When smartphone makers killed the headphone jack, audiophiles have been left stranded. Music followers who love utilizing wired headphones confronted a grim selection: accept compressed Bluetooth audio or ditch their favourite cans fully.
Thankfully, corporations like iFi Audio stepped into the breach by designing high-quality, miniature headphone amplifiers/DACs that permit folks use their wired headphones with their smartphones whereas considerably bettering the audio high quality on the similar time.
The iDSD GR 2 is the most recent model of the iFi’s most famed moveable audio gadget: the iFi xDSD Gryphon. The iDSD GR 2 has been redesigned from the bottom up by reimagining the xDSD Gryphon with a very new DAC structure. The GR 2 options totally balanced amplification, an OLED touchscreen interface, JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, plus there’s lossless Bluetooth connectivity for anybody who needs to make use of wi-fi headphones when they’re out and about.
New Burr-Brown Chip
The iDSD GR 2 is predicated across the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC with a bespoke balanced circuit design that has 50% extra energy than its predecessor. The K2HD Expertise is a brand new function that’s designed so as to add harmonic richness and musicality to digital music recordsdata. To be used with high-end wi-fi headphones, the iDSD GR 2 helps aptX Lossless and LDAC audio codecs, producing a sign that compares effectively with wired headphones.
Different new options on the iDSD GR 2 embrace a hybrid energy mode, which is designed to increase battery lifespan. When the gadget is used with an influence provide somewhat than its built-in battery, the ability circuit bypasses the battery, which reduces the variety of charging cycles the battery undergoes.
With regards to connections, the iDSD GR 2 provides a selection of Bluetooth, USB and S/PDIF inputs. Which means it may well drive a pair of wi-fi headphones, plug in on to a smartphone or pc, or be related to the optical or coaxial output of a CD participant, giving older audio gear an prompt sonic improve.
The iFi GR 2 has a brand new coloration OLED touchscreen with simple and intuitive navigation.
IFI
Heat Analog Sound
On the coronary heart of the GR 2 is a significant step up in digital conversion structure. That is the primary iFi product to make use of the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC chipset. The DAC has been particularly designed to protect the nice and cozy and analog character that’s synonymous with iFi. The DAC delivers true 32-bit decision, decrease distortion ranges and an elevated dynamic vary.
As a current-output DAC, the Burr-Brown PCM1795 can be permits iFi to design totally bespoke I/V and output levels, optimized to extract the chip’s full potential. Class A op-amps present a extra pure analog character, whereas a refined circuit topology — now totally balanced from preamp to headphone stage with pointless digital switching eliminated — has executed rather a lot to scale back distortion throughout the sign path. It is a subtle design with decrease distortion and larger transparency, designed to supply a extra genuine connection to the music.
Presumably probably the most hanging function of the brand new GR 2 is its capacitive OLED touchscreen. This shiny coloration show offers direct and intuitive management and is ready flush on the floor of the GR 2’s aluminum case. Core settings are actually far more accessible, eradicating the necessity for a deep dive into the menu construction. The show has been designed with pace and readability in thoughts and adjusting settings now feels extra responsive and intuitive.
When smartphone makers killed the headphone jack, audiophiles have been left stranded. Music followers who love utilizing wired headphones confronted a grim selection: accept compressed Bluetooth audio or ditch their favourite cans fully. Headphone amplifiers and DACs just like the GR 2 supply an prompt audio improve.
IFI
Headroom Unlocked
In addition to offering the brand new management interface, iFi has unlocked larger management over what the listener can hear. The GR 2 delivers as much as 1,513mW RMS into 32Ω; that’s 50% extra headphone drive than discovered on the unique Gryphon. The result’s extra headroom for extra demanding masses for bass that stays composed, sharper and extra outlined transients, plus extra open dynamics, even with headphones which might be exhausting to drive.
A frequent criticism of digital recordings is that they usually sound chilly and medical. The pure richness of the unique analog efficiency could be squeezed out. To counter this, the GR 2 makes use of JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Expertise. This course of makes use of a singular harmonic restoration algorithm designed to revive depth, tone and musicality by reintroducing delicate element, bringing recordings nearer to their unique intent.
The end result, says iFi, is a “extra pure, participating listening expertise, the place digital playback feels much less processed and extra emotionally related to the efficiency. For individuals who desire a lighter contact, ‘K2’ mode provides comparable enhancement with out upsampling.”
The iDSD GR 2 is the most recent model of the iFi’s most famed moveable audio gadget: the iFi xDSD Gryphon. The iDSD GR 2 has been redesigned from the bottom up by reimagining the xDSD Gryphon with a very new DAC structure.
IFI
Freedom With out Loss
GR 2 marks a brand new era of moveable audio that with a number of the newest advances in wi-fi connectivity. When Bluetooth was first launched, the usual had a slim bandwidth that would squeeze the life out of music, making it sound skinny and missing intimately.
Now, due to Bluetooth 5.4 and help for Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless and Sony’s LDAC codec, the GR 2 can play properly with the most effective and newest Bluetooth headphones, offering a sound that may rival wired headphones. These two codecs can ship a wi-fi expertise that preserves full element of the music at CD high quality, bringing listeners nearer to the efficiency with out being constrained by cables.
The GR 2 has a brand new hybrid energy mode that may intelligently stability exterior energy and battery operation. When related to an exterior provide, it prioritizes mains energy for day-to-day listening. Ought to further energy be required, GR 2 can draw on energy saved within the GR 2’s inside battery earlier than robotically returning to exterior energy as soon as demand subsides. This strategy reduces pointless battery biking, making the GR 2 appropriate for prolonged listening periods whereas preserving long-term battery well being.
Different new options on the iDSD GR 2 embrace a hybrid energy mode, which is designed to increase battery lifespan.
IFI
Management By App
The GR 2 is totally appropriate with the iFi Nexis smartphone app that extends management past the gadget. Utilizing the app, superior settings could be simply accessed and fine-tuned to offer deeper personalization with out complicating the general expertise.
There are settings om the participant for switching on the XSpace and XBass+ results, which increase the underside finish of the music for individuals who like a bit extra oomph. The GR 2 additionally has 4 selectable digital filtering choices for fine-tuning the character and presentation of the music.
The iFi Nexis app additionally offers over-the-air updates that may improve the GR 2 over time by including new options, refinements and efficiency enhancements lengthy after it leaves the field.
Pricing and Availability:
The iDSD GR 2 is out there to buy at ifi-audio.com and licensed sellers, priced at $529 / £529 / €549.
Tech Specs:
- Hello-Res Assist: PCM 768kHz / DSD512.
- Bluetooth Codecs: aptX Lossless / aptX Adaptive / aptX / LDAC / LHDC/HWA / AAC / SBC.
- Chipset: Burr Brown PCM1795.
- Digital Inputs: 1 x USB-C / 1 x S/PDIF (optical/coaxial) / Bluetooth 5.4.
- Analog Inputs: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x Single-Ended 3.5mm.
- Analogue Outputs: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x Single-Ended 3.5mm.
- Headphone Output: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x S-Balanced 3.5mm.
- RMS Output Energy: 6.94V/1 / 513mW @ 32Ω / 8.60V/119mW @ 600Ω (Bal) / 4.26V/567mW @ 32Ω / 4.27V/30mW @ 600Ω (S-Bal).
- Output Impedance: ≤0.4Ω; ≤4.5Ω with iEMatch (Bal) / ≤0.2Ω; ≤4.4Ω with iEMatch (S-Bal).
- SNR and DNR: 115dBA (all outputs).
- THD+N: 0.006% @ 16Ω (headphone outputs) / 0.0005% @ 0dBFS (line outputs).
- Battery: Lithium-Polymer 4,900mAh/ 7-hour battery life.
- Energy Provide Requirement: 5V/>1.8A through USB-C / ~3.5h charging time.
- Dimensions: 141 x 75 x 19mm (5.55 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches).
- Weight: 268g (0.59lbs).
