iFi hipdac 3 - Third Time's a Charm!

 

4.5⭐️

+ Top notch build quality

+ Plenty of power

+ Volume wheel for precise control

+ Long lasting battery 

+ IEMatch

+ USB-C finally!

+ 3 different cables included

- Not very pocketable when connected to device

- A sleeve or case would be a welcome inclusion

- Price might be a barrier for some

- XBass can get muddy depending on the headphones/iems

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now

☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended 

☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me by Ifi Audio in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Karina at Ifi for coordinating this unit for review. 

Gear used: 

● LG v30+

● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

● Samsung dongle

● Various iems

Source:

Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

Ifi Audio produces some of the best rated and most popular DAC/amplifiers on the market today. They have many choices in both the portable and desktop categories. Today I will be reviewing one of Ifi's newest portable releases, the hip dac 3. Despite the name, it is actually the fourth iteration but it comes with some substantial differences that will be showcased below.

Design:

At first glance it may be hard to differentiate the variations in all of the hip dac models. They all boast a fantastic build quality and different colored finishes. The hip dac 3 sports a "titanium shadow" color that is a more neutral departure from the previous blue, orange, and gold options. I personally prefer the blue and orange colors of the first two as they are more fun but the newest colorway does look more expensive and classy. On the bottom of the unit you'll find two USB-C ports, one for charging and one for the source connection. Ditching the old USB-A input for a USB-C is one of the best upgrades of this newest version. I have owned both of the previous models and one of my biggest complaints was the awkward, cumbersome, and frequent disconnections with the USB-A cable. The volume wheel retains the same look and feel as previous models. It also functions as to power on the device. There are two indicator lights on either side of the wheel that change colors to denote the sample rate of the source. The overall build quality is outstanding with a premium finish that feels fantastic in hand.

Features:

The "Power Match" and "XBass" buttons are back and their functions are the same as before. There are small indicator lights to show when these options are enabled. The Power Match is essentially a toggle for low and high gain. The XBass function injects a healthy amount of bulk to the lower end. It works really great with iems that are light on bass but can make others sound a bit bloated. It will mostly depend on the tuning and the user's penchant for bass. The hip dac 3 now features Ifi's IEMatch technology in the form of a toggle switch on back of the unit. It ensures a noise free background and is very helpful for reducing any hiss from high sensitivity gear. Included with the unit are three different cables with USB, USB-C, and lightning connections. It's a small inclusion but it ensures that the hip dac 3 can be used with any device right out of the box. There are also 4 little rubber "feet" in the box that are a nice little bonus. 

Power consumption:

The hip dac 3 can deliver up to 400mW@32 ohm for balanced output and 280mW@32 ohm for standard.The unit uses a lithium-polymer battery that's robust and definitely holds a nice charge. Ifi touts the battery lasting up to 12 hours depending on volume and enabled options. In my testing when using IEMatch, Power Match, and intermittent XBass, it easily offers 6+ hours of play time. The battery indicator light is the same as past models and changes color depending on the remaining charge. Also thanks to the separate USB-C inputs, the hip dac 3 can be used while being charged which is great for desktop use.

Sound impressions:

The hip dac 3 still uses the same Brown-Burr chipset as the other iterations. These Brown-Burr DACs are known for adding warmth to the frequency response. To my ears it's a very subtle but welcome inclusion. There also seems to be a small increase in the overall soundstage. The hip dac 3 will faithfully and accurately reproduce the stock tuning of your favorite gear (with a touch a warmth) and take everything to the next level when using the extra features. I also had the chance to test the unit while watching Dune and Top Gun: Maverick. The added bass rumble with XBass enabled is awesome!

Final thoughts:

Is the newest iteration of Ifi's excellent hip dac worth the $199 asking price? In my opinion it's a resounding "YES!". It sports excellent options and features, packs plenty of power, and can move seemlessly from desktop to portable use. Now the harder question: is it worth upgrading to the hip dac 3 if you already own one of the previous models? That answer is more nuanced. Do you need the IEMatch feature for sensitive iems or headphones? Is the USB-A connection a deal breaker? (it was for me) Is the titanium shadow color calling to you? Only you can answer those questions. For myself I found that the newest iteration packs every feature I could want in a DAC/amp and also addresses problem areas found on previous models. The hip dac 3 sets a new high standard in the portable DAC/amp category and is another fantastic product in Ifi's stable.