[iFi audio]

So by extension the LED display is also incorrect that it only shows XBass+ instead of XBass II?

Yes and this naming might get fixed along with a firmware update.

I mean, is 3D or 3D+ the same as XBass II Presence?

Please take a look at xDSD Gryphon's manual (12) here: https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xDSD-Gryphon-User-Manual-Ver1.03_ok.pdf

...and here you have info about out 3D tech: https://ifi-audio.com/faqs/3d-is-it-a-cross-feed-2/

...and here you have info about XSpace:

 

[corgifall]

I'm interested in checking the Gryphon out at some point.

 

[monsieurfromag3]

You guys really love to use non-specific marketing terms. So we have XBass, XBass+, XBass II , XSpace, 3D, 3D+, Active EQ, Bass, Presence and Bass + Presence. Kind of gives me a headache. I mean, is 3D or 3D+ the same as XBass II Presence? Or wait, we also have XSpace, maybe that's the same, or wait again, maybe it's just cross-feed... Jeez, guys... I still can't understand S-balanced... How about a tutorial on this stuff?

Seems like you can't even keep it straight yourselves.

… iFi is a tinkerer’s brand. I’m largely with you in that I find so many options interfere with my listening experience. Is my music sounding as good as it could? Or should I flip this switch? Or turn that mode off? It’s like EQ, but better because it’s analog, but worse because you’re pressing buttons instead of bobbing your head.

 

[537778]

I'm interested in checking the Gryphon out at some point.

Please do and let us know if its worth the hype?

 

[joshnor713]

Has anyone commented how Bluetooth (LDAC) performance is? Anywhere close to that of wired? I was personally very unimpressed with the original xDSD's Bluetooth sound quality. I know it's gonna be inferior to wired always, but the goal is to get as close as possible. Would love to replace my Mojo/Poly someday.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Has anyone commented how Bluetooth (LDAC) performance is? Anywhere close to that of wired? I was personally very unimpressed with the original xDSD's Bluetooth sound quality. I know it's gonna be inferior to wired always, but the goal is to get as close as possible. Would love to replace my Mojo/Poly someday.

Sadly it won't be as good as Poly. It's gonna be an improvement over xDSD but still not as good as a wired or wifi stream (Poly).

I don't think even Aptx Lossless will do that. Don't get me wrong, LDAC or Aptx HD are already very good and great when outside but at home, without outside noise it's easy to spot the difference between LDAC & Wired.

Hopefully in an year or two there will be a better codec.

An alternative to Poly would be xDuoo X10T II, Connect that with your phone in Hotspot mode and stream music over Wifi using Hiby Link. Not very portable though...

 

[Hanesu]

Has anyone commented how Bluetooth (LDAC) performance is? Anywhere close to that of wired? I was personally very unimpressed with the original xDSD's Bluetooth sound quality. I know it's gonna be inferior to wired always, but the goal is to get as close as possible. Would love to replace my Mojo/Poly someday

In my opinion the XDSD has one the best BT quality out there (have tried a lot of BT sources, just not the Gryphon yet). What exactly did make you feel "unimpressed"? Have you compared it to other BT devices? From my personal experience the difference in AAC between wired and BT is only hardly distinguishable?

 

[ClieOS]

...From my personal experience the difference in AAC between wired and BT is only hardly distinguishable?

As some say: one person's hardly distinguishable is another person's worlds apart.

 

[531412]

Lossless BT codecs should sound equally to a wired connection.

 

[Gromu]

Not sure if I've missed it, but does the gryphon have channel imbalance at low volumes like the signature?

 

[emilsoft]

Not sure if I've missed it, but does the gryphon have channel imbalance at low volumes like the signature?

If the volume control is like the old xdsd, the it should be digitally controlled which means no channel imbalance - i really hope this is the case?

 

[MarkParity]

An alternative to Poly would be xDuoo X10T II, Connect that with your phone in Hotspot mode and stream music over Wifi using Hiby Link. Not very portable though...

Difficult, that device doesn't even have Wifi, I know I own one.

Lossless BT codecs should sound equally to a wired connection.

Currently there is no such thing as a Lossless BT codec.

If the volume control is like the old xdsd, the it should be digitally controlled which means no channel imbalance - i really hope this is the case?

There is no channel imbalance on my unit that I can detect at any volume.

I also wanted to add, that LDAC range is very good too, I'm using Adaptive LDAC mode at the moment and I can go at least 10m away from my phone with no dropouts whatsoever.

 

[emilsoft]

There is no channel imbalance on my unit that I can detect at any volume.

I also wanted to add, that LDAC range is very good too, I'm using Adaptive LDAC mode at the moment and I can go at least 10m away from my phone with no dropouts whatsoever.

Nice sounds like its the same as old xdsd then.

Any more sound quality/comparison impressions from your side will be much appreciated - and please be harsh if you can its expensive it should seriously impress ! I expect it to comfortably beat Chord Mojo, all the other dongles on the market and should better most DAPs like the Fiio M11 Plus, Sony's etc - I'm guessing with a wider, organic and less glare sound (knowing what their dac chip is capable of with good implementation).

 

[MarkParity]

Nice sounds like its the same as old xdsd then.

Similar implementation, but as I mentioned before it functions slightly differently as the volume level can be controlled from the source device, I don't remember my xDSD being like that.

Any more sound quality/comparison impressions from your side will be much appreciated - and please be harsh if you can its expensive it should seriously impress ! I expect it to comfortably beat Chord Mojo, all the other dongles on the market and should better most DAPs like the Fiio M11 Plus, Sony's etc - I'm guessing with a wider, organic and less glare sound (knowing what their dac chip is capable of with good implementation).

I like the sound, no hiss, no "glare" that I can hear. I'm not going to try and compare it seriously to other DAC/AMP's I own because most of them output a frequency response that is essentially flat from 20Hz to 20Khz so as long as the amp has the power to drive the load and the impedances are properly matched, they all sound the same to me, not saying some people can tell a difference, just that I usually can't.

I can't really hear much difference between the xDSD and the xDSD Gryphon to be honest, as I mentioned before I would have been happy to stick with the original xDSD but this one has xCAN built in and better BT Codecs so I decided to "upgrade".

 

[iFi audio]

If the volume control is like the old xdsd, the it should be digitally controlled which means no channel imbalance - i really hope this is the case?

It's an analog ladder inside a chip (so not a volume pot) that's controlled digitally, so no channel imbalance issues