Product Comparison: iFi xCAN vs iFi xDSD


General Specifications
Brand
iFi
iFi
Model
xCAN
xDSD
Origin
China
China
About the Product
If you are looking to improve the sound quality of your music from a highly rated portable device and your wired headphones while maintaining portability this is the amplifier for you. The xCAN is a next generation portable and pocket size hi res headphone amp introduced into the x series.
The xDSD is a top rated, award winning, ultra portable, lightweight Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) and amplifier. It is designed to be used with headphones and mobile digital sources such as smartphones, Digital Audio Players, as well as stationary devices or audio systems like computers, TVs, and game consoles.
Key Specs
Built-in DAC
ESS Sabre
Burr Brown DSD1793
Type
Portable
Portable
Sample Resolution/Rate
16-bit / 48kHz
24-bit / 192kHz
Signal/Noise Ratio
120 dB
107.2 dB
What customers say about "Key Specs"
iFi xCAN Portable Balanced Dual Mono Headphone Amplifier
  • The sound is iFi's magical touch, with a pretty neutral-ish approach, an organic midrange, clear and punchy bass.
  • Excellent clear sound quality with bass booster functions to suit any music content.
  • Almost shaking in sound, twenty one pilots Levitate works through the drum/bass reverb sound well.
  • Nice booming bass and holographic quality sound. With the ability to quickly tailor the sound (faster than changing EQ settings).
  • When all “effects” are disabled, the xCAN brings nothing to the sound.
iFi xDSD Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier
  • Purchased the xDSD recently and I really like the sound. Surely recommend!
  • I must tell you that I am addicted to the sound of this unit. It produces ear candy. The clarity, smoothness, and detail of sound coming through the xDSD is really something to behold.
  • Wonderful sound, great design, superb technology. At the price, this is an amazing value.
  • Superb sound on wired and wireless. Sounds better than the ifi nano idsd black by having more micro and macro details.
  • As a portable sound-boosting solution, the iFi xDSD makes a lot of sense.
Size & Weight
Color
Silver
Silver
Height
0.75 in.
0.75 in.
Width
3.74 in.
3.74 in.
Depth
2.63 in.
2.61 in.
Weight
4.48 oz.
4.48 oz.
What customers say about "Size & Weight"
iFi xCAN Portable Balanced Dual Mono Headphone Amplifier
  • The xCAN is a battery operated headphone amplifier, diminutive in size. Recommend!
  • The metal/plastic shell doesn't feel cheap although I was surprised by the small size.
  • It’s solid, yet lightweight, and as mentioned before, it has a wavy exterior that actually makes it easier to hold.
  • The sound is clean and easy with some of the best dynamics I’ve heard from such a small device.
  • Diminutive size and less-than ideal volume-pot make desktop use slightly difficult.
iFi xDSD Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier
  • Superb mobile DAC with MQA support. Device is very light and tiny.
  • With this little machine, the track quality differences become very clear, and just like in any good system.
  • For size and weight considerations the xDSD is the best choice.
  • Subjectively, the xDSD appears about half the size and a third the weight of the Micro BL with similar options.
  • The xDSD is about the size and weight of a deck of 52 playing cards. Nice design. Overall, highly recommend!
Features
Enclosure Material
Aluminium
Aluminium
Max. Frequency Response
200 kHz
20 kHz
Min. Frequency Response
2 Hz
20 Hz
Controls
Power / Volume, Settings, XBass II Modes
Volume Control, Mode Selection, Settings, Digital Filter
OS Compatibility
Apple OS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Apple iOS, Android
Apple OS, Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Linux, Android
Wireless Connection
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Interfaces
Balanced Out, USB Type-C, Single-Ended Headphone Input/Output, Balanced In
Coaxial / Optical, USB
Extras
LED Indicators, Portable Design
LED Indicators, Hi-Res True Native playback, Master Quality Authenticated audio, S-Balanced technology, Cyberdrive, aptX, Advanced Audio Coding, Battery life is up to 10 hours
What customers say about "Features"
iFi xCAN Portable Balanced Dual Mono Headphone Amplifier
  • I used the xCan considerably more in wired mode than in bluetooth mode, because the sound quality is considerably better with metal music.
  • Unless you need to go bluetooth, going wired will sound better.
  • I was amazed to find that the xCAN sounds virtually as good in Bluetooth mode as it does when fed signal via cables!
  • The transparent-sounding quality of the sound. There are virtually no compromises while listening on-the-go via Aptx Bluetooth with the xCAN.
  • They implemented the Apt-X so well. It really sounds that good.
iFi xDSD Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier
  • The xDSD can play via USB or Bluetooth. The great news: the Bluetooth sounds fantastic.
  • Charging and powering requires a mini USB cable which I can find in my wire collection. Plug and play heaven. Really Sweet!
  • Best of all is the MQA support, which provides the best reproduced sound I’ve ever heard.
  • Apple users beware, bluetooth connection does not work so well with certain Apple devices.
  • The USB input jack is a male! As in, the plug, not the socket. That is the weirdest choice I’ve ever seen in an external DAC.
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Certifications
CE
CE
Other Information
Manufacturer
Other reviews