iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Amp Reviews Compendium

Compendium updated February 25th, 2021.

After a long winter of indoors listening, there's nothing like taking your rig on the road, to a park, or on a walk around the neighborhood. With its plug-and-playability, robust battery, MQA, and balanced out, the iFi Hip DAC checks all the boxes and then some.

We’ve compiled reviews from across the web for your reference. What you’ll find here are the TLDR versions of the full reviews (which you can access with the provided links). We’ll continue updating this compendium as reviews come in.

From Wirecutter's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on January 1st, 2021:

“The iFi Hip-dac is our pick for use with mobile devices because it can power headphones without draining your portable’s battery, and it’s around half the price of most similarly equipped devices. The Hip-dac can power even the most difficult-to-drive headphones to ample loudness levels, and while it won’t make bad headphones sound good, careful listeners may notice a slight increase in detail and sense of space when used with tougher-to-drive headphones. The battery life is rated for around eight to 12 hours of use. However, because it’s the size of a smartphone, it’s not as easy to leave permanently plugged into a computer as the tiny DragonFly Red—but it is small enough to pop in the front pocket of a messenger bag to take on the go. iPhone users will need to purchase an adapter cable, as will folks with a phone that uses Micro-USB, but there is a USB-A–to–USB-C cable included for Android users.”

From TechRadar's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on August 20th, 2020:

“The iFi hip-dac is a great choice if you’re looking for a portable DAC that looks as good as it will make your music sound. With plenty of connectivity options and codecs supported, it’ll make the best headphones sound even better, thanks to ‘bit-perfect’ digital-to-analogue conversion and a nifty bass-boosting button. It’s a shame that it doesn’t also have Bluetooth support and that Apple users need to buy an additional cable to use it, but overall, the hip-dac is a fantastic piece of audio kit.”

From WhatHiFi's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on June 22nd, 2020:

“If you’re looking for a high quality portable DAC, this iFi is well worth a place on the shortlist. The hip-dac’s combination of baattery power, fine build and easy-going sound quality makes it one of the front-runners at this level.”

From TechHive's Review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on March 27th, 2020:

“The iFi hip-dac offers a superb alternative to the built-in DAC/amp found in any common digital-audio source device. Its sound is super clean, open, and liquid smooth, and it’s compatible with a wide variety of digital-audio formats up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM and 12.3MHz DSD as well as MQA. Also, it’s built like a tank with premium, pro-quality components throughout.

“With most audio products, a feature called something like XBass means boomy, ugly bass, but not with the hip-dac. Its XBass boosts the low frequencies in a way that still integrates well with the rest of the mix. I imagine it would work exceedingly well with bass-deficient open-back headphones. And the PowerMatch function adds 6dB of clean gain, which should be a welcome feature for inefficient, power-hungry cans. Finally, a fully balanced output should provide even better sound quality with headphones that have balanced wiring to their voice coils.

“I have only a couple of minor quibbles. I wish the format-indicator LEDs made it clear that PCM data was true high-res audio (88.2kHz or higher). And even though the hip-dac is relatively small and lightweight, it’s a bit awkward to physically manage it and a smartphone together. Also, because the volume/power knob sticks out, it could get banged fairly easily. I would love to see some sort of case that holds a phone and the hip-dac in a unified package and protects the volume/power knob.

“Amazingly, the hip-dac costs a mere $149. I have no idea how iFi trickled that much quality into such an inexpensive package, but I sure am glad it did. If you want the best possible sound quality from your smartphone or other digital-audio source device, the iFi hip-dac is a no-brainer.”

From Headfonia's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on July 30th, 2020:

“The iFi hip-dac has only one goal; improving your sound quality compared to the direct outputs of laptops and smartphones. After the time I’ve had with this device, I can smoothly say that it reaches that goal perfectly. The previous similar device from iFi, the xDSD, doesn’t sound this natural and easy-going to me. Instead, it is bright and somewhat “digital” sounding. Sure, it has Bluetooth, a 3D effect switch and other extras but do you really need them? Well, I don’t.

“So for just $149, you get a very natural, uncolored, and slightly warm sound with forward mids. Technicalities-wise the device is excellent with great resolution, transparency, and separation. The outer design is better and more refined compared to the previous generation as well.

“The hip-dac enters our DAC/Amp Combo Recommendations and I think it’ll stay there for quite some time.”

From Headfonics' review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on May 6th, 2020:

“The hip-dac is the perfect solution for those who have Android phones or iPhones, tablets, laptops, or a home PC and hate the inferior sound quality of these devices.”

From Positive Feedback's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on November 10th, 2020:

“The iFi hip-dac ($149.99) is, indeed, a smooth, musical operator and though not the last word in transparency, it will not embarrass itself in any genre or over any piece of music and that is, indeed saying a lot! And at its price point the iFi hip-dac represents a rather amazing opportunity for those exploring better sound from smartphone and computer alike. Further, the hip-dac will decode MQA, DSD, DXD, and other high resolution files and that ability, at its price point, I'm afraid, is as rare as raptor's teeth. Bonus!

“Should you have bass light IEMs/headphones, be on a rather tight budget, and consider yourself a "music lover" of the first degree, then the iFi hip-dac deserves very strong consideration. And, at the very least, it deserves to be on the short list of music lovers the world over. The only "Con" that we were able to uncover, across our listening sessions was the purported battery time versus the actual battery time, which fell quite short. Other than that, highly recommend!”

From Headphone Dungeon's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on February 8th, 2020:

“Pros: great sound, attractive looks, portable design

“Cons: separate charging and input ports, audible hiss on sensitive IEMs”

“Of course, I can’t say how the ifi hip-dac performs “objectively” – we’ll simply have to wait for the numbers on that front – but, based purely off my listening impressions, the hip-dac is a thing to behold at $150. With a portable form factor, a sturdy build, a very smooth sound, and the ability to power all but the highest-impedance of headphones, it’s my pleasure to highly recommend the hip-dac.”

From HiFi Trends' review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on February 18th, 2020:

“The hip-dac is iFi smallest DAC/Amp to date, and it’s also their cheapest to date with the array of features the hip-dac has. I love its ability to drive full-size headphones with enthusiasm, and I‌ also love the crisp, wide-open, transparent sound. If you’re looking for a lightweight DAC/Amp to improve the audio from your laptop or smartphone, this is a no-brainer. Especially if you already love the iFi sound signature.

“Perfect for the desk at work, or your local coffee shop. Highly Recommended!”

From Soundphile's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on February 15th, 2020:

“Please, iFi, stop making wonderful products, I’m tired of giving you very high marks! On a more serious note, the iFi hip dac offers extremely high value. It’s almost an audio miracle as it is so small and yet it packs such a large output power with a few additional features on top of it. It’s small, portable, powerful, well-built. And it’s amazing how iFi managed to offer it for just $149. What else could one want?”

From Major HiFi's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on February 12th, 2020:

“The hip-dac proves the importance of pairing the right headphone with the right DAC. Some synergies just don’t work, even if the DAC is high quality. If you’re trying to pair an already warm sounding IEM with a new DAC, you may want to keep looking. Unless you like it Florida warm. But if you’re planning on pairing the hip-dac with a headphone that has a leaner sound signature, like the two examples provided above, the result is impressive. The MQA support is also a huge plus for Tidal streamers. In fact, I know of only a handful of other tiny DACs that can unfold this format, and the ones that do usually don’t have the same power capabilities. So, I have to admit, for 150 bucks, the iFi hip-dac is a pretty solid deal.”

From Home Theater and High Fidelity's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on April 30th, 2020:

“During CanJam, I had the pleasure of meeting iFi USA representative Jared Orgeron and sharing with him my thoughts on his company’s new product. It was here that I was given insight into the target audience of the hip-dac: it was designed with the hopes that younger or more casual listeners will be able to taste a higher order of fidelity in listening for a fraction of the cost, and will thus be encouraged to embrace the HiFi hobby. I can safely say that iFi has succeeded in making an affordable and convenient way to enhance common listening habits. For someone interested in high fidelity audio, but who doesn’t want to foot a large bill for all the necessary apparatuses, the hip-dac is an affordable and exceptional sounding choice to get you on your way.”

From Audio Reviews' review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on July 20th, 2020:

“The ifi hip dac is a zippy, slightly warm sounding amp that connects to your portable devices and computers alike (but I see it more on the on-the-go side). It is reasonably small, looks and feels attractive, and it sounds great with low- to high-impedances headphones, too. Also, the price is right. Bingo!”

From Bloom Audio's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on October 6th, 2020:

“The iFi hip-dac is the DAC/amp combo to beat under $200 and a strong contender in the under $500 range. It is a powerful capable unit, with a musical, engaging sound signature, and even at twice the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find a unit that delivers that same amount of power in a package this small.”

From Audiophile Heaven's review of the iFi Hip-DAC Portable DAC/Headphone Amp , first published on January 29th, 2021:

“The value of the Hip DAC is pretty good, and that’s a huge deal for it. If you have just 150 USD, and want a smoother, warmer DAC that’s still fairly forward, it is a great one to get, with good features, MQA support, and even a Balanced output.”

“The build is excellent, and the only thing that holds it back a bit is the battery life, which is not great, at five to seven hours being good only for one day of usage. You also need to charge it for two hours to fill its resources, but you can use it while charging, which evens things a bit.

“The sound is forward, a bit thick, smooth, and pretty dynamic. With a good amount of punch, and a fairly vivid presentation, it is a great pair for brighter and grainy IEMs / Headphones.”

Editor’s note: Emphases ours.