Just wanted to post some quick impressions of the Hip-DAC that
@Sebastien Chiu was kind enough to send out for demo!
Set-up: MacBook Air > Audirvana w/ FLAC > ifi Hip-DAC > Hidition Viento-B. I chose to use the Viento because it seems to be a fairly source-dependent IEM.
As the name might imply, the Hip-DAC follows a slim form factor not dissimilar to that of a hip flask. I really like overall design, and the volume wheel - which mimics the aesthetic of a flask's cap - is immensely satisfying to actuate. It controls on/off. Along these lines, set-up was very simple, almost plug-and-play if I recall correctly, and the controls of the unit itself are well-thought out.
Now, full-disclaimer, I'm not a big source guy, but I'll try my hand. The Hip-DAC is a warmer, more colored source to my ears. Upper-midrange notes are bolder, more grand relative to my DX160; while the sibilance on the Viento pervades, some of the transient edginess is taken off whilst maintaining good resolution. Bass on the DX160 sounds again, more incisive, more mid-bass emphasized whereas I'd say the Hip-DAC is a tad pillowy-er, loose down low. Oh right, there's also a bass switch and, man, does it slap on gobs of sub-bass. It easily pushes the Viento to bloat levels, so I think it's use is more situational albeit
very fun. Highs on the Hip-DAC are present, but somewhat smoother. Overall, the Hip-DAC has a warm, pleasing sort of presentation. I'd posit that it sacrifices some technical ability (certainly noticeable relative to something like ifi's iDSD Black Label), but it's a worthy trade-off in my eyes for on-the-go listening and if you're not looking for something too reference-y.
If I may make a suggestion, though, I'd like to see the IEMatch implemented if there are future iterations of the Hip-DAC. I found that I wasn't able to listen off of a number of IEMs (for example, the Solaris 2020, U12t, and Fourte) because the Hip-DAC actually provided too much juice! At my desired volume, only one side of these IEMs would make noise; maybe I'm just a very quiet listener. Here, I didn't find the Power Match feature very useful for obvious reasons.
Overall, the Hip-DAC's a pretty sweet package, even if I do feel that there are some limitations at play. Again, I want to thank iFi for their generosity in allowing me to take a demo unit for a spin for a short while