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iFi Audio has released its new flagship analogue headphone amplifier, the iCAN Phantom, which the company claims: “takes the Pro iCAN (HFC 428) and refines and enhances every element of its circuitry to further elevate its performance. Incorporating technology from the Pro iESL (HFC 430) – previously a separate component – for electrostatic headphones, it adds a new, advanced user interface and network-connected control system.”

Available in a dual-level black and silver finish measuring 256 x 120 x 185mm (WxHxD), it’s constructed from aluminium, with the bottom layer sporting cable connections front and back, and the top offering tactile controls and a colourful OLED display. The top of also incorporates a flush-fitting smoked glass panel, through which the amp’s circuitry – including its glowing audio valves – can be viewed. Circular aluminium vents protrude from the glass to avoid overheating.

When not in use, the sockets at the front or back can be hidden by an aluminium panel that attaches magnetically and the iCAN Phantom comes with an aluminium remote. It incorporates two input stages – one valve/tube-based, the other solid state – enabling the user to switch between them in real time. These input stages are entirely separate so they can be kept short and direct for optimal purity rather than complicating the signal path. 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 negative feedback, giving a different trade-off between the tube’s natural harmonics and the transient performance.

The switch to the left of the OLED display is used to select between Solid State, Tube and Tube+ 4, while the supplied GE 5670 tubes have an expected lifespan of around 100,000 hours. The amp is also compatible with 6922 tubes (an adapter for the 6922’s pinout is additionally included).

The iCAN Phantom’s True Differential Balanced circuitry is coupled to a volume control with six decks – two for each channel (positive and negative) with the final two used for monitoring the volume control operation. The motorised volume control potentiometer is custom-made by ALPS in Japan and the Phantom incorporates iESL energiser technology making it a single amp that can handle all headphone types.

iFi claims the iCAN Phantom is capable of delivering more than 15,000mW from its balanced outputs and more than 5,760mW from its single-ended outputs into 16ohm. In terms of voltage, iFi claims it can supply more than 27V into a 600ohm load; and when it comes to electrostatic headphones, it’s designed to deliver up to 640V. The iCAN Phantom’s capacitive battery power supply – originally developed for the Pro iESL – has been enhanced so that rather than relying on a mains-powered switched-mode step-up circuit, a large battery of custom-made film capacitors rated at 1,000V DC is charged and occasionally topped up using mains power. The ‘virtual battery pack’ delivers pure DC, completely free of AC and switching noise.

The iCAN Phantom is the company’s first product to incorporate iFi’s Nexus module, which combines with an app to provide a scalable network-connected control system. The app enables an Android or iOS device to act as a ‘super remote control’, providing access to additional features not accessible via the amp’s fascia or standard remote control. It can display diagnostic information and allow the user to monitor its operational condition in real time. It can also be used to apply over-the-air updates to the firmware, downloading and installing update files via a home wi-fi network.

Available to buy now for £3,750, you can find out more about iFi Audio's iCAN Phantom here.