iFi xDSD Gryphon | Portable USB Bluetooth DAC and Amp
IFi Audio's xDSD Gryphon, a Versatile, Portable Powerhouse DAC Amp
- Highly detailed portable DAC with Burr-Brown Multibit DAC
- Supports input via Bluetooth 5.1, USB, Coax, and Analog
- 4.4mm Balanced and 3.5mm SE input and line out
- Supports all major codecs including MQA Decoding
- Extremely powerful, can drive most headphones and IEMs
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Bloom's Take The xDSD Gryphon is like a tactical utility knife: it has a wide array of features including the kitchen sink. Everything you’d need for a variety of circumstances is included right in the package, all of which are easily managed through its interface. And it uses all that tech to deliver music with a powerful, transparent output. In some circles, the Gryphon has earned the nickname "the Chord Mojo 2 Killer," and for good reason given its stellar sound along with the armada of features, bells, and whistles bundled in the package (albeit, sound-for-sound, the Mojo 2 may have a slight edge, but it's a close call.) If you want the best in portable connectivity options, but don’t want to sacrifice sound quality to get it, Gryphon delivers both in one marvelous beast. Read our full review here. Still can't decide between the Mojo 2 and iFi Gryphon? Check out our Mojo 2 x Gryphon Shoot-out. |
Fantastic Beasts: Here’s Where You Find Them
Most portable DAC/amps tend to be compromised because they focus on either great digital OR great analog, but not both. The xDSD Gryphon is different, and just like its mythical namesake, it's 2 beasts in 1. From the Ultra-Res digital stage powered by the Burr-Brown MultiBit DAC to its PureWave analog power pumping out 1000mW, it takes serious headphones to tame the Gryphon!
Try to NOT Connect. We Dare You
- Separate BT + DAC + amp stages, optimized for max performance
- Digital sources via USB, S/PDIF, or Bluetooth
- Analog sources via 4.4mm or 3.5mm inputs
- Brilliant Hi-Res Bluetooth
Using the latest QCC 5100 series Bluetooth 5.1 chip, the Gryphon is at the bleeding-edge when it comes to the latest formats:
- aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, and aptX Low Latency
- LDAC and HWA/LHDC
- AAC
- SBC (plain vanilla BT)
USB & S/PDIF: Wired to the Nines
For wired connectivity, the xDSD Gryphon handles all formats using a hybrid Burr-Brown DAC chipset, the same used in iFi's $3200 flagship, the Pro iDSD Signature.
All the following formats are supported and pushed to their max:
USB:
- PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz)
- DSD (512/256/128/64)
- DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz)
- MQA
S/PDIF:
- PCM (192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz)
- DoP
Balance of Power
The Gryphon uses iFi PureWave amplification circuitry with 1000mW at 32Ω and a whopping max 6.7v output. Bring on the high impedance headphones because the Gryphon won't break a sweat driving them! The 4.4mm Pentaconn is best for balanced playback, the 3.5mm S-Balanced will max SE headphones, and iEMatch will cut out the hiss from your premium high-sensitivity IEMs.
Tailored to Your Ears
XSpace adds back the cavernous sound stage of recordings.
XBass II reinstates the missing bass from open-backed headphones or wherever you just want more slam. Two selections of either ‘Bass’ or ‘Presence’ are available correctly adjusting low and mid-bass respectively.
iEMatch reduces commonly heard hiss from high-sensitivity headphones without losing dynamic range.
OLED: Seen but not Heard
The OLED display and iFi’s CyberDrive OS combine into a whole new world of user functionality. Just as importantly, SilentLine technology means the display does not add noise into the system and can be disabled if preferred.
Specifications
Inputs
- Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1
- Wired, Digital: USB-C, S/PDIF coax
- Wired, Analog: 4.4mm BAL, 3.5mm SE
Formats
- DSD: DSD512/256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single-Speed
- PCM: 768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/ 96/88.2/48/44.1kHz
- DXD: 768/705.6/384/352.8kHz, Double/Single-Speed DXD
- MQA (Decoder): 384/352.8kHz
- Bluetooth: Up to 96kHz (aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, Sony LDAC, Huawei HWA, AAC, SBC Codec)
Line Out
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Outputs
- 4.4mm Balanced: 6.7V max. (variable)
- 3.5mm SE: 3.5V max. (variable)
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Output Impedance
- 4.4mm Balanced: ≤200Ω
- 3.5mm SE: ≤100Ω
- SNR: <110dB(A) @ 0dBFS
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THD+N
- 4.4mm Balanced: <0.007% @ 0dBFS
- 3.5mm SE: <0.015% @ 0dBFS
Headphone Out
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Outputs
- 4.4mm Balanced: 6.7V max. @ 600Ω
- 3.5mm SE: 3.5V max. @ 600Ω
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Output Power
- 4.4mm Balanced: >1000mW @ 32Ω; >74mW @ 600Ω
- 3.5mm SE: >320mW @ 32Ω; >40mW @ 300Ω
- Output Impedance: <1Ω
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SNR
- 4.4mm Balanced: <116dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- 3.5mm SE: <115dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- THD+N: <0.005% (1V @ 16Ω)
- DAC: Burr-Brown
- Battery: USB-C charge (BC v1.2 compliant up to 1900mA current)
- Dimensions: 4.84” x 2.95” x 0.75”
- Weight: 7.6 oz
In the Box
- xDSD Gryphon
- Black Carry Pouch
- USB Cables
- (x1) USB-C to USB-C
- (x1) USB-C to USB-A
- (x1) USB-C to Lightning
- IFi Warranty Card (1 Year)
- IFi Gryphon User Manual
