IFI HIP-DAC 3

iFi hip-dac 3 is the most versatile and portable battery-powered DAC and headphone amplifier ever, capable of delivering the highest quality sound wherever you are.

Description

iFi hip-dac 3 – Portable High Fidelity

iFi hip-dac 3, the most versatile and powerful portable Hi-Res DAC and headphone amplifier ever, is the perfect accessory for those looking for the best audio quality wherever they are.

This very practical battery-powered DAC, not only looks beautiful with its elegant Titanium Shadow finish, but also offers improved audio performance thanks to new features designed to enhance your listening experience.

Easy cable management: Two USB-C ports, one dedicated to audio and the other for charging, for hassle-free use.

iEMatch Technology: A switch on the bottom activates iFi Audio's iEMatch technology, optimized for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, ideal for your in-ear monitors (IEMs).

Inside, there are metal film capacitors for superior frequency response and an updated version of iFi's GMT circuit, with a new crystal oscillator to further reduce phase noise, delivering even purer sound.

Compact size, powerful performance

Thanks to iFi Audio's experience with the Burr-Brown chipset, the hip-dac 3 ensures optimal performance. However, the quality of a superior DAC depends on more than just the 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 the iFi team to optimize sound quality and ensure perfect synergy with the Burr-Brown DAC.

The circuit features high-quality components, including a custom OV op amp from iFi, a low-noise power IC from Texas Instruments, and a high-quality analog potentiometer. The amplifier stage can deliver up to 400 mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones, including high-impedance ones.

The amplifier stage features switchable gain, called PowerMatch, to ensure the optimal power for the headphones you’re using. Additionally, iEMatch technology reduces hiss, improves detail and dynamic range, and fine-tunes volume control, making it ideal for high-sensitivity earphones.

The user-selectable XBass feature boosts bass without affecting the midrange, making it ideal for in-ear and open-back headphones. This feature operates in the analog domain, avoiding DSP alterations.

Any file, any connection

The hip-dac 3 supports high-resolution PCM and DXD audio with sampling rates up to 384kHz, as well as DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz (DSD64, 128, and 256). It also supports full MQA decoding, ensuring master-quality sound.

The two LED lights on either side of the volume control indicate the format and sampling rate of the incoming audio.

The hip-dac 3's USB-C input supports audio up to 32-bit/384kHz, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0, ensuring jitter-free data transfer. A separate USB-C charging port allows you to use your device while it charges, preserving a pure audio signal path.

The hip-dac 3 offers two outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output for balanced connectivity, taking advantage of the device's differential amplifier design. The 3.5mm output uses iFi's S-Balanced circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and distortion for single-ended connections.

The hip-dac 3's 2,200mAh battery provides up to 12 hours of playback, depending on volume and headphone power needs. Includes a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable.

iFi Technologies Built-in

True Native® Hi-Res playback of all music formats, from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384, and DXD384.

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 uses the Burr-Brown True Native® chipset, chosen for its ability to preserve audio file formats unaltered or ‘bit-perfect’. This approach ensures that music is reproduced exactly as the artist intended, in its original recording format.

iFi has chosen Burr Brown for many of its products, appreciating its natural ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. The company’s extensive experience with this IC allows it to optimise its performance, ensuring the highest possible audio quality.

The 16-core XMOS chip processes audio data received via the USB digital input.

This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has significantly increased processing power. Compared to the current generation of 8-core chips, this new 16-core IC offers double the clock speed (2000 MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as supporting the latest SuperSpeed ​​USB standard.

The iFi hip-dac 3 offers full support for the MQA format, an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The MQA master file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download.

MQA has become an essential element of any high-quality DAC globally. The format is accessible through services such as Tidal Masters, Audirvana and Roon, making the ZEN DAC 3 a versatile choice for audiophiles using these platforms.

The iFi hip-dac 3 uses a Balanced configuration, a superior approach to traditional single-ended circuitry. This technology significantly reduces noise and crosstalk, resulting in cleaner, clearer sound with less interference.

Typically, this configuration is typical of high-end products such as the Pro iCAN Signature. However, iFi has decided to implement this technology across its entire product range, including the hip-dac 3. This allows it to offer superior audio quality to all customers, regardless of the price range of the device.

The iFi hip-dac 3 includes the XBass® analog bass correction system. This technology improves overall sound quality, offering a richer and deeper sound. XBass® is specifically designed to compensate for the lack of bass response in headphones and speakers, resulting in a more complete and balanced audio reproduction. Thanks to this feature, users can enjoy an improved listening experience, with more present and defined bass.

iFi's exclusive S-Balanced® circuitry offers maximum performance for both single-ended and balanced headphones.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Input: USB-C

Formats:

DSD256

PCM384kHz

Full MQA Decoder

DAC: Burr Brown

Headphone: 4.4mm / 3.5mm

Output Power (RMS):

BAL: 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω

UnBAL: 3280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω

Battery: Lithium-polymer 2,200mAh up to 12 hours

Power System: Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current

SNR:

BAL:<109dB(A) @ 0dBFS

UnBAL: <103dB(A) @ 0dBFS

DNR:

BAL: <109dB(A)

UnBAL: <103dB(A)

THD+N:

BAL: <0.006X% (360mW/2.0V @ 600Ω)

UnBAL: <0.01% (100mW/1.27V @ 16Ω)

Frequency response: 20Hz – 45kHz (-3dB)

Power consumption: <2W idle, 4W max

Dimensions:102 x 70 x 14 mm

Weight: 135 g