IFi Audio Hip-dac 3 – Portable Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier & USB-C DAC – Titanium Shadow

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.

Perfect hi-res partnership

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 power-hungry headphones

The hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design minimizes 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. The amp stage can deliver up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load.

Tailored for 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.

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. 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.

Technical Specifications

• Input: USB-C
• Formats Supported: DSD256 / PCM384kHz / Full MQA Decoder
• DAC: Burr Brown
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4mm; 3.5mm
• Power Output BAL: 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω
• Power Output UnBAL: 280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω
• SNR BAL: <109dB(A) @ 0dBFS
• SNR UnBAL: <103dB(A) @ 0dBFS
• DNR BAL: <109dB(A)
• DNR UnBAL: <103dB(A)
• THD + N BAL: <0.006X% (360mW/2.0V @ 600Ω)
• THD + N 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: 135g

Package Includes

• iFi Audio hip-dac 3
• USB-A to USB-C Cable
• USB-C to USB-C Cable
• Quick start card
• Instruction card

Features

• Sleek Aluminium frame with new metal film capacitors and updated GMT circuitry
• Two USB-C ports for simplified cable management
• iEMatch, PowerMatch and XBass technologies
• LEDs for format and sample rate indication
• True balanced circuit design for optimal performance and pure sound
• Supports Hi-res PCM, DXD, DSD, and full decoding of MQA
• 7-10 hours of playtime with 2200mAh battery
• USB-C OTG cable and USB-A to USB-C cable included