90%
ifi Audio Hip-Dac 3
Just the tonic for headphone fans.
The hip-dac 3 advances the hip-dac series’ iconic design with iEMatch for sensitive IEMs, enhanced circuitry for cleaner sound, and modern USB-C connectivity – delivering the perfect blend of portability and performance.
Note: The black variant is available in selected countries. If unavailable, contact your region's distributor for further information on availability.
hip-dac 3 Hi-Res Starter Kit
We’ve created the perfect bundle for Hi-Res newcomers who want a complete portable system to begin their journey, with the iconic design and features of the award-winning hip-dac range at its heart.
Our Hi-Res Starter Kit pairs the hip-dac 3 with the impressive AIRO Astra IEMs. With titanium-plated dynamic drivers for a smooth, natural sound, and an ergonomic shell design for maximum comfort, the AIRO Astra IEMs offer premium performance at a highly affordable price, and are enhanced even further by the hip-dac 3’s built-in iEMatch switch.
Titanium shadow. Trendsetting innovations.
Inside, the device boasts circuit enhancements, including new metal film capacitors for a better frequency response. Additionally, an updated version of iFi’s GMT circuitry, coupled with a new crystal oscillator, further reduces phase noise, delivering a purer sound to you.
Hip flask size. Magnum performance.
The hip-dac 3 combines sleek aluminium design with powerful audio performance, the portable hip-dac 3 discreetly fits in a pocket or bag, replacing subpar DACs and amplifiers in mobile and desktop devices. With a 16-core XMOS chip expertly paired with the Burr-Brown DAC, it delivers rich, dynamic, and high-resolution sound for your favorite headphones.
hip-dac 3 your power-hungry headphone.
The hip-dac 3 features a true balanced circuit design, reducing distortion for purer, more captivating sound. With high-quality components, including a custom iFi OV op-amp and Texas Instruments power IC, it delivers up to 400mW into 32-ohm headphones and 6.3V for high-impedance headphones from the balanced output.
Get connected.
The hip-dac 3 supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio via its USB-C input, with an asynchronous design for jitter-free data transfer. It offers a 3.5mm single-ended output with S-Balanced circuitry and a 4.4mm balanced output, along with a 2,200mAh battery providing up to 12 hours of playtime.
Tailored for your headphones and earphones
The hip-dac 3 features PowerMatch, a switchable gain to tailor power for your headphones, and iEMatch technology to optimize output for high-sensitivity IEMs, reducing hiss and enhancing detail. Its XBass feature boosts bass in the analogue domain, ensuring clean, dynamic audio for earphones and open-back headphones.
12 hours of playtime
Play all your files, including MQA
Hi-res PCM and DXD audio data is supported at sample rates up to 384kHz, alongside DSD from 2.8MHz to 11.3MHz (DSD64, 128 and 256).
Full decoding of MQA – the hi-res streaming technology, as used by Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier – is also supported, performing the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process (as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’).
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 90/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
89/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Hip-Dac 3 brings smooth, well-balanced sound to mobile listening, pairing lively dynamics with expressive instrumental texture and a refined, fatigue-free edge. What Hi-Fi? highlights its engaging musicality, while the 400mW balanced output, PowerMatch and XBass make this portable DAC/amp a flexible partner for IEMs and full-size headphones. USB-C connectivity, robust aluminium construction and wide hi-res support complete an exceptionally polished travel companion.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Smooth, balanced yet lively presentation with strong instrumental timbre, texture and dynamic expression.
Versatile headphone support via 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, PowerMatch gain and substantial balanced output power.
Refined, durable aluminium chassis withstands regular portable use well.
&
Cons
Larger than dongle-style rivals, so it is less convenient for the most minimalist portable setups.
Treble can sound softened with already warm or dark headphones, reducing sparkle and air.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
Reviewers consistently describe a clean, detailed and engaging portable presentation, with particularly strong praise for instrumental texture, punch and musical timing. Its voicing is generally smooth and natural rather than aggressively analytical, though some listeners note a slightly softened top end and leaner, drier bass than fuller-sounding alternatives.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
What Hi-Fi praises the DAC’s ability to reveal instrumental timbres and textural detail, while Tharbamar calls the presentation clean, precise, transparent and well resolved. Prime Audio Reviews likewise finds resolution fantastic, with clear midrange texture and a composed overall presentation.
Tonal Balance Musicality
89/100
What Hi-Fi finds the sound smooth, well balanced, lively and energetic without becoming unruly, and Prime Audio Reviews hears a natural, uncoloured midrange with lifelike timbre. Audiophile Heaven hears a slightly warm, intimate and very forgiving character, but also notes that the treble can roll off enough to reduce sparkle with already dark headphones; StereoNET similarly found the bass somewhat dry.
Dynamics
90/100
What Hi-Fi reports strong kick, pep and convincing dynamic swings, while StereoNET describes taut grip, visceral impact and unexpectedly clean loud playback. Other reviewers also call it punchy and dynamic for a portable unit, with enough output to make a meaningful improvement over phone or laptop headphone sockets.
Noise Floor
88/100
The Stealth Edition’s revised power supply and clocking are intended to reduce interference, and reviewers describe the resulting sound as clean and free from distracting noise. Prime Audio Reviews specifically reports a blacker background and improved dynamic range with IEM use, although detailed comparisons with extremely sensitive earphones are limited.
Headphone Compatibility
89/100
PowerMatch gain adjustment, IEMatch support, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs give the Hip-Dac 3 useful flexibility with portable headphones and IEMs. What Hi-Fi expects its 6.3V balanced output to accommodate high-impedance models, while reviewers report successful use from sensitive in-ears to more demanding headphones; the 400mW rating nevertheless places it below purpose-built high-power desktop amplifiers for difficult planars.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
What Hi-Fi calls the textured aluminium enclosure reassuringly solid and reports that it survived repeated travel without a scratch. Prime Audio Reviews also found the matte anodised finish resistant to fingerprints and daily pocket wear, while other reviewers describe the compact metal chassis as attractive and dependable.
Features Usability
90/100
The Hip-Dac 3 combines USB-C data and separate charging ports, a Burr-Brown DAC supporting PCM to 384kHz, DSD256 and full MQA decoding, plus both 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs. PowerMatch, IEMatch and XBass make it more adaptable than a basic portable DAC/amp, and reviewers find it plug-and-play with phones and computers, though iOS users may need an appropriate adapter.
Value for Money
94/100
At the listed $229 price, reviewers repeatedly regard the Hip-Dac family as unusually capable for the money; reviews published around the $199 launch price describe it as difficult to fault and competitive with substantially pricier portable gear. Prime Audio Reviews says it “knocks it out of the park” for value, while StereoNET says it delivers much of what more expensive designs offer for far less.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for ifi Audio Hip-Dac 3
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
and 128 more verified dealers