iFi Audio - hip-dac2
Portable DAC & AmpUnfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔
While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend
Customer Reviews
I've always streamed music either via Bluetooth or casting to my speakers. It sounded good. But it always missed that zing that I was accustomed to listening to music from a CD or tap deck via an amp. It was quite by chance I was introduced to the concept of DACs while surfing through HZ site.
After much rummaging I decided on the Hip DAC2 and surely enough I wasn't disappointed.
Though connecting to an iphone or android device is a bit tricky and very, very annoying; it doesn't work out of the box. Please do enough research on how to configure and connect these devices to an Android or iPhone. But once you've figured out how to connect and play music it's simply superb listening to hi-res or simple lossless music from your mobile device.
It's been 2 days since i got this and I've blaring music on my external speakers non-stop. I charged the device twice already. The battery lasts long enough on a single charge.
The device is pretty tiny - size of your palm and very light weight. In comparison, the cables required to connect to it look and feel giant sized, cluttered and cumbersome. You need to be a giant with very large size pant pockets to fit it and have it connected to your earphones. Otherwise it's a good way to give rest to the mobile screen since the device needs to be physically connected while playing, I connect to external speakers.
A device like this is worth the buy, and with it's orangish colour it's even better. Feels nice to look at and even better when listening to hi-fi music.
Thanks a lot for your detailed and genuine feedback, we're glad that you have such positive thoughts about the product and we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well. It'll also help our fellow customers to make the right choice!
A wonderful DAC for portable use. The design is classic and everything feels like it is in the right place. I didnt expect this kind of performance coming out of such a compact device. It powers anything and everything fabulously. I will have a wonderful time when im travelling now.
Thank you Headphonezone for the super delivery this time around.
Hey Murali, thank you so much for the amazing feedback! It means a lot to us. We are so happy to hear that you are loving our products and services.
I was fan of Wolfson BB dac so let it try.
It warm sounding with no eq.to my ears.Not subscribed to hi resolution audio.So next review wil more indepth.
Thank you for the review! we appreciate it.
iFi Audio - hip-dac2
Hey there, thank you for your lovely ratings!
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iFi Audio - hip-dac2
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iFi Audio - hip-dac2
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iFi Audio - hip-dac2
Hey Om, thanks a lot for your lovely ratings!
Designed in the
UK
Ideal for Audiophiles
Best Suited for Portable Use
Battery Life
4.4mm Balanced
Output
DAC Chip
You may not even realise it, but most of us use a digital-to-analogue converter (commonly known as a DAC) daily. Built into your computers, tablets and smartphones, a DAC is fundamental to unlocking the convenience of digital music. Any device that acts as a digital sound source will need a DAC to convert digital audio to analog. A DAC converts the digital information stored in “0s and 1s” into an analog signal that's passed to speakers or headphones and ultimately our ear. In short, DACs play a large part in making digital music hearable.
While this technical process is undoubtedly impressive, the DAC embedded into your smartphones or laptops is nowhere good enough to listen to your favourite music recordings in high quality. So, if you want to listen to music in high quality, an external DAC is essential to allow headphones or speakers to perform at their potential. An external DAC, first and foremost, will improve audio quality dramatically.
Metal
Build
Pair with Laptop via USB
A majority of people use a laptop as the primary source device to listen to music or watch movies. Since the laptop is an essential part of the audio chain there are headphones and devices designed to work a laptop or computer system flawlessly. With the availability of USB connectivity, it becomes easier to pair various devices like an Amp, DAC or even headphones without worrying about drivers or any additional piece of software.
Connect With
USB 3.0
Upto 400mW @32 Ω
Power Output
Volume Controls
The Hip-Dac 2 is probably the best value DAC & Amp out there. It offers a beautiful warm sound, good battery life, and powerful amplification in a super cool design. The new Hip-Dac 2 is slim, so it’s a perfect companion for smartphone users. Use the 4.4mm balanced output, turn on the xBass, and you are in for a real treat.
About RAGHAV SOMANI
Raghav Somani is the Founder & CEO of Headphone Zone. An avid audiophile and musician since 2008, his choice of headphones include STAX Electrostats, Audeze LCD 3, and for music on the go, the JH Audio Roxanne + Astell&Kern SP1000 is never too far away. On his playlist, you'll find A.R. Rahman, Michael Jackson, and the Eagles.
DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW UPGRADED PORTABLE DAC/AMP
The team at iFi Audio have introduced the all-new upgraded Hip DAC 2. The device has been upgraded to give you an even more pleasurable portable audio experience. Now capable of MQA decoding with an upgraded GMT clock and an extruded aluminium enclosure with a vibrant 'sunset orange’ finish. Easily connect the device via a USB-C connection and replace inferior DAC and amp circuitry in smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs to offer rich and dynamic sound. You can stream your music across major websites including Spotify, Apple Music or Tidal.
EMBEDDED WITH THE LATEST COMPONENTS DELIVERING HI-RES AUDIO
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 houses a high-quality Burr-Brown MultiBit chip to give you pitch-perfect and certified hi-res sound. Hip DAC 2 also features a powerful 16-core XMOS chip to process data over the USB connection. With the Hip DAC 2, you now have full MQA decoding capability with 3X unfold to deliver the highest possible sound quality. These upgrades allow support for PCM & DXD up to 384kHz along with DSD256. 
BALANCED ANALOGUE CIRCUITRY WITH GMT CLOCK FOR JITTER-FREE AUDIO
The balanced circuit embedded in the iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 is designed to reduce external noise and for ultra-low distortion. Featuring outstanding components including iFi OV op-amp, TDK C0G capacitors and a high-quality rotary volume pot along with Pentaconn connectors. The master clock on the device has also been upgraded to house the new GMT clock which features upgraded global master timing clock circuitry to eradicate jitter and enhance sound quality. Regardless of the single-ended or the balanced headphones, you are assured to get superior performance, thanks to iFi's S-Balanced® circuit.
UNIQUE SONIC TAILORING WITH ANALOGUE BASS BOOST FEATURE
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 offers a unique solution to customising the sound to suit your liking. Hip DAC 2 features a unique sonic tailoring option to suit your headphones and personal sonic taste with an Analogue bass boost. It comes with xBass®—an optional sonic adjustment from iFi that makes up for the low bass which is encountered in in-ear or open-back headphones. With this enabled it enhances low frequencies without muddying the mid-range.
DUAL OUTPUT OPTIONS WITH AN 8-HOUR BATTERY LIFE
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 comes with a long-lasting battery life that powers the device for 8+ hours. Even if your headphone consumes a lot of power to run, the Hip DAC 2 runs smoothly while providing the required output power to the headphone. The Hip DAC 2 also comes equipped with two outputs to choose from - 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced analogue output and a 3.5mm S-Balanced analogue output, which cuts distortion by 50% for single-ended headphones. This implementation is thoughtful and allows you to use various headphones without worrying about connectors and plugs.
SPECS
| FORMAT SUPPORTED | DSD: DSD256/128/64, Quad/Double/Single-Speed DSD PCM: 384/352.8/192/176.4/ 96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz DXD: 384/352.8kHz MQA: 384/352.8kHz |
| DIGITAL INPUTS | USB 3.0 type 'A' (USB2.0 compatible) |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| HEADPHONE OUTPUTS | Balanced 4.4 mm S-Balanced(S-E) 3.5 mm |
| POWER OUTPUT | Balanced 400 mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω S-Balanced(S-E) 280 mW @ 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 |
| POWER (MAX) | <2W idle, 4W max |
| MICROPHONE PASS-THROUGH | Not supported |
| DIMENSIONS | 102 x 70 x 14 mm 4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6" |
| WEIGHT | 125 g (0.28 lbs) |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. iFi Audio hip-dac2 |
| 2. 1 x OTG Cable | |
| 3. 1 x USB 3.0 Cable | |
| 4. 1 X USB-A to USB-C Cable | |
| 5. 1 X User Manual | |
| 6. 1 X Instruction Manual |
User Manual | hip-dac2
Portable DAC & Amp
Tech Lowdown | hip-dac2
Portable USB DAC/Amp
Connection Guide | hip-dac2
Inputs & Outputs
|
FAQs
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW UPGRADED PORTABLE DAC/AMP
The team at iFi Audio have introduced the all-new upgraded Hip DAC 2. The device has been upgraded to give you an even more pleasurable portable audio experience. Now capable of MQA decoding with an upgraded GMT clock and an extruded aluminium enclosure with a vibrant 'sunset orange’ finish. Easily connect the device via a USB-C connection and replace inferior DAC and amp circuitry in smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs to offer rich and dynamic sound. You can stream your music across major websites including Spotify, Apple Music or Tidal.
EMBEDDED WITH THE LATEST COMPONENTS DELIVERING HI-RES AUDIO
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 houses a high-quality Burr-Brown MultiBit chip to give you pitch-perfect and certified hi-res sound. Hip DAC 2 also features a powerful 16-core XMOS chip to process data over the USB connection. With the Hip DAC 2, you now have full MQA decoding capability with 3X unfold to deliver the highest possible sound quality. These upgrades allow support for PCM & DXD up to 384kHz along with DSD256.
BALANCED ANALOGUE CIRCUITRY WITH GMT CLOCK FOR JITTER-FREE AUDIO
The balanced circuit embedded in the iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 is designed to reduce external noise and for ultra-low distortion. Featuring outstanding components including iFi OV op-amp, TDK C0G capacitors and a high-quality rotary volume pot along with Pentaconn connectors. The master clock on the device has also been upgraded to house the new GMT clock which features upgraded global master timing clock circuitry to eradicate jitter and enhance sound quality. Regardless of the single-ended or the balanced headphones, you are assured to get superior performance, thanks to iFi's S-Balanced® circuit.
UNIQUE SONIC TAILORING WITH ANALOGUE BASS BOOST FEATURE
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 offers a unique solution to customising the sound to suit your liking. Hip DAC 2 features a unique sonic tailoring option to suit your headphones and personal sonic taste with an Analogue bass boost. It comes with xBass®—an optional sonic adjustment from iFi that makes up for the low bass which is encountered in in-ear or open-back headphones. With this enabled it enhances low frequencies without muddying the mid-range.
DUAL OUTPUT OPTIONS WITH AN 8-HOUR BATTERY LIFE
The iFi Audio Hip DAC 2 comes with a long-lasting battery life that powers the device for 8+ hours. Even if your headphone consumes a lot of power to run, the Hip DAC 2 runs smoothly while providing the required output power to the headphone. The Hip DAC 2 also comes equipped with two outputs to choose from - 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced analogue output and a 3.5mm S-Balanced analogue output, which cuts distortion by 50% for single-ended headphones. This implementation is thoughtful and allows you to use various headphones without worrying about connectors and plugs.
| FORMAT SUPPORTED | DSD: DSD256/128/64, Quad/Double/Single-Speed DSD PCM: 384/352.8/192/176.4/ 96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz DXD: 384/352.8kHz MQA: 384/352.8kHz |
| DIGITAL INPUTS | USB 3.0 type 'A' (USB2.0 compatible) |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown |
| HEADPHONE OUTPUTS | Balanced 4.4 mm S-Balanced(S-E) 3.5 mm |
| POWER OUTPUT | Balanced 400 mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω S-Balanced(S-E) 280 mW @ 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 |
| POWER (MAX) | <2W idle, 4W max |
| MICROPHONE PASS-THROUGH | Not supported |
| DIMENSIONS | 102 x 70 x 14 mm 4.0" x 2.8" x 0.6" |
| WEIGHT | 125 g (0.28 lbs) |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. iFi Audio hip-dac2 |
| 2. 1 x OTG Cable | |
| 3. 1 x USB 3.0 Cable | |
| 4. 1 X USB-A to USB-C Cable | |
| 5. 1 X User Manual | |
| 6. 1 X Instruction Manual |
|
User Manual | hip-dac2
Portable DAC & Amp
Tech Lowdown | hip-dac2
Portable USB DAC/Amp
Connection Guide | hip-dac2
Inputs & Outputs
|
Don't sweat it, this
iFi Audio - hip-dac2 comes with a 1 Year warranty
from iFi Audio that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about iFi Audio's warranty in India.
"Now the colour of a single malt Scotch and boasting a sound just as flavoursome. iFi hip-dac 2 presents a neat gateway to fully enjoy Apple Music's new Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless tiers, too."
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"The hip-dac 2 now has an anodized aluminum enclosure in a stunning Sunset Orange finish. the hip-dac 2 ideal for anyone who subscribes to TIDAL’s Masters tier, which uses the MQA codec for hi-res music."
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