Flagship Headphone Amplifier Drives Any Type of 'Phones to Their Potential: iFi iCAN Phantom Features Tube and Solid-State Input Stages, Customizable Control, Bias Voltage Cards, and More

Pick a pair of headphones, any headphones, any type, and the iFi iCAN Phantom headphone amplifier will drive them to their optimal potential and spoil you with a user interface that is practically unparalleled in its component class. Combining standout build quality, cutting-edge technology, and across-the-board flexibility, this flagship component handles IEMs, electrostatic, dynamic driver, and planar magnetic ‘phones with absolute ease — all while giving you customizable control over your experience. iCAN Phantom even doubles as a standalone preamplifier that can be paired with a main system.

Though it looks like a two-piece unit, iCAN Phantom is a single, dual-level uniting which the top portion serves as a command center (complete with a color OLED display) and the bottom a connection hub sporting an array of connections— 5-pin, 6-pin, XLR 3-pin, XLR 4-pin, single-ended 6.3mm, single-ended 3.5mm, and balanced 4.4mm outputs on the front panel for all your headphone needs; balanced XLR 3-pin and unbalanced RCA outputs flanking balanced XLR 3-pin and three unbalanced RCA inputs on the back panel for your source hook-ups — as well as the data cards for electrostatic voltage bias settings. Housed in an aluminum enclosure and crowned with a smoked glass panel that invites you to peer at the circuitry and glowing valves, iCAN Phantom also claims circular vents that prevent overheating and lend to cool operation. And, if you’re not using the sockets on one of the panels, you can cover ‘em up with a magnetic aluminum panel. 

Inside, two input stages — one Class A tube-based (GE5670) for when you want fluidity, warmth, and free-ranging dynamics, the other a fully discrete J-FET solid-state stage for the last word in pacing and immediacy — lets you switch between them in real time. Originally developed for the company’s Pro iESL device, a capacitive battery power supply rated at 1,000V DC is charged and occasionally topped up using AC mains power. This virtual battery pack delivers pure DC power free from all AC and switching noise. In addition, a specially made PPCT (Pinstripe Permalloy Core Transformer) comprised of a GOSS/Mu-Metal hybrid core and multi-section winding with both vertical and horizontal sectioning delivers exceptionally wide bandwidth, ultra-low distortion, and reference-grade linearity.

When it comes to power, iCAN Phantom provides 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, this translates to 640V. Staked to four separate amp circuits, the unit’s True Differential Balanced circuitry is coupled to an ALPS volume control potentiometer with six decks — two for each channel (positive and negative) with the final two used for monitoring volume control operation. 

Though iCAN Phantom comes with a remote control, it’s also the first iFi product with iFi Nexus, a module that leverages an app to afford you a comprehensive, scalable network-connected control system. Accessed via a smartphone, the app displays diagnostic information and permits you to monitor the operational condition in real time — voltages, the condition and projected life span of the vacuum tubes, and more. It can even apply over-the-air updates to the firmware.

And there’s more, in the form of iFi’s proprietary iEMatch circuit for high-sensitivity IEMs, three gain settings (0, 9, and 18dB), proprietary XBass for low-frequency enhancement, and two space matrices. iFi’s one-year part-and-labor warranty combines with Music Direct’s Satisfaction Guarantee to put even more wind in this flagship’s sails. 

Have questions about iCAN Phantom? Call an audio consultant at 312-433-0200 and we will happily talk you through this incredible product. 

Bias Voltage Simplified
Electrostatic headphones have varying requirement when it comes to bias voltage. 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, iCAN Phantom has a series of data cards that specify different bias voltages. Simply select the card that matches the headphone’s specification and pop it in the card slot. The unit comes with cards for 500V, 540V 580V, 600V, 620V and 640V; each has a handy guide showing which headphone brand is compatible with that voltage.