iFi Audio hip-dac2

Features

Overview: The iFi Audio hip-dac2 is the long-awaited follow-up to the popular hip-dac. Now wrapped in a sleek Sunset Orange aluminum case, hip-dac2 has been updated on the inside too. This portable digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier features a new 16-core XMOS chip, and full MQA decoding. hip-dac2 is designed for use with your smartphone or tablet, but can also upgrade the sound of your PC or Mac. The device has a Type A USB 3.0 input port and balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs. It operates on a powerful, built-in 8-hour battery. Dimensions: W-2.8", H-4", D-0.6"; Weight: 4.5 ounces.

Note: To use the device with your smartphone or tablet, you'll need an Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit) cable or Android OTG cable (both sold separately).

XMOS Chip: The hip-dac2's new low-latency XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input. Compared to 8-core chips, the 16-core microcontroller delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and 4x the memory (512KB). It is also compatible with the latest SuperSpeed USB 3.0 standard. The chip delivers full MQA decoding (rather than a Renderer only), and an upgraded crystal clock for purer, crisper sound.

Digital-to-Analog Conversion: hip-dac2 features a Burr-Brown Hi-Res True Native® chipset for playback of all music formats, including DSD256, DXD384, and PCM384. For MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), the master MQA file is fully authenticated and decoded (fully unfolded) to provide master-level audio. Like the original hip-dac, the hip-dac2's circuitry has a balanced (differential) design, with carefully-selected, high-quality components. The device has an accurate, low-noise Texas Instruments power supply chip, and a high-quality analog volume potentiometer. The hip-dac2 portable DAC is compatible with the following audio formats:

• PCM: 384, 352.8, 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1 kHz
• DSD: 256, 128, 64 MHz (Quad/Double/Single-speed DSD)
• DXD: 384, 352.8 kHz
• MQA: 384, 352.8 kHz

LED Indicators: The hip-dac2 has LEDs on both sides of the Volume Control which indicates the audio format and sampling frequency received from the music source. On the other end, a single LED next to the USB-C battery charge port, shows the charging and battery status. The LED color schemes for the two indicators are as follows:

• Audio Format LED:
  • Yellow: PCM 44.1 / 48 kHz
  • White: PCM 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 352.8 / 384 kHz
  • Cyan: DSD 64 / 128
  • Red: DSD 256
  • Green: MQA
  • Blue: MQA Studio
  • Magenta: Original Sample Rate (MQB)
• Battery Status (flashes when charging):
  • White: > 75%
  • Green: > 25%
  • Red: > 10%
  • Red (flashing): </= 10%

Headphone Amplifier: iFi hip-dac2's headphone amplifier can drive most headphones and in-ear monitors. The 4.4mm balanced headphone output delivers 400mW into 32-ohm headphones, and 6.3V into a 600-ohm high-impedance headphone load, with reduced distortion and crosstalk, comparted to single-ended (unbalanced) outputs. The balanced output uses inverse positive/negative electrical paths to deliver equal and opposite audio signals to each side of the headphone driver voice coil. The single-ended 3.5mm unbalanced headphone output benefits from iFi's S-Balanced circuitry which is specially suited for sensitive IEMs (in-ear monitors). S-Balanced features a dedicated negative wire for each channel, and supports both TRS and TRRS headphones. The 3.5mm unbalanced output delivers 280mW into a 32Ω and 3.2V at 600Ω.

PowerMatch: The headphone output is equipped with iFi's PowerMatch technology. You can turn PowerMatch on or off as needed to match the level of the drive to the load presented by the headphones. When switched on, PowerMatch adjusts the input sensitivity and signal strength, which works best for large, less sensitive headphones. Leaving PowerMatch off works best for the more sensitive IEMs.

XBass: The iFi hip-dac2 features iFi's analog XBass circuitry that adds back the lost bass response to give you a more accurate reproduction of the original music. XBass work well for many open-back headphone designs.

USB Input: The hip-dac2 has a Type A USB 3.0 input that can be used with your smartphone, tablet, or home/office computer. For iPhone and iPad, you will need an Apple CCK cable, such as the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (sold separately). For Android, an OTG (On-the-Go) cable (with Type C or Micro USB, depending upon the device) is required. When connecting to your home or office computer, you should use the included USB 3.0 cable. For best results, you should always switch on the power first, before plugging in your device.

Battery: The hip-dac2 is powered by a built-in 2200mAh Lithium-polymer rechargeable battery. Fully charged, the battery will provide approximately 8 hours of playback time. The battery charges in approximately 3 hours via the included USB Type A-to-Type C cable, using a USB charging device up to 6.3V and 1000mA (compliant with USB Battery Charging v.1.2).

Optional Case: To protect your iFi hip-dac2 (or the original hip-dac), you can slip the player into the new hip-case. The stitched faux suede wraps around the device to protect the anodized aluminum case from scratches. The Dove Grey hip-case features top and bottom openings for your USB and headphone connections and audio controls, and has an embroidered iFi logo on the top.