iFi HIP DAC 3 Hi-Res DAC DSD1793 Decoder Headphone Amplifier Support iEMatch *ib

About this deal

The iFi HIP DAC 3 is a portable, battery-powered hi-res DAC and headphone amplifier aimed at audiophiles who want a significant step up from the built-in audio in their smartphone, tablet or laptop. It houses a Burr-Brown DAC, a 16-core XMOS chip, true balanced circuitry, a custom iFi OV op-amp, and supports DSD up to 256 and PCM up to 384 kHz. Two USB-C ports handle audio and charging separately, and the unit offers both a 3.5mm single-ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output, backed by a 2,200 mAh battery providing up to 12 hours of playback. A switch on the underside activates iEMatch, which reduces hiss, enhances detail and dynamic range, and improves volume control range -- particularly beneficial for sensitive IEMs. The amp stage delivers up to 400 mW into a 32-ohm load, while the user-selectable XBass feature boosts bass without muddying the midrange. A switchable gain function called PowerMatch ensures optimal power delivery for different headphones. The aluminium build keeps the unit pocket-friendly without sacrificing the performance expected at this level.