My thanks to ifi for the review unit to test out. As always, my opinion is my own.
The ifi HIP-DAC V3 comes in the same style box same assortment of cables and basically a similar metal body with new titanium shadow coloring. Inside there are a lot of micro changes and upgrades. It still is built exceptionally well and has that ifi house sound I love so much via those great Burr-Brown, XMOS 16-Core chips and other quality components inside.
SPECIFICATIONS
Input: USB-C
Formats supported: DSD256, PCM 384kHz, MQA Decoder
DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
Headphone Outputs
Balanced: 4.4mm
S-BAL: 3.5mm
Power Output
Balanced: 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω
S-BAL: 280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω
Output Impedance
Balanced: ≤1Ω , With iEMatch engaged: ≤4.5Ω
S-BAL: ≤1Ω , With iEMatch engaged: ≤4.5Ω
SNR
Balanced: <109dB(A) @ 0dBFS
S-BAL: <103dB(A) @ 0dBFS
DNR
Balanced: <109dB(A)
S-BAL: <103dB(A)
THD + N
Balanced: <0.006X% (360mW/2.0V @ 600Ω)
S-BAL: <0.01% (100mW/1.27V @ 16Ω)
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 45kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption: <2W idle, 4W max
Battery: Lithium-polymer 2200mAh approx. 8 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: 135 g (0.30 lbs)
FEATURES
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
Hi-Res True Native® playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384.
The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’.
The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input.
It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk.
XBass is an analogue headphone spatialiser.
iFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
IN THE BOX
iFi hip-dac3
USB-C Male – USB-C Male Cable
USB-A Male – USB-C Male Cable
Warranty Card
User Manual
Quick Start Guide
Opening up the box for the Hip-Dac3 one finds simple accessories but pretty much all you will need. The cable is a better quality this year and of the same copper one found in the Gryphon. The Hip3 is lightweight and thin, easily taken anywhere. I love the satisfying click when turning on the unit. Buttons and switches are all in easy-to-use locations and features are well implemented.
Sound Impressions:
The Xbass feature noticeably increases the depth of the lower end, it does this tastefully and without muddying up the rest of the frequencies. Features like the power match and the new ie match greatly improve the quality of headphones and IEMs performance. Using the Hip3 there is way a noticeable difference between stock audio in both volume and quality, the Hip-DAC3 has extremely low noise and even my most sensitive all BA IEM had no hiss as with some external units. Clarity and details with a touch of that ifi warmth would be my sound impressions in a nutshell.
It has good dynamics and decent soundstage not overly wide but perhaps very natural sounding. Power-wise it may not be a Diablo2 but it certainly has enough for everyday use and even my planar IEM and headphones sounded very good on this little device.
Afterthoughts:
The ifi Hip-Dac3 is a budget friendly portable DAC/Amp with a bunch of useful features and excellent internals.
The constant evolution of the product line is always done to a tasteful degree. The inclusion of ie Match and dual USB-C as well as internal updates make this the best Hip-Dac yet, but I would have liked a little more power out of the S-balanced and 4.4mm, the sound while mostly unchanged is clearer and louder. If you don’t have the Hip2 or really need the ie match feature, then defiantly get this one it’s a gem for sure.
Headphones and Coffee 