iFi Audio NEO Stream

Description

iFi Audio hip-dac 3 portable USB DAC/headphone amplifier

IFi Audio hip-dac 3 is a must have for every audiophile. Now available in Titanium Shadow, this high-resolution portable DAC/headphone amplifier combines trendsetting innovation with enhanced versatility.

With its sleek and stylish aluminum body, the hip-dac 3 is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also packed with features that enhance your audio experience. Its two USB-C ports simplify cable management, and the addition of iFi's iEMatch technology optimizes sound for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones.

Internally, the device boasts circuit improvements, including new metal capacitors and an updated version of iFi's GMT circuit, resulting in cleaner sound with reduced phase noise. The Hip-dac 3 also features a superior DAC stage with a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, ensuring optimal performance and a perfect high-resolution partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

But it's not just about technical specifications. The hip-dac 3's compact size makes it perfect for use on the go. It replaces the weaker DAC and amplifier on your smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac, delivering rich and dynamic sound when connected via USB-C. And with a true balanced circuit design, rare for its price range, you can expect minimal signal distortion and stunning sound for your headphones.

Thanks to its high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp and silent IC power supplies from Texas Instruments, the hip-dac 3 can deliver up to 400 mW into 32 ohm headphones, making it compatible with a wide variety of headphones. It can also effectively drive high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from a balanced output.

What's more, the hip-dac 3 is tailored to your specific headphones and earphones. Its variable gain, called PowerMatch, ensures optimal power for the headphones you're using. iEMatch technology, which can be activated by a switch on the bottom, reduces hiss, improves detail and dynamic range, and improves the volume control range for high-sensitivity headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs).

But the hip-dac 3 is not limited to playing high-resolution PCM and DXD audio data. It supports DSD from 2.8MHz to 12.4MHz and has full decoding of MQA, the high-resolution streaming technology used by Tidal's 'HiFi Plus' tier. With its USB-C input that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0, and its asynchronous design that ensures jitter-free data transfer, you can enjoy your favorite music in the highest quality.

And let's not forget the battery life. The hip-dac 3 battery of 2200 mAh offers up to 12 hours of playback, depending on the volume and the need to power the headphones. It also comes with a USB-C OTG cable and a USB-A to USB-C cable for added convenience.

For those looking for extra protection and style, iFi offers a Dove Gray faux suede hip pouch that perfectly fits all hip-dac models without compromising function.

Features

• Titanium Shadow Finish
• 2 USB-C ports
• Burr-Brown chipset
• XMOS microcontroller with 16 cores
• Low noise power supply ICs from Texas Instruments
• It can deliver up to 400 mW into a 32 ohm headphone load
• PowerMatch

Shadow of titanium. Innovations that set trends.

Now our battery-powered, high-resolution portable DAC/headphone amplifier is decked out in Titanium Shadow, exuding timeless elegance with a touch of modern sophistication. Transformation goes beyond aesthetics. The stylish aluminum housing of the hip-dac 3 contains new features, tailored to enhance your audio experience.

Two USB-C ports simplify your cable management: one for audio and one for charging. A switch on the bottom activates iFi's iEMatch technology, which is optimized for high-sensitivity headphones and earphones, making it especially useful for your in-ear monitors (IEMs).

Internally, the device boasts circuit improvements, including new metal film capacitors for better frequency response. Additionally, an updated version of iFi's GMT circuit, along with a new crystal oscillator, further reduces phase noise, delivering you cleaner sound.

Bottle size. Magnum version.

With its elegant, robust aluminum housing, the portable hip-dac 3 fits discreetly in a pocket or bag. It replaces the weaker DAC and amplifier in smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs. Just connect via USB-C, plug in your favorite headphones and enjoy rich, dynamic sound.

iFi's expertise with the Burr-Brown chipset ensures optimal performance. However, a superior DAC stage involves more than the DAC chip itself. The key element is the XMOS chip for processing digital audio inputs. The Hip-dac 3 features a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, programmed by iFi's in-house sound quality optimization team, and provides a perfect high-resolution partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

hip-dac 3 your power-hungry headphones.

The Hip-dac 3 has a truly balanced circuit design, rare for its price range. This design reduces signal distortion, resulting in cleaner, more immersive sound for your headphones.

The circuitry includes high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp, low-noise power supply ICs from Texas Instruments, and premium analog volume support.

The amplifier stage can deliver up to 400 mW into a 32 ohm headphone load, making it compatible with a wide range of headphones. Additionally, it effectively drives high-impedance headphones with an output voltage of 6.3V into 600 ohms from a balanced output.

Tailored for your headphones and earphones

The amplifier stage has a variable gain, called PowerMatch, to ensure optimal power for the headphones you are using.

The switch on the bottom includes iFi's iEMatch technology, optimizing output for high-sensitivity headphones, especially in-ear monitors (IEMs). Reduces hiss, improves detail and dynamic range, and improves volume control range.

XBass is a user-selectable feature that boosts bass without muddying the midrange, ideal for your headphones and open-back headphones. It works in the analog domain, avoiding modifications via DSP.

Play all your files, including MQA

High-resolution PCM and DXD audio data are supported at sampling rates up to 384 kHz, with DSD from 2.8 MHz to 12.4 MHz (DSD64, 128 and 256).

Full decoding of MQA – the high-resolution streaming technology used by Tidal's 'HiFi Plus' tier – is also supported, performing a full 'three-open' decoding process (as opposed to just the final MQA 'renderer').

On either side of the rotary volume control is a pair of LEDs that change color to indicate the format and sample rate of the incoming audio.

Connection

The hip-dac 3's USB-C input supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. Its asynchronous design ensures jitter-free data transfer. A separate USB-C charging port allows for use while charging, keeping the audio signal path clear.

The Hip-dac 3 has two outputs: a 3.5mm jack for single-ended headphones and a 4.4mm balanced output for those with a balanced connection, taking advantage of the device's differential amplifier design. The 3.5mm output uses iFi S-Balanced circuitry, minimizing crosstalk and distortion for single-ended connections.

The hip-dac 3 battery of 2200 mAh offers up to 12 hours of playback, depending on the volume and the need to power the headphones. Includes USB-C OTG cable and USB-A to USB-C cable.