iFi hip-dac 3 Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp
iFi - hip-dac 3, Portable Battery-Powered, USB-C, Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp
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Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp
iFi - hip-dac 3
The legacy continuesThe iFi hip-dac 3 is a battery-powered, portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp that comes in a Titanium Shadow hue, exhibiting timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. The transformation goes much further than aesthetics. The hip-dac 3’s sleek Aluminium case includes new features, designed to enhance your audio experience.
Two USB-C ports simplify your cable management. One for audio and the other for charging. A switch on the underside activates iFi’s iEMatch technology, which is designed for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, making it especially beneficial for your in-ear monitors (IEMs).
Inside, the device has new circuit enhancements, including metal film capacitors for a better frequency response. An updated version of iFi’s GMT circuitry is also included, together with a new crystal oscillator that further reduces phase noise, delivering a purer sound to you.
Amazing Features
• Battery-powered, portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp
• Two USB-C ports for easy cable management
• Supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio
• Sleek, discrete and robust aluminium enclosure
Small Size. Big Performance.
discrete designWith its sleek and discrete robust aluminium enclosure, the portable hip-dac 3 fits in a pocket or bag. It replaces the subpar DAC and amplifier in smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. Just connect via USB-C, plug in your favourite headphones, and experience rich, dynamic sound.
iFi’s expertise with the Burr-Brown chipset ensures optimal performance. Although, a superior DAC stage involves more than just the DAC chip. A crucial element is the XMOS chip for processing digital audio inputs.
The hip-dac 3 features a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, programmed by iFi’s in-house team to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.
For Your Power-Hungry Headphones
more efficientThe hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design reduces signal distortion, resulting in a purer, more captivating sound for your headphones. The circuitry incorporates high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp, a low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments, and a premium analogue volume pot.
The amp stage can deliver up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones. It also efficiently drives high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from the balanced output.
Tailored For Your Headphones & Earphones
improved controlThe amp stage has switchable gain, called PowerMatch, to ensure optimal power for the headphones you are using.
An underside switch engages iFi’s iEMatch technology, optimising output for high-sensitivity headphones, especially in-ear monitors (IEMs). It reduces hiss, enhances detail and dynamic range, and improves volume control range.
XBass is a user-selectable feature that boosts bass without muddying the midrange, ideal for your earphones and open-back headphones. It works in the analogue domain, avoiding alterations via DSP.
Play All Your Files
including MQAHi-res PCM and DXD audio data is supported at sample rates up to 384kHz, alongside DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz (DSD64, 128 and 256). Full decoding of MQA – the hi-res streaming technology, as used by Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier – is also supported, performing the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process (as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’). Either side of the rotary volume control reside a pair of LEDs that change colour to indicate the format and sample rate of the incoming audio.
Get Connected
pure audio signalThe hip-dac 3 features a USB-C input that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. Its intelligent design ensures jitter-free data transfer. A separate USB-C charging port allows use while charging, preserving a pure audio signal path.
The hip-dac 3 provides two outputs: a 3.5mm socket for single-ended headphones and a 4.4mm balanced output for those with balanced connectivity, employing the device’s differential amp design. The 3.5mm output utilizes iFi’s S-Balanced circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and distortion for single-ended connections.
The hip-dac 3’s 2,200mAh battery offers up to 12 hours of playtime, varying by volume and headphone power needs. It also includes a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
World-Class Components
Hi-Res True NativeHi-Res True Native® playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384.
Burr-Brown True NativeThe Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’. So you can listen to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded. iFi use Burr Brown extensively in their products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture.
XMOS 16-Core chipThe XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input. This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard. iFi’s in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. The hip-dac2 adopts MQA technology to receive and decode MQA audio and provide master-level sound.
Balanced circuitsIt is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound. You often find this set-up in products at the higher end of the price spectrum such as the Pro iCAN Signature but iFi is now using this across its range to produce the best quality audio for all our customers.
XBass®The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response, making it richer, deeper and sonically superior.
S-Balanced circuitiFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
The Tech Spec
| Features | Specification | Input | USB-C |
|---|---|
| Formats Supported | DSD 256 / 11.3MHz | PCM 384kHz | MQA Full Decoder |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| Outputs | BAL 4.4mm | S-BAL 3.5mm |
| Power Output | BAL: 400mW @ 32Ω | 6.3V @ 600Ω S-BAL: 280mW @ 32Ω | 3.2V @ 600Ω |
| Output Impedance | ≤ 1Ω (BAL/S-BAL) | w/ iEMatch on: ≤ 4.5Ω |
| SNR + DNR | BAL < 109dBA @ 0dBFS | S-BAL <103dBA @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | BAL: < 0.006% (360mW/2V @ 600Ω) S-BAL: < 0.01% (100mW/1.27V @ 32Ω) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 45kHz (-3dB) |
| Battery | Lithium-polymer 2200mAh approx. 8 hours |
| Power System | Charge via USB-C | BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current |
| Power Consumption | < 2W idle, 4W max |
| Dimensions | 4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6" |
| Net Weight | 0.3 lbs (137g) |
