iFi audio has launched a limited edition of its hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition portable DAC and headphone amplifier. Since its introduction in 2019, the hip-dac series has gained significant popularity, earning accolades for its portability, high-resolution capabilities, design, sound quality, and cost-effectiveness.
The latest iteration of the device, the iFi Hip-Dac 3, is presented in a sleek matte black casing with coordinated hardware. It boasts enhancements that cater to audio and technology enthusiasts seeking to elevate their sound experience during commutes, travel, or daily activities, offering up to 12 hours of playback time.
Additionally, the exclusive iFi Hip-Dac 3 Stealth Edition features a striking Stealth Black color scheme and incorporates upgraded components for a quieter power supply. It retains the previously established True Balanced circuit design, introduces new capacitors for enhanced frequency response, and includes an updated GMT clock circuit with a new oscillator to minimize phase noise.
The iFi hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition maintains all the exceptional features and characteristics of its award-winning predecessor, including the reliable Burr Brown DAC chip that ensures a natural musical experience and True Native architecture. The updated circuitry enables DSD and PCM audio data to remain “bit perfect” throughout the entire digital pathway. Additionally, this portable DAC supports PCM digital stream decoding at a sampling frequency of 384 kHz, DSD up to DSD256, and full MQA decoding.
Measuring 102 x 70 x 14 mm and weighing 135 g, this compact device offers ten times the power of a typical laptop or smartphone, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your favorite music without unwanted noise or interference. The PowerMatch switch allows you to adjust the gain of the hip-dac 3 Stealth to suit headphones with varying resistance and sensitivity levels. Furthermore, the XBass system enhances bass response, which can be particularly beneficial when using open-back headphones.
The Stealth Edition of the hip-dac 3 DAC, similar to its basic version, is equipped with two USB-C ports. This design allows one port to be utilized for audio input while the other can be used for charging purposes if necessary. In terms of headphone connectivity, it offers both an unbalanced output via a 3.5 mm mini-jack and a balanced 4.4 mm port.
When using a balanced connection, the iFi hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition delivers an output power of 400 mW for headphones with a nominal impedance of 32 ohms, reaching 6.3 V at 600 ohms. In contrast, the unbalanced connection provides 280 mW at 32 ohms and 3.2 V at 600 ohms.
The iFi hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition portable DAC and headphone amplifier is now on the market, with a recommended retail price of $199.
