xDSD

Using my iFi XDSD with Audeze planar magnetic headphones. Great sound, comparable with Chord (which remains the gold standard) but with more versatility, ease of use and input options including BlueTooth. Superb with Tidal on Mac, PC or iPhone as well as hi-res audio format files. Really impressed with the sound quality, ergonomics and portability

If the Ifi xDSD was a larger… Do I really need to say anything else?

All the reviews I have read and watched say that the Chord Mojo sounds better than the XDSD. I would strongly disagree!… I bought the Chord Mojo when it came out and I paired it with my Shure 846, and it sounded very good but I wasn’t entirely happy with it so I sold it.

Now the Ifi XDSD, I’m 100% happy with this. I’m now paired this with my Campfire Atlas IEM’s and it they sound majestic!

If you’re considering buying this I would say don’t hesitate buy it!!!!
You will not be disappointed.

There is not a lot you can dislike about this.

I do not enthuse about many products but this is staggeringly impressive. The finish and weight of the product provide a feeling of real quality. In my case, it was bought for use with an Astell & Kern SR25 music player which has an impressive performance on its own. The A&K music player produced good volume but did not drive my headphones (A&K T5p 2nd Gen) quite as strongly as I wanted…….this device give me power in reserve.

The device is spectacular but I did need to read the instructions though only to learn how to switch the device on! After that it settled in all by itself and I could leave the instructions aside. It is a pleasure to just hold this device it is so beautifully fashioned and then it is a further delight to listen to. I use it in the comparative quiet of the lounge and in the noisier environment of my Mini where it lifts the music well above the level of intrusive engine noise.

The device is expensive but good value in my view as it not only enhances the use of the excellent A&K music player but lifts the spirit each time I use it and get lost in a world of crisp sound. This is a beautiful product which restores my faith in the capability of the UK to manufacture something which it is a real pleasure to own.

“If you are looking for excellent sound quality, look no further.”

A more detailed and instructive manual of possible usability scenarios would be appreciated.

I absolutely love this device. I’m listening to Tidal Masters and DSD’s on my JH Lola IEM’s and the sound is unbelievable. I’m using a 2.5mm balanced male -> 3.5 balanced female adapter, which made a pretty dramatic difference versus an unbalanced.

I had hesitated a little because the thing looks much bigger in pictures. It’s actually quite tiny in my hand – the hand model must be a munchkin. Beautiful construction and intuitive controls. Love when the purple light tells me I’m listening to an MQA

Plenty of power on the IEM’s. Will test with my Audeze LCD-2’s as soon as my 4.4mm balanced female -> 3.5 balanced male adapter arrives

Haven’t tested the Bluetooth yet…

I really did not know what to expect out of this little POWERHOUSE.It really does the job for being a small amplifier. I’m using my Sennheiser HD 650’s . Crystal clear . Makes you feel like your floating on a cloud. The Bluetooth is a bonus. I take it every where.

I’ve always been into higher quality sound systems. This is one of my favorites because I’m able to take this quality amp with me anywhere. Make sure you do your homework and check things out for yourself as well.

5*

I use in blue tooth with my Astell&Kern SP1000M and with my Sennheiser HD800 S and the extra boost is nice. I have a little concert going on or off my ears. lol I know audiophiles swear by MOJO but I have 0 issue with my set-up and the sounds are amazing.

A little complicated to figure out at first but once you get it down life is a joy. Like everyone else said, this is a fingerprint magnet. I could care less because this gives my headphones the extra juice it needs.

Compact, knowledgeable, powerful and powerful – iFis xDSD brings audiophile music enjoyment to the streets.

Tiny device but with huge amplification.
On my PS4 volume levels were so poor I could hardly hear anything playing games, once I powered up the amp the volume and surround sound are fantastic. Five star’s *****

After shopping for quite some time and for $400 you can not find a better compact portable DAC/amp that’s packed with features and MQA files sound intense. I hear so many negative reviews about MQA files (i.e. it’s lossy, not lossless, and on and on, Just Listen and let your ears decide what sounds best. I listened to high res songs on qobuz( not for long once I listened to MQA files on Tidal.)

I bought a pair of 2nd generation Beyerdynamic T5p headphones to go with this DAC.and for total of $1200 plus $20/mo I’m very happy. MQA files through this DAC, whatever the tech is behind is intense, I will never switch back to anything else. I can’t listen to anything else now! check it out you won’t be disappointed and it won’t cost you thousands

iFi makes gear that is a notch better than most similar competition, and is a bit more expensive, but not much more. The feature set of this device is great and allows for some use models that other devices (like the Audioquest Dragonfly series or the Chord Mojo, great as they are) does not. The one thing I’d like to see in this device is support for Bluetooth aptX HD (not to be confused with the good but not great apt X or AAC codecs).

Highly recommended! One use model I use it with is for truly “wireless” headphones that sound great. Sure, we can all buy a set of $200 bluetooth headphones and they sound ok, but what if you paired (as I do) the iFi xDSD with a great set of wired headphones (with a very short cable and the xDSD strapped to the top of the headphones)? End result – great sound and truly wireless!

This little DAC is fantastic, connectivity is brilliant, the sound is amazing. Using this with shure SRH1540, excellent soundstage and used with tidal hifi it makes all the difference.

If you want a good portable setup this is it.

I have been using this for nearly four months now and it has become indispensable to me. It was not an easy decision to choose this over the nano iDSD BL, or one of the cheaper chi-fi alternatives; it was the Hi-Fi News review that swung it, in particular the lab report, which measured significant improvements over the nano.
My intention at first was to use the xDSD on my bedside table for late night listening, but I am also using it in bluetooth mode when I’m out and about, and often in my lounge where I have a proper Hi-Fi.

I see from user reviews and forums that many people are connecting to their phones or DAPs via bluetooth, I don’t think they are realizing the best performance of this device. Bluetooth on the xDSD is certainly better than on my TV or streamer, both plugged into my Hi-Fi DAC (I have no experience of aptxhd or LDAC), but the USB connection is clearly superior in sound quality. As I said above, I use bluetooth when I’m out, and you don’t lose too much with compressed music such as BBC sounds or Spotify. The xDSD really earns its asking price with upper tier Qobuz and Tidal subscriptions played via the USB audio player PRO app on my Android phone, the sound really is of Hi-Fi quality. The XBass and 3D settings are subtle enough not to alienate audiophiles like me, I find them useful for perking up compressed formats, but with good recordings in flac I notice an increase in distortion.

Forcing myself to be critical, I have to say that the DAC half of the equation outshines the amplifier. In line out mode it performs almost as well as I would expect of a mains powered DAC at this price. Of course it is not fair to compare a battery amp to a proper one, and the headphone amplifier I plug it into at my bedside is obviously superior. The xDSD has plenty of gain, but harder to drive headphones such as Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohms, or TINHiFi P1, sound lacklustre; easy to drive ‘phones such as HIFIMAN HE400i and Shuoer tape, are much better matches.

iFi pitches the xDSD primarily as a mobile DAC with an onboard headphone amplifier, its 2200mAH rechargeable battery sufficient for up to 8 hours’ playtime. The line-out mode also makes it suitable for connection to the pre-amplifier section of a loudspeaker system, bypassing the unit’s volume control but also the xBass and 3D ‘tone controls’ – useful with headphones, less so with loudspeakers. A healthy 2.1V output seals the deal.

So — is this £399 / $399 / €448 xDSD DAC a true multi-tasker? Only if it distinguishes itself in both mobile and home roles and in a product segment not exactly short on alternatives. Even iFi’s own £299 xCan runs close to the xDSD’s utility: a headphone amplifier with a (Bluetooth) DAC on board.

iFi is a brand who knows how to present a product. We have in test the xDSD as well as the SPDIF iPurifier: they both have a white box with a render of the product on the front and sides, while on the back there are all the useful information about the product itself and its technical specifications. The xDSD won the EISA award for being the best product of 2018/2019…

The iFi xDSD Portable DAC & Amp Comes with a Nice Velvet Carry Bag, A Really Long Blue (Looks Ugly IMHO) USB 3.0 Cable Meant for Data Connectivity When Used with a Desktop/Laptop, a Micro USB Cable for Charging, a Short USB A Female to USB B Female Cable, a Short Male USB A to Female USB B Adapter, a TOSLINK Optical Adapter for S/PDIF Coaxial or Optical Connections and a Few 3M Command Velcro Strips.

On the Go Users will be Disappointed as there’s No OTG Cable (Neither for Android Devices Nor for iOS Devices) Provided in the Box.

Increasingly, portable audiophilia is gaining market relevance. XDSD is a British iFi handyman, known for his high-end digital gear – and one of his most affordable creations. Is it good?

Wonderful sound, great design, superb technology. At the price, this is an amazing value. Best of all is the MQA support, which provides the best reproduced sound I’ve ever heard. My main system DAC is a PS Audio DirectStream, which I chose partly because of its available MQA support. I willingly paid $6000 for the PS Audio. It’s unreal that I got something that sounds and works like its little cousin for only a few hundred.

I use my xDSD attached to my iPhone via Apple’s camera connection kit, which is a simple short cable, and using the iFi-provided Velcro pads. I don’t bother with the Bluetooth capability, although I imagine others will find it convenient.

Some people complain about the shiny finish collecting fingerprints. I haven’t had that issue. Maybe I’m less finicky than others about such things. Maybe I don’t leave fingerprints, and I should consider a life of crime…. ?

BTW, I recommend you try MQA (via Tidal and Roon, for example) in conjunction with this baby. You will be amazed. There’s some controversy in the audiophile community about MQA. I think this is mostly because people don’t understand it. Simply, it addresses the fact that humans evolved to be really good at hearing separate sounds that are very close in time to each other, closer than the time intervals in CD-level or even hi-res music. Regular digital music “blurs” these tiny time differences. MQA is a brilliant mathematical approach that recovers those timing details in the original recording master, and gets them delivered faithfully to your system so that properly-equipped devices like the xDSD can send them to your ears. I’m an MIT graduate. I’ve read the technical papers describing the technology. It’s genius stuff. It works. You will hear the difference.

Anyway, I really recommend this little giant. Get it!

Great

“iFi Audio xDSD is the ultimate audio solution for Hi Fi Audio on the go, and can be used as a desktop DAC or DAC/Amp Combo too, making it even more versatile!”

I first bought the $350 Fiio and it sucked so I was worried about this thing being any better but damn was I wrong! This ifi is the best DAC/amp I’ve heard to date and I’ve tried 4 of them now.
Don’t think twice just get it! This thing smokes the smpl I bought and it wasn’t even portable!

“I still remember how the iFi offer appeared on the market a few years ago. From the first moment, its main goal was to provide reliable, long-lasting and fulfilling its basic task – to improve the sound of our music in the world of computer audio.

Today, when music is largely an inseparable part of computer systems, the need to improve the sound of music from a computer is as obvious as using a computer mouse or touchpad. The iFi company in the field of improving the quality of music from the PC has not only a very rich experience, but their products meet (often with exaggerated) expectations.”

“The iFI Audio xDSD is not only a complete machine and of extreme versatility but it exhibits performances of all respect in front of a simplicity of commands”

I cannot recommend this product highly enough. It has transformed my enjoyment of listening to music (which I had completely gone off just using my phone and headphones). If anyone is wondering does this make a difference, then YES it does. Music is much much louder, crisper, clearer. This coupled with the convenience of being able to wirelessly connect to a phone is awesome. Finally, to top it off when I have had to deal with customer service they have been friendly, helpful and very efficient. Don’t hesitate to buy.

“I’m stunned by the bass, very precise and quick, yet punchy; it provides a perfect layering, which is not always easy to achieve in the lower range. When activated, the bass boost adds some body to both the sub and the mid-bass.”

“Its instantly accessible delivery makes every song in our multi-genre playlist enjoyable.”

“the xDSD laps up the glossy, over-produced presentation; the densely-populated midrange is open and detailed, and the trebly synth sparkles with a measured enthusiasm.”

Extraordinary separation of instruments and voices.

I’d heard about it from a friend whose really into audio. I’ve been using my phone on its own to listen to relaxation music and do some meditation stuff but the music sounded really hollow. I’d been complaining about it when my friend suggested this. What a difference! It just gives the tracks more warmth and depth, if that makes sense.

It small, light and very cool looking with the wavy lines. Zen – just like my music. It so good, I’ve been taking it out when I walk the dog. Trust me, I’m not a gadget freak but once you’ve tried this, you’ll never listen to music without it again.

The 1^st time that I held the xDSD was a joy, its zen inspired contours allows for a well-managed grip not to mention that the back panel is a matte black plastic which transitions well with the glossy chrome finish.

Packed with a multitude of features which are completely absent in competing brands such as their 3D-Matrix⁺ and XBass⁺ tech as well as parading Cyberdrive power management platforms and S-Balanced tech made the xDSD’s $199 in its price tag justifiable, the rest of the price tag can be attributed to the clean and balanced sound with ample power to make some headphones sing along with the premium aluminum aesthetic silhouette of the xDSD.

“3D+/XBass+: These two come in handy when you want some extra bass or Soundstage. I really have enjoyed the Soundstage feature on both the xDSD as well as the Micro iDSD Black Label. It really does open up the instrument separation on my HD600’s and adds a nice amount of air and spacing.”

“This thing is extremely efficient and provides a ton of power resulting in LOTS of headroom (always a main concern for snobby audiophiles such as myself) ”

“Sound quality here is marvelous.”

I wanted to improve my portable set-up. This does the job nicely. Even though I bought the bundle for convenience so I had exactly what I needed to extract the digital signal from my phone (and bought the other iFi cable for another device), I actually use the Bluetooth more cos it’s so handy to be able to work without annoying wires getting in the way. I tuck the xDSD in my jacket pocket.

The cables are still handy though and great quality – much better than others I have had. I like the optional sonic extras on the xDSD, the xBass and 3D, although you do need to be in the right environment to get the most out of them. I need more listening time really with these. Great product, would recommend.

Be warned – my first iFi purchase was ear plugs and now look at me!

Very nice amplifier, I canceled the nano just before it shipped and decided to shell out the extra $200. I’m very pleased I did. I use both the usb and bluetooth everyday. The bass boost was an added plus. I haved paired this with the RHA T10i and am glad to have the extra 250mw of power to drive them over the nano.

Only issues are minor cosmetic ones that everyone else has complained about. Mirror finish and knob feel.

“The xBass+ and 3D+ sound enhancements, like with the xCAN, are tastefully done, and while I don’t usually like these types of filters, the way iFi implements them is pretty good. Most companies go over the top with them, but the xBass+ for example, gives you just a slight amount of bass enhancement, filling in the bottom end nicely on bass light headphones/earphones.”

“Once again, iFi has come up with another well-built, flexible, digital audio device which excels at many use cases.”

“I’d buy this in a heartbeat” “At $399 this things a pretty freaking killer deal”

“The freedom of being wireless, the compact size, the amazing sound quality, that’s what makes the iFi Audio xDSD second to none”

The ifi xDsD is amazing. It’s expensive for a casual user, it’s well worth it and easy to use. I’m a budding audiophile and this is my first foray into purchasing an amp. While I’ve used one or two others from my brother who is an audio engineer, this is my favorite.

I’m forever converted and can’t go back to anything else. It makes my RHA T20’s sound like I’m listening to a live performance. Next upgrade on the list: new in ears. Suggestions?

“The iFi Audio xDSD is a cracking versatile piece of kit and highly recommended.”

We were also impressed with just how wide the soundstage felt. It really helped give us a sense of where things stood in any given mix, and this was particularly impressive in busy genres, like metal. There, the xDSD took songs that had the potential to be muddy and confused, and spread their elements out perfectly.

The xDSD is amazing! I travel a lot by public transport and this product has been a lifesaver. It’s so easy to carry around because of the size and my music is so much clearer and better quality. Watching videos on my phone and listening to my songs has never been better, it makes me look forward to the journey. Should knock off one star cos I missed the bus stop when listening with this guy.

I could NOT recommend the iFi xDSD more!! By offering a very high-quality semi-wireless setup, iFi has finally freed me from the hassle & annoyance of having to limit my smartphone choices by how strong their DACs & amps are. Now I no longer need to worry about that, and can just focus on buying a phone I like and that I know know will ALWAYS sound fantastic as long as I can connect it to the xDSD.

Now, with this little machine, the track quality differences become very clear, and just like in any good system, the recording and sound engineering shortcomings come to life, the playlist “Tidal Masters: New Arrivals” is great example for a tour de force in different genres.

I am in LOVE, thank you iFi!

I got this mainly for the MQA. MQA is coming to Android and I needed a DAC that uses it. I use Tidal for much of my music. When swapping from my Den system to my portable setup I noted that the quality of the music went down. This changed that.

I use this product to power my studio headphones to work on other audio measurements from home. These work perfectly well in the nominal hearing range, balance the low end without ruining your ears, and add life to your audio without any annoying artefacts or noise. It’s designed for hi-res audio, but makes a huge difference to normal audio files (44kHz to 192kHz) and when you use it wirelessly.

Great sounding dac for on the go and most important upgraded my car audio system. I was using the fiio q1 mark ll and my system sounded ok but with this dac I am in nirvana. I love the bluetooth feature.

I really love the convenience & freedom that comes from not having to deal with holding up a cable from my phone anymore. Having the cable going from my headphone to the xDSD off to my side was hardly noticeable as well. Some people in the official xDSD thread on here (and/or elsewhere) have claimed that the xDSD using aptX (Note: iPhones will connect via AAC) still sounds significantly better than cheaper devices do with Sony’s superior LDAC codec. I am inclined to agree with that.

The overall audio quality is very good. When you try listening to he higher quality audio you can tell there is a slight difference and it’s all in the detail. I listened to a lot of live instrumental audio when testing out the xDSD and switching back and forth from the Windows 10 built in sound to the xDSD pass through sound, it was clear that the xDSD was making a difference.

This stylish DAC runs off its own battery, and can either connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth or plug into a computer over USB. It supports aptX on Android and AAC on iOS for the best sound quality, with a simple control button on the front that lets you add spaciousness and apply bass correction to your music.

It’s not just technically clever – it also sounds fantastic. Sound separation might not be as spectacular as the Mojo (see below), but the xDSD has a fantastic bass tone, great high-end extension and a wide-open soundstage. Combined with its simplicity and portability, that makes this undeniably a best-in-class DAC.

The xDSD justifies its price on sound quality alone, delivering a variety of musical styles with admirable clarity and precision. Its slimline design is well suited to mobile use, especially with the inclusion of Bluetooth, helping to reduce clutter when on the move. It’s also a great option for use with a desktop setup, thanks to its digital inputs and line-out option (and MQA for Tidal fans).

First up was Sting’s “Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot” from Mercury Falling (A&M Records 1996). This is a breezy jazz influenced song featuring Sting fronting a choir with brass and tenor sax fleshing out the guitars, bass and drums. They throw in the Hammond B3 organ too. The presentation via the xDSD was outstanding. Full bodied sound flowed from the Vandersteen Quatro CT’s. Considering the 1/12th the price cost of the xDSD vs the PS Audio Directstream DSD DAC the quality of the sound was remarkable. The soundstage was precise and as wide as a stage full of singers and musicians should be. What a nice start to the listening process.

The iFi xDSD is flexible, performs excellently and has the look and feel of a premium product. If you are on the hunt for a portable headphone amp/DAC and wireless is a must-have feature; the xDSD is, well, a must have.

The iFi Audio xDSD takes everything that the company knows about converting and amplifying audio, and puts it into one very slick package. iFi (it’s pronounced Eye-Fi, by the way) have always put a huge emphasis on accurate, balanced sound, and in the $399 xDSD, they’ve really raised the bar for themselves.

iFi does not disappoint at the sound department as you probably know, and this version of course looked very promising for sound when it was announced. iFi takes the component and circuit design side of things seriously, to give the audiophiles the best sound quality they could offer.

Wallet won’t run to a Chord Hugo 2? iFi Audio’s xDSD portable DAC/headphone amplifier is a cheaper, smaller and considerably more stylish alternative – easily the best-looking product ever to spill from the Southport headquartered manufacturer – and one that adds aptX Bluetooth and MQA support to its array of digital inputs

It delivers for music lovers and audiophiles alike.

This thing is incredible,” our 30-something year old son said handing the little ici xDSD Hi-Res Bluetooth Portable USB DAC and Headphone amplifier back to me while pulling off a pair of headphones. “With that and a decent pair of headphones, you’d have a really good portable audio system to travel with.” He travels frequently and had just gotten home from a multi-day cross-country trip, so that was on his mind. He went on to add that this little DAC would be great for other situations where a full audio system just wasn’t possible. And, having traveled over an hour each way to the city for my job for about 15 years, I know it would be great for commuters.

I discovered this product in April in the Market Hall at AXPONA where it was being shown for the first time, and I asked for one to review. Recently, I’ve been reviewing CDs, and I wanted something that would improve the sound of music downloaded to my iPhone. Yes, I realize that music ripped to an iPhone is about the lowest quality there is, and that’s why I wanted something better.

ifi always has solid products, I really wish they will come out something really become game changer one day.

This is my fourth iFi product I have purchased. All the products are cutting edge state of the art gems. The Dax/headphone amp is packed with great features and makes a notable and highly positive improvement in the sound from my iPhone 7 and my computer. I would highly recommend this product!