iFi hip-dac2 review
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- #ifi #hipdac2 #review
Welcome to my review of the ifi hip-dac2.
comparison vs original hip-dac & go blu & other DACs
sound quality verdict
lots more
More info on Amazon and ifi audio - www.amazon.co.... and ifi-audio.com/...
Hey Gavin
Had the go blu now a few weeks, been amazing little unit when paired with my sennheiser drop hd6xx, highly recommend and bluetooth is solid, xspace is great, cheers, keep up the great reviews, Dave
Nicely Done.
I liked how you explained which type of iem/headphone should use which output & the brief comparison to the goblu.
I noticed you didn't talk about is this a worth while upgrade if you already have the original, :)
Thanks
If you have the original , it does sound better but I wouldn’t buy this as an upgrade. I would save up for something more expensive to make it a better upgrade. 😀
Using the hip dac 2 with hifiman sundara. Connected to a Pioneer XDP-30r dap as a transport. Finally I am using the ifi 3.0 otg cable. Absolutely Love this set up. Oh yeah. I am using the x bass on which clearly helps the bass roll off on the Sundara.
👍
I'm planning on using my hip dac 2 with the hifiman edition xs headphones.
Will the hip dac be sufficient? Using the 4.4. Balanced?
Should be fine
Hi! I saw your other video about Hip Dac and that you've used it with HD599. I own HD595 since 2007 which is it's predecessor and somehow similar to my knowledge. I wasn't using AMP until recently when I bought BTR5 (which bricked after 2 weeks and I'm waiting for replacement). It did expand soundstage and clarity, but difference wasn't that big. I wonder if HD595 would benefit more from using Hip Dac v2? Also, do you think that balanced cable changes much for these sennheisers? For HD595 I would probably need to do recabling as it is fixed. Thanks!
The hip dac will work well with your Sennheiser headphones and using the balanced output will improve dynamics even more.
Thank you for your response@@GavinsGadgets. I suppose I will try on this Dac as it may be good for future headphones as well. Do you think paying an extra for re-cabling these from stock cable (which is lenghty 3m with 6,3mm to 3,5mm adapter) to balanced is worth around (equivalent) 50USD for the gain? Or the change will not be that much and it would be better to keep them as they are and start saving money for better headphones?
I also found this thorough test of my HD595 with comparison to other senns, like HD600, 599, 560s and it seems like they are closest to HD600 in comparison (for my understanding of this test)
It's worth the cable
@@GavinsGadgets
I'm planning on using the hip dac 2. With my new hifiman edition xs headphones, I assume that the hip dac will be sufficient to drive these power hungry headphones. Would you think so?
I’ve just got a pair of the ATH-R70x and was considering the Hip DAC v2 so perfect timing for this review! 😀 Where did you get the balanced cable for the Audio Technica’s?
I got a friend to make it for me as a favour. Glad you got the R70x 😀
Great review!!! Thinking of getting one of these for the HD600s. Do you think its a good combination? Thanks!
Thanks Dante. Make sure to connect the HD600 using the 4.4mm balanced
Hi Gavin. Great video. I already have the Original Hipdac and am considering upgrading to the 2. Do you have any opinions on using this with the Sennheiser Momentum’s? Thanks
Dave
Assume you’re using the wired Momentum version? If so your current hip DAC will be fine.
@@GavinsGadgets yes that’s right. I’ll stick with the one I have….. for now 😉thanks 👍🏻
Thanks for the review. I suggest that you review Denafrips' DAC's. Their lowest cost DAC is the Ares II ($800). Thanks!
Thanks for your feedback and suggestion. 👍
Thanks for the review.
If hip DAC 2 vs fiio q3? What's your thoughts?
Hip dac2 would be my preference
@@GavinsGadgets Came here for the same question/answer! Any specific reasons you prefer the HD2 over the Q3?
Sounds better. IMO
@@GavinsGadgets Thank you! Looks like I'll pick up the upgraded version then. Cheers!
Hi :) in my experience even the battery powered dac/amps sound defferent on the phone vs PC (mainly soundstage). Did u notice any difference in the case of the hipdac v2?
No I didn’t. I suppose it does depend on how good the PC Bluetooth is, which might be why you’ve experienced this.
@@GavinsGadgets like i mean through my laptop usb connected it is always better (dongle dacs and battery powered amps sound different/better in the soundstage and instr. placement, wired of course not bluetooth, does the hipdac v2 even support bluetooth?). I use the lg g7 as my phone... I think it has to do something with the better power from the laptop
Nice video. Can you let me know if I can use the hipdac 2 as just a dac and pair it with another amp ?
You could connect the headphone jack to another amp with a cable , but it's not digital out.
Hi Gavin, great review! At the moment I'm using my Akg k712 pro with a Marantz PM6006 amp and I'm enjoying the result. Do you think that this ifi will be an upgrade on quality sound? I'm using the akg mainly at home, thank you!
Hi Matteo. Thank you 👍. , I'm not familiar with the Marantz. So I don't know the honest answer.
Hi Gavin - I am looking at both the hip dac 2 and the THX-Onyx. Do you have a recommendation on which? my headphones/iem's are: ath-m40x, hd6xx, dt 770 80 ohm, sennheiser ie 300, moondrop aria. Looking forward to your comments
The hip DAC would make more sense.
I have been watching this channel for quite some time now. One thing that I find pretty odd is that the channel is mostly aimed towards audiophiles, though the audio quality on the videos themselves is highly alternating. In this video for instance the unboxing part is recorded extremely well while the shots on person are of less quality with swooshing noise. Also the audio quality from video to video changes as well. Personally I´d prefer a video with one level of consistant recording quality like back in the days on the "Audio Technica ATH-DSR9BT" video. To be honest in most cases I don´t even watch the videos but just listen to them.
Still love the content.
Thanks for your feedback. The irony is the main part where I am on camera is with a much better mic and camera. I'll see if I can remove the noise floor some moor. The close up is actually done on my iPhone 13 Pro! The Sony camera is a new addition. I’ll report back as soon as I’ve found a solution.
Since your feedback I’ve been experimenting with the audio quality with the expensive mic & camera, and I’ve now solved the issue. Going forward the audio should be leap years better. Thanks again & for your feedback, Gavin 👍
Hi, great rundown. I find it odd the power on this is more than the Zen DAC... How does this compare to it's larger brother?
Edit: Sorry, you gave the answer towards the end. What runs better without power?
I would give the edge without power to the hipdac2.
@@GavinsGadgets thanks for the help. I just got the ifi Zen in today...I'll get the hip DAC and compare, Amazon will be happy lol
Have you had experience with the schiit stack?
No as it’s not a brand readily available in the UK atm
@@GavinsGadgets one last question...would I be able to pair the hip DAC with the Zen can in the future?
Yes.
Hi Gavin, great review! I just bought a pair of Sundara’s, how well did it drive your pair? Many thanks Chris
Hi Chris. Fine , I did use them in balanced.
How does it compare to the Chord Mojo 2?
can i use it on my logitech power speakers
nice review...how it stands against Mojo, as mojo has more output power than this?
The Mojo is a good piece of kit but it's odd shaped and bulky. I would lean towards this as I prefer it's sound. Plus the analogue bass boost is great.
Which one would you recommend for M50xbt2, but in wired mode. I have iOS. I have been really looking into both Dacs & really liked the go blu, but what would your recommendation be? & also a good 3.5 mm replacement audio cable for the m50x.
Either will work well. Different size and concepts so pick the one that works best for your uses. Not sure on a cable.
@@GavinsGadgets thank you very much for your input.
I listened to Apple music (right now only AAC format in my country) on a iPad with Diana astell &Kern earphones; I would like to know if the hip dac will improve the sound a lot better.
Hi Patrick, I assume your iPad has a headphone jack? Or do you have a newer iPad with USB C and use an adapter? The hip dac will help with dynamics. What would use class as a lot better?
portability is not an issue for me. comparing this hip dac 2 with ifi go bar (non gold bar), which has better sound quality?
Go Bar imo
@@GavinsGadgets thanks for your reply!
How would you compare the hip DAC version 2 to the graph on sonically excluding the features such as Bluetooth. I'm interested in a wired comparison
Hi John. I answered that in the video....
how go blu and hip dac 2 compare in terms of background noise on both 3.5 and 4.4mm jack?
Depends on sensitivity of your headphones. None of mine have any issues including my IEMs but some sensitive IEMs on the 4.4 might have some background noise. I don't find any on the 3.5. Go blu has less
Thank you. Great review🎉
You're welcome 👍
How’s this Hip DAC v2 compared to v1 sound and battery wise? Better or worse?
Did I not cover those off in the video?
@@GavinsGadgets My bad, my ADHD must've kicked in. LOL
Great video Gavin I have a iPhone 13 pro max and I am thinking of getting the Sony overhead headphone the 1000M4 s what would be the best dac for this set up in your opinion
Thanks James. I wouldn’t get a DAC for these headphones as they are meant to be used wirelessly. The hip DAC is for wired headphones. If you did want to power the Sony wired then something like this would be ideal.
My X3 sounds amazing wired on Tidal with the iFi Nano iDSD so this new hip-dac must sound better already!
Thanks for your feedback
@@GavinsGadgets I think I want to run them wired for High res as I don’t think on IOS over Bluetooth there is a limit on quality ?
iOS over Bluetooth is AAC. Wired it is possible to go higher but you’ll need the apple USB adapter. Personally I wouldn’t bother using the Sony in wired mode. Everything about them is setup for wireless.
Gavin, what about low impedence full size planars so 8 and 16 ohm impedence, does it have enough current or is it really only for normal to high impedence headphones?
It has the Power Match button which you would need to use. It should have enough power and also volts.
@@GavinsGadgets that is basically a gain though isn’t it or does it really impedance match below 50 ohms when on. On the previous device you used IEM Match and turbo mode for those class of planars , guess someone will just have to try it
It’s a bit more than gain. Let me know how you get on if you can…
@@GavinsGadgets I have the V1 of this which I use when just relaxing downstairs, I haven’t any sub 20 ohm impedence headphones at moment but just about to try a pair so I’ll get back on this. With the V1 I have yet to resort to my 1W 9v +- Bluetooth and amp (no dac) as the hipdac just drives things it shouldn’t really. I am unsure wether to go for the V2 or I am v interested in the Gryphon just waiting to see some trusted reviews (hint)
I do have a problem though, like Z I am addicted to the xbass on the ifi devices, he wasent shilling that one it’s incredible with planars and dynamics and the xbass ii with the mid range boost option, oh dear
hip-dac2 vs creative sound blasterx g6, which sounds better?
I’ve not heard the creative g6
Great review, thank you for your insight.
Thanks Ray, glad it was helpful!
should I get this or something like an m11 plus or fiio m11 ,based on sound quality
That's up to you. Different types of devices.
Stupid question, can I hook this into my Mac book and then use my wireless Bluetooth headphones?
Not the hip dac. The hip dac will connect via a cable to your macbook. Then you connect wired headphones to the hip dac
@@GavinsGadgets I thought as much, guess I need new headphones
Thanks for the reply
No problem 👍
So could this be a nice portable amp/dac for V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master?
Sure could be
hello i have ordered this today little bit pricey for $189 i hope it will be good. I am using beyerdynamics 32 Ohm headphones, greetings my broder
Good choice 👍
Which firmware is better,.GTO or non-GTO?
Try and see which you prefer.
How's it compare to the older iDSD BL? And....and....and... xDSD Gryphon when you get it for review!
Hi Shawn, is that compared to the iFi micro iDSD BL or nano iDSD BL? I should have the Gryphon in a week or so. Really looking forward to that one!
Yeah i wonder compare to Nano iDSD BL too . Tks you.
@@GavinsGadgets the Micro iDSD BL
Comparing the micro iDSD BL at £600 to a £189 device is not really a fair one. The micro iDSD BL is a better piece of kit. However, the hip dac2 does offer great value for money. The law of diminishing returns always kick in.
Versus the Nano, I would give the edge on sound quality to the hip dac2.
John Warren
6:06 PM (19 minutes ago)
I'm talking about the hip DAC version 2 compared to the XDSD graphon, which is not compared in the video
It is in my Gryphon video ... The Gryphon is much better
Tks you :))). Very detail.
You’re welcome 😀
Hip dac2 vs chord mojo?
Hip DAC 2. Also chord mojo has a new version coming out end Jan, but it will be very very expensive.
@@GavinsGadgets many thanks!
👍
Go blu vs Lotoo PAW s2 vs Hidizs S9 Pro ?
I haven't heard the Lotoo. Go Blu on the other two.
I like your video very nice my frind, thank you
Thank you! Cheers!
This or IFI Audio Xdsd
This is great value. There’s a new idsd coming out end of this month , the idsd gryphon which is meant to be better.
@@GavinsGadgets thanks sir.
Is there a difference in sound signature of hip dac 2 vs zen dac v2 ? Thanks
Yes but also similar too. Basically it’s more about usage differences.
hi me again I have bought this hip dac 2 now but now I have the problem that i want to use the balanced 4.4mm input but my headphones beyerdynamics are only 3.5mm jack. And i can not find a actual 4.4mm balanced male to 3.5mm balanced female cable. what should i do now can you maybe help, thanks
I would look on eBay or Aliexpress. Some Beyers are not able to have 4.4mm balanced btw without internal cable mods. If you wanted to use the 4.4mm on the hip dac, ifi sell this ifi-audio.com/products/headphone-adapter-3-5mm-to-4-4mm/
Its not true balanced adapter, but it should enable you to get the extra power benefit.
@@GavinsGadgets thank you so much for the link that is the thing I was looking for. I am noob and maybe you can tell me if it will work with my headphones if you know. I have Beyerdynamics DT770 PRO 32 OHM. or do you think I dont need it? The only thing why I was looking for this is because people say that the 4.4mm on the hip dac sounds better than the 3.5mm and has less background noise? but I drust you the most because you are a Proffesional. Thanks for your time and help I appreciate it
I dont know if your headphones can be truly run with balsnced cables. Worth googling. However, that adapter should allow you to use the balanced socket on the hip dac.
@@GavinsGadgets ok I understand thank you!