A new reference: introducing the iCAN Phantom
iFi’s new flagship analogue headphone amplifier delivers reference-quality sound with everything from hyper-sensitive in-ear monitors to the most power-hungry electrostatic headphones
Southport, England – Since its formation in 2012, iFi has consistently delivered headphone amplifiers that are rated at the top of their class, from small and affordable portable devices to high-performance amps to use at home.
For the past seven years, the Pro iCAN and subsequent Pro iCAN Signature have represented the pinnacle of iFi’s range, widely recognised to be among the finest headphone amps on the planet owing to their mix of useful versatility, excellent circuit design and supremely engaging performance. But summer 2023 sees the Pro’s crown usurped by an even mightier headphone amp champ – the new iCAN Phantom.
iFi’s new reference-class analogue headphone amp 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.
The result is a headphone amp truly worthy of its flagship status, with exemplary build quality, sophisticated technology, an unrivalled 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.
Another string to the iCAN Phantom’s bow is its ability to perform as a high-end hi-fi preamplifier, enabling headphones and speakers to be combined in a single high-performance audio system. Whether you use your favourite headphones to plug yourself into an intoxicating private musical universe or engage your speakers to fill the room with glorious sound, the iCAN Phantom is brilliantly engineered to place at the heart of a home audio system for the most discerning of music lovers.
What’s in a name?
Ever since the press dubbed a newly developed Rolls-Royce “Silver Ghost” in the early 20th century, the famous automobile marque has given its models ghostly names, evoking qualities that are so extraordinary as to seem supernatural. There has been a “Phantom” in the Rolls-Royce range since 1925, always revered for the remarkable quality of its engineering, its distinguished appearance and eerily smooth, quiet ride.
Beautifully built with a dual-level black and silver finish, the iCAN Phantom is the Rolls-Royce of headphone amps
These are qualities that iFi sought to reflect in its new flagship headphone amp, which is why the company named it the iCAN Phantom – the Rolls-Royce of headphone amplifiers. It exemplifies engineering excellence to deliver exceptional, ultra-low-noise audio performance, coupled with a distinctive external design and dual-level black and silver finish that echoes the two-tone colour schemes adorning many Rolls-Royce cars for decades.
Building a flagship
A flagship audio component should be built and finished to an exceptional standard and the iCAN Phantom certainly fits the bill. It looks unlike any other headphone amp; its design gives the appearance of two units, but it is in fact a single, dual-level device, the full depth of which is fully utilised by its multi-layer circuit design. Its enclosure measures 256x120x185mm (WxHxD) and is sturdily constructed from aluminium, with the bottom layer sporting cable connections front and back, and the top layer offering tactile controls and a colourful OLED display.
The top of the iCAN Phantom incorporates a flush-fitting smoked glass panel, through which the amp’s circuitry – including its glowing audio valves – can be glimpsed. Circular aluminium vents protrude from the glass, ensuring the circuitry within does not overheat. Clever design touches abound; for example, when not in use the sockets at the
front or back can be hidden by a neat aluminium panel that attaches magnetically. (This panel also holds the data cards for the electrostatic bias voltage settings – these are described later in the press release.) The iCAN Phantom also comes with an attractive, easy to use aluminium remote control that puts the handsets supplied with many audio components to shame.
Valve or solid state – a tale of two input stages
Like the Pro iCAN before it, 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 tubes in and out of a single circuit).
The fully discrete Class A solid-state input stage uses J-FETs, while the all-valve Class A circuit features a hand-selected, computer-matched pair of General Electric 5670 tubes (a premium variant of the 6922). This stage has two selectable modes – Tube and Tube+. The latter minimises overall loop-gain and thus negative feedback, giving a different trade-off between the tube’s natural harmonics and the transient performance. The effect is like three amplifiers in one, each with a different sonic presentation.
The switch to the left of the OLED display is used to select between Solid State, Tube and Tube+
While it’s certainly fun to be able to compare the differences between valve and solid-state sound in real time, the inclusion of these two separate input stages is much more than a gimmick. With different source devices, varying music styles and an abundance of headphone and speaker types available to listeners, each of these circuits come into their own and may be preferred at different times. For example, the solid-state stage offers pace and immediacy; the Tube mode adds fluidity and a free-breathing dynamic quality; and Tube+ accentuates the sonic influence of the valves, delivering a spellbinding romantic warmth that may suit, for example, acoustic and vocal musical styles.
The supplied GE5670 tubes have an expected lifespan of around 100,000 hours. When eventually the time comes to replace them, the iCAN Phantom’s glass top is easily removed to provide access. The amp is also compatible with 6922 tubes (an adapter for the 6922’s pinout is included).
PureWavePRO – reference-class fully balanced circuit design for the purest sound
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, minimising noise and crosstalk in the signal path for ultimate sonic purity.
Essentially, ‘fully differential’ circuit design – or True Differential Balanced, as iFi calls it – means that each channel (left and right) is fully separated in the circuit design, and each of these channels has two separate signals of equal level but opposite polarity (positive and negative). This requires four separate amp circuits, two for the left channel and two for the right channel – much more costly and complex to implement than single-ended circuit designs, but the sonic dividends are hugely worthwhile.
The iCAN Phantom’s meticulous, multi-level circuit board layout features True Differential Balanced design
The iCAN Phantom’s True Differential Balanced circuitry is coupled to a volume control with six decks – two decks for each channel (positive and negative) with the final two decks used for monitoring the volume control operation. The motorised volume control potentiometer is custom-made by ALPS in Japan and is of exceptional quality.
Because the two halves of the volume control and the two halves of the amplification operate differentially, they effectively become a single stage. So, although the circuitry is elaborately implemented, it boils down to the simplest design possible for a headphone amplifier – a volume control, a gain stage and a current buffer.
iFi has championed balanced circuit design for years and many of its current amp devices at all manner of prices incorporate balanced circuit principles. Since 2020, iFi’s most advanced balanced circuit concepts have been collectively dubbed PureWave, referring to the sonic purity they achieve thanks to exceptional linearity and infinitesimally low levels of noise and distortion. The iCAN Phantom’s True Differential Balanced circuit design, utilising the highest quality circuit components, is the ultimate expression of these principles – that’s why iFi calls it PureWavePRO.
iFi’s new flagship analogue headphone amplifier delivers reference-quality sound with everything from hyper-sensitive in-ear monitors to the most power-hungry electrostatic headphones
Southport, England – Since its formation in 2012, iFi has consistently delivered headphone amplifiers that are rated at the top of their class, from small and affordable portable devices to high-performance amps to use at home.
For the past seven years, the Pro iCAN and subsequent Pro iCAN Signature have represented the pinnacle of iFi’s range, widely recognised to be among the finest headphone amps on the planet owing to their mix of useful versatility, excellent circuit design and supremely engaging performance. But summer 2023 sees the Pro’s crown usurped by an even mightier headphone amp champ – the new iCAN Phantom.
iFi’s new reference-class analogue headphone amp 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.
The result is a headphone amp truly worthy of its flagship status, with exemplary build quality, sophisticated technology, an unrivalled 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.
Another string to the iCAN Phantom’s bow is its ability to perform as a high-end hi-fi preamplifier, enabling headphones and speakers to be combined in a single high-performance audio system. Whether you use your favourite headphones to plug yourself into an intoxicating private musical universe or engage your speakers to fill the room with glorious sound, the iCAN Phantom is brilliantly engineered to place at the heart of a home audio system for the most discerning of music lovers.
What’s in a name?
Ever since the press dubbed a newly developed Rolls-Royce “Silver Ghost” in the early 20th century, the famous automobile marque has given its models ghostly names, evoking qualities that are so extraordinary as to seem supernatural. There has been a “Phantom” in the Rolls-Royce range since 1925, always revered for the remarkable quality of its engineering, its distinguished appearance and eerily smooth, quiet ride.
Beautifully built with a dual-level black and silver finish, the iCAN Phantom is the Rolls-Royce of headphone amps
These are qualities that iFi sought to reflect in its new flagship headphone amp, which is why the company named it the iCAN Phantom – the Rolls-Royce of headphone amplifiers. It exemplifies engineering excellence to deliver exceptional, ultra-low-noise audio performance, coupled with a distinctive external design and dual-level black and silver finish that echoes the two-tone colour schemes adorning many Rolls-Royce cars for decades.
Building a flagship
A flagship audio component should be built and finished to an exceptional standard and the iCAN Phantom certainly fits the bill. It looks unlike any other headphone amp; its design gives the appearance of two units, but it is in fact a single, dual-level device, the full depth of which is fully utilised by its multi-layer circuit design. Its enclosure measures 256x120x185mm (WxHxD) and is sturdily constructed from aluminium, with the bottom layer sporting cable connections front and back, and the top layer offering tactile controls and a colourful OLED display.
The top of the iCAN Phantom incorporates a flush-fitting smoked glass panel, through which the amp’s circuitry – including its glowing audio valves – can be glimpsed. Circular aluminium vents protrude from the glass, ensuring the circuitry within does not overheat. Clever design touches abound; for example, when not in use the sockets at the
front or back can be hidden by a neat aluminium panel that attaches magnetically. (This panel also holds the data cards for the electrostatic bias voltage settings – these are described later in the press release.) The iCAN Phantom also comes with an attractive, easy to use aluminium remote control that puts the handsets supplied with many audio components to shame.
Valve or solid state – a tale of two input stages
Like the Pro iCAN before it, 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 tubes in and out of a single circuit).
The fully discrete Class A solid-state input stage uses J-FETs, while the all-valve Class A circuit features a hand-selected, computer-matched pair of General Electric 5670 tubes (a premium variant of the 6922). This stage has two selectable modes – Tube and Tube+. The latter minimises overall loop-gain and thus negative feedback, giving a different trade-off between the tube’s natural harmonics and the transient performance. The effect is like three amplifiers in one, each with a different sonic presentation.
The switch to the left of the OLED display is used to select between Solid State, Tube and Tube+
While it’s certainly fun to be able to compare the differences between valve and solid-state sound in real time, the inclusion of these two separate input stages is much more than a gimmick. With different source devices, varying music styles and an abundance of headphone and speaker types available to listeners, each of these circuits come into their own and may be preferred at different times. For example, the solid-state stage offers pace and immediacy; the Tube mode adds fluidity and a free-breathing dynamic quality; and Tube+ accentuates the sonic influence of the valves, delivering a spellbinding romantic warmth that may suit, for example, acoustic and vocal musical styles.
The supplied GE5670 tubes have an expected lifespan of around 100,000 hours. When eventually the time comes to replace them, the iCAN Phantom’s glass top is easily removed to provide access. The amp is also compatible with 6922 tubes (an adapter for the 6922’s pinout is included).
PureWavePRO – reference-class fully balanced circuit design for the purest sound
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, minimising noise and crosstalk in the signal path for ultimate sonic purity.
Essentially, ‘fully differential’ circuit design – or True Differential Balanced, as iFi calls it – means that each channel (left and right) is fully separated in the circuit design, and each of these channels has two separate signals of equal level but opposite polarity (positive and negative). This requires four separate amp circuits, two for the left channel and two for the right channel – much more costly and complex to implement than single-ended circuit designs, but the sonic dividends are hugely worthwhile.
The iCAN Phantom’s meticulous, multi-level circuit board layout features True Differential Balanced design
The iCAN Phantom’s True Differential Balanced circuitry is coupled to a volume control with six decks – two decks for each channel (positive and negative) with the final two decks used for monitoring the volume control operation. The motorised volume control potentiometer is custom-made by ALPS in Japan and is of exceptional quality.
Because the two halves of the volume control and the two halves of the amplification operate differentially, they effectively become a single stage. So, although the circuitry is elaborately implemented, it boils down to the simplest design possible for a headphone amplifier – a volume control, a gain stage and a current buffer.
iFi has championed balanced circuit design for years and many of its current amp devices at all manner of prices incorporate balanced circuit principles. Since 2020, iFi’s most advanced balanced circuit concepts have been collectively dubbed PureWave, referring to the sonic purity they achieve thanks to exceptional linearity and infinitesimally low levels of noise and distortion. The iCAN Phantom’s True Differential Balanced circuit design, utilising the highest quality circuit components, is the ultimate expression of these principles – that’s why iFi calls it PureWavePRO.
