As I mentioned in Part One of this show report (Issue 229), I don’t think the desire for high-end audio is aging out, and CanJam NYC 2026 offered vivid evidence of that, both in the demographics of the attendees, and the dazzling array and sonic performance of the headphones-centric products on display. And, like AXPONA 2026, the enthusiasm of the attendees and exhibitors was palpable.
A thought: while headphones are obviously a means of musical enjoyment unto themselves, perhaps they’re also a gateway to high-performance home audio listening. Cheap earbuds and on-ears can’t compete with quality headphones, and that’s immediately apparent after auditioning anything on exhibit at CanJam. I can’t help but think that CanJam attendees and headphone listeners in general will ultimately, or maybe immediately, realize that the same is true for loudspeakers.
A point I’ve made before is that I have hearing loss, but when I listen through headphones, the loss doesn’t seem as severe. In my case, I’m sure it has something to do with the proximity of the headphone drivers to my ears (as opposed to listening to speakers at a distance), but maybe, a good set of headphones can offer renewed listening pleasure to those of us with hearing loss. (I need to try some bone conduction headphones.)
Copper colleague Harris Fogel and your editor attended the show. (You can tell who took which photos: Harris's are the better ones!) Here's some of what we saw:
These shots of the Status Audio, HeadAmp, and Ziigaat booths show just the tip of the iceberg of the amount of gear on display at CanJam NYC 2026. (Photos: Frank Doris)
Schiit Audio debuted their LYR 5 hybrid headphone amp ($799), that enables the listener to switch from tube (6SL7) to solid-state (MOSFET) amplification. When in solid-state mode, the tube is not powered. Equally unique is the LYR 5’s Forkbeard app, which allows control of the unit’s functions, and indicates whether the headphone amp is in Class A or AB. The LYR 5 can also be operated via front panel controls or its supplied remote. The booth was constantly crowded, so I didn’t get a chance to listen, which I surely would like to have done.
Tubes? Solid-state? Schiit Audio's LYR 5 lets you have both. (Photo: FD)
Chinese manufacturer JCALLY displayed a range of in-ear headphones and accessories, including a number of portable DAC/amplifiers, some smaller than an AudioQuest DragonFly for comparison. Their Galaxy Sonata DAC/amplifier (about $80) is way smaller than the phone or tablet you’d hook it up to, measuring less than 2 inches long by about an inch wide, yet decodes up to 32-bit/384 kHz and has a built-in LCD display! What I heard was five-stars impressive, with superb clarity and tonal balance. Sorry, I forgot to note the headphones I was using, but the diminutive Galaxy Sonata is a serious piece of hardware.
Nicole Ke and Jon Jiang of JCALLY welcome visitors to their exhibit. (Photo: Harris Fogel)
Here are two of JCALLY's many portable DACs. (Photo: FD)
Speaking of impressive componentry, England’s iFi showed their Phantom streamer/DAC ($4,499), claimed to be the only product in the world capable of DSD 2048. Said to “draw on technology used in Japan’s mastering studios,” the Phantom uses four Burr-Brown DSD1793 chips in a “custom interleaved configuration” and like the Schiit LYR 5, provides tube or solid-state operation. Features include compatibility with popular streaming services, galvanic isolation for its Ethernet and other physical inputs, the dedicated Nexis control app, and analog EQ with digital filtering. It can also be used as a preamp in an audio system or with active speakers. Oh yeah, it looks incredible. I didn’t get a chance to listen, as the booth was crowded with attendees waiting for a chance to hear it. Dang!
The iFi guys were confident about the excellence of their products. Tim Penn, Ricardo Anton, Louis Butwin, and Jamie Lauffer, insist that “Now You’ve Heard Everything.” (Photo: HF)
Fostex had what seemed to be dozens of headphones on display, as befits their status as a major pro and consumer headphones manufacturer. One of the Fostex guys suggested I listen to their recently-introduced TH1100RPmk2 flagship open-back planar magnetic model ($2,699), and I could hear why. Rumer’s “Walk On By” (a great headphone-listening track) had exceptional clarity, spaciousness, and air, when paired with a superb Violectric DAC/headphone amp. I’m kicking myself for not noting the model number of the made-in-Germany Violectric DAC/amp, because I was too busy gaping at the display unit’s impeccable internal workmanship and wiring, truly something to behold for an audio geek like me.
The Fostex TH1100RPmk2 is built one at a time in Japan with indigo wood earpieces, using traditional Awa Aziome plant-based indigo dye. The airflow of the full-range planar magnetic drivers is precisely controlled and damped using the latest iteration of the company’s RP (Regular Phase) technology. The indigo color is absolutely gorgeous in real life.
Austrian Audio, a company that was started five years ago by former AKG engineers, showed their new Arranger closed-back headphones ($1,099), which employ much of the technology derived from the company’s flagship Composer headphones ($2,699), such as a purpose-designed 44 mm high-excursion driver with a DLC (diamond-like carbon)-coated diaphragm and proprietary ring magnet. The Arranger sounded warm, rich, and inviting, yet with plenty of detail, and exuded quality with its striking vertically-striped ear pieces, soft suede-leatherette ear pads, and elegant light brown and black finish.
S.M.S.L. was one of many Chinese hi-fi brands at CanJam NYC, also including xDuoo, Topping, Cayin, Eversolo, FIIO, I/O, Shanling, Softears, Topping, and others. In fact, it would take more than an entire article to cover the incredibly wide range of products on display, including some very affordable ones. I was intrigued by the fact that S.M.S.L. showed no fewer than four CD players, two with built-in DACs. A company rep told me that CD, which seems to be enjoying a modest revival, was very much an active format for them. Their PL200 ($669 on Amazon) even decodes MQA, in addition to supporting 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD 512 playback and offering a full complement of balanced, single-ended and digital outputs. And of course, a headphones output.
S.M.S.L. was part of a literal wall of booths hosting Chinese manufacturers. (Photo: FD)
écoute debuted its TH2 ($2,890), said to be the world’s only headphones with built-in vacuum-tube preamp stages! Their goal is “to make the sound of a high-end system portable – without compromise,” thanks to said preamp, a built-in DAC, dual-mono design, and available DSP tuning. Well, “She’s Gone, Dance On” by Disclosure sounded pretty amazing (and the video they played along with it is pretty unabashedly sexual). I’d never heard the song, so I don’t know what the track is “supposed” to sound like, but the sound field, bass impact and percussive drive were incredible. I need to hear these again.
Andy Regan, Sue Regan and Kendal Liddle of écoute were proud to display their TH2 vacuum-tube headphones, one of many genuinely innovative products at the show. Harris had spent time with the TH1 and found it a superb and intriguing design. The TH2 improves upon it. (Photo: HF)
Andy Regan, Sue Regan and Kendal Liddle of écoute were proud to display their unique TH2 vacuum-tube headphones, one of many genuinely innovative products at the show. The author spent time with the TH1 and found it a superb and intriguing design. The TH2 builds upon those successes and improves upon them. (Photo: HF)
Hong Kong’s ES Lab showed their new ES-2A open-back electrostatic headphones ($2,000), designed as a tribute to the famed Stax Omega electrostats. featuring a large 90 mm diameter driver that’s thinner than a human hair. It’s protected by a dust screen less than one micrometer thick, said to maximize acoustical transparency. The sound is certainly transparent, with that almost spooky see-into-the-music level of detail that means that fans of electrostatic headphones will settle for nothing else.
Geshelli Labs makes fine-sounding, great-looking headphone electronics in a variety of custom wood finishes, seen here at the Grado Labs booth. (Photo: FD)
Jack Wu shows off maybe the most gorgeous piece of equipment at the show: the Woo Audio WAV7e Fireflies dedicated electrostatic headphone amp/DAC ($1,399). The top is glass, not plastic. (Photo: HF)
Dr. Sean Olive of Sean Olive Audio Consulting gives a talk at one of the many seminars at the event. This one was on headphone target listening curves. (Photo: HF)
Want to listen to headphones? Step right up to the Meze Audio booth, says Alec Szendrei: we have plenty! (Photo: HF)
Family tradition: Grado Labs headphones have been made in Brooklyn, New York by the Grado family since 1953. Here are Richard, Matthew, and John Grado. (Photo: HF)
These Qobuz guys are everywhere! Seriously, it wouldn't be an audio show without them. Ask Gabe and Dan Mackta, and Kenn Richards! (Photo: HF)
Nothing to hide: this Topping DX9 DAC/headphone amp combo was yet another showstopper at CanJam NYC 2026. (Photo: HF)
Dark Matter Audio Labs' Rachelle Elder told us that the company offers in-ear monitors and hearing protection to pro touring musicians and consumers alike. Dark Matter shared the room with Dekoni Audio and Grell Audio, making it one of most energetic at the show. Harris has been reviewing a pair of their custom-molded DMA6 – BA 6 IEMs in Translucent Smoke with zebra wood, so not only do they sound great, he also looks great wearing them. (Photo: HF)
In headphones and headphone electronics, miniaturization is essential, as HIFIMAN founder Dr. Fang Bian points out at an after-hours media event. In this image, Bian points to his “Can an Elephant Fit in a Fridge” illustration, an apt metaphor that places the engineering in context. Most people may not realize how much has to be packed into the space around the earcups in a modern audiophile wireless headphone –battery, amplifiers, DAC circuitry, antennas, and much more, yet keep the headphones light enough for extended wearing. Couple this with all-new planar magnetic drivers, and you gain an appreciation for all that’s hidden beneath the lovely skin of the HIFIMAN HE1000 WiFi and its sibling, the more affordable Arya WiFi. (Photo: HF)
You want portable audio? You got it! Here's one of the uncountable number of portable headphone amps, DACs, and other devices, this one from Fosi Audio. It's a DAC/headphone amp with a clever magnetic holder and an eye-catching display(Photo: HF)
Cesare and Michaelangelo Mattoli of Italy's Audma show off their Brioso PHPA1 portable headphone amp. It features the company's ELISA system, designed to re-create the primary interaural time difference of listening to loudspeakers, via headphones. The battery-powered Brioso offers adjustments for Stage (perceived distance), Angle (width), and Bass. ELISA technology is also incorporated into Audma's Maestro flagship headphone amplifier. (Photo: HF)
Did we mention that CanJam NYC 2026 was loaded with innovative products? Lily Audio showed their Genesis One headphones, which incorporate the company's CrystalCore technology. It uses a crystalline piezoelectric material, bonded to a carbon fiber layer, all bonded to a honeycomb diaphragm. The CrystalCore driver works by material deformation rather than the mechanical movement of other drivers. (Photo: HF)
The Hidizs crew demonstrated a wide range of IEMs, electronics, and more. (Photo: HF)
Status Audio were there showing off a brand new color, white, for their new flagship Status Pro X earphones. They boast a slew of audiophile features, including selectable EQ curves, dynamic balanced drivers, and 24-bit/96 kHz audio over Bluetooth. Here James Bertuzzi and David Przygoda present the new model.
The gang's all here in the Dekoni Audio/Grell Audio/and Dark Matter Labs booth: Tal Daniel Kocen, Dylan Scarzafva, Dr. Axel Grell, Naotake Tsunoda (former lead developer for Sony headphones), and Sam Roney.
Many members of the media enjoyed CanJam NYC, including Rob Tannenbaum (The New York Times), and James Barber (Stars After Stars After Stars).
Ricardo Anton (iFi Audio) and Pedro Diaz (the Metropolitan Opera English hornist) had a great time. Pedro Diaz is also an audiophile, and you can follow YouTube Channel de Audiofilos y Locos.
Richard Slevin, a founding drummer of the band The Rave Ups led by Jimmer Podrasky (Omnivore Records), marveled at what he was hearing from the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr. electrostatic headphones ($4,000).
Lucca Chesky, his dad David, and Roy Hall enjoy themselves. Why? Because they had absolutely nothing to set up and break down; zero responsibility at an audio show for a change!
Cliff Roth of Tech Editorial tests the new 8th-generation ETA Audio ULI headphones, featuring AlNiCo-magnet drivers ($3,499). Cliff reported they sounded great while being driven by the ZMF Headphones Aegis headphone amplifier.
Rob Watts, digital design consultant at Chord Electronics, at his lecture, "Closing the Circle of Conversion.” Here he discusses using decimation, as an example of an effective digital filter.
Heading out: CanJam NYC 2026 exhibitors break down the booths at the end of a long two days. They say they don't pay you to play; they pay you to load in and load out.
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Epilogue: the single most interesting product I encountered at the show was the Ferrum Audio WANDLA Golden Sound Edition Gen 2 DAC. I’ll tell you why in the next issue.
Header image: for several years in a row one of the most popular exhibits at CanJam NYC has been the ZMF Headphones room. As much a love-fest as it is a headphone company’s room, it all began with Zach Mehrbach, a filmmaker and guitar maker, whose line of beautifully-crafted wood headphones have achieved cult-like status. Here the ZMF crew has just survived the intensity of CanJam NYC. From left to right, Katherine Tereshchenkova, Laura Hix, Kevin Wolff, Bevin Mehrbach, Stephen Rosenthal, Zach Mehrbach, and Keenan McKnight.
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