iFi hip-dac3 – Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp – True Balanced Circuit, 400mW Output, Dual USB-C, PCM 384kHz/DSD256/MQA Decoding, XBass Analog Enhancement, PowerMatch, iEMatch & up to 12hrs Playtime
Original price was: $1,999.95.$199.00Current price is: $199.00.
Price: $1,999.95 - $199.00
(as of Jan 13, 2025 09:50:09 UTC – Details)
Product Description
The Legacy Continues . . . The hip-dac 3
Meet the hip-dac 3 — a portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp, now in Titanium Shadow with more versatility.
Titanium shadow. Trendsetting innovations. 
Now, our battery-powered portable hi-res DAC/headphone amp is adorned in the Titanium Shadow hue, exuding timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. The hip-dac 3’s sleek Aluminium case houses new features, tailored to elevate your audio.
Bold Contemporary Design
The go-anywhere hip-dac 3 is designed to slip discretely into a pocket or bag
iFi Makes the Most of It
Deliver excellent sound quality across all manner of digital audio formats
True Balanced Circuit Design
This topology helps to reduce signal distortion, which in turn leads to purer, more engaging sound
USB-C Audio Input
The data rate is regulated solely by the hip-dac 3’s specialised audio clock circuitry
Unlock the Full Potential
The perfect travel companion for any music lover with corded headphones or earphones
1 Shooting From the Hip
2 DAC’s the Way To Do It
3 Balance of Power
4 Get Connected
5 Hip Hip Hooray!
Great Battery Life
Enjoy up to 12 hours playtime of unmatched pure sound
MQA Decoder
Full MQA Decoder. Allowing you to enjoy the music they way it is supposed to be enjoyed
Balanced Performance
Advanced balanced circuits allow you to get the best performance from your headphones
Advanced GMT Clock
Reduced jitter and stutter with the patented hip-dac GMT clock
Do I need additional software or cable to use it with my Android phone, iPhone or MacBook?
No, just plug and play. Everything you need is already in the box
Can I use this for gaming?
There is no mic input or pass through. But if you only want to use it for headphones while playing, it’s as easy as pie
Can I use this with my Bluetooth adapter?
The unit requires a digital input. So no
What’s in the box?
iFi hip-dac; USB-A to USB-C Cable; USB-C to USB-C Cable; Quick start card; Instruction card
iFi hip-dac 3
hip-dac product line
Titanium Shadow
Colour
Orange / Gold
USB-C
Input
USB type A
DSD256, PCM 384, MQA
Formats supported
DSD256, PCM 384, MQA
iEMatch
Frequency response+
Reduced phase noise
Titanium Shadow
Colour
Blue
USB-C
Input
USB type A
DSD256, PCM 384, MQA
Formats supported
DSD256, PCM 384, MQA
iEMatch
Frequency response+
Reduced phase noise
iFi hip-dac 2 
iFi hip-dac 
Product Dimensions : 4 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches; 4.76 ounces
Item model number : 0312008
Batteries : 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required.
Date First Available : October 4, 2023
Manufacturer : Abbingdon Music Research
ASIN : B0CKFKNNJH
Enhanced Design and Functionality – The hip-dac 3, now available in a Titanium Shadow hue and encased in a sleek Aluminium frame, is not only visually striking but also encompasses a range of updated features and circuit enhancements, such as new metal film capacitors and an updated GMT circuitry, to elevate your audio experience.
Advanced Connectivity and User-friendly Controls – Equipped with two USB-C ports for simplified cable management, the device facilitates clear and high-quality audio playback and allows simultaneous charging. Furthermore, user-friendly controls such as a switch to activate iFi’s iEMatch technology and LEDs that indicate the format and sample rate of the incoming audio are integrated.
Optimized Audio Performance – A true balanced circuit design, the hip-dac 3 guarantees optimal performance and pure sound by minimizing signal distortion and efficiently driving a wide range of headphones with up to 400mW into a 32-ohm headphone load.
Versatile Audio Support and Playtime – The hip-dac 3 provides extensive audio data support, including hi-res PCM and DXD up to 384kHz, DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz, and full decoding of MQA. It also offers a notable 7-10 hours of playtime with a 2200mAh battery and comes with a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable to ensure a smooth and lasting user experience.
General Disclaimer: The image colour may differ from the actual product due to lighting. Please refer to the product for accuracy.
Customers say
Customers are pleased with the sound quality, battery life, and functionality of the headphones. They praise the exceptional bass response for open-back headphones, the ability to pick out sounds in space, and the superb amplifier. Many find it works seamlessly with iPhones and other phones. The build quality is praised, and customers appreciate the good design and features. However, opinions differ on the USB ports.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
12 reviews for iFi hip-dac3 – Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp – True Balanced Circuit, 400mW Output, Dual USB-C, PCM 384kHz/DSD256/MQA Decoding, XBass Analog Enhancement, PowerMatch, iEMatch & up to 12hrs Playtime
Add a review
Related Products
Original price was: $1,999.95.$199.00Current price is: $199.00.
R. Hing –
Perfect Portable DAC/Amp for My Sony MDR-MV1 Studio Monitors and iPhone 14
I had been researching portable DAC/amp solutions that would allow me to stream Tidal high resolution audio and Spotify audio from my iPhone 14 Plus. I seriously considered a Chord Mojo 2, but kept reading about intermittent white noise problems with iOS devices using Lightning connections. I wanted something compact and light to carry as I listen to music therapeutically when I am at home or on the road for work. I read about the iFi hip-dac3 and wondered how much I would give up in audio quality selecting this over the Chord Mojo 2. I decided to purchase this as I read on Web forums that this DAC/amp worked well with iOS devices. I also like the simple, yet elegant, industrial design with intuitive controls. Better, it has a 4mm TRRS balanced output along with a 3.5mm unbalanced TRS output.My Sony MDR-MV1 studio monitor headphones have a 24 ohm impedance and can be used in unbalanced or balanced modes, so they’re not difficult to drive. I really love them because they are light and comfortable. I can literally wear them all day, they fit that well. They are Sony’s first open back professional headphones with a neutral presentation for professional monitoring use, so I wanted something that was smooth and able to drive these headphones that have an exceptional bass response for open back headphones. For reference, I listen to a wide range of music from jazz to classic rock to large orchestral classical music.I also purchased a Miter case to protect the beautiful Shadow Titanium anodized Aluminum enclosure of the hip-dac3. When I opened the package for the hip-dac3, I was pleasantly surprised to find a 5-6 length Apple Lightning-to-USB-C OTG connection cable. iFi’s product description does not state that this cable is included, so that was a bonus. It also came with a USB-A-to-USB-C cable and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. I also discovered just how compact the hip-dac3 is relative to my iPhone 14 Plus. I can hold my iPhone and hip-dac3 in one hand while I carry it around with my Sony’s on my head. It really is a nice portable combination that I can take with the Sony’s when I am on extended business trips or tooling around the house.As for sound quality, I love this combination when playing high resolution tracks streaming from Tidal. The hip-dac3 also decodes MQA streams. This was not a requirement for me as I am not an MQA fan. I prefer the high resolution FLAC tracks, but it is kind of neat to see the LEDs around the volume knob change colors depending on the digital source. Prior to receiving the hip-dac3, I used a Sonic Unity mDSD USB dongle DAC that takes power and audio from my iPhone through the bulky Apple iOS Lightning Camera Connection Kit. Apple’s CCK works reliably, but it looks like a Rube Goldberg apparatus when everything is connected. This was more cumbersome to handle, and not very rugged. The Encore mDSD is an ESS DAC-based device that can be a bit dry sometimes and even harsh when pushed. The hip-dac3 is smooth as silk with its Burr-Brown Multi-Bit DAC and iFi’s custom op amps in a full-balanced circuit driving my Sony’s. Since it runs on batteries, I definitely have more clean and smooth headroom. Listening to classical scores by Holst and Stravinsky, this amp can reproduce the symphonic fireworks. Playing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Animals” at high resolution really fleshes out the engineer’s mixes. The pace and rhythm really got my head to bobbing, feet to tapping and had me singing along. When music listening engages me in this way, I know I have a great thing going. I played Wayne Shorter’s remastered “Speak No Evil” at high resolution, and the interplay and flow between Wayne Shorter and his ensemble really stirred me. This device faithfully reproduces tone and timbre. I am sure the Chord Mojo 2 is a fine DAC/amp, but I am really pleased that I purchased the iFi hip-dac3. I highly recommended this.
Michelle N. Lynch –
Power and Clean Listening is this DAC AMPs TRAITS
Build Quility is greatBattery life 8hrs at reasonable volume (do not use a fast charger!)Gain and XBass functions are greatLooks great!One problem, portableilty when on the move listening it is not the best option. Walking around and listening is not easy, but possible. This is more of portable desktop unit, for situations where you are using your laptop, and going to be somewhere sitting and working.
Julian –
Superb Sound
The dac3 is a superb amplifier. Easy to use, long battery life, well constructed and good form factor.
Dewitt Fiala –
Great DAC, wish it came with XCLEAR/ XBASS+XCLEAR like the Go Glue
Great build quality and plenty of power. Xbass works great to bump sub-bass frequency (great to pair with open backs to bolster the low-end roll-off). worked flawlessly unlike the GO Blue which cut out every time the signal cut out to change tracks or re start paused music. I just wish for the same price as the Go Blue, it had some of its additional sound modes like XCLEAR and the ability to use it in combo with XBASS. The Go Blue also has an app with a full equalizer. but I think just having the “Clear”/Combo option would please most and still be very user-friendly.
David J. –
Sounds super good! Sounds better then my Ifi Micro idsd black label.
I was mind blown that this 300$ portable amp sounds so detailed and textured well. The xbass is way better then true bass. Balanced input really is the only way to listen to headphones I feel now. I noticed right away that the drums and cymbals were more detailed and had that detailed textured crash/splash when the cymbals get hit with rock music or any drum focused music. The other big thing I noticed was the bass (bass guitar) really shines and sounds very detailed and textured. I noticed the bass sounding textured as in rough and buzzy an raw sounding like if I am hearing someone playing bass guitar in front of me in the same room with a loud bass guitar amp speaker. Very impressive that the hip dac 3 can catch that much textured clarity. Vocals sound very good. Guitar are good sharp and detailed enough to make me interested in the music. Piano good too. The amp strong so becareful with the volume tho. I used the hifiman sundara open back headphones and they sound the best with it! The senheiser 650 HD also sound very good with them. I tried the hifi man sundara closed back headphones and they sound really good but a little to aggressive with some genres, but this is a headphone issue since the closed back sundara have a more prominent sound more focused and aggressive sound with the drums. Bass switch is needed with the open backheadphones. Not needed for my closed back sundara. The only drawback is I wish the hip dac 3 had a 3D button or Xspace button. The only portable amp i can think that might be better is the ifi gryphon but that’s more expensive.
EPICBOOMERGAMER42069 –
Dead on Arrival
iFi seems to be having a ton of issues when it comes to their USB data inputs. This device was listed as “Like New” but was missing one key feature — audio data was unable to be taken into the device. The charging works, LED lights work, device powers on, buttons respond and have working status LEDs, and even static can be heard when plugging my headphone cable into the device. Simply put, it should be working. But Android thinks I’m charging the device while Windows is treating it as unknown [Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) to be specific.] Tried multiple devices, cables, inputs, etc. to no avail. I really love the idea of this device and it’s built well but there really needs to be better QC when it comes to testing these devices.
Mr. C –
Great sounding DAC
This is a good sounding DAC for the money. If you’re deciding between this DAC and the Dragonfly Cobalt, both are the same price, but this one sounds a tad better in my opinion. It has better bass reproduction for a fuller sound.
José –
Muy portátil y de buena calidad.
A –
Good quality. Amplifies sound, add extra bass with the X-Bass button.
Alba –
Cadeau pour mon mari mélomane il en est ravi !
Mauro Orlando –
Per la forma e la qualità costruttiva e del suono prodotto invoglia a sessioni di ascolto in cui ci si dedica alla musica e nulla altro. Manca (intenzionalmente) la comodità e praticità dell’uso di una cuffia Bluetooth, ma accoppiato ad una buona cuffia aperta restituisce una esperienza diversa dal solito ascolto di sottofondo.
Matamoski –
Sigue siendo el mejor dacamp a este precio.Bateria dura mas xe 10h en highgain balenceado.Banger!