🔷 iFi Hip-DAC

Mr_Makua · February 20, 2020, 8:57pm

I would probably want to buy another portable cable anyway because the desktop cable I purchased is terminated in a 1/4in and it’s like 7ft long. And I don’t really want to resort to using the original Audioquest cable. So you feel the balanced out on the Hip Dac outperforms the XD-05?

M0N · February 20, 2020, 8:58pm

IMO sound quality yes, power it gets close. Also the bass boost is better on the ifi than the xduoo. Also more portable if that matters to you. You should be able to get like a decently sized 4.4mm bal to 2.5mm jack cable fairly easy

WaveTheory · February 23, 2020, 10:45pm

Mine came in yesterday, several days ahead of initial estimates. Unfortunately, I also came down with a headcold and don’t trust my ears too much at the moment. Initial thoughts on it’s build though are positive. It’s a well designed and well made unit, at least physically. I can tell it’s got more than enough power for the 4XX, but again, don’t trust my ears right now. I’ll get back to you guys on the sound after my head clears.

ValentineLuke · February 24, 2020, 12:45am

Feel better.

Looking forward to your impressions.

WaveTheory · February 25, 2020, 7:04pm

My head is clearing and I’ve been listening to the Hip-Dac some via 3.5mm unbalanced. I don’t have any balanced cables yet with a 4.4mm pentacon, which leads me to a question…

Is there any potential issue in getting an adapter that goes 4.4 pentacon to any other type of 4 conductor balanced connection? Any harm done by going from 4.4 pentacon to 4-pin XLR or female trrs? I have some of the latter balanced cables so getting an adapter would be the quickest and simplest solution to checking out the Hip-Dac’s balanced output. Thanks!

M0N · February 25, 2020, 7:04pm

Nope, if you are staying balanced no issues should occur

WaveTheory · February 25, 2020, 7:06pm

Thanks, @M0N. Ordering!

Mr_Makua · February 26, 2020, 3:58pm

How does this compare to the Nano iDSD BL?

M0N · February 26, 2020, 4:03pm

Personally, if you had balanced capable headphones/iems, I would take the hip over the nano, but if you have single ended I might say the nano would be a better pick. Both are great and I don’t think you could go wrong with either imo

Ohmboy · February 26, 2020, 4:06pm

Yep the 3.5mm balanced out on the Nano is a ball ache when it comes to cable options

M0N · February 26, 2020, 4:08pm

Well you can just get an adapter and it works, but finding a natively terminated 3.5mm balanced is more difficult

Ohmboy · February 26, 2020, 4:20pm

Really I found near impossible to find any male 3.5mm to female 2.5mm/4.4mm balanced adaptors except the Mee Audio cable set ?

M0N · February 26, 2020, 4:32pm

This one has worked well for me

This one also
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BK4BRLV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_A0PvEb3837311

WaveTheory · February 26, 2020, 4:58pm

Glad I ordered that before @M0N’s recommendation. Now it will surely sell out ;p

M0N · February 26, 2020, 4:58pm

It was already popular anyways lol, I don’t have much influence

ValentineLuke · February 26, 2020, 5:20pm

Yes you do.

I think we should get a little piece of RNHP sales!

FiCurious · February 26, 2020, 11:31pm

Hart Audio also has a 3.5 balanced interconnect. I’m in the process of migrating entirely to that system.

Roamer · February 27, 2020, 11:39am

Aside from iFi are there a lot of brands going 3.5 balanced?

M0N · February 27, 2020, 1:14pm

Not really no, but a lot of brands are shifting to 4.4mm bal

Felix · February 27, 2020, 1:14pm

The Rupert Neve Fidelice has a 4.4 balanced as well