iFi Audio Hip Dac 3 Hi-Res Portable DAC / Headphone Amplifier

Meet the hip-dac 3 — a portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp, now in Titanium Shadow with more versatility.

The 3rd generation battery-powered portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp is finished in Titanium Shadow hue, exuding timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. The hip-dac 3’s sleek aluminium case houses new features, tailored to elevate your audio experience.

Two USB-C ports simplify cable management - one for audio and the other for charging. A switch on the underside activates iEMatch technology, which is optimized for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, making it especially beneficial for your in-ear monitors (IEMs).

Inside, the device boasts circuit enhancements, including new metal film capacitors for a better frequency response. Additionally, an updated version of iFi’s GMT circuitry, coupled with a new crystal oscillator, further reduces phase noise, delivering a purer sound to you.

Featuring a sleek, robust aluminium enclosure, the portable hip-dac 3 discreetly fits in a pocket or bag. It replaces the sub-par DAC and amplifier in smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. Just connect via USB-C, plug in your favourite headphones, and enjoy rich, dynamic sound.

The Burr-Brown chipset ensures optimal performance, however 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 to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

Hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design minimizes signal distortion, resulting in a purer, more captivating sound for your headphones. The circuitry incorporates high-quality components, including a custom 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 400 mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones. Additionally, it efficiently drives high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3 V into 600 ohms from the balanced output.

The USB-C input of Hip-Dac 3 supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. Its asynchronous 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 3.5 mm socket for single-ended headphones and a 4.4 mm balanced output for those with balanced connectivity, leveraging the device’s differential amp design. The 3.5 mm output utilizes S-Balanced circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and distortion for single-ended connections.

The 2,200 mAh battery offers up to 12 hours of playtime, varying by volume and headphone power needs. It includes a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable.

Features

• Portable USB DAC + Headphone Amplifier.
• True Native Hi-Res Audio.
• Burr-Brown Multibit Chipset.
• XMOS 16-Core Processor.
• MQA Decoding.
• Fully Balanced Design.
• XBass Analogue Bass Correction System.
• S-Balanced IEM Circuit.

Specifications

• Input: USB-C
• Formats Supported: DSD256 / PCM384kHz / Full MQA Decoder.
• DAC: Burr Brown.
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4 mm, 3.5 mm
• Power Output: BAL 400 mW @ 32 Ω; 6.3 V @ 600 Ω / UnBAL 280 mW @ 32 Ω; 3.2 V @ 600 Ω
• SNR: BAL <109 dB(A) @ 0 dBFS / UnBAL <103 dB(A) @ 0 dBFS.
• DNR: BAL <109 dB(A) / UnBAL <103 dB(A)
• THD + N: BAL <0.006 % (360 mW / 2.0 V @ 600 Ω) / UnBAL <0.01 % (100 mW / 1.27 V @ 16 Ω)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 45 kHz (-3 dB)
• Power Consumption: <2 W idle, 4 W max.
• Battery: Lithium-polymer 2,200 mAh, up to 12 hours.
• Power System: Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000 mA charging current.
• Dimensions: 102 x 70 x 14 mm
• Net Weight: 135 g

Included

• 1 x Hip-Dac 3
• 1 x OTG USB-C Cable
• 1 x USB-A to USB-C Cable

More Information

• What Hi-Fi? 5-Star Review of Hip Dac 3
• Hip Dac 3, by iFi Audio