iFi Audio Unveils Exclusive Hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition- Now At Gramophone

iFi audio has partnered with Gramophone to release a limited edition of its popular hip-dac 3 portable DAC/headphone amplifier (check out our review here), aptly named the hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition. This special edition, cloaked in a sleek matte black finish, is said to offer a range of enhancements over its predecessor, making it an ideal companion for audio enthusiasts seeking high-quality sound on the go.

Specifically, the hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition has several upgrades to deliver a quieter and more refined audio experience. These include revised components for quieter power supply operation, an enhanced ‘True Balanced’ circuit design, new capacitors for improved frequency response, and updated ‘GMT’ clock circuitry to minimize phase noise. These updates should work together to reduce signal distortion and provide a purer sound to headphones.

While boasting these enhancements, the hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition retains the core features that made the original hip-dac 3 an impressive device. It utilizes a Burr-Brown chipset for its natural-sounding musicality and features True Native architecture, allowing for bit-perfect DSD and PCM audio data processing. This, combined with custom iFi circuitry, ensures excellent sound quality across all digital audio formats, supporting PCM up to 384kHz, DSD up to 256, and full MQA decoding.

Despite its compact size, the hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition is designed to deliver ten times more power than a typical laptop or smartphone, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in their music without compromising on sound quality. Features like PowerMatch, XBass, and IEMatch further enhance the listening experience by optimizing the device for different headphone types and sensitivities.

The hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition is designed for convenience and future-proofing with two USB-C ports for simplified cable management and charging. It also includes a 3.5mm S-Balanced output for minimized crosstalk and distortion, as well as a 4.4mm Balanced output for balanced headphones.

The $199 limited edition hip-dac 3 is available exclusively through Gramophone, a family-owned company that provides high-quality audio and video equipment.

Specifications

hip dac3-Stealth
Input	USB-C
Formats supported	DSD256, PCM 384kHz, MQA Decoder
DAC	Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
Headphone Outputs
Balanced	4.4mm
S-BAL	3.5mm
Power Output (RMS)
Balanced	400mW @ 32Ω; 6.3V @ 600Ω
S-BAL	280mW @ 32Ω; 3.2V @ 600Ω
Output Impedance
Balanced	≤1Ω ; With iEMatch engaged: ≤4.5Ω
S-BAL	≤1Ω ; With iEMatch engaged: ≤4.5Ω
SNR
Balanced	<109dB(A) @ 0dBFS
S-BAL	<103dB(A) @ 0dBFS
DNR
Balanced	<109dB(A)
S-BAL	<103dB(A)
THD + N
Balanced	<0.006% (360mW/2.0V @ 600Ω)
S-BAL	<0.01% (100mW/1.27V @ 16Ω)
Frequency Response	20Hz – 45kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption	<2W idle, 4W max
Battery	Lithium-polymer 2200mAh approx. 8 hours
Power System	Charging via USB-C, BC V1.2 compliant up to 1000mA charging current
Dimensions	102 x 70 x 14 mm (4.0″ x 2.8″ x 0.6″)
Net weight	135 g (0.30 lbs)
Limited Warranty	12 months*

---

Hifitrends is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site. Prices are subject to change at any time.