iFi hip-dac
The iFi hip-dac really hits the spot.
The iFi hip-dac, is simply put, the best-looking portable DAC we’ve ever seen – and it performs pretty well too.
iFi is a big player in the world of portable DACs (digital-toanalogue converters), which for the uninitiated, are designed to improve the sound quality of your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or
MP3 player.
While these devices contain DACS themselves, an external DAC is designed to make your music sound great, as well as driving power-hungry premium headphones – in short, a portable DAC is a crucial part of any audiophile’s arsenal.
Coming in at $249, the iFi hip-dac isn’t too pricey for the specs it offers, and it looks great, to boot. Its luxurious petroleumblue and copper finish alongside its hipflask-like design (hence the name) means it is, weirdly enough, a DAC you really want to show off – and it’s small enough to slip into your pocket with ease.
While there’s no support for
Bluetooth, there are lots of connectivity options and it supports pretty much every codec you could think of, meaning all your Hi-Res Audio needs should be met.
The iFi hip-dac also employs a Burr-Brown DAC chip, which the company claims ensures audio formats stay “bit-perfect” right through to analogue conversion, as well as eradicating digital distortion.
A PowerMatch button means that the iFi hip-dac can drive just about any headphones with ease – although very power-hungry cans can reduce the stated battery life of 8 – 12 hours significantly.
We were impressed by just how much of a difference the hip-dac made to the sound of our headphones; even when using some of the best headphones we’ve ever tested, the not-quiteaudiophile grade Sony WH1000XM3s, the uptick in audio quality was palpable. The soundstage was wide, with clear, detailed trebles, smooth mids, and powerful bass frequencies.
A word on the bass – there’s a nifty ‘X Bass’ button on the hip-dac that elevates the lower frequencies, and it works really, really well. Sure, you may find the resultant sound a little bass-heavy, but don’t we all love blasting the bass from time to time?
Arguably, there are better portable DACs on the market, in terms of price, size, connectivity, and extra features like Bluetooth support. But in terms of style and sound? To the audiophile, the iFi hip-dac is just as a fine glass of whiskey is to the drinker – it hits the spot.
The iFi hip-dac is a great choice if you’re looking for a portable DAC that looks as good as it will make your music sound. With plenty of connectivity options and codecs supported, it’ll make the best headphones sound even better, thanks to ‘bit-perfect’ digital-toanalogue conversion and a nifty bass-boosting button.