iFi Introduces Flagship iCAN Phantom Headphone Amplifier

iFi, the UK-based brand specializing in lifestyle audio products and high-end hifi components, announced a new reference headphone amplifier. The brand is already recognized for the diverse range of headphone amplifiers, from small and affordable portable devices to high-performance designs to use at home. The new iCAN Phantom is the ultimate effort to create the last headphone amplifier anyone will need, able to drive hypersensitive in-ear monitors, all the way to the most power-hungry electrostatic headphones.

When Noguchi, a Japanese audio transformer manufacturer, released its FINEMET core transformer FM-5P for less than $200, the author decided to try it in this four-parallel push-pull amplifier project. This article first appeared in the Japanese magazine Radio Technology, December 2011. It was published by audioXpress in March 2013.