iFi audio hip-dac 3

General Information

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio


The legacy continues.​

Meet the hip-dac 3 — a portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp, now in Titanium Shadow with more versatility.
Pair with a hip-case for stylish protection on-the-go



Titanium shadow. Trendsetting innovations.​

Now, our battery-powered portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp is adorned in the Titanium Shadow hue, exuding timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. The hip-dac 3’s sleek Aluminium case houses new features, tailored to elevate your audio experience.
Two USB-C ports simplify your cable management: one for audio and the other for charging. A switch on the underside activates iFi’s iEMatch technology, which is optimized for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, making it especially beneficial for your in-ear monitors (IEMs).
Inside, the device boasts circuit enhancements, including new metal film capacitors for a better frequency response. Additionally, an updated version of iFi’s GMT circuitry, coupled with a new crystal oscillator, further reduces phase noise, delivering a purer sound to you.
hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

Hip flask size. Magnum performance.​

With its sleek, robust aluminium enclosure, the portable hip-dac 3 discreetly fits in a pocket or bag. It replaces the subpar DAC and amplifier in smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. Just connect via USB-C, plug in your favourite headphones, and enjoy rich, dynamic sound.
iFi’s expertise with the Burr-Brown chipset ensures optimal performance. However, a superior DAC stage involves more than just the DAC chip. A crucial element is the XMOS chip for processing digital audio inputs. The hip-dac 3 features a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, programmed by iFi’s in-house team to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

hip-dac 3 your power-hungry headphone.​

The hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design minimizes signal distortion, resulting in a purer, more captivating sound for your headphones.
The circuitry incorporates high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp, a low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments, and a premium analogue volume pot.
The amp stage can deliver up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones. Additionally, it efficiently drives high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from the balanced output.
hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

Tailored for your headphones and earphones​

The amp stage has switchable gain, called PowerMatch, to ensure optimal power for the headphones you are using.
An underside switch engages iFi’s iEMatch technology, optimising output for high-sensitivity headphones, especially in-ear monitors (IEMs). It reduces hiss, enhances detail and dynamic range, and improves volume control range.
XBass is a user-selectable feature that boosts bass without muddying the midrange, ideal for your earphones and open-back headphones. It works in the analogue domain, avoiding alterations via DSP.

Play all your files, including MQA​

Hi-res PCM and DXD audio data is supported at sample rates up to 384kHz, alongside DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz (DSD64, 128 and 256).
Full decoding of MQA – the hi-res streaming technology, as used by Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier – is also supported, performing the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process (as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’).
Either side of the rotary volume control reside a pair of LEDs that change colour to indicate the format and sample rate of the incoming audio.
hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

Get connected​

The hip-dac 3’s USB-C input supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. Its asynchronous design ensures jitter-free data transfer. A separate USB-C charging port allows use while charging, preserving a pure audio signal path.
The hip-dac 3 provides two outputs: a 3.5mm socket for single-ended headphones and a 4.4mm balanced output for those with balanced connectivity, leveraging the device’s differential amp design. The 3.5mm output utilizes iFi’s S-Balanced circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and distortion for single-ended connections.
The hip-dac 3’s 2,200mAh battery offers up to 12 hours of playtime, varying by volume and headphone power needs. It includes a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable.

Hip-case protects your hip-dac 3​

The hip-dac series features a durable 102x70x14mm aluminum enclosure. For added protection and a suede-like touch.
Our hip-case in Dove Grey faux suede is perfect. It fits all hip-dac models snugly without compromising function.
Protect your hip-dac 3 with the hip-case.


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’. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded.
At iFi we use Burr Brown extensively in our products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Our experience with this IC means we know how to make the most of it.

The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB digital input.
This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.
iFi’s in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.
Show More

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. The hip-dac2 adopts MQA technology to receive and decode MQA audio and provide master-level sound.
Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.

It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound.
You normally find this set-up in products at the higher end of the price spectrum such as the Pro iCAN Signature but iFi is now using this across its range to produce the best quality audio for all our customers.

Sonically superior – richer, deeper.
The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response.

iFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
See our Tech Note to dig deeper.

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

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hip-dac 3 from iFi audio

hip-dac 3 from iFi audio


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Latest reviews

ywheng89

100+ Head-Fier
iFi Hip Dac 3's Review - Rich sounding Portable
Pros: Natural sounding with good note weights
IEMatch built it
Very portable form factor
Full sounding bass and more "fun" with xBass on
Cons: Does not come with a protector case
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General/Build/Packaging
iFi needs no introduction to fellow audiophiles. Having tested several products from the brand, I'm quite familiar with the brand’s house sound. HipDac3 that I have with me today is the brand’s step up from the HipDac 2. The inclusion of the IEMatch is definitely a game changer for those who have sensitive IEMs.

Build quality is solid, the buttons have good tactile feedback, switches/toggles are not wobbly at all. The packaging is the usual iFi’s packaging, HipDac 3 came with high quality USB C-C, C-Lightning, as well as C-A cables, which covers the use case for most of the users, sadly it doesn’t come with any storage pouch like the Gryphon.

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Specifications (Grabbed from iFi HipDac3 product page)
  • Input: USB-C
  • Formats supported: DSD256 / PCM384k / Full MQA decoder
  • DAC: Burr Brown
  • Headphone outs: 4.4mm, 3.5mm
  • Power output balanced: 400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω
  • Power output unbalanced: 280 mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω
  • SNR: Bal ≤109db (A) 0 DBFS; Unbal ≤ 103db (A) 0 DBFS
  • DNR: Bal ≤109db (A); Unbal ≤103db (A)
  • THD: Bal ≤0.006% (360W/ 2V @ 600Ω); Unbalanced ≤0.001% (100mW/ 1.27V @16Ω)
  • Power consumption: ≤2W idle, 4W max
  • Battery: Lithium Polymer 2200maH / up to 12 hours
  • Power system: Charging via USB-C, BV V1.2 compliant up to 1000maH charging current
  • Dimensions: 102 x 70 x 14 mm (4” x 2.8” x 0.6”)
  • Weight: 135 grams
IEMs/Headphones/Equipments used for this review
  • Spirit Torino Twin Pulse IEM
  • Tangzu Nezha
  • Letshuoer EJ07M
  • Macbook Air M2 -> iFi HipDac3 -> Tidal
  • Macbook Air M2 -> iFi HipDac3 -> foobar 2k (tracks ranging from 16-44 to 24-192)
Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

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Features
iEMatch

  • HipDac3 comes built in with iEMatch toggle that allows you to choose either to enable iEMatch for 3.5 or 4.4 or off
  • This feature is very useful for IEMs that has high sensitivity, meaning when you plug it into either 3.5 or 4.4 port, you will hear the hiss even though there’s nothing playing, this annoying phenomenon can be eliminate by turning on the iEMatch
  • Another useful point for the iEMatch is that it will enable a better dynamic range for your IEM that is sensitive, Eg: current volume step is at 30/100, turning up the volume to say 35/100 is very loud, while turning down to say 32/100 is not that loud but you feel that the dynamic is not there, this is when iEMatch comes into play, allowing you with additional headroom, hence staying at 35/100 will not be that loud anymore while retaining that dynamics, not to mention you will be able to push it to say 40/100 as well

Battery Life
  • The rated battery life is 12 hours, i did not test it for that long, a mixed usage of Tidal, foobar 2k, volume pot at 11 O Clock, PowerMatch off, Xbass Off, and i’m getting around 8-9 hours of run time and the LED indicator is not flashing red yet, if the usage for the week is light, say 2 hours of run time a day, i only have to charge the unit approximately once a week, quite impressive in my opinion
  • Of course if you push it with a more power hungry headphones or IEMs, the run time might vary, this is based on my pairing and your experience might vary
Sound Impression
I have tried and owned several iFi products in the past and I would say the tonality is more on the warm-ish side, HipDac3 is no exception either, but it is not as warm as the Zen Dac+Can stack, I would say a slight hint of warmth. Transient response is fast enough and the overall experience is quite musical to my ears. If you are someone who prefers a reference or uncolored sounding DAC/AMP, you should look for other options as HipDac3 is not that, it is musical and slightly coloured to give the listeners a musical experience rather than clinical sounding experience. Overall it is natural and slightly warm sounding, definitely not clinical sounding.

However, with the GTO firmware, HipDac3 doesn’t sound that warm and it is a lot more dynamic and also the speed of the transients is faster, in my own words, it sounds more musical, and lively, high hats and cymbals especially.

Bass
  • Bass has good texture and it kinda make the IEM that’s paired to it has a little bit more body on the bass
  • Sub bass has fairly good extension and rumble when it’s called for
  • With the Xbass at your disposal, you can be certain that whichever IEM or headphone that you find is lacking low end, turn the Xbass on and be prepared to be amazed by the quality it produced
  • Why is iFi’s Xbass different from others bass boost feature is that Xbass is implemented entirely on the analog section instead of digital, hence the output is clean and distortion free
  • With the Xbass on, bass has got even more body and also quantity to it, sub bass also rumbles harder, all this without distortion and clean sounding
Mids
  • The mids has got the good old iFi’s house sound to it, warm and lush yet doesn’t sound veil
  • Stringed instruments has sufficient warmth to it which translates into good note weight and not thin sounding
  • The vocal presentation of both male and female has very good body to it and the positioning of the vocals are not too recessed nor forward
Trebles
  • There’s no elevation on the treble on the HipDac3 as with most of the iFi products that i have tested (GoBlu, Zen Dac/Amp/Air Can)
  • The trebles are smooth and non offensive, yet detailed at the same time
  • The definitions are good and even when you crank up the volume, the treble doesn’t fatigue you, it is just natural sounding, in my opinion, it makes the HipDac3 a good candidate to pair with IEM/Headphones that are slightly hot on the treble
Pairings
Spirit Torino Twin Pulse IEM

  • Bass exhibited better extension, sub bass has better extension and it has more body to the bass and better texture overall with this pairing
  • The treble has been extension and doesn’t sound that tame compared to other source
  • Soundstage has more width and depth, doesn’t sound that 2D anymore
  • Hit the Xbass on, and you will be rewarded with thumpy and punchy bass even on the stock nozzle of the Twin Pulse IEM, also better sub bass extension
Tangzu Nezha
  • Tangzu Nezha’s sound profile is neutral warm on its own, some might think it’s a bad idea to pair it with HipDac3
  • Pairing it with HipDac3 makes the soundstage has slightly better width and depth based on my listening experience
  • Bass has better body to it overall as well, being a full BA set, i’d switch the Xbass on to get a little bit more thump (this is personal preference of course)
  • Treble doesn’t have much changes to my ears
Letshuoer EJ07M
  • This particular pairing is the most interesting to my ears
  • EJ07M itself is quite musical to my ears, pairing it with Gryphon that has slight neutral warmth characteristic to it makes the overall experience very pleasant
  • Bass is slightly elevated and Gryphon seems to smooth out some “rough edges” on the treble
  • Soundstage has very good width and depth to it and seems to image better as well

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Comparison (Fiio Q3 MQA)
  • Slightly different sound signature compared to HipDac3, not as warm compared to HipDac3
  • In terms of size, HipDac3 is much more pocketable compared to Q3 MQA, shorter in terms of length
  • Q3 MQA does have the bass and gain switch similar to HipDac3, but the bass boost’s implementation is definitely nowhere near iFi’s as there are some slight distortion that can be noticed if you really pay attention to it
  • Feature wise, the Q3 MQA has line in to be used as an amp whereas you can’t do the same with HipDac3, but HipDac3 does have IEMatch switch which in my opinion is much more useful compared to line in
Final Thoughts
Having tested and used the HipDac3 for several months prior to publishing this review. HipDac3 definitely has what it takes to still make the statement today in the fast moving market with the competition from the Chinese and other brands. HipDac3 is a versatile product and I find the use case is very suitable for portable users and also users that don't use any power hungry headphones.
The power output is sufficient for most IEMs out there and also headphones that aren’t power hungry (Tested with the headphones which I owned, Hifiman Ananda Nano, Grado SR325X). In terms of sound, it has the usual iFi’s house sound making it suitable to pair with a wide range of transducers, on top of that, with the inclusion of IEMatch, even sensitive IEMs can be used with HipDac3 without the noise. While the power output on the spec sheet doesn’t really shine when compared to the chinese peers, my personal opinion is that numbers are not everything and it is the experience that really matters. Will definitely recommend HipDac3 without any hesitation.
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*HipDac3 is sent by iFi without any monetary compensation, i am free to write what i feel about the product without any influence from iFi

Head over to the official store if you are interested in getting one
iFi Hip Dac 3 Official Store Page - Non Affiliated

Ichos

Reviewer at hxosplus
Best Hip Dac so far
Pros: + Stellar sound quality
+ Good technicalities
+ Natural timbre
+ Smooth and polite treble
+ Minimum digital glare
+ Very low noise floor
+ Dual USB type-C ports
+ iEMatch and Xbass
+ Attractive and well made
+ Simple to use
+ Battery duration
+ Relatively compact and lightweight
+ Nice bundle of USB cables
Cons: - No desktop mode
- No app connectivity
- Not that powerful
- Not the most technical presentation
- A Carrying case is not included
iFi Hip Dac 3

The Hip Dac 3 is the third installment of iFi’s most popular, battery powered, portable USB DAC/amp. A hip sized device with USB type-C input and two headphone outputs, 3.5mm and one 4.4mm balanced.

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The iFi Hip Dac 3 is now adorned in a titanium shadow hue for timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. The updates are not only cosmetic though, the device now includes two USB type-C ports, one for charging and one for data input, so you can charge and play music at the same time. The device supports up to 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256 and full MQA decoding.

Furthermore, a switch on the underside activates iFi’s iEMatch technology, which is optimized to lower noise and allow better volume control with high-sensitivity headphones and earphones. This feature is available for both headphones outputs. The Hip Dac 3 also supports the user selectable bass boost analog circuitry, named XBass. iFi’s XSpace is not supported.

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Technical highlights

Inside, the Hip Dac 3 has several circuit enhancements, including new metal film capacitors for a better frequency response. Additionally, an updated version of iFi’s GMT circuitry, coupled with a new crystal oscillator, further reduces phase noise, delivering a purer sound.

This version of the Hip Dac still uses a Burr-Brown DAC chip, together with a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, programmed by iFi’s in-house team to optimize sound quality and ensure a perfect hi-res partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

The hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design that minimizes signal distortion. The circuitry incorporates high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp, a low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments, and a premium analogue volume pot.

Non Audio stuff

The Hip Dac 3 has a chassis made from aluminum alloy in a titanium shadow, high quality finish. Build quality and assembly are very good, the enclosure is sturdy, the volume control wheel has smooth rotation and the buttons are not loose. The Hip Dac measures 102x70x14mm and weighs 135g, so it is compact enough and not that heavy for carrying inside a roomy pocket.

Either side of the rotary volume control has a pair of LEDs that change color to indicate the format and sampling rate of the incoming audio. Two small notification LEDs indicate whether high gain and XBass are enabled or not. Another LED at the back of the unit is to display the battery charge status.

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Battery

The iFi Hip Dac 3 is equipped with a 2200mAh battery that needs about 2 hours for a full charge and provides somewhere between 7-8 hours of playing time, depending on load and volume.

Accessories

The package includes three USB cables (C to C, A to C, Lighting to C) and four adhesive rubber feet for desktop use. A protective case in grey faux suede is available as an optional purchase.

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Power and noise

The amp stage of the iFi Hip Dac 3 can deliver up to 400mW/32Ω from the balanced output. Not the most powerful, FiiO Q11 can do 650mWpc/32Ω, but still plenty to run a variety of easy to drive headphones, like the FiiO FT5 or the HIFIMAN Arya Organic.

Additionally, with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600Ω from the balanced output, it can drive high impedance headphones. 600Ω headphones are a rarity these days but I have tested the 300Ω Sennheiser HD660S2 and remained very satisfied.

Noise floor is also very low with sensitive earphones, like the FiiO FX15, and completely vanishes if you enable the iEMatch. The amp has two gain settings, low and high, for better match with various loads.

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Audio stuff

A brief comparison with the FiiO Q11 is included in the text.

The sound signature of the Hip Dac 3 is effortless, natural and organic. The sound of the Hip Dac 3 is classical iFi and steers away from more neutral and clinical sounding devices that iFi has produced, like the iFi NEO iDSD (OG) or the Diablo (1 & 2).

The Hip Dac 3 is a bit warm sounding but this doesn't mean that it is lacking in transparency or technicalities, it is clean and clear enough with very good fidelity and precision for the category. Frequency response is also absolutely linear while the Hip Dac 3 is resolving and refined so it can pair well with earphones and headphones that are much more expensive than it is.

The bass is fast, tight and controlled with satisfying layering no matter how populated the bass line. The Hip Dac 3 produces a full bodied low-end that is weighty and visceral, not dry or lean, while it is physically impactful and dynamic. Technicalities are excellent but not class leading, FiiO Q11 is a bit more tight and controlled, faster and more precise but at the expense of body weight and punch. The XBass offers a generous bass boost without clouding the mid-range but the bass becomes a little loose and less controlled.

The mid-range is especially organic and analog sounding with plenty of colorful harmonies and tonal accuracy. Instruments and voices are reproduced with astounding realism, vividness and rich overtones. The Hip Dac 3 surpasses every competitive device within its category when it comes to timbre realism and the absence of artificiality.

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The same rules also apply to the treble which is extended and energetic enough without any short of brightness or harshness. The Hip Dac 3 is smooth and polite, it places an emphasis on musicality rather than strict technicalities. It is not that it is lacking in transparency and clarity or detail retrieval and bite but it can be slightly bettered by competitive devices like the FiiO Q11. On the other hand, it sounds less clinical and sterile with richer textures and more natural decay.

The soundstage is wide and spacious enough with satisfying layering and imaging. The FiiO Q11 is more skilful when it comes to imaging precision and overall separation and maybe more expanded but the Hip Dac 3 offers a more immersive and communicative listening experience.

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Conclusion

The iFi Hip Dac 3 is an excellent sounding, battery powered USB DAC/amp that combines a great amount of features with low weight and portability. It might not be as powerful as the competition and it lacks app connectivity but it compensates with its pitch black background and supreme timbre quality. The Hip Dac 3 is for the people who value musicality and timbre realism overall strict technicalities and if you happen to be one of them, then look no further.

The Hip Dac 3 was loaned to me in exchange for an honest review. The price of the iFi Hip Dac 3 is $199 and can be ordered from authorized dealers around the world.
Last edited:
iFi audio
iFi audio
As always Thanks for your impressions!!

Cheers!!
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Ichos
My pleasure!

genclaymore

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Separate Power and Data port
IFI match for sensitive IEMs
3.5mm and 4.4mm HP Jack
Comes with both Type C to C and Type C to usb A cables
Ifi match function, allows the use of Sensitive IEMS
Takes 3 Hours to charge
Battery Last 12 hours
Small,light weight and fits in pocket
Xbass function can be useful at times
I wanna thank IFI Audio for Providing me this hip dac 3 to review, this will be my honest review on it


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Lets start, when you open the box up, you will see that you have a manual, Warranty card as well as a IFI sticker, alongside that is the unit it self and both a Type C to Type C cable and a Type C to USB A cable, both of them are short. And then the stick on feet.

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For connections, you have 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks in the front, in the rear the Data port which is for plugging into your phone or PC, and a 5V DC port which is used to charge the hip dac 3, or for when you're using it with your desktop, you can keep it charged during your use and unplug it for portable usage. Then Finally the 3.5mm is an S-balanced plug which is design to minimize cross talk and distortion for SE connections.

For features there are two buttons located on the front called, Xbass and then Power match which is for increasing the gain to match your headphones. While Xbass for improving your headphones low end bass. Which I found to either work very well, or not so well depending on the headphones you use.


It takes up to 3 hours to charge it when used with a high powered charger, it last 12 hours each charged. Under the charging port is the power led that shows different colors based on how much charge the unit has left. The LED colors are Red flashing means its very low then, solid red means its 10%, green means its 25% or higher, and white means its 75% or higher.
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It takes up to 3 hours to charge it when used with a high powered charger and it last 12 hours each charge. Under the charging port is the power led that shows different colors based on how much charge the unit has left. The LED colors are Red flashing means its very low then, solid red means its 10%, green means its 25% or higher, and white means its 75% or higher.



Under the unit you will see all the labeling for each of the connections, as well the switch for ifi match, which allows you to use sensitive IEMS with the hip Dac 3, The function did it job perfectly, all the IEM's I tried with the function worked flawlessly. The switch allows you to select which output to set the IEM match to, You can either set it to enable it on 3.5mm or 4.4mm, but you can also disable it if you not using sensitive IEMs.

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KZ Castor Neutral ver (Tuning switch Off) (3.5mm IFI Match enabled)

I would say detail wise its good, not too little and not too much, With no issues with hearing any of the instruments or their locations, sound stage is right at my ears, with the singers coming off as being directly in my face or in my head I cant tell, nothing else in the mid's stick out at me.

Low end deep bass doesn't sound thin, nothing stick out to me here either. There's no problems here.



When I enabled Xbass, it worked very well, as it added more weight to the lower end and improve the over all bass, it didn't cause any distorting or issues at all. Castor (Neutral ver) worked perfectly with the IFI Dac 3,



Fiio EA1 IEM (3.5mm IFI Match enabled)

The bass is what I noticed right away, its kinda hits hard in the low end, and the kick drums also have some force behind their hits, this is with Xbass turned off. There are no thin sounds any where.

In another song I can hear the voice clearly, including the different instruments, As well as being able to locate them. Instrumentals and the singer voices are inside my head. I also tried Xbass with the EA1, It worked alright, It worked bit better with the EA1 due to he way it's existing low end bass is.



Hifiman Sundara (4.4mm Balanced)

I notice that the sound stage and image is very good, as I can hear the different instruments outside my head, separated from each other without any issues at all, and there’s no issues with hearing them, as there good enough details. Singers feel like there in front of my, I would say to me there on stage above me and I’m in the front row. Its the best way I can describe it.

The kick bass doesn’t sound thin to me and have enough power behind it, as its not too much and not to little, the bass and nothing else I can think of sticks out.

When I tried Xbass it doesn’t work so well with the Sundara, especially in songs where there too much going on in the low end. It messes up the low end bass notes too much, making it not clear in the low end with it enabled, I prefer Xbass off with the case of my sundara. The sundara simply doesn't pair that well with the Hip Dac 3.



Fiio JT1 (3.5mm)
Detail wise I find it to be a little too much at times. No issue with hearing the separate instruments or their locations, sound stage wise the instruments are not in my head and is just right outside it. Sounds like the singers are up on stage with me I would say in the front row, with them singing to my forehead if that make sense. The one thing I don't like about the singer voices is to me they sound kinda thin, doesn't have enough weight behind them to me.

I notice drum kits also sounding a little thin to me as well. The low end bass isn't thin, and goes deep enough, It just doesn't stick out but is there. I find that Xbass helps with they issues I was having with the bass, I prefer it being enabled for the JT1, It helps so much here.


Conclusion

Over all the hip dac 3 worked without any issues with my desktop PC or with my phone and Dap, every function on it worked flawless. I found the Xbass feature to be useful at times, but only for certain headphones and IEMs. It being a nice size which is a good thing as I didn't have an issue with carrying it around during portable usage.



The only thing I wish it had was a bit longer cable for desktop usage, so you can use with your PC, and then have it fully charged when you ready to go. But the separate Power and Data function is one of the best things I like about it, in compared to the other portable Dac/amps that I used that had one. Other then the desktop usage nit pick, nothing else comes to mind

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Comments

richard_hing

New Head-Fier
I received my iFi hip-dac3 today from Amazon. This DAC/amp is smaller than I expected. It has a smaller footprint than my iPhone 14 Plus, which makes it highly portable. So far, I am really enjoying this DAC/amp. Compared to the Sonic Unity Encore mDSD USB dongle DAC/amp that is based on an ESS DAC chip, this is smoother, more detailed with a larger soundstage. The bass is deeper, more articulate, and punchy, and I am not using the XBASS feature with my Sony MDR-MV1 open back studio monitors. The amp provides greater headroom and doesn't have the mid-high sibilance that I heard with the Sonic Unity Encore mDSD DAC/amp.

It came with the Lightning-to-USB-C OTG cable shown in the photograph. I did not know that this was included and was prepared to use a clunky Apple Lightning-to-USB-A iOS photo adapter, so this was a welcome surprise. Had I known this was included, I would not have purchased a Linsoul DDHiFi MFI06L Lightning-to-USB-C OTG cable from Shenzhen Audio--oh well. For a headphone cable, I am currently using a single-ended Sony MUC-S12SM1 cable terminated at the amp end with a 3.5mm TRS connector. I have a balanced Sony MUC-S12SB1 cable terminated at the amp end with a 4.4mm TRRS connector, so I can take advantage of the iFi hip-dac3's balanced output. This is a Sony headphone cable engineered with a Kimber Kable 8-braid stranded Copper construction.

After a lot of research on portable personal hifi solutions, I settled on using the iFi hip-dac3 with my iPhone to drive my Sony MDR-MV1 headphones. I travel a lot for my job, and music listening is therapeutic for me, so it keeps in a good mental state throughout the week. I had entertained getting a higher end Sony DAP like the Sony NW-ZX707 Walkman, but I try to travel as light as possible: one carry-on and my backpack, and my iPhone is a necessity, so then I focused on a DAC/amp. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a Chord Mojo 2 DAC/amp, but I kept running into videos and Web forum posts about the random white noise problems with iOS Lightning connections. Considering the cost of the Chord Mojo 2, I just thought I could risk damaging my Sony's and my ears. Then what? I looked into the iFi Gryphon DSD as an alternative, but it's a bit larger than I would prefer, so then I researched the iFi hip-dac3, and settled on that. I appreciate good, efficient industrial design, and the iFi hip-dac series of DAC/amps check that box for me. Besides, the hip-dac3's reasonable price leaves me with funds to invest in more music (love vinyl) and other audio toys like a nice Miter leather case to protect the hip-dac3.
 

Ekke Tiivas

New Head-Fier
Hi,

how would you compare it's sound to the older nano idsd black label? Years ago in a review you compared the nano to hip dac 1, then it was said that the nano has a more desktop dac like sound(meaning a wider and deeper soundstage) compared to the hip dac. Would you say it still does compared to the hip dac 3?


Best wishes,
Ekke
 
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