🔷 iFi ZEN CAN Headphone Amplifier

[WaveTheory]

@Chripo

G103-S: most likely the best sound on a Dt 1990, highest price of the three amps, no balanced in- or outputs, no stackable DAC (could e.g. use it with a Topping E30), not very attractive case, maybe not very portable due to the large power connector used.

I wouldn’t worry about balanced at this price point. Here’s why:

Is Balanced Better? Pros & Cons of Balanced vs. Single-Ended

To Balance or Not to Balance? That is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler to buy a balanced amp or DAC or an unbalanced (or single-ended, aka SE, the two terms are interchangeable) amp or DAC is the focus of this post. There have been lots of questions around this forum about whether a balanced amp or DAC is better than a SE amp or DAC. Should you explore balanced? Is balanced better? It’s understandably confusing. After all, in the English language, ‘balance’ is often used in the context of desc…

It’s still potentially forward-thinking to balance mod your DT1990 if you can do it safely, because it will open up the possibility of a wider range of amps to use down the road. Balanced amping does not inherently sound better, though.

The G103-s is probably the best sounding amp you have on that list. I haven’t heard it myself, but I trust those who say it’s the real deal at the price point. You don’t have to match it with a Topping E30, though. You can use a Zen Dac V1 or V2 with it just fine.

@Chripo

D50s/A50s stack: should deliver enough power on the balanced output for DT 1990, no balanced input, very nice looking small sized stack, should easily be portable in a backpack.

You will get sound.

@Chripo

Zen DAC/CAN stack: most likely lacking power for DT 1990 even when using the balanced output, lowest price when not considering the additional costs for iPower power supply, balanced in- and outputs (but balanced in does not noticably improve sound quality),

I like the Zen DAC just fine as a DAC. I’m not nearly as high on iFi’s entry-level amps.

@Chripo

should also be portable in a backpack

This is a wrinkle I didn’t expect. Do you need transportability in your setup?

@Chripo

And how would a Schiit Modius/Magnius

If you’re gonna order Schiit gear, I would strongly suggest the Asgard 3 amp. IMO it’s the best <$200 headphone amp on the market right now. With shipping and customs, it might be close to the price of a G103s (?). My recommendation for you, if it’s isn’t too much money, would be to use a Zen DAC as a DAC and connect it to either a G103s or an Asgard 3.

Good luck!