2023 has seen the discharge of a variety of transportable headphone-amp/DACs, together with the FiiO KA13, the small however mighty iFi Go Hyperlink and the USB-B stick-sized Earfun UA100. Now iFi has unveiled one other transportable DAC within the form of the hip-dac 3, the third technology of the model’s well-liked DAC/headphone amp hybrid which is kitted out not solely with new connectivity choices but additionally, says its maker, extra attuned sonic capabilities.
Constructing on the legacy of the primary iFi hip-dac and 2021’s second-generation mannequin, this new iteration comes with a wide range of circuit enhancements, together with all-new movie capacitors for a greater frequency response. The precise DAC part is provided with an up to date model of iFi’s International Grasp Timing circuitry, designed to cut back section noise and supply a snappier, crisper sound.
The hip-dac 3 makes use of a differential circuit design inside its amplification stage to cut back sign distortion and protect your audio’s total purity. That amp stage is able to providing as much as 400mW right into a 32-ohm load for compatibility with a broader array of headphones, whereas the balanced output’s 6.3V into 600ohms ought to imply that even high-impedance fashions can be utilized with out difficulty.
Somewhat cannily, the product’s amp stage affords one thing known as PowerMatch, a switchable achieve function which matches the extent of drive to the headphone load to make sure you are getting the fitting efficiency for the machine used with none hissing or distortion.
It is fairly versatile, too. The hip-dac 3 affords help for hi-res PCM and DXD audio information as much as 384kHz, in addition to DSD64, 128 and 256, and help for MQA. As is changing into the development with transportable DACs, a pair of LEDs change color to point the format and pattern fee of the audio being performed so you already know precisely what you are listening to.
There are additionally exterior upgrades to reinforce the third-gen hip-dac’s connectivity capabilities. The twin USB-A ports have been changed by two USB-C ports – one for audio, one for charging – in addition to two outputs courtesy of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 4.4mm balanced output.
The brand new mannequin’s battery lasts between 7-12 hours of playtime relying on the amount degree you play your music and the ability of the headphones getting used. In addition to the principle unit itself, you’ll obtain a USB-C On The Go charging cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-C to Lightning cable for these iOS gadgets which have not but converted to USB-C (thanks, iPhone 15).
Out there in a smooth gray colourway generally known as “Titanium Shadow” – the brand new iFi hip-dac 3 is in the stores now for £199 / $199 / AU$449.
MORE:
Learn our evaluate of the five-star iFi Go Hyperlink and the iFi hip-dac 2
I used a DAC for the primary time and it was a game-changer
Greatest DACs: USB, desktop and transportable digital-to-analogue converters
