I have many sources which I’m using with few favorite IEMs and Sundaras. Few Bluetooth dongles, including IFI Go Blue, Desktop DAC AMPs from topping and couple of DAPs in 700-800 range. Though they all sound great the IFI Hip DAC sounds the most enjoyable to me with U or V shaped gear like 64 Audio U12T or Fiio FD5. The DAC is on a warmer side with beautiful midrange and slightly elevated tasty mid bass, non fatiguing highs but with extended air and great resolution. It sounds a bit less detailed comparing to detail monster Fiio M11Pro, or Topping D50\A50 stack, however quite on par with my warmer Sony NWZX507 DAP. The main difference is HipDac’s tuning and open sounding presentation of IFI AMPs which I enjoy the most. The sound has analogue feeling with the stage which is not very wide, but it is very tall and quite deep which gives you that open space feeling comparing to more digital, in your head presentation of other sources I have. It is not as spacious as Zen Can AMP, but close.
The power is enough to drive Sundaras to their full potential from balanced. You need to burn it in for around 60 hours, it improves in resolution.
I have auditioned the first generation HipDac and while it had similar sound signature it had far less air, sub bass and overall resolution was much lower, it sounded beautiful and relaxed with U12T’s technical abilities, but had more hiss with balanced out – I was not really impressed. The v2 improved a lot in every way while retaining the signature and openness. It quickly became my favorite source. Outstanding product! Definitely recommend.