Power hungry? hip-dac2 it!
The hip-dac2’s amp circuitry, like the original, is of balanced (differential) design.
The circuitry incorporates a range of high-quality components, carefully selected for their performance in an audio context, including a custom iFi OV op-amp, TDK C0G class 1 ceramic capacitors,
a precision low-noise power supply IC from Texas Instruments and a high-quality analogue volume pot.
The amp stage can deliver 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headphone and earphone types with power to spare. Even high-impedance
headphones are handled with ease thanks to output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms (from the balanced output).
Switchable sonics
The amp stage features switchable gain, which we call PowerMatch. This matches the level of drive to the load presented by the headphones, by adjusting input sensitivity and thereby signal strength.
Use the lower setting with high-sensitivity headphone. If your headphones require more drive, use PowerMatch to increase gain.
XBass is another user-selectable feature – a sophisticated form of ‘bass boost’ that enhances low frequencies without muddying the midrange, particularly useful with earphones and open-back
headphones that may lack deep bass. It operates entirely in the analogue domain rather than messing with the digital signal via DSP.
Get connected
There are two USB ports – Type A for audio data and USB-C for charging. The Type A port features a male connector to provide greater mechanical integrity than a USB/micro USB ports commonly
found on other DAC/headphone amps.
Two outputs are provided – a 3.5mm socket for headphones with a single-ended cable/connector and a Pentaconn 4.4mm output enabling headphones equipped with balanced connectivity to take
full advantage of the hip-dac2’s differential amp design.
In addition, the 3.5mm output benefits from iFi’s proprietary S-Balanced circuitry, cutting crosstalk and related distortion in half when used with regular, single-ended headphone connections – this is
especially beneficial with high-sensitivity in-ear monitors.
Protect and serve
Both the original hip-dac and the new hip-dac2 sport a 102x70x14mm extruded aluminium enclosure, sufficiently robust to be ported around without fear of breakage.
However, some may wish to add further protection for the beautifully anodised metallic finish, whilst giving their beloved DAC/headphone amp a softer, suede-like feel – for them, the new hip-case is ideal.
Made from ‘faux suede’ in cool Dove Grey, with stitch detail and an embroidered iFi logo, the hip-case fits both the hip-dac and hip-dac2 like a glove, protecting it without hindering functionality.
Protect the hip-dac2 and let it serve you well.
Formats supported | DSD PCM DXD MQA |
256/128/64, Quad/Double/Single-Speed 384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz 384/352.8kHz 384/352.8kHz |
Digital Inputs | USB 3.0 Type 'A' (USB2.0 compatible) |
|
Headphone Outputs | Balanced S-Balanced (S-E) |
4.4mm 3.5mm |
Power Output (@1% THD) | Balanced S-Balanced (S-E) |
400mW@32Ω; 6.3V@600Ω 280mW@32Ω; 3.2V@600Ω |
Battery | Lithium-polymer 2200mAh | Approx. 8 hours |
Power System | Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current and 6.3 volts |
|
Power (max) | <2W idle, 4W max | |
Dimensions | 102 x 70 x 14mm 4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6" |
|
Weight | 125g (0.28 lbs) |