iFi Audio hip dac 3
Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier
Welcome to the all new portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp from iFi.
This is a battery-powered portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp made in an Aluminum case which promises to elevate your audio experience.
It has two USB-C ports one is for audio and the other is for charging. There is a toggle switch on the backside of it which turns on iFi’s iEMatch technology, so if you have some high-sensitivity headphones or iem's, and it will power them perfectly.
Form Factor = Same size as a hip flask
This is made to fit in your pocket or bag with ease. It was made directly to replace the entry level DAC and amp in your smart phones and tablets, laptops and PC's. We use Burr-Brown chipsets better than all of our competitors and this is no exception to that.
hip-dac 3 your power-hungry headphone.
The hip-dac 3 is a truly balanced circuit design, which is unheard of in this price range. It uses op-amps which are the most efficient amps to use in portable devices.
HERE ARE THE SPECS FROM iFi directly
"Tailored for your headphones and earphones
The 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 MQA
Hi-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
The hip-dac 3’s USB-C input 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 3.5mm socket for single-ended headphones and a 4.4mm balanced output for those with balanced connectivity, leveraging 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 includes a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable."
