iFi hip-dac2 Portable USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

A Flask-Shaped DAC That Fits Any Pocket

The iFi hip-dac2 looks like a small hip flask and does a simple job well. It replaces the weak audio inside a phone, tablet or laptop with a real DAC and a real headphone amp. It runs on its own battery, so it draws no power from your phone.

A 16-core XMOS chip handles USB audio up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256. The second generation added full MQA decoding and a better clock, which iFi says lowers jitter. A Burr-Brown DAC does the conversion.

Two outputs cover any headphone. A 4.4mm Pentaconn jack is fully balanced. A 3.5mm jack uses iFi's S-Balanced wiring, which cuts distortion with ordinary single-ended headphones. A PowerMatch gain switch adds headroom for harder loads, and XBass adds analog bass lift without touching the mids.

Eight Hours on a Charge

The 2,200mAh battery runs about 8 hours. It charges over USB-C while a separate USB-A input takes audio, so the two never compete. The case is extruded aluminum in sunset orange, 4 inches long and 0.6 inch thick. It weighs 4.4 ounces.

A rotary volume knob replaces the buttons most dongles use. Premium parts include an iFi OV op-amp and TDK C0G capacitors in a balanced analog circuit.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Paul Cash reviewed the hip-dac2 for Hi-Fi Trends on October 27, 2021 and rated it Highly Recommended. He found "top-end detail and harmonics are extremely rich," with more crispness than the original, and called the extra detail "worth the upgrade."

Alex Schiffer of Major HiFi wrote on October 1, 2021 that the hip-dac2 "remains one of the most effective and affordable portable audio devices" on the market, praising its improved detail retrieval.

Who Is This DAC/Amp Best For?

• You want better sound from a phone or laptop — a real DAC and amp with its own battery, so your phone's battery is untouched.
• You own balanced in-ears or headphones — the 4.4mm Pentaconn output drives them from a balanced circuit.
• You stream hi-res or MQA — PCM 384kHz, DSD256 and full MQA decoding in a pocket device.
• You like a little more bass — XBass is an analog lift you can switch on or off.
• You want the smallest possible dongle — the hip-dac2 is a battery-powered unit the size of a small flask, so a bus-powered stick from our headphone amplifiers is smaller still.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your phone, tablet or computer to the USB-A input with the included cable, or a Lightning or USB-C adapter for a phone. Plug headphones into the 4.4mm balanced or 3.5mm jack. Charge through the USB-C port when the battery runs low.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the hip-dac2:

• Headphones: Efficient headphones and in-ears are its natural partners — see our Headphones.
• Headphone Cables: A 4.4mm balanced cable unlocks the balanced output — see our Headphone Cables.
• USB Cable: A short USB cable keeps the pairing tidy — see our USB Cables.
• Headphone Amplifier: Ready for a desktop step up? — see our Headphone Amplifiers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed from the original hip-dac?

Full MQA decoding, an upgraded clock and a 16-core XMOS chip. Reviewers also heard more detail and crispness.

Does it work with iPhone?

Yes, with Apple's Lightning or USB-C camera adapter. Android phones need a USB OTG adapter.

How long does the battery last?

About 8 hours. It charges over USB-C, separately from the audio input.

Which formats does it play?

PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256, DXD and MQA.

What is S-Balanced?

iFi's wiring for the 3.5mm jack. It gives single-ended headphones some of the noise and distortion benefits of a balanced connection.

What's the warranty?

iFi covers the hip-dac2 with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about portable DACs, balanced headphone outputs, or getting better sound from your phone? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.