ifi Hip-Dac 3

ifi hip dac 3
Redcarmoose Labs May 28th, 2024



ifi
I have always seen ifi around, you know if you are browsing Head-Fi you really can’t miss them. Belonging to the group AMR (Abbingdon Music Research Group) one of the largest if not the largest audio manufacturer in the UK, ifi has made a notch here at Head-fi. Endlessly imaginative they have created one-of-a-kind products like the xDSD, the Nano iOne, the Nano iDSD Black Label, the ifi Blue and most recently the ifi iDSD Diablo II.

Equipment tests:
This is where I started writing this review, literally the first written words. Why? It’s the most fun of course, plus this is a set-up that owned synergy. I mean good sound……that’s what this whole review is about. Good sound at a good price. Also I’m kinda playing hooky here, from writing about all the button functions and details. And while those features are ultimately important, I don’t really like reading instructions, hence don’t favor writing about them. Yet they are a fact of life and need to covered at some point, it’s just this review is about obtaining fun……and that is what I’m going to drop a few words about.

The set-up:
Apple MacBook Air, ifi hip dac, Penon GD849 Cable and 7Hz Aurora IEM, with my regular donut wide-bore ear-tips.

The Music:
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga OST
Junkie XL
You’re Scum
48kHz - 24bit

This song holds so many clues as to replay. So much that after experiencing the hip dac 3 I went and grabbed my Sony WM1A. Now to be fair the exact same file is there, for comparison purposes. But I have to say the two buttons that were missing with the Sony WM1A DAP were both the Power Match and the XBass Switch. So even though my audiophile purist half wanted the signal to remain as clean as possible here, there was an extra chunk of drama that was added by turning on both switches. See with the Aurora there is this room for extra XBass, that and missing was any off timbre of brightness found. What we are left with is the throbs………bigger throbs……and I like that. Sure the Sony is my reference, yet here is a surprise, in that the bass was traveling far-out into the reaches of the stage……..we are in the middle (and I hate to say this) but replay was better than the Sony. Not quite as detailed, but more musical, and more fun. There are other times where the Sony excels, yet think of this as a home theater experience, as that is exactly what it is. So in this case those bass throbs are clean yet deep and holding authority…….so much authority my Wife is asking me a question…….and I’m ignoring her………for a moment.

Intermission:
Look, all we are looking for is involvement. A hand to guide-us in sound, to reach musical communication. This is my first Burr-Brown chipset, and it may sound just slightly different from the 3 other ifi products I have reviewed, yet still holding what I consider the ifi house sound. Yet this being my forth ifi product, it is has only more features than the GO link. Meaning the GO bar, and GO blue have more stuff they do, more filters and more complications. So to hold the ifi hip dac up……it sounds great, I’m guessing because ifi didn’t have to concentrate on miniaturization? The ifi hip dac 3 is the largest ifi product I have reviewed so far. ifi can let reviewers review any product they want. I never chose the hip dac until now because I thought it was too big. When it truth it is incredibly small. But more than that it has a few features which totally float-my-boat. Of course sound, but also it has two TypeC USB ports, one for charging and one for a digital signal. You can’t hurt the hip dac 3 if you plug the charger USB into the digital signal input, and vice versa.


Note lights will flash on and off if a digital source is disconnected, then return to consistent when a new source is switched over.



Features:
So see that small silver button to the far left, that’s the Power Match feature, then you have the larger silver XBass boost switch. The center knob is many folks favorite feature here. Silky smooth with a consistent back pressure like turning a high-end stereo volume knob. As such wherever you place the volume it stays there resistant to movement, unless you really want it to move. I mean having the hip dac 3 around the house for a week started to make me realize the ifi corporation really put some time and effort into this little knob. Not only is it the on/off switch, it will find the exact volume your looking for with-out any of those annoying clicks.



The knob?
Nope, no clicks. Just smooth as butter. All three silver switches have a knurl surface, and I like that. As such the knurling adds to getting finger touch friction on the two buttons and even adds to the feeling when your finger makes contact with a portion of the volume knob to dial it. This feeling is slightly warmer than a regular metal surface. The other nice feeling you will have is when picking the hip dac up, at 136 grams it’s neither heavy or too light weight. As such the rounded aluminum edges create a feeling almost as sexy as the volume knob.

Volume knob:
See this volume knob keeps creeping back into the review. As there are lights conveniently located to each side of the volume knob (just in case your use scenario blocks visibility to one side). Engineered to be the exact thickness of the case, if you lay the hip dac 3 on a flat surface and shine a light onto the knob sideways, you will only see light coming through the two knob bevels and behind the knob itself. I have to commend ifi for this idea to make the knob exactly the size of the encasement, on both sides......flipped-up or down. As such there is never any extra strain when laying flat. And while they give you four small rubber feet to use, without the feet there is a slight sticking out of the iEMatch switch if placed with the ifi logo up.





Past ifi hip dacs:
I mean I never heard hip dac 1 or hip dac 2, yet this third version has the benefits of not using a (male) USB TypeA for digital input.



The Sony MDR-Z1R Full-size headphone:
Well one of my biggest surprise was just how loud and authoritative my full-size headphones became. Both the MDR-Z7 and MDR-Z1R shined. And when I say shined, this is in relation to three things.

1) Power resulting in loudness
2) Dampening power
3) tone (especially vocals)

The ultimate generalization in regards to dampening power:

“This concerns sound replay (bass) density and dampening power, which results in spacial imaging and transient attacks of upper frequencies. So density is found (especially with full-size) as a difference in regards to both the individual headphone characteristics and their power needs, thus performed many different ways in regards to amplifier choice.”
Redcarmoose

Dampening or Damping Factor:
You see, many amplifiers can make headphones loud. And Noobs think that if the results of an amplifier make a headphone loud enough, well that’s all you need. When in fact it is Dampening too. Dampening is a feature besides power to where the amplifier has better control over the actual diaphragm in use. Meaning transients are improved simply due to better start and stop reflexes of the headphone driver. This often adds a character to the bass, where if a bass is in better control, it comes off clearer. There can almost be perceived as an extra amount of stage surrounding the bass. As such this imaging then walks upwards into the mids creating better pace and better imaging into how the treble is formed into images.

Tone:
While no headphone is perfect, we try to use amplifiers often which hold an intrinsic quality which will in the end balance a deficit or tonal drawback. In the case of both the Z7 and Z1R the mid-range vocal ability could be brought into question. Meaning at times amps and DACs will offer a midrange clarity or the opposite, a midrange sleepiness which will work against us.

So here in testing in many ways the hip dac 3 was even better than IEM playback just the way it had control over the full-size, but also that there was found extra clarity taking and making vocals come-into focus. On multiple occasions, and no matter what source or music I used, I smiled at these results. In fact I’m using the MDR-Z1R with the hip dac 3 as I write now. The MacBook Air remembered that the hip dac 3 was used last time and was already all set up, I like that. Here the XBass feature is not needed, but the Power Match goes to add dynamics. I have to laugh as yes, the MDR-Z1R is easy to drive, but staying at only 1/4 of volume borders on ridiculous. Also typically in my history if you are only using 1/4 of the power, often dampening goes along with that.



Sony TA-ZH1ES:
And…….if you’re wondering what the $2199.99 USD TA-ZH1ES gets you? Slightly more resolution, where there is better separation, clearer formations (that’s the DAC) and a thicker meatier (amplifier) replay.

Is this hip dac 3 really 11 times less entertaining, no I would say only 15% less.

I mean yes the hip dac 3 is not drawing-up as dense of images, but in no way would these ideas of hip dac 3 output be thought of as thin, or not carrying weight. It is this fast yet firm item weight found lurking deep into the outskirts of the stage that has me smitten with performance.

And the fact that the hip dac 3 can go anywhere my laptop or phone can go.

Still to be honest the MDR-Z1R needs to get credit here too, as the Z1R is very thick, a home theatre on wheels. But at the same time I’m pretty easy going as far as finding entertainment in full-size replay. Just get me the dampening and the stage and I am a quiet camper. I was going to find a couple examples of how the hip dac 3 and MRD-Z1R were able to let you become a female vocal judge of recording quality, but then I realized this review is already maybe too long, and going to get much longer before it’s over. But let me just say this. Finding new female vocals, and listening, then dropping back to old reference (female voice) recordings proved with-out a doubt that the hip dac 3 has the personality for the MDR-Z1R to do vocals. And not only do them, but do them in a critical way that would even allow you to judge them, as well recorded or not.


Sony MDR-Z7:





Well I was trying to avoid it, but destiny intervened. First off, yes this is a vocal song. But straight off we note just how good the piano is. Density and harmonics, good decays. Singer Rose Betts vocals come in, and while not as forward as the Z1R, we are borderline fine, and when speaking Z7 that’s something to write down. Near the end, when more strings come in they are welcomed with beautiful tone and timbre. Where the Z7 may not be a lot of things, it does hold great timbre, that and staging, and of course bass, but we are not looking at that today? Or are we! Hehe.



Sam Paganini
Satellite
Rave
44.1kHz - 16bit
ifi GO link and Sony Z7:
I mean I’m not totally into this music genre, yet I like this song, so maybe I’m in fact into it? Here once again we are using the authority of the Sony Z7 to drive the music beat home. The little GO link well, it needed to be maxed out, almost. I mean for the most part the GO link was fine, but really works way better with IEMs. In contrast finding the added authority and power that the hip dac 3 just naturally sports was different and beneficial. Where we find that 10% in extra hip dac 3 technicalities in how the stage falls (to be nicer) as well as the density of the bass…………especially in a track like this one!

So what we get out of these tests is (obviously) a hierarchy. Though it is obvious, let me explain how in simple English.

To where the GO link is to the ifi hip dac, as the hip dac is to the Sony TA-ZH1ES....with full-size headphones. This explains the relative image density and stage (between the three) also the imaging in separation and transient attacks in comparison.

So as a generalization here. The bass density which is enjoyed with the TA-ZH1ES is slightly compromised when a file is played on the ifi hip dac 3. And to the same amount trying to take full-size headphones over to the GO link. Yet the other drawback to the GO link is it only gets so loud, to where that (lesser) density dampening is still missing from the ifi hip dac 3, only it can get crazy loud. In reviewing various products, I’m attempting to simply go one step further than to just say the hip dac 3 sounds great. I mean any review writer can say that in a review. While yes, the MDR-Z7 is more power hungry than the MDR-Z1R, there is also more bass, a stupid amount of bass, yet with carefully chosen products that specific bass doesn’t have to be dumbed-down, but can open-up to reveal wonderful textures and extra clues as to the reality of what is there in the file........and that's what we get with the hip dac 3!

After a few Reddcarmoose reviews this hip dac 3 review finds itself at the end of the review cycle. Subsequently this review may end-up longer than the rest (as I have time) not concerned by dead-lines or other products getting in the way. If I could, I want to concentrate on the Z7 with EDM first. Here there is an added authority to the MDR-Z7 that adds to what the hip dac 3 brings to the table. While still not as dense as the TA-ZH1ES, really we are splitting hairs here. The full-on V shape of the Z7 signature moves forward to add a big stage for the midrange and treble imaging to live. And contrary to a few amps out there, there is an included smoothness that just makes this work-out. Working-out is called in the zone, and that’s where I am. Smooth, full-bodied and clear at only 1/4 volume with the Power Match feature in use.

The MDR-Z1R and MDR-Z7 with MUC-B20SB1 cable:
Here I’m breaking-out the MUC-B20SB1 “Kimber” a $170.00 aftermarket cable that adds a touch of smoothness to both the MDR-Z1R and MDR-Z7. And I have to say, the MUC-B20SB1 adds a slight noticeable improvement to the hip dac 3, to where if you were looking for the ultimate step in the right direction after a Sony Z7 or Z1R and hip dac 3 purchase, the MUC-B20SB1 is the quintessential update to the sound here. Where with the Z1R even more upgrades can be noticed. These up-climbs come as a form of separation and smoothness, both as a perceived spatial imaging, and added itemizations found freely existing into the stage.

Where at first (years ago) the MUC-B20SB1 was chosen to help with a brightness display into how the Z1R was powered by the TA-ZH1ES. Where now (maybe due to Burr-Brown) smoothness, no such form of correction is needed to start with?


Further comparisons to other ifi products and the competition:
Here the ifi hip dac 3 (under the HiBy R3 II) goes against the ifi GO blu, ifi GO bar....and the GO link, with the Shanling UA3 and Simgot Audio DEW4X, which we will get to later.


Penon Volt with GS849 cable.

ifi hip dac 3:
Really this all is very easy. And while this section of the review followed the full-size headphones, using the HiBy R3 II as a digital source as in comparison to USB TypeA from a computer was no different. The differences in hip dac 3 and Volt IEM volume settings were obviously noticeable, to where I basically turned-off the Power Match feature and left the volume the same for IEMs. Here I’m using the Penon Volt past TOTL IEM and “color free” GS849 cable in 4.4mm.


https://ifi-audio.com
While ifi goes ahead to offer a guide to what would be best for your needs….I’m simply relating my experience with four of their portable products.



ifi hip dac 3 verses GO bar.
While sure the hip dac 3 doesn’t offer four different GO bar filters, I never used the sound filters anyway. While yes there is high gain and low gain in a sense on both, the hip dac 3 doesn’t offer XSpace. XSpace is a style of adding stage, while slightly decreasing point detail inside that stage. Both offer 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm S-Balanced output, though I have never seen a 3.5mm balanced before? There are 9 different lights on the top of the GO bar which will show 44/48, 88/96176/192, 352/384, DSD 64/128, DSD256, MQA, XSpace and XBass. Now with the hip dac 3 we do have exactly the same iEMatch (which reduces hiss on sensitive IEMs), and XBass. We decode MCA files on both yet the hip dac 3 shows also a purple light to designate original MQB sample rate when decoding MQB. So we end-up with Green for MQA, Blue for MQA Studio and the Purple for MQB studio.

Sound:
Lol, OK after 4 back and forth tries, I solidified my very first impressions at first listen. Where yes, the GO bar 32bit Cirrus Logic has a thicker sound…….and much of that was found down low………that sound is (to me) slightly more luxurious? Now the crazy part, and don’t let anyone tell you differently……the stages were both very much populated with musical instrumentation in different areas. Meaning the hip dac 3 had the high-hats sounding one way and in their own area in the stage. The GO bar slightly denser high-hats, maybe containing more high-hat information. Lol


The GO bar to the left of the hip dac 3.

Look, this is the very epitome of confusion, as who is to say what the producers had in mind when they recorded the music, yet the GO bar (for all it’s worth) had a thicker darker and different sound, with items staged differently. Where maybe at times the GO bar stage was bigger, then depending on the music, the hip dac 3 stage was still as comparable?

Where maybe it didn’t matter so much with the Volt IEM?
But I did a quick MDR-Z1R test again. To where this hip dac 3 thickness in treble was gone……there was more spatial separation and slightly more openness to the Z1R. Maybe this is due to the GO bar being thicker, but the Z1R is already thick; it is known as one of the thickest sounding headphones? The hip dac 3 Burr-Brown chipset was offering a cleaner, yet less harmonically expanded tone, only just slightly less on the harmonically expanded part.

What that meant to me was that, sure the Volt sounds richer with the GO bar 32bit Cirrus Logic, yet this richness was not really an attribute when listening to the MDR-Z1R.

And if you go back to my GO Bar review, I actually mention the fact that while the GO Bar has plenty of power for the MDR-Z1R, I wasn’t so sure the mid-range was quite vivid enough, always? Sure here the sound is just slightly more stripped down that the GO Bar, yet the stage appears more open, and gone is any of that extra thickness.......that MDR-Z7 or MDR-Z1R doesn’t need in the end. While this sound may in-fact add to the lack of density in the end, still I will truly go with hip dac 3 playback here. $329.00 GO bar, versus the $199.00 hip dac? The operational amplifier of the GO bar puts out 475mW max into 32 ohms, yet only full power when you have USB 3.0 and above. Where the operational amplifier in the hip dac 3 has its own 12 hour 2,200mAh battery, at up to 400mW into 32 ohms. Really while using 1/4 of the volume level, both amplifiers featured enough dampening and got plenty loud enough.


The ifi GO link front and center.

The GO link verses the hip dac 3:
Really I already went over this little guy. But as a product it shares a special application more for IEMs. Due to the power limits of the GO link, full-size headphones can be used, but fail to exhibit enough overall density. Where sure full-size can be used with the GO link (and it is always miles better than the Apple Dongle) with full-size headphones. It just doesn’t come into dramatic style till you join the GO link with IEMs. Remember this dampening thing with full-size headphones is independent of volume levels desired. LOL I can only go 1/4 on the MacBook Air with the Penon Volt IEM. In comparison to the hip dac 3, the GO link sound is not as vibrant. Being held closer to home inside the sound-stage, with less options of detail to fully spread things apart into a perceived density of imaging. Still as far as comparisons go, the Apple Dongle owns a thinner sterile sound offering none of the thickness on hand as the GO link does 24/7………it is just the hip dac 3 for just $140.00 more money, does worlds more in my book.


Go blu third over left to right.

The GO blu verses the hip dac 3:
Where do I start? On a positive note you can place the 9V battery size GO blu in your front shirt pocket and run your best cable to your best TOTL IEM and have insane sound out and about. There is no product that I know of that does this. Yes, you are using Bluetooth to get there, and while Bluetooth is not perfect, this may be one of the closest examples of great usage, at least in my limited history. To where really the GO blu is two different devices, it is a Bluetooth receiver, and a wired Dongle working style of player. Yep, better sound wired. So if you see yourself using Bluetooth part of the time, and having a way smaller device than the hip dac 3 in use, well that may be a way to go? Where the GO link beats the GO blu in Bluetooth mode, the GO blu is a dramatic step forward in sound wired. Yep, all that separation and vividness really in many ways has challenged the hip dac 3! As such this GO blu Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC Chip puts out the goods. When it gets down to it, the GO blu sound-stage is just slightly closer to home, except that sound in itself (wired) crosses over here at Redcarmoose Labs into great, just not as great as what the hip dac 3 does at exactly the same price……on a daily basis.



Some competition:
The Shanling UA3 Dongle and Simgot Audio DEW4X Dongle:

The Shanling UA3:
Shanling sports dual AKM AK4493SEQ DAC chips and two dedicated Ricore RT6963 amplification chips. Now the wild thing is this Dongle sounds great but is the weakest tested today, all except the GO link. Yes, the GO link is less powerful. Yet remember I have been on hip dac 3 1/4 volume most of the time, so does it matter? I mean this UA3 staging is great, I love it, the way the separation goes, but I have to say the dampening with the MDR-Z1R is questionable. That and the UA3 chip tuning makes the bass even slightly softer, if you can believe that? The combination of results is a more refined almost a royal style of sound, minus the cannons. LOL. All joking aside (but seriously) they left a little cannon sound of the booms, or at least it's not emphasized. Still it is hard not to love this tone, especially if you haven’t heard it for a while! No not near as vivid or holding the separation of the hip dac 3.

The Simgot Audio DEW4X:
I mean Simgot is actually not new at Dongles. This is Simgot's 4th Dongle if my memory serves me correct. Where in contrast to the last UA3 it gets ungodly loud, even with full-size headphones. And you know with the MDR-Z1R this damping may make a difference, as I’m hearing better separation, faster transients, yet with an added dryness that is maybe just the personality of the Dual C43198 chips? Whatever it is, there a wider separation than the UA3? To almost where I would judge this as having slightly better realization into technicalities……I hate to say. Where images are bigger and more vibrant, yet holding that sizzle that comes with being more upfront and apart from the rest of playback. Offering a surprising amount of fun but missing a little of the bass density that is the hallmark sound of the hip dac 3.

Packaging:

Conclusion:
Well there you have it, another ifi review in the books. I have done my very best to locate the quality sectors here for you to read, and tried to put them in a way you could understand. While not perfect, the ifi hip dac 3 remains a value. Not only is that value found in ease of use, but in build demeanor and quality of sound. If you were keeping score it beat out a large portion of the competitors here today, both made by ifi, Shanling and Simgot Audio. Of course usage scenarios means the most probably. Yep, you know how a DAC/Amp would perform in a given set-up. I say this because the market is truly flooded with choices.

Me, on the other hand (being an audiophile) look at sound quality (per dollar) as the number one choice factor…….and there the hip dac 3 (in particular usage scenarios) becomes number one.

Number two is probably ease of use, just the fact that it went on (in-place) with-out any MacBook Air keyboard keystrokes the 2nd time I used it. As the hip dac 3 was remembered by the MacBook, and I like that.



If you were worried about how long this thing will last, I can tell you it’s built like a tank at 136 grams! I mean the knob is the first thing you try before you even plug it in, I mean how can you not try it? It’s the main focus of a lot of reviews, only because knobs are very different item to item. I can say this little knob outperformed most knobs on my bigger full-size equipment. It does this offering a click less smooth and robust feeling, really the feeling of value. I know I may sound a little crazy, but this knob is something else, you’ll see. The form factor is way smaller than you think. Even after I got the hip dac 3 in the mail, viewing (other) photos of the hip dac 3.........it just looks bigger in pictures. After 12 hours or so you can recharge the hip dac 3 by plugging a TypeC USB cable into the rear, yet due to that being separate from the TypeC USB digital signal, you can have both cables plugged in and use the thing simultaneously. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can be, being the fun with this thing never stops. The small LED under the charging port has 4 color codes for battery status, white, green, then red, and lastly flashing red, which means you better get your Schiit together pronto like……as you have only 10% left in the gas tank.

While sure there are other units out there that offer more features, you have to ask yourself if they needed features. I mean this hip dac 3 thing is so simple it does not even have an on-off button. You turn it on by turning on the volume knob. Yep, as you rotate (right at first) the knob you feel the presence of extra friction holding the knob back……..then after 1/9th of a wheel-turn all the lights comes on and it says hello! Well it doesn't actually say hello, but you get my drift.

Really the iMatch feature I never needed, though I did use the XBass and Power Match features..........they were strategically implemented to sound both noticeable and nice.

Really that’s it, oh and ifi have included three USB cables to go with everything, that and a set of little feet, just in case you want to use them. To where other reviewers say this is the best hip dac sound out of the 3 so far, I have not heard the others, so I don’t know? Yet I do know one thing…….I can easily recommend this product as it is simple and effective in use, it does exactly what its intended purpose is, and for that I’m amazed.

The hip dac 3 retails at $199.00 USD.
https://ifi-audio.com/products/go-blu/
https://www.amazon.com/iFi-Audio/s?k=iFi+Audio

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Lawrence at ifi for the hip dac 3 review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
HiBy R3 II DAP in 4.4mm balanced and USB TypeC to the hip dac both digital wired input and supplying Bluetooth
Apple MacBook Air USB TypeA digital output
Go Bar in 4.4mm balanced
GO blu in 4.4 balanced
GO link in 3.5mm

Introduction

This is the first time I have reviewed an ifi product. Although I own the ifi ZEN CAN which I bought some time ago, I had not tried a source from this brand. Established in 2012 and with a distribution centre in the USA, ifi has its own way out of the other brands from the east. Very faithful to the Burr-Brown chips, the brand has a classic touch in its sound that is already a trademark of the house. This time I have been able to enjoy on loan for a few weeks this small portable DAC/AMP in its third generation, called if hip dac 3. It is a battery-powered DAC/AMP with a shape reminiscent of a small flask adorned with a Titanium Shadow tone. It has an aluminium casing and virtually all of the brand's signature features: iEMatch technology, metal film capacitors, updated version of ifi's GMT circuitry, along with a new crystal oscillator, Burr-Brown DAC, 16-core XMOS chip, true balanced circuitry, custom iFi OV op-amp, switchable gain selector called PowerMatch, Xbass bass boost selector, MQA support, DSD up to 256 and PCM up to 384 kHz. There are two USB Type-C ports, one for data and one for charging, with LED indicator included, two audio outputs (SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm) and a 2,200 mAh battery that offers up to 12 hours of playback. Let's take a closer look at what this new ifi product has to offer.



Specifications

• Input: USB-C
• Supported formats: DSD256 / PCM384kHz / Full MQA decoder.
• DAC: Burr Brown.
• Headphone outputs: BAL 4.4 mm, SE 3.5 mm.
• Output power (RMS): BAL 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω.
• Output power (RMS): SE 280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω.
• SNR BAL: <109dB(A) @ 0dBFS.
• SNR SE: <103dB(A) @ 0dBFS.
• DNR BAL: <109dB(A).
• DNR SE: <103dB(A).
• THD + N BAL: <0.006X% (360mW/2.0V @ 600Ω).
• THD + N SE: <0.01% (100mW/1.27V @ 16Ω).
• Frequency response: 20Hz - 45kHz (-3dB).
• Power consumption: <2W standby, 4W max.
• Battery: 2,200 mAh lithium polymer.
• Battery life: up to 12 hours.
• Power system Charging via USB-C, compatible with BC V1.2 up to 1000mA charging current.
• Dimensions: 102x70x14mm (4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6").
• Net weight: 135g.

Packaging

The ifi hip dac 3 comes in a small white box, whose dimensions are 126x93x38mm. On the front side there is a real picture of the product. At the top is the brand logo, at the bottom is the model name and the description of the model. On the back side there is a description of the motivation of the product, the main features, a description of the content, the specifications and the certifications it complies with. After sliding off the box, the product is shown inside a white protective pouch, inside a cardboard base. Attached to the pouch is a sticker with a smiley headphone smiley thanking you for your choice. Underneath is a double-sided quick manual card and the rest of the accessories. In a nutshell:

• The ifi hip dac 3.
• Quick manual.
• USB-A to USB-C cable.
• USB-C to USB-C cable.
• Instruction manual.
• MQA card.
• 4 white rubber bases.
• Brand logo sticker.

A protective cover is missing, but is sold separately. The cables are short, clearly for portable use. There is a difference between the two cables, while the USB-C to USB-C cable has a textile coating that makes it look better, the USB-A to USB-C cable is more generic, black and plastic-coated.
The packaging is really compact, with just enough and minimal frills. Just adequate, but nice in its size.



Construction and Design

The hip dac 3 is a small, oval flask encased in aluminium alloy and painted in a shade called Titanium Shadow. The body is compact, the casing has a good thickness and the whole thing is relatively light at 135g. The top face has only the brand logo in the centre, in black ink. On the underside are all the informative legends and icons, including one that says something like "designed and built in the UK, made in China". There is also the iEMatch selector. On the front face, from left to right, is the Power Match gain selector, the Xbass bass selector, the potentiometer, the 4.4mm BAL headphone output and the 3.5mm SE output. The selectors have a white LED indicating their activation, while on both sides of the potentiometer there are two curved green LEDs indicating that the device is switched on. On the back, from left to right, is the USB Type-C data port, a sticker with a QR code, a sticker with the Hi-Res Audio logo, the USB Type-C charging port with an LED (red to indicate low battery and white while charging). Little else.
I don't like that the iEMach selector is underneath and its travel is a little short, while its movement is a little rough and unsteady. Otherwise the design is compact, feels quite robust, has LEDs indicating almost all options and the weight is low for its power.



Connectivity

The ifi hip dac 3 can be connected to an Android smartphone via the USB-C to USB-C cable. It can also be connected to an Apple smartphone via a Lightning to USB adapter (not included). It can be connected to any PC, tablet or device with a compatible USB output, but only via the data port. For use with Apple iOS and Android devices, battery powered use is recommended,
otherwise you may receive error messages from your device. For use with PC it is necessary to download drivers. It has ASIO drivers and you can update the firmware from here:

www.ifi-audio.com/download-hub/



Operativity

The ifi hip dac 3 is switched on by moving the potentiometer clockwise and after hearing the click. It is a powerful device and it is recommended to start listening from the lowest volume range. It has a gain selector, ifi calls it PowerMatch. It increases the gain by 10dB. It has a bass boost selector, which ifi calls Xbass. This is an analogue circuit designed to "recover" the lost bass response.
The LEDs on both sides of the potentiometer light up in different colours to give information about the format being played:

• Yellow: PCM 44.1/48kHz
• White: PCM 88,2/96/176,4/192/352,8/384kHz
• Cyan: DSD 64/128
• Red: DSD 256
• Green: MQA
• Blue: MQA Studio
• Magenta: Original Sample Rate* (*MQB)

The iEMatch is a selector that reduces the output level. It allows more sensitive headphones to be used with the high part of the potentiometer, whose results are more linear. It is also used for more precision with the volume. It can be activated for 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm BAL output or deactivated.
The device has a dedicated USB Type-C port for data and a dedicated USB Type-C port for charging. Charging the battery can take up to 3 hours using a powerful USB charger. It is recommended to use the included USB-A to USB-C cable, a smart charger or a standard charger up to 6.3V.
The battery indicator LED is colour coded as follows:

• White* > 75%
• Green* > 25%
• Red* > 10%
• Red* > 10%
• Red (flashing) ≤ 10%

*The battery LED will flash when the battery is charging.



Measures

Let's see how iEMatch behaves. In my opinion, it is an attenuator. Ifi could use three gain modes and save this circuit. Although, it is possible that it affects something else. The unloaded output at low gain almost reaches 1V RMS per SE, with the iEMatch activated in the 3.5mm position the voltage stays at 0.23V, a very drastic drop. Given that the output impedance per SE that I have measured is 0.32Ω, is it possible that the iEMatch decreases this impedance even more? Measuring that value is difficult for me because the voltage is low and my measuring equipment is not very accurate in that range. But, it seems that lowering the output impedance even further would be possible in an accurate circuit and achieve much lower background noise. In the same way, it is possible to use the potentiometer in the higher range, where the outputs are also more even between channels.
You can activate the iEMatch with high gain, but you can't go to the maximum volume because you see a clear distortion. The system stays at about 0.44V RMS.
Something similar happens at the balanced output. At the low gain output it delivers 1.9V, with iEMatch activated at the 4.4mm position it reaches 0.46V. Activating the high gain is the same as for SE, you can't reach the maximum volume with iEMatch activated, staying at 0.57V RMS without visible distortion.
The output impedance of BAL at low gain is almost negligible, 0.1Ω.







No Load SE

For SE at low gain you don't reach 1V RMS. At high gain you get up to 3.1V RMS.



15 Ω SE

For SE at high gain you get 1.46V RMS, which means 140mW power and over 97mA. Very good.



33 Ω SE

For SE at high gain you get 2.55V RMS, giving you 200mW of power and more than 77mA. The specifications say that 280mW should be reached and for that you should reach 3V RMS, something I have not been able to corroborate, as above 2.6V RMS there is visible distortion in the audible range.



100 Ω SE

For SE at high gain you get 3.1V RMS, with the volume at maximum. 96MW and 31mA.



No Load BAL

Without BAL load at low gain it reaches 1.92V and at high gain 6.25V RMS.





15 Ω BAL

For BAL at high gain you get 1.54V RMS, which is 160mW and 100mA. Surprisingly powerful.



33 Ω BAL

For BAL at high gain you get 3.31V RMS, giving 330mW and 100mA as well. 400mW is specified, for that the voltage should be 3.58V RMS. It's not far off, but it doesn't reach that value over the whole frequency range without visible distortion.



100 Ω BAL

My surprise was that I could not reach the maximum volume with this impedance. It reaches 5.52V RMS and the power is 300mW. A bit disappointing considering that the current is only 55mA.



Frequency Response

The frequency response is flat between 5Hz and 40kHz, as it should be for a Hi-Res product. No difference is observed between channels at medium volume.
Activating the Xbass selector gives an increase in the lower range which is 12dB at 5Hz, 10dB at 20Hz, 8dB at 40Hz, 4dB at 100Hz, 2dB at 200Hz and the curve joins the original without Xbass beyond 1khz.



Sound

Audio brands usually have some kind of house sound. With ifi this is absolutely true. The ifi sound is often associated with a warm, organic, analogue sound. And a lot of that may be due to the technology it uses. Ifi is faithful to Burr Brown dacs, analogue amplification and the use of the best electronic components.
Although I have only tested the ZEN CAN amplifier and this hip dac 3, perhaps I should not generalise this premise to the rest of the devices. However, both the components used and the brand itself are looking for something in that direction. But when I tried the hip dac 3 I was surprised that this feeling was not so pronounced. I think this device has those certain nuances, but it also has a sound that tends towards a realistic, mature, descriptive and wide neutrality. I was surprised to find a wide and voluminous soundstage, superior to many dongles or similar devices I own, with more flesh, weight, body and size. At that point, I set about comparing the hip dac 3 with those small devices, looking for that juicy, physical, extended sound. In fact, I didn't find it and that's why I have admitted the first superior value of this music flask.
Starting with a more concrete description of the sound, in the low end, the hip dac 3 offers a very deep range, with a slight rubberiness associated with a sense of darkness that gives it that realistic, analogue feel. It has a bit more flesh and physicality compared to cooler dacs, which can sound more dry or sterile. The hip dac 3 is juicier in this respect, offering a rounder, fuller bottom end. I get the impression that the bass hit has more travel, offering a more discernible, rougher texture. Although it is also less compact, compared to Sabre dacs like the EarMen TR-Amp. In this way, I feel the bass is longer, subtly slower in its recovery, but also with that extra physical part, extension and texture, which makes it more exciting and fun, without losing its good technical capacity.
In the midrange I continue to get that sense of physicality and body, which enhances the sound and adds a sense of volume and space, without having to fiddle with the potentiometer to make up for it. In this way, male vocals feel full and very full, enriched by the warm character of the hip dac 3. On the other hand, the profile's orientation towards neutrality is demonstrated in the clarity of the midrange. Without feeling forced or exalted, the midranges are clean, transparent and separated, reproduced with ease, but in a very complete and descriptive way. This is how the instruments are described in a quite vivid, even lush analogue way, winning the emotional game against other more bland, cold and sterile dacs. My feeling is that the hip dac 3 offers a juicier, more organic and natural sound that makes it more enjoyable, at the same time more palpable, surrounding, even voluptuous and full of attractive musicality. Despite the above, the hip dac 3 doesn't lose detail, it just exposes itself on a slightly different plane. My sense is that the body and physicality of the bass remains at a closer point, while the micro detail remains explicit, albeit on a plane not quite as close as the TR-Amp represents it. Its visibility is about the same, but there is a subtly greater density surrounding it.
I find the ifi sound represented in the treble. The analogue aspect of the high notes means that they are represented in a softer way at their end point. While the TR-Amp is more vivid, sparkling and fine in the last flash, the hip dac 3 ends the treble in a subtly rounder way, which gives it that point of musical softness, which is appreciated after hours of intense listening. The result is an equally explicit, extended, transparent, clean and separated high end, but less sharp and penetrating. It's not that there is a drop in the energy level, it's not a nuanced treble, but that the energy is more controlled, more distributed and emitted with a little less drive and edge.
But if there is something that I liked and surprised me about this portable device, as I mentioned at the beginning of this section, it was the sensation of spaciousness and scene. Without being a monster in this aspect, the sensation of volume, occupied space and depth, made me compare it with several similar products, searching in those, the size of that scene to find out if it was superior. The truth is that it has not been easy to find a device at that price level. That is why I must conclude that the hip dac 3 is excellent in this respect. Thanks to the physical, powerful, energetic feel of the bass, coupled with its level of depth, rounder body and extension, the soundstage feels wide, voluminous and more three-dimensional. It doesn't quite have that enveloping, gaseous, head-over-heels sensation, as I think the analogue nature of the sound gives it a realistic spatial attachment, without becoming detached or volatile. However, this does not detract from the fact that it possesses a remarkable sense of height, openness, distance between notes and separation. In that more technical aspect, this ifi is able to discern the micro detail as other dacs more analytical, but without getting to expose it in a more preferential plane, but more realistic or perhaps, a little behind the voluptuousness of the bass or first midranges.



Conclusion

The ifi hip dac 3 is a very portable device that is powerful, musical, very versatile and highly equipped. Ifi didn't want to leave anything behind and has equipped this device with almost all the improvements of its big brothers: iEMatch, PowerMatch, Xbass, dual audio output BAL 4.4mm and SE 3.5mm, integrated 2,200 mAh lithium battery, analogue potentiometer, separate USB Type-C connections for data and charging, the best electronic components, Burr Brown dac, MQA, DSD 256 and PCM up to 384khz. All this in a small, slim flask with a Titanium Shadow aluminium body. Not to mention a very competitive price, the ifi hip dac 3 can be a very effective entry-level device for multiple scenarios, which will make it unnecessary to carry other more expensive, even more bulky dongles or desktop systems, given its power, sound quality, size, connectivity and all those features I've already mentioned. Does the rest of the competition have all that at this price? Answer for yourself.



Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

• Hidizs MP145 Golden Titanium
• BQEYZ Wind.
• Letshuoer S15.
• Letshuoer Cadenza 4.
• NiceHCK Himalaya.
• Rose Martini.
• Simgot EA1000 Fermat.
• TinHiFi T5s.
• Rose Star City 5 Pro.
• Shozy P20.
• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now
☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended
☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This product was provided to me by Ifi Audio in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Karina at Ifi for coordinating this unit for review.

Gear used:
● LG v30+
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Samsung dongle
● Various iems

Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:
Ifi Audio produces some of the best rated and most popular DAC/amplifiers on the market today. They have many choices in both the portable and desktop categories. Today I will be reviewing one of Ifi's newest portable releases, the hip dac 3. Despite the name, it is actually the fourth iteration but it comes with some substantial differences that will be showcased below.

Design:
At first glance it may be hard to differentiate the variations in all of the hip dac models. They all boast a fantastic build quality and different colored finishes. The hip dac 3 sports a "titanium shadow" color that is a more neutral departure from the previous blue, orange, and gold options. I personally prefer the blue and orange colors of the first two as they are more fun but the newest colorway does look more expensive and classy. On the bottom of the unit you'll find two USB-C ports, one for charging and one for the source connection. Ditching the old USB-A input for a USB-C is one of the best upgrades of this newest version. I have owned both of the previous models and one of my biggest complaints was the awkward, cumbersome, and frequent disconnections with the USB-A cable. The volume wheel retains the same look and feel as previous models. It also functions as to power on the device. There are two indicator lights on either side of the wheel that change colors to denote the sample rate of the source. The overall build quality is outstanding with a premium finish that feels fantastic in hand.

Features:
The "Power Match" and "XBass" buttons are back and their functions are the same as before. There are small indicator lights to show when these options are enabled. The Power Match is essentially a toggle for low and high gain. The XBass function injects a healthy amount of bulk to the lower end. It works really great with iems that are light on bass but can make others sound a bit bloated. It will mostly depend on the tuning and the user's penchant for bass. The hip dac 3 now features Ifi's IEMatch technology in the form of a toggle switch on back of the unit. It ensures a noise free background and is very helpful for reducing any hiss from high sensitivity gear. Included with the unit are three different cables with USB, USB-C, and lightning connections. It's a small inclusion but it ensures that the hip dac 3 can be used with any device right out of the box. There are also 4 little rubber "feet" in the box that are a nice little bonus.

Power consumption:
The hip dac 3 can deliver up to 400mW@32 ohm for balanced output and 280mW@32 ohm for standard.The unit uses a lithium-polymer battery that's robust and definitely holds a nice charge. Ifi touts the battery lasting up to 12 hours depending on volume and enabled options. In my testing when using IEMatch, Power Match, and intermittent XBass, it easily offers 6+ hours of play time. The battery indicator light is the same as past models and changes color depending on the remaining charge. Also thanks to the separate USB-C inputs, the hip dac 3 can be used while being charged which is great for desktop use.

Sound impressions:
The hip dac 3 still uses the same Brown-Burr chipset as the other iterations. These Brown-Burr DACs are known for adding warmth to the frequency response. To my ears it's a very subtle but welcome inclusion. There also seems to be a small increase in the overall soundstage. The hip dac 3 will faithfully and accurately reproduce the stock tuning of your favorite gear (with a touch a warmth) and take everything to the next level when using the extra features. I also had the chance to test the unit while watching Dune and Top Gun: Maverick. The added bass rumble with XBass enabled is awesome!

Final thoughts:
Is the newest iteration of Ifi's excellent hip dac worth the $199 asking price? I'd say it's a resounding "yes!". It sports excellent options and features, packs plenty of power, and can move seemlessly from desktop to portable use. Now the harder question: is it worth upgrading to the 3 if you already own one of the previous models? That answer is more nuanced. Do you need the IEMatch feature for sensitive iems or headphones? Is the USB-A connection a deal breaker? (it was for me) Is the titanium shadow color calling to you? Only you can answer those questions. For myself I found that the newest iteration packs every feature I could want in a DAC/amp and also addresses problem areas found on previous models. The hip dac 3 sets a new high standard in the portable DAC/amp category and is another fantastic product in Ifi's stable.