Copyright iFi Audio Balanced Amplifier Topologyĭual mono and dual Direct-coupled outputs are in a nutshell what iFi means by balanced amp topology. Proprietary High performance, low noise quad J-FET OV4627A OP amplifiers form part of the output circuitry. When a company goes as far as making its own electronic components you know they are serious about their products. There is a document on this and other subjects on iFi’s website on how it really works. The advantage from what I understand of this system is that it could take a square sine wave and turn it back to a perfect waveform while at the same time removing Jitter. In a nutshell, it takes the internal clocks and synchronizes them to GMT or global master timing. This is similar to what is in iFi’s own SPDIF iPurifier but it is a different version that is inside the hip-dac.
Once again, this chip runs iFi’s own custom Star Clocking firmware which is also used in their micro iDSD. This XMOS chip handles high bit rates of up to 384k/ bit and 11.2 MHz single bit on DSD. Running next to the Burr-Brown is an 8 core XMOS 500MIPS XMOS1 transputer derived main processor with version 4 AMR XMOS implementation. It can operate in either Multibit for better dynamics and slam or in Delta Sigma for lower linearity. This chip uses two signal pathways for PCM or DSD separately in what iFi calls a best of both worlds’ scenario. DSD 256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single Speed DSD.Here is a list of the many formats supported. I had no issues with any of the many formats of digital music I threw at it. The Burr-Brown DSD1793 true native DSD chip brings to the hip-dac native support for up to DSD 256 / DXD 384 / PCM 384k and handles TIDAL’s Master Tier Master Quality Authenticated Audio MQA playback as well. It is a Texas Instruments Burr-Brown DSD1793 stereo audio D/A converter chip with a custom firmware developed by iFi. Copyright iFi Audio Tech Inside Burr-Brown D/A ConverterĪt the heart of the hip-dac, iFi decided to use the same Burr-Brown chip they used on their more expensive micro iDSD Black Label model. The cost of the hip-dac is $149 at the time of writing this article.
It is a pocket-size portable with many features and lots of technology inside so let us quickly dive in. iFi claims the hip-dac is the smallest balanced dac amp around and I think it is as well. It measures 10.2 x7 x 1.4cm, weighs 125 grams and it resembles a small hip flask, hence the name hip-dac. The hip-dac has lots of technology that is borrowed from iFi’s more expensive units but at a lower price and in a smaller form factor.
It is a small, portable battery-powered USB Dac and headphone Amp combo that works with OTG compatible Android phones, Apple products, laptops, and even on a home PC. The hip-dac is one of iFi’s latest offerings. Since 2012 iFi has been making excellent award-winning audio gear.