iFi Audio iDSD Valkryie Now @ HeadAmp

[HeadAmpTeam]

The iDSD Valkyrie from iFi Audio is for those demanding more than pure power or precision; it's for those who seek the power to sculpt the feel and emotion of their music. Fusing sonic customization with cutting-edge technology, the Valkyrie hides thunderous power & pro-audio levels of sonic control with K2HD Technology, DSD Remastering, six additional digital filters, and signature analog processing. Complete with quad-DAC architecture, 5,700mW* peak output, lossless Bluetooth, and 18 hours of battery life, it is unmatched by any other portable. Order your's today, now @HeadAmp! ​

 

[Makiah S]

I've always had a sweet spot for portable gear; back when I was new to the hobby, I was the proud owner of one of those "stacks" you used to see! I had a Digital Audio Player, which served as my GUI & DAC, fed line out into a portable amplifier with its own dedicated Linear Power Supply. A three-device-thick monstrosity that barely fit into my pockets.

It's crazy to think how far we've come since those days. Almost 13 years later, we've got portable gear with more power, transparency, and function than the craziest of "audiophile" towers from back then. The all-new iFi Audio iDSD Valkryie is easily the best portable DAC/Amp I've heard of to date. Since transitioning from hobbyist to working in industry, I've demoed, reviewed, and listened to dozens of new gear. Most of which was, at best, as good as those old audio towers. Often with better functionality, connectivity, battery life, and size. However, regarding sound quality, nothing stood out above my old Hifiman HM901 & iBasso PB2 franken stack. My stack had the works; dedicated LPS battery for the amp, custom software & an upgraded internal battery, solid silver line out cable for my HM901, and upgraded LME 49990 OP Amps & High Current Buffers for the PB2 itself. My stack took me years to fully upgrade and put together. Not to mention, its cost was easily more than the Valkryie is today.

Thankfully, Valkryie is hands down above and beyond better while weighing about the same and offering tremendously better battery life and function. It's also a noticeable step up from the previous iFi Audio flagships and the first portable to drive the Dan Clark Audio Stealth to it's full potential while on the go! So let's start by comparing iDSD Valkyrie to it's predecessor before exploring how it performs with a few other headphones.

Spoiler: Lineage

VPI Scoutmaster with dual belt driven single flywheel motor on Herbie’s Tenderfeet
Trans-Fi Terminator T3 Pro With Tomahawk Armwand (4N Silver Shielded Wire
Audio-Technica AT150ANV Frankencart
Phoenix Engineering Eagle
Phoenix Engineering RoadRunner
Gingko Cloud 12A Vibration Control Platform
Eden Sound Terrastone Footers
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Tube Phono Preamp with 1964 Holland made large halo getter Amperex 7308 Tubes
Sugarcube SC-2
Tripp Lite Smart Online SU1500RTXLCD2U Double-Conversion UPS

I didn't start expansive track list, rather just a single song. One we've all heard over and over and over, yet nonetheless I still enjoy it. Hotel California - Eagles off the Hell Freezes Over Album, I prefer the Simply Vinyl 1994 Pressing myself for it's dynamic contrast. I'm thankful I was able to find a clean pull with a beautiful Analog to Digital lineage. It's a master / mix I've been thankful to enjoy since 2020, and there are a few things I listen for when doing a critical review. For this listen, a few things stood out: the position of the kick drum within the soundstage and the movement/audible position of what I can only describe as a synth sweep towards the end of the second minute of the track. To my ears, the Kick Drum has always been stronger on the left channel with some slight bleed into the center, and that Synth Sweep starts on the left channel and ends on the right.I'm also listening and evaluating the tonal clarity and tactility of the guitars and listening for both slam, impact, and bass extension each time the kick drum is present. Funnily enough, I usually only listen to the first minute or so. Occasionally, I'll find a headphone with that right mix of technical acumen and tonality to really pull me into the track long enough to hear Don Henley's iconic voice.

Valkyrie has the most audible improvements in low-frequency slam and texture, while the Diablo 2 provides great low frequency body; with the DCA Stealth, it often lacked definition, texture, and SLAM to my ears. The iconic kick drum in the opening of the song lingers a bit too much and lacks that well-defined KICK you get while listening to Stealth with full-size gear. I also found the DSD Remastering feature on the Valkyrie improved texture and tactility overall, I found it ever so slightly sharpened transient response while adding a slightly elongated trailing edge to the guitars and a few of Henley's vocals. Overall, the iDSD Valkyrie retains that lovely tone density we've come to expect from the iFi Audio gear while providing better nuance, definition, and overall texture. A clear upgrade, and for my use case, easier to transport.

Once again with the Sennheiser HD 660S2 I enjoyed improvements to low frequency response and overall texture. The XBass feature also helped flesh out the 660S2 low end when listening to Drum n Bass and a few other EDM genres that I enjoy with a little more umph in the bottom end. I also enjoyed that beautiful signature Sennheiser tone without any of the tracks I sampled sounding overly smooth or excessively round.

My favorite combination, however, was with the Austrian Audio Composer; truly, with this highly efficient dynamic headphone, the iDSD Valkryie had resolution almost on par with our full-sized setup at the show! Perfectly balanced tone, stunning detail, lifelike texture, and amazing transients. This combo was seductive; best of all, I could disappear into whatever I was listening to almost anywhere. The hotel had many comfortable and visually engaging seating and spaces. With the iDSD Valkryie, I could enjoy the Composer anywhere I wanted to without concern for battery life or any audible drawbacks. The only drawback was how distracted I was while listening.

I cannot recommend the iFi Audio iDSD Valkryie enough to anyone with the space to accommodate it. I'd even go so far as to say it's well worth upgrading your on-the-go storage to enjoy it alongside your favorite headphones, wherever life takes you.

 

[Infoseeker]

Can they go back to the ifi Gryphon form factor?

That Valkyrie is getting a little too big for a bluetooth device.

 

[Abbeyrd1969]

What I would have given to have the Valkyrie when I was traveling! Just throw it in your laptop bag with headphones or IEM`s. Way to many nights sitting in a hotel room working at night with a mediocre setup listening to music. This is really a game changer. Just plug and play. I know that the Mojo2 also fits this situation, but having something that looks like it came out of a cheap Sci-fi movie and the Valkyrie, I take the Valkyrie every time. Then again I am a huge Ifi fan!!!