93%
ifi Audio xDSD Gryphon
On the desk or in your pocket, be ready for anything.
Packed with award-winning features and functionality, the xDSD Gryphon takes the best tech from our desktop DACs to create a portable DAC/Amp that can rise to any challenge.
Fantastic Beasts. Here’s where you find them.
Portable DAC/amps often compromise on either the digital or analogue section—but not the xDSD Gryphon. Like its mythical namesake, it combines two beasts in one: an Ultra-Res digital stage powered by Burr-Brown MultiBit and a PureWave analogue section delivering 1,000mW. Designed to handle serious headphones with ease.
Well Connected
It has separate Bluetooth + DAC + amp stages: each optimised for maximum performance, Digital sources via USB, S/PDIF or Bluetooth Analogue sources via 4.4mm or 3.5mm inputs
Brilliant Bluetooth. Hi-Res Wireless.
The xDSD Gryphon sets the standard for wireless connectivity with the latest QCC 5100 series Bluetooth v5.1, supporting cutting-edge formats like aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC™, HWA/LHDC, regular aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, and even SBC
Built on iFi's advanced digital platform, it combines QC5100 for reception, a Global Master Clock for jitter control, and Burr-Brown for DAC conversion
Balance of Power
The xDSD Gryphon’s PureWave amplification delivers 1,000mW at 32 Ohms with a powerful max output of 6.7V, effortlessly driving high-impedance headphones.
- 4.4mm Balanced: Perfect for balanced playback.
- 3.5mm S-Balanced: Optimized for single-ended headphones.
- iEMatch: Eliminates hiss for high-sensitivity IEMs.
Plenty of power and versatility for every type of headphone.
OLED. Seen but not heard.
The OLED display and iFi’sCyberSync operating system combined, usher in a whole new world of user enjoyment – all information from format to battery life is there. Just as importantly, SilentLine technology means the display does not add noise into the system. It can even be set to off if preferred.
Tailored to your ears
iEMatch: Eliminates hiss from high-sensitivity headphones while preserving dynamic range.
Custom Digital Filters: Choose from Bit-PerfectStandard, or GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimised) for precise sound tuning via the on-screen menu.
XSpace: Restores the expansive soundstage of your recordings.
XBass II: Brings back deep bass and upper midrange presence for open-backed headphones or bass-heavy tracks, with selectable ‘Bass’ and ‘Presence’ options.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
95/100
Value for Money
93/100
With textured bass, a warm-leaning yet transparent midrange and fatigue-free treble, the iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon turns a pocket DAC/amp into a genuinely involving listening hub. HiFi News praised its sound and expansive feature set, while ecoustics highlighted its versatility from IEMs to active speakers. Balanced drive, rich Bluetooth codec support and layered imaging make it exceptionally adaptable.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Strong, defined and textured bass remains clean through the midrange; XBass II adds weight without overwhelming the mix.
Natural, resolving mids and refined treble provide detailed listening without aggressive brightness.
Exceptionally versatile connectivity, with balanced and single-ended analogue I/O, USB, S/PDIF, and extensive high-resolution Bluetooth codec support.
Quiet, capable performance with sensitive IEMs and many full-size headphones, aided by IEMatch and balanced output.
&
Cons
The hardest-to-drive headphones can gain greater physical weight and authority from a dedicated desktop amplifier.
XSpace can broaden the presentation, but may alter tonal naturalness or midrange balance with some headphones.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers consistently describe a clean, resolving and musically engaging portable DAC/amp with notably controlled bass, natural mids and a refined, non-fatiguing treble. It is quiet with sensitive earphones and has enough authority for many full-size headphones, although demanding models can still gain scale and physical impact from a larger desktop amplifier.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
Ecoustics heard excellent resolution, transparency and detail through the midrange, while Hi-Fi News praised its speed, accuracy and finely resolved treble. Positive Feedback also reported broad imaging, layered depth and clear separation of instruments and voices.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The prevailing character is described as balanced, warm-leaning and full-bodied, with natural timbre and an easy, non-fatiguing presentation. Some reviewers find its edges slightly rounded and its treble a little relaxed or thin compared with more overtly analytical rivals, but generally regard this tuning as musical and well judged.
Dynamics
91/100
Reviewers heard strong bass impact, fast transients and an energetic, punchy presentation; Positive Feedback said music "leapt out" of the computer. Hi-Fi News found enough energy to handle the HD 650's fast-paced material well, though a Ferrum OOR extracted more physical weight from that difficult load.
Noise Floor
93/100
Audiophilepure specifically reports great background blackness, and Audiophilia found no faltering or intrusive distortion when raising volume with IEMs. PortaFi likewise reports virtually no noise with sensitive in-ear monitors when used appropriately, supporting its IEMatch-equipped portable role.
Headphone Compatibility
91/100
The balanced output drove Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro and Sennheiser HD 650 headphones capably in Hi-Fi News testing, while other reviewers praise its behaviour with IEMs and a range of full-size models. IEMatch, balanced and single-ended outputs, and substantial portable power make it unusually flexible, but very demanding headphones still benefit from a dedicated desktop amplifier.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviews repeatedly praise the compact aluminium enclosure, with Hi-Fi News calling build quality excellent and Positive Feedback describing a solid, high-quality case. The matte finish is also widely appreciated for resisting fingerprints and appearing better suited to daily portable use.
Features Usability
95/100
This is an exceptionally flexible portable unit, combining USB-C and S/PDIF digital inputs, analogue balanced and single-ended inputs, Bluetooth with a comprehensive codec suite, balanced and single-ended headphone outputs, and variable or fixed line output capability. Useful extras include IEMatch, XBass II, XSpace, selectable filters, CyberSync analogue-domain volume operation, a sunlight-readable display and battery-powered portable use.
Value for Money
93/100
At $599, several reviewers consider the Gryphon's price justified by its combination of sound quality, engineering and unusually broad functionality. Ecoustics calls it more affordable than key rivals and potentially the most logical choice, while Positive Feedback says the feature-rich, well-built package makes music sound "glorious."
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Authorized dealers for ifi Audio xDSD Gryphon
- 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