Strolling right into our regional AMC to take pleasure in “Drug Bear” for the 3rd time, my little girl captured me stumbling with a set of FiiO IEMs that I had actually intended to make use of so she might pay attention to the hockey video game. while viewing the flick – there is just one of pure gluttony at this moment and also not paying attention to the discussion.
With over a loads DAC Dongles presently in my workdesk cabinet, it was determined that I required something extra effective and also fine-tuned to drive several of the brand-new IEMs and also in-ear earphones in my collection; consisting of the fantastic Meze Sound 109 Pro and also FiiO FH5s.
iFi Sound has actually been shaking hard for the previous 2 years, supplying one terrific item after one more, consisting of the GO Web link Dongle DAC, xDSD Gryphon Portable Amplifier, and also ZEN Trademark Collection.
The iFi hip-dac2 resembles a flask of bourbon and also it definitely strikes with the power of an 18 years of age Glenrothes. The 135-gram amplifier appears extremely well created, although we did see a small click originating from the volume/power handle when we trembled it in our hand.
If the ‘Sundown Orange’ coating does not capture your eye, the commercial style definitely will. My very first response to the iFi hip-dac2 was that the late Sean Connery would certainly have used one in his tweed coat; ideal beside her Walther PPK and also the picture of Tatiana Romanova.
The iFi Sound hip-dac2 is a mobile digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and also earphone amplifier developed to boost the audio top quality of songs played from mobile phones and also computer systems. It is a boosted variation of the initial hip dac, with a variety of renovations in style and also capability.
Modern Technology
The hip-dac2 sustains a large range of electronic audio styles, consisting of PCM, DXD and also DSD, and also can translate high-resolution audio data as much as 384kHz/32bit PCM, DSD256 and also DXD384.
Just how to understand the bit/sample price when paying attention?
44.1 kHz and also 48 kHz PCM data are stood for by a yellow light, while 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and also 384 kHz data are stood for by a white radiance. DSD64 and also DSD128 data are notated in cyan and also DSD256 data are shown with the LEDs lit in red. MQA is likewise sustained.
The hip-dac2 utilizes a Burr-Brown Multi-Bit DAC chip. It likewise has a USB Type-C input to attach to suitable tools. The back panel likewise includes a USB kind A male information input port.
apple iphone individuals will certainly require Apples Lightning-to-USB (electronic camera adapter cord) which enables individuals to utilize their apple iphone as a resource. Nonetheless, the hip-dac 2 features 3 USB cable televisions: a USB-C OTG (On-The-Go) cord that attaches Android tools and also PCs/Macs with USB-C ports; a USB-A cable television (for every little thing else); and also a USB-A to USB-C for billing.
The hip-dac2 likewise consists of iFi’s unique XBass sound improvement innovation, developed to improve the bass action of songs. It has an integrated rechargeable battery that can offer as much as 8 hrs of continual play, and also can likewise be utilized as a mobile power financial institution to bill various other tools.
earphone amplifier
Along with its DAC abilities, the hip-dac2 likewise includes an effective earphone amplifier with a well balanced 4.4mm outcome and also a common 3.5mm outcome. It can drive earphones with insusceptibilities as much as 600 ohms and also has an optimal outcome power of 400 mW per network (32 ohms) making use of the 4.4mm outcome. Out of balance is restricted to 280 mW per network (32 ohms).
Also high-impedance earphones remain in the video game with an outcome voltage of 6.3 V at 600 ohms (from the well balanced outcome).
The front panel is instead active yet every little thing has an instead helpful function; the abovementioned quantity switch/power button remains in the facility and also has a strong feeling when you turn it.
Well balanced and also out of balance 3.5mm earphone jacks inhabit the ideal side of the leading panel and also there’s sufficient space if you’re making use of thicker earphone cable televisions.
The left side includes the PowerMatch handle, which enables individuals to transform the gain of the earphone amplifier. This is available in useful if you’re changing in between IEMs and also over-ear and also on-ear earphones.
Extremely couple of (if any kind of) EMPs will certainly need this degree of power increase and also are best left handicapped. The switch has a white light suggesting that the amplifier is enhancing the signal with harder-to-drive earphones.
The 2nd switch switches on the XBass; which ended up being an instead helpful function with some earphones and also IEMs with a better bass action.
Technical requirements
| Sustained Layouts | DSD PCM DXD MQA |
256/128/64, quad/dual/single rate 384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz 384/352.8kHz 384/352.8kHz |
| Digital inputs | USB 3.0 Kind ‘A’ (USB2.0 suitable) |
|
| Earphone outcomes | Equilibrium Well Balanced in S (SE) |
4.4mm 3.5mm |
| Result power (@1% THD) | Equilibrium Well Balanced in S (SE) |
400mW@32; 6.3V@600 280mW@32; 3.2V@600 |
| Battery | 2200mAh lithium-polymer | Around. 8 hrs |
| power system | Billing by means of USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant as much as 1000mA billing existing and also 6.3 volts | |
| Optimum power) | <2W still, 4W max | |
| Measurements | 102x70x14mm 4.0″ x 2.8″ x 0.6″ |
|
| lester | 135g (0.30lb) |
Pay Attention
The iFi hip-dac2 has actually invested a long time when traveling with me; put instead nicely inside my brand-new Outdoor Study Helium rainfall coat which has actually currently been damaged by some current tornados on the coast. Going for 5am with the winds and also rainfall pestering me on the coastline, the hip-dac2 confirmed to be immaterial from a bust pocket weight point of view. Although much heavier than any one of my normal DAC Dongles, it never ever confirmed to be a diversion and also it’s clear that iFi Sound constructed this point to last.
An additional benefit of the hip-dac2 is that it does not eat the power of your mobile phone; rather, counting on its very own inner battery to drive your earphones or IEMs.
Being in a regional coffee shop working with my MacBook Pro, the hip-dac2 stood out of a couple of consumers that needed to know what it was and also if it might collaborate with their iPad and also computer. Certainly, he can.
My Meze Sound 109 Pro earphones include an open-back style and also weren’t also ideal for operating in a coffeehouse where others would certainly go through my paying attention to songs. I took the iFi/Meze combination with me on a vacation to Florida to see my moms and dads and also paid attention to it long right into the evening in the personal privacy of their extra room.
I listen to plainly currently…
The IEM Meze Sound 99 Standards and also FiiO FH5s became my preferred selections when functioning online and also it was clear from the beginning that the hip-dac2 supplies its ranked outcome making use of both out of balance and also well balanced links.
A couple of years ago I invested virtually $150 on a 4.4mm well balanced cord for my 99 Standards and also have actually never ever been sorry for the acquisition; enhanced clearness and also information and also a much tighter bass audio.
The cord functions completely with the hip-dac2 and also I discovered the iFi amplifier to boost the audio of these qualified earphones in a couple of locations.
The 99 Standards can be somewhat hefty in the reduced end; bass action take advantage of a DAC Dongle or mobile earphone amplifier that can tighten up meaning, get rid of several of the bloat, and also include rate to the process.
The hip-dac2 does every one of these points without the XBass involved which’s just how I determined to maintain points for the majority of my listening.
Tonally the hip-dac2 is a really neutral seeming amplifier and also one that profited the 99 Standards as it included a lot more clearness in the lows and also top mids; Sam Cooke, Sinatra, Nick Cavern, Tom Russell and also Orville Peck all did well with a really high degree of resolution and also information without getting rid of the meat.
“Allow Me Sink” by Peck on the Broncos the variation truly flaunts his abundant baritone voice, and also the hip-dac2 really did not eliminate the shade or dramatization that would certainly have been a huge unfavorable in my publication.
The hip-dac2 frequently seemed onward with all the IEMs and also earphones on my workdesk; the vocals have actually been pressed to the front of the instrumentation and also while that’s not always a negative point, you need to be somewhat mindful regarding the earphones and also the IEMs they connect.
The Meze earphones gained from the discussion design; as did the FiiO IEMs, yet I would not make use of the hip-dac2 with earphones or thinner IEMs that likewise press vocals also much onward.
The leading end of the hip-dac2 really did not seem extremely hostile and also it definitely profited earphones and also IEMs that required additional clearness and also information, yet without way too much focus.
Among the most significant shocks was just how sizable the audio came to be with the hip-dac2 with all the earphones and also IEM; the shut 99 Standards require all the assistance they can enter that division and also while the hip-dac2 hasn’t transformed them right into a set of 109 Pro or HiFiMAN XS Versionthe renovation in the size and also deepness of the soundstage was fairly obvious.
“Precious Old Pal” by Costs Frisell (4, Qobuz, MQA Master) and also “The Pioneers” both provided with superb timbre precision and also an unique feeling of area in the workshop where Frisell, Greg Tardy, Jonathan Blake and also Gerald Clayton videotaped this truly strong cd. One must anticipate absolutely nothing much less from Frisell.
“D’un feu trick” is a funkier track Cécile McLorin Salvantis the last and also it swirls around in your head rather with the ideal headphone/amplifier mix; the iFi/Meze 109 Pro does this fairly well – yet drops rather except the hip-dac2/HiFiMAN XS version in this division.
Final Thought
The iFi hip-dac2 does every little thing you require in a tiny adequate bundle that really feels extra significant than any kind of DAC Dongle I have actually attempted up until now. The kind variable will not fit every person, and also it’s not something you can leave hanging around of your coat all the time strapped to your mobile phone.
However, For those that desire something extra effective than does not drain pipes the battery from your mobile phone and also supplies quite terrific audio efficiency with full-size earphones and also premium IEMs, it’s extremely tough to fail with this amplifier.
The battery life is long sufficient for any kind of commute or aircraft journey (10 hrs or much less) and also it’s way too much to throw away on your chaotic workdesk.
For under $200, there are couple of mobile earphone DACs/amplifiers that truly stick out or feel this significant in the hand of your hand.
For additional information: ifi-audio.com/products/hip-dac2/
Or get: $189 at Amazon.com | Crutchfield
