This is a review of the newer iFi Audio hip-dac 3 portable DAC/headphone amplifier, superseding the hip-dac 2 and the original, first launched in 2019. The hip-dac 3 was launched last October 2023.

As a big fan of iFi Audio, with the Zen series (Zen Stream, Zen CAN, Zen DAC) and with the Pro iDSD forming part of this reviewer’s Reference System, this is going to be a nice one, especially as I spend a large amount of time on the move or walking the dog. I took the hip-dac 3 to Scotland and spent significant amounts of downtime with it with the Meze ADVAR IEMs.

Design

hip-dac 3 with the IE Match technology on the underside

The hip-dac 3 is a portable/desktop DAC headphone amplifier, driven by a battery, that is wired with USB-C inputs. It is designed to replace the inferior DAC chip in a smartphone or laptop/desktop source. There’s no Bluetooth in here, I guess you could use the iFi Go Blu balanced output with a short connector if you wanted Bluetooth with the hip-dac 3.

The hip-dac 3 has an array of technology designed to offer the best performance for a range of in-ear monitors or headphones. It has iFi’s IEMatch technology, which is designed to optimise the output to suit IEMs or other challenging loads. Additionally, there is also the Power match function, like a gain control, which matches the level of drive to the headphone load, adjusting the signal strength. Finally, there is the iFi X Bass button, that boosts the low frequencies without, they claim, ’muddying the midrange’. X Bass is managed in the analogue rather than in digital signal processing (DSP)

The hip-dac 3 has improved capacitors over the previous versions with upgraded Global Master Timing (GMT) circuitry. The Burr-Brown DAC chipset is retained that iFi uses extensively with an in-house optimised 16-core XMOS microcontroller.

The true balanced (differential) circuit design, which claims ‘less distortion’, supports PCM, DXD and full MQA decoding. The audio data input supports up to 32-bit/384kHz and is asynchronous.  This means the data rate is managed by the hip-dac 3’s audio clock circuitry for more accurate and jitter-free data transfer from the source device.

The hip-dac 3 has a 2200mAh battery that iFi claims can last for around 7-12 hours of playing time between charges.

Inputs

There is a single USB-C audio input into the hip-dac 3 and a separate USB-C power input, meaning you can run the hip-dac 3 plugged in if preferred.

Outputs

There are two outputs, a 3.5mm socket for headphones with a single-ended cable, and a 4.4mm balanced output.

In the box

hip-dac 3 is small but perfectly formed

The hip-dac 3 comes bundled with a USB-C OTG (On-The-Go) cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a USB-C to Lightning cable for Apple’s proprietary iOS devices. There are four sticky squidgy pads for desktop use, I presume.

Quality

The hip-dac 3 has a beautiful, anodised finish called titanium shadow, it is a subtle grey with hints of bronze, depending on the light. This bold colour finish is reminiscent of the hip-dac 2 with a sunset orange finish and the original hip-dac that had a petrol blue finish.

The device is soft and compact to the touch, fitting in the palm comfortably, there are no fingerprint issues with this surface. The hip-dac is as thick as a smartphone with a footprint slightly larger than a Chord Mojo 2. It has a premium finish feeling and minimal recyclable packaging. In the (back) pocket next to the smartphone, it feels like a faux suede iFi hip-case (£29) is needed.

The hip-dac 3 is just 10.2 x 7 x 1.4cm and weighs 138g. It is priced at £199 in the UK (Apr ’24). You can purchase the unit from the site directly with a 12-month warranty.

The full specification is here.

Performance

Review Equipment

hip-dac 3 on a Breffo spiderpodium

I’ve been listening with my Pixel 7 smartphone and a pair of ‘Outstanding’ Meze Audio ADVAR IEMs (31 Ohms) on the move and the Meze Audio 109 Pro (40 Ohms) on the desktop. I also own a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X (48 Ohms) and have just received a pair of Sendy Audio Peacock Planar Magnetic Headphones (50 Ohms).

On the desktop I have the hip-dac 3 generally on a Breffo Spiderpodium affording a level of isolation in use, there are four soft/squidgy pads in the box for this same purpose.

Physically

The hip-dac 3 in my back pocket, back-to-back with the Pixel phone is fine, once you’re organised, it is slim so better than having a Mojo 2 there, as I have done often. After that, the Meze ADVARs up the back and into the ears is perfect and conveniently out of the way. The thickness reminds me of the still excellent Oppo HA2 -SE, which was thin, vibrant and long-lasting, though now unavailable.

I seem to be getting excellent battery life, with constant testing, and turning off and on. I feel as if I have had at least 10 hours on this first battery charge with my Pixel indicating just under 50%.

hip-dac 3

On the desktop, the hid-dac 3 has a pretty small footprint and is well suited to my cluttered workspace. On either side of the on/off and volume dial in the entre, two LEDs change colour as the sample rate changes. This includes Tidal MQA confirmation (turn on passthrough to let the hip-dac 3 do the work, though!).

The volume control works well at low levels and seems quite sensitive.

Meze Audio ADVAR

Overall, the experience is immersive and laid back with the premium ADVARs. The staging is very satisfying indeed and the silences are pitch black. For me, the acoustic guitars are stunningly beautiful in a good recording, like The Staves’ cover of Jolene, Live (Qobuz 24-bit, 88.2kHz), or the acoustic introduction to Oasis’ Half the World Away (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz). These tracks are what music is all about.

Switching to Elvis’ incredibly vibrant vocal in My Way (Qobuz 24-bit, 96kHz), from Elvis Back in Nashville, the hip-dac 3 offers incredible detail that the ADVARs lap up, the ice cubes clinking in this session take is fantastic here at 1’50”.

Similar levels of resolution are offered in the precision of the cymbals in Ed Harcourt’s This One’s for You (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz).

The X-Bass is not doing a great deal for me because these ADVARs are nicely fitted in my ears, though Jesus And Mary Chain’s April Skies (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) has a fraction more bite with the X-Bass on, and is all the better for it.

Meze Audio 109 Pro

The 109s offer that fuller soundstage and go quieter if needed. The beautiful double bass in the Getz/Gilberto Girl from Ipanema (Qobuz 24-bit, 88kHz) is a sound to recognise and appreciate instantly, bass extension is well controlled too in Let Go, from Deadmau5 (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz) and this turns into a thumping platform towards the end of the track. This bass control is seen with DubXanne’s Dub version of Roxanne (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz)

Finally, the hip-dac 3 opens its full prowess in exquisite detail in Slave to the Rhythm (Qobuz 24-bit, 88kHz) by Lady Blackbird/Trevor Horn. I just end up playing air bass at my desk every time.

X Bass

I gather the X-Bass is designed for open-backed headphones that may leak bass response, indeed with the 109s there is a fuller delivery in the soundstage; it is a bit like a subwoofer that provides a platform to the soundstage with normal speakers and it is worthy of note.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the Musical Interlude Playlist. It is the Atlas Mavros Cable Playlist on Qobuz but it is such a good collection for critical listening I find I am using it most days.

Mojo 2

What can I say? It costs twice the price, but it is still a benchmark on the desktop for its sparkling audio delivery.

Thoughts

…hip-dac 3 is dynamic with a wonderfully detailed presentation, controlled bass and an easy-listening midrange…

In summary, the hip-dac 3 is dynamic with a wonderfully detailed presentation, controlled bass and an easy-listening midrange and treble. The hip-dac 3 is a bit like the hugely popular, let’s say class-leading, Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt at a similar price.

There is also the Chord Electronics Mojo 2, though, of course, the Mojo has multiple inputs, unlike the hip-dac 3. The hip-dac 3 is just £200 versus the Mojo 2 at twice the price, an Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt would set you back £179 (all Apr ’24). It would be fair to say the Mojo is due an update to USB C-type inputs among other upgrades, so I’d wait a bit if you had the money.

Separately, and having re-read my Zen DAC review, if you are going to be using this mainly on the desktop, you should consider the stablemate iFi Zen DAC (at £169), it was/is terrific, we said of it;

…(the) iFi Zen DAC is crazy good at this price…

Finally, I do not have a Cobalt to compare as I can’t seem to get one from Audioquest despite my best efforts, I own an entry-level Dragonfly Red (£100), which is not a consideration after the performance of the hip-dac 3.

Overall

…hip-dac 3 is a fine portable headphone DAC amplifier, without a doubt…

The hip-dac 3 is a fine portable headphone DAC amplifier, without a doubt, and is well worth considering whether you are on the move or chained to a desktop! It is well-priced too in such a competitive segment, offering excellent value for money.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.