iFi Audio hip-dac 3 Portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp

iFi Audio hip-dac 3 Portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp

 

The iFi Audio hip-dac 3 is a must-have for any audiophile. This portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp, now available in Titanium Shadow, combines trendsetting innovations with enhanced versatility.

With its sleek and elegant Aluminium case, the hip-dac 3 is not only aesthetically pleasing but also packed with features to elevate your audio experience. Its two USB-C ports simplify cable management, and the addition of iFi's iEMatch technology optimises sound for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones.

Inside, the device boasts circuit enhancements, including new metal film capacitors and an updated version of iFi's GMT circuitry, resulting in a purer sound with reduced phase noise. The hip-dac 3 also features a superior DAC stage with a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, ensuring optimal performance and a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

But it's not just about the technical specs. The hip-dac 3's compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go use. It replaces the subpar DAC and amplifier in your smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac, delivering rich and dynamic sound when connected via USB-C. And with its true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range, you can expect minimal signal distortion and a captivating sound for your headphones.

Thanks to its high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp and a low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments, the hip-dac 3 can deliver up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones. It can also efficiently drive high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from the balanced output.

Moreover, the hip-dac 3 is tailored for your specific headphones and earphones. Its switchable gain, called PowerMatch, ensures optimal power for the headphones you are using. And the iEMatch technology, which can be activated with a switch on the underside, reduces hiss, enhances detail and dynamic range, and improves volume control range for high-sensitivity headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs).

But the hip-dac 3 is not just limited to playing hi-res PCM and DXD audio data. It supports DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz and features full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology used by Tidal's 'HiFi Plus' tier. With its USB-C input supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0, and its asynchronous design ensuring jitter-free data transfer, you can enjoy your favourite music in its highest quality.

And let's not forget about its battery life. The hip-dac 3's 2,200mAh battery offers up to 12 hours of playtime, varying by volume and headphone power needs. It also comes with a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable for added convenience.

For those looking for added protection and style, iFi offers a hip-case in Dove Grey faux suede, perfectly fitting all hip-dac models without compromising function.

 

Features

• Titanium Shadow Finish
• 2 USB-C ports
• Burr-Brown chipset
• 16-core XMOS microcontroller
• Low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments
• Can deliver up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load
• PowerMatch

 

Titanium shadow. Trendsetting innovations.

Now, our battery-powered portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp is adorned in the 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 your cable management: one for audio and the other for charging. A switch on the underside activates iFi’s iEMatch technology, which is optimised 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.

 

Hip flask size. Magnum performance.

With its sleek, robust aluminium enclosure, the portable hip-dac 3 discreetly 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 enjoy rich, dynamic sound.

iFi’s expertise with 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 by iFi’s in-house team to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

 

hip-dac 3 your power-hungry headphone.

The hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design minimises 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. Additionally, it efficiently drives high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from the balanced output.

 

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 utilises iFi’s S-Balanced circuitry, minimising 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.

 

Hip-case protects your hip-dac 3

The hip-dac series features a durable 102x70x14mm aluminium enclosure. For added protection and a suede-like touch.

Our hip-case in Dove Grey faux suede is perfect. It fits all hip-dac models snugly without compromising function.

Protect your hip-dac 3 with the hip-case.

 

	Hi-Res True Native® playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384.
	The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded. At iFi we use Burr Brown extensively in our products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Our experience with this IC means we know how to make the most of it.
	The 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.
	It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound. You normally 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.
	Sonically superior – richer, deeper. The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response.
	iFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.

 

Specification

• Input: USB-C
• Formats Supported: DSD256 / PCM384kHz / Full MQA Decoder
• DAC: Burr Brown
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4mm, 3.5mm
• Output Power (RMS):
  • BAL - 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω
  • UnBAL - 280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω
• 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
• Battery:
  • Lithium-polymer 2,200mAh
  • up to 12 hours
• Power System: Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current
• Dimensions: 102 x 70 x 14 mm (4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6")
• Net weight: 135 g

 

About iFi Audio 

iFi Audio is an award-winning audio tech company dedicated to enhancing your music enjoyment. With a mission to improve sound quality and eliminate noise, distortion, and hiss, iFi Audio offers a wide range of products that cater to headphones, speakers, portable audio devices, phones, and TVs. By doing so, they aim to deliver studio-quality audio that allows you to experience music as the artists intended.

Since its establishment in 2012, iFi Audio has been driven by the love of music and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. With over 50 meticulously designed and manufactured products, they ensure every detail meets their high standards. Sourcing parts from around the world, including Germany, the USA, and Japan, they bring together global expertise to create exceptional audio devices.

At the heart of iFi Audio's business are its customers. They prioritise delivering the highest quality audio wherever you are, whether in the comfort of your home or on the go. Their distribution centre in the USA serves renowned retailers such as B&H and etailz, expanding their global network and reaching more music enthusiasts.

iFi Audio takes pride in its eco-friendly practices, using recyclable materials like aluminium, paper, and recycled plastics for its products and packaging. They strictly adhere to environmental standards, ensuring their components are hazardous toxins-free.

With a focus on Class A analogue circuitry and maintaining the audio signal's integrity, iFi Audio's products offer exceptional performance without compromising environmental sustainability. They believe that how a product looks, performs, and impacts the environment all matter, and they strive to deliver audio solutions that meet these criteria.

Experience the difference of high-quality audio with iFi Audio and immerse yourself in the joy of music.