iFi hip-dac3 - Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp - True Balanced Circuit, 400mW Output, Dual USB-C, PCM 384kHz/DSD256/MQA Decoding, XBass Analog Enhancement, PowerMatch, iEMatch & up to 12hrs Playtime

TLDR Review: iFi hip-dac3

Published: October 3rd, 2024

Verdict

The iFi hip-dac3 is a solid choice for those seeking high-quality audio on the go with excellent sound enhancement features. Its build quality and balanced circuit make it a fantastic addition for audiophiles. However, some users have reported minor issues such as charging time and intermittent noise. If you're looking for an excellent listening experience, the hip-dac3 is worth considering, but beware of these noted issues.

Top pro:
Great build quality.
Top con:
Intermittent white noise reported by some users.
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Score

The iFi Hip Dac 3 receives a high score for its impressive sound quality, robust build, and useful features like dual USB-C ports and bass enhancement. While many users praise its performance and design, some report issues with connectivity and reliability, particularly with certain devices. Overall, it’s a premium portable DAC/amp that offers significant value given its capabilities, though potential buyers should be aware of reported inconsistencies.

9.5/10
Expert
6.7/10
Consumer

Scores

design
10
usability_and_setup
10
value
10

Pros

  • •Great build quality.
  • •Perfect sound quality for audiophiles seeking high-resolution audio.
  • •Fantastic upgrade to the listening experience with features like True Balanced Circuit and XBass Analog Enhancement.

Cons

  • •Intermittent white noise reported by some users.
  • •Charging takes a long time, with the battery potentially lasting up to 12 hours.
  • •Volume control is easy to tweak accidentally.
  • •A few users reportedly experienced breakage after just one day of use.

Product Score

Calculated by ShopSavvy from the professional reviews and customer ratings we collected for this product.

8.1/10
Overall
9.5
Expert
6.7
Consumer

Why this score?

The iFi Hip Dac 3 receives a high score for its impressive sound quality, robust build, and useful features like dual USB-C ports and bass enhancement. While many users praise its performance and design, some report issues with connectivity and reliability, particularly with certain devices. Overall, it’s a premium portable DAC/amp that offers significant value given its capabilities, though potential buyers should be aware of reported inconsistencies.

8+ Excellent
6-8 Good
4-6 Average
<4 Poor
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How we researched this

About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from 1 retailer in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen Oct 23, 2024.

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