ifi Hip-Dac portable USB DAC

Description

Product highlights
battery-powered portable USB DAC with built-in high-performance headphone amp
pocket-sized design with metal chassis
improves sound from your PC, digital music player, iPhone, and/or Android phone
USB-A and USB-C cable included
Burr-Brown "True Native" digital-to-analog converter chip for high-quality sound
supported audio files: up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM; DSD 256 (11.2 MHz)
offers rendering for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio files
Type A USB input for connecting PC, smartphone, and other mobile devices
two headphone outputs:
one 3.5mm stereo minijack
one balanced 4.4mm output
iFi's dual-mono circuitry helps reduce crosstalk between the left and right audio channels
output power: > 2.0V / 400mW @ 16 ohm
XBass sound control processing for boosting bass
PowerMatch switchable gain
manual power switch/volume control dial with 40dB-0dB attenuation
USB-C charging cable included
rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playback on a full charge
completely self-powered, cannot borrow power from your computer, phone, or playback device during use
color-coded LED indicator for incoming sample rate
includes selection of silicone grip pads
2-3/4"W x 4-1/16" H x 1/2"D
weight: 0.28 lbs.
warranty: 1 year
What's in the box
Portable DAC/headphone amp (blue)
6.5" USB cable (Male Type A USB on one end and USB-C on other end)
4.75" USB cable (Female Type A USB on one end and male USB-C on other end)
12.5" USB 3.0 cable (Female Type A USB on one end and Male Type A USB on other end)
Instruction card
Warranty
About this item
Written by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller
Flask-shaped portable DAC serves up top-shelf sound
The iFi Audio hip-dac sports one of the coolest portable headphone amp/DAC designs I've seen. And not just because it resembles an old-fashioned hip flask! It's so compact and thin that it slipped right into my jacket alongside my phone, without creating much pocket bulge. But even though it looks slim and unassuming, as the old country lyrics go: "
don't let it fool you about what's inside
."
The super-slim, battery-powered iFi hip-dac connects to your phone and headphones to give you better sound on the go.
I tested out this battery-powered DAC with both my phone and laptop. It bypassed the rotgut audio circuitry inside those devices, and the sonic upgrade was immediate. My headphones sounded much more dynamic and detailed than when connected directly to the phone or computer.
Makes all your digital music sound better
The hip-dac features digital connections and a high-grade Burr-Brown DAC chip that can squeeze out more musical detail from Spotify®, Apple Music®, YouTube, and other digital audio sources. This DAC will decode high-resolution music files up to 32-bit/384Hz resolution, and DSD files up to 11.2 MHz. It also offers full  MQA support.
My listening impressions
I only had a few days to audition the iFi hip-dac before its big debut at the CanJam NYC 2020 headphone festival in Manhattan. It performed well with with two very different types of headphones — the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 closed-back over-ears and the Meze Rai Solo in-ear monitors (IEMs). I primarily used the lossless streaming service Qobuz for music, and the hip-dac's LED lights changed colors to verify the resolution of the incoming signal.
The Aeon 2s are easier to drive than most planar magnetic headphones, but I would still always recommend listening with a separate headphone amp like this one. I thought the hip-dac powered them well, and really had a grip on the start-and-stop movement of those special drivers. The results were improved dynamics and imaging — there was real depth within Aeon 2's spacious soundstage.
(I will say that the iFi xDSD portable DAC/amp was an even better match with these headphones, providing more power and control. But when you look at the value here, I would be more than pleased with the hip-dac.)
There are two front-panel buttons for sound processing options. One is called "PowerMatch®" and adjusts the gain for larger headphones like the Aeon 2s. I personally preferred the more precise volume control that I got from the old-school analog volume dial. But I did find myself hitting the other "Xbass®" button to add some extra low-end to certain songs.
It worked particularly well with the Rai Pentas, which have a very powerful, defined bass on their own. But I really enjoyed the extra low-end oomph when listening to the album
No Requests
by legendary DJs Stretch and Bobbito. They assembled a formidable live band to "reinterpret" classic soul, reggae, and jazz numbers that are often sampled in hip-hop. Those new arrangements and basslines really had my head nodding with iFi's Xbass processing engaged — a potent punch of low end, without extra bloat.
The compact, lightweight iFi hip-DAC was sturdy and substantial enough that it didn't slide around my desk during use.
Versatile connections
iFi certainly made the connections easy. The hip-DAC is one of the most uncomplicated DACs I've ever used. A USB cable (with a Type A USB male on one end and Type A USB female on other end) is included for connecting to a PC, and a USB Type A to Type C is included for newer Android™ phones. I was able to connect to my older Samsung Galaxy phone with an additional adapter (there are mini-USB and Apple Lightning® adapters for iPhone® sold separately).
And I didn't have to download any USB drivers to play my music. My phone automatically sent sound through the DAC, and on my computer, it was a quick click on audio settings to get things going.
S-balanced headphone amp
On the front panel, there is a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack along with a balanced 4.4mm headphone output. The latter is the new industry standard balanced connection that helps cuts down on signal noise and distortion.Sony developed this special connection, and a growing list of headphones from multiple brands use it.
Either way you connect takes advantage of what iFi calls "S-balanced" headphone amp technology. Their dual-mono circuitry keeps the left and right audio channels separate for as long as possible to avoid cross-talk and distortion.
A note about charging
The hip-DAC has a built-in rechargeable battery that offers 12 hours of music listening on a full charge, depending on how you use it. This amp runs completely on battery, and must be recharged via the USB-C port (a charging cable is included). You'll want to ensure it is charged up when you take it out and about.