Product highlights
Dual USB-C ports on back panel:
- USB-C input for connecting PC, smartphone, and other mobile devices
- USB-C charging port
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 @ 32 ohms (balanced); 280mW @ 32 ohms (unbalanced)
- XBass sound control processing for boosting bass
- iEMatch helps reduce noise and "hiss" in high-sensitivity in-ear monitors
- PowerMatch switchable gain
- manual power switch/volume control dial with 40dB-0dB attenuation
- frequency response: 20-45,000 Hz (-3 dB)
- USB-C to USB-C cable included
- USB-A to USB-C 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
- 2-7/8"W x 4-1/16"H x 5/8"D
- weight: 0.30 lbs.
- warranty: 1 year
What's in the box
- Portable D/A converter (Titanium Shadow)
- 6.5" USB cable (USB-A on one end and USB-C on other end)
- 5" USB cable (USB-C on both ends)
- 5" Lightning-to-USB-C cable
- 4 Adhesive-backed rubber feet
- Quick Set-Up
- After-Sales card
- Safety & Handling sheet
About this item
Written by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller
The super-slim, battery-powered iFi hip-dac3 bypasses the rot-got audio circuitry in your phone.
Top-shelf sound from a flask-shaped portable DAC
This is the third generation of iFi Audio's popular pocket-sized — and powerful — headphone amp/DAC combo. This time around, iFi changed to a USB-C port, updated the internal digital circuitry, and added a striking titanium finish. (Sound familiar, Apple fans and iPhone users?) Other than that, the iFi hip-dac3 keeps much of what made the previous two my choices for " best battery-powered portable headphone amp" of the year.
It features the same charming flask-shaped design, connects to your phone or laptop, and serves up dynamic, detailed sound for your headphones or IEMs.
New connections and performance upgrades
There are now two USB-C ports on the back panel, one for charging and one for connecting your device. iFi includes a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB Type A to USB-C cable for connecting to a PC. The chassis is still heavy-duty aluminum, but it has a titanium look to complement the latest iPhone models.
Inside, iFi's in-house development team purpose-built a 16-bit XMOS microcontroller/processor. It's designed to work in harmony with the high-grade Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter chip for lower latency and faster clock speed. There's also a new low-jitter clock to keep the distortion and jitter as low as possible.
Makes all your digital music sound better
The Burr-Brown DAC chip can squeeze out more musical detail from Spotify®, Apple Music®, Qobuz, 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 12.2 MHz. It can even fully decode MQA, meaning it completes all three file "unfolds" required for optimum sound
A note about charging
The hip-dac3 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 charging port. You'll want to ensure it is charged up when you take it out and about.