ99 setting of the ActivEQ is designed to adjust the treble and enhance the mid-low bass to match the dynamic expression of the 99 Classic and 99 Neo headphones.

Inputs: The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 features three total inputs, including balanced and unbalanced (single-ended) inputs. The balanced input has a 4.4mm Pentacon connector. Two single-ended inputs are provided, with 3.5mm and stereo RCA jacks. On the front panel, you can select the input by cycling through the RCA, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm inputs, numbered 1, 2, 3, respectively.

Outputs: The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 has two headphone outputs on the front panel, with a 1/4" (6.3mm) single-ended jack, and a 4.4mm balanced jack. A 3.5mm-to-6.3mm adapter is included for connecting headphones with a 3.5mm plug. In addition, a 4.4mm balanced output on the rear panel lets you connect an active speaker with a 4.4mm-to-XLR or other balanced interconnect.

PowerMatch Switch: The headphone amplifier's PowerMatch switch lets you adjust the gain in four steps of +6dB to match your headphones. Starting with the switch at 0dB, you should increase the gain level until the volume level is comfortable and enjoyable. The 0dB setting is desirable for sensitive in-ear monitors, while the higher gain settings are recommended for higher impedance headphones where you can expand the dynamic headroom. The push-button switch cycles through the gain settings: 0dB, +6dB, +12dB, and +18dB.

ActivEQ: The ActivEQ "MZ99" setting is specifically designed for use with Meze Audio's 99 Classic headphones. When the setting is selected, the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 calibrates its signal to complement the headphone's response characteristics throughout the frequency range, then makes a couple of adjustments to enhance the 99 Classic's performance. The ideal curve was derived by measurements, as well as feedback from listener tests. Since the Meze 99s are a little light in the mid-low bass, ActivEQ raises the bass level between 20Hz and 200Hz. The MZ99 setting also adds a little "sparkle" in the 5kHz-10kHz band. The adjustments are made completely in the analog domain, using both active and passive components, without adding noise or distortion. Even with ActivEQ turned off, the ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 can bring out the best in all other headphones and IEMs.

XSpace Matrix: The XSpace Matrix setting uses a purely analog signal processing circuit to recreate a holographic soundfield that simulates listening to a pair of speakers. It compensates for the "music inside the head" sensation that occurs when listening to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers, which can sometimes be unsettling to the listener. XSpace Matrix widens the headphone soundstage, making the sound more spacious as if listening to a pair of speakers.

Power Supply: The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 comes with iFi-Audio's ultra-quiet iPower2 DC power supply. With Active Noise Cancellation II, iPower2 eliminates all incoming EMI (electromagnetic interference) and RFI (radio-frequency interference) noise, making it 10 times quieter than power supplies that are typically included with high-end audio components. The iPower2 has a 2-meter (79") DC output cable, and has the following ratings:

• Input: AC 100-240VAC 50/60Hz
• Output: DC 5V / 2.5A

Specifications:

• Input Voltage: DC 5V/2.5A (from included iPower2 power supply)
• Max Output:
  • Balanced:
    • > 15.1V / 385mW (@ 600 Ohm)
    • > 11.0V / 1890mW (@ 64 Ohm)
    • > 6.2V / 1200mW (@ 32 Ohm)
  • S-E:
    • > 7.6V / 98mW (@ 600 Ohm)
    • > 7.4V / 870mW (@64 Ohm)
    • > 7.2V / 1600mW (@ 32 Ohm)
• THD+N:
  • Balanced: < 0.006% (@ 360mW/2.4V 16 Ohm)
  • S-E: < 0.005% (@ 100mW/1.27V 16 Ohm)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
  • Balanced: >121 dBA (@ 15.2V)
  • S-E: > 120 dBA (@ 7.6V)
• Max. Input:
  • Balanced: 7.4V RMS
  • RCA: 3.8V RMS
  • 3.5mm: 1.92V RMS
• Gain: 0dB, 6dB, 12dB, 18dB
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 200 kHz (-3dB)
• Power Consumption: ~12 watts (max signal); ~5 watts (no signal)
• Dimensions: Width 6.217", Height 1.37", Depth 4.632"
• Weight: 19.36 ounces