The no-brainer🫰 portable DAC-AMP // IFI AUDIO HIP DAC 3 (full review)

[@gearupaaron]

Hello hello, fam - thank you (as always) for your support! If you wanna check out the Hip Dacs and cables featured in this vid, follow these links... Hip Dac 3 amzn.to/42GRQli Hip Dac 2 amzn.to/49clxgt Get the InCharge X and XL @ rollingsquare.com/GEARUPWITHAARON (Use "GEARUPWITHAARON" for 20% off your first order!)

[@philipm.4738]

"Saliva pop"! Perfectly describes a sound that I had no words for. Of course I never heard it til I got into IEMS 😊 I'm a budget dongle DAC guy but these look and sound sweet. I'm actually a fan of the burnt orange colour. Thanks for the thorough review Aaron!

[@gearupaaron]

I wish iFi offered more colors for these, but maybe that's how they keep the cost down.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Another option at even lower price point: used LG flagship. Anything from g8, g8x, v50 etc.....are probably $75-100. V60 for $175 if you want android 13. Similar Sabre chip wi hifi dac. Ldac, apt-x, eq, play store, spatial audio, SD card support. Can drive 600 ohms, has high impedence mode. Access to poweramp, musicolet, revaanced Other options I like is Qudelik 5k (109) and the oddball moondrop littlewhite ($75-90)

[@roguegorilla8981]

I ordered the Hip-dac3 yesterday and im so glad I did. Cant wait to use them with my Ziigaat Doscincos

[@gearupaaron]

Definitely let us know what you think when you get to test it out for a bit 😁

[@roguegorilla8981]

@@gearupaaron I will. I'm all new to the iem world though. I've just nosed dived right into it though lol. I will say the Doscincos sound so good. I was blown away

[@gearupaaron]

@roguegorilla8981 No kidding, them Ziigaats are pretty pricey, lol! Enjoy your new toys nonetheless!

[@Devnull01]

Went from a hipdac2 to a qudelix 5l and instantly regretted it. Returned the q5k an bought a hipdac3.

[@gearupaaron]

What did you not like about the Q5k?

[@Devnull01]

​@@gearupaaron a couple of things - the battery life was really poor as soon as you use any DSP - with LDAC, 20peq on, performance mode and high gain i was getting 4hrs of use - this seemed to be down to the dsp as when i tuned it off i was getting around 7-8hrs, couple this with a slow charge time and it became an issue. The main thing was the lack of confidence with the sound. I really missed the power available from the Hipdac2. The q5k goes loud but it sounds "thin" - like a mile high but only an inch deep. The powered my HPs fine but never sounded like it had any confidence or solidity behind it and this became very fatiguing very quickly. I'm not driving anything really hungry - i mean my goto daily use cans are neo99s which are easy to drive but come alive as a different beast when fed some power. Like any amplification / transducer combo there's a difference between being able to power something and being able to drive something well. I also missed the x-bass function - this hardware implementation by iFI is outstanding - makes analogue instruments have more of that "nearness" feeling you get when you are in a room with a live performance - really needs renaming if you're listening @iFiaudiochannel. The software for the q5k is great but also distracting - I'm a tinkerer and I found that I was becoming obsessed with the app at the detriment of listening to music. The buttons aren't great but also not terrible. I tried the btr7 and 15 as well and found them both to have an overly sharp / bright signature and whilst the q5k was better in that respect it just lacked the oomph / ability to push the music imho. I did have a iFI go blu on order but it never showed and was deemed lost - when funds allow I'd be interested in picking one up maybe second hand. tl:dr - lacked any true guts behind the volume, became tiring. Battery life poor with DSP. Don't get me wrong the Hipdac3 is not perfect but the things that annoy me with all get put to one side when using it to just listen to music. Bet you wish you never asked now 🤣

[@Devnull01]

​ @gearupaaron a couple of things - the battery life was really poor as soon as you use any DSP - with LDAC, 20peq on, performance mode and high gain i was getting 4hrs of use - this seemed to be down to the dsp as when i tuned it off i was getting around 7-8hrs, couple this with a slow charge time and it became an issue. The main thing was the lack of confidence with the sound. I really missed the power available from the Hipdac2. The q5k goes loud but it sounds "thin" - like a mile high but only an inch deep. The powered my HPs fine but never sounded like it had any confidence or solidity behind it and this became very fatiguing very quickly. I'm not driving anything really hungry - i mean my goto daily use cans are neo99s which are easy to drive but come alive as a different beast when fed some power. Like any amplification / transducer combo there's a difference between being able to power something and being able to drive something well. I also missed the x-bass function - this hardware implementation by iFI is outstanding - makes analogue instruments have more of that "nearness" feeling you get when you are in a room with a live performance - really needs renaming if you're listening @iFiaudiochannel. The software for the q5k is great but also distracting - I'm a tinkerer and I found that I was becoming obsessed with the app at the detriment of listening to music. The buttons aren't great but also not terrible. I tried the btr7 and 15 as well and found them both to have an overly sharp / bright signature and whilst the q5k was better in that respect it just lacked the oomph / ability to push the music imho. I did have a iFI go blu on order but it never showed and was deemed lost - when funds allow I'd be interested in picking one up maybe second hand. tl:dr - lacked any true guts behind the volume, became tiring. Battery life poor with DSP. Don't get me wrong the Hipdac3 is not perfect but the things that annoy me with all get put to one side when using it to just listen to music. Bet you wish you never asked now

[@casparwhittey]

kick ass review. Hipdac 2 owner and listened to your samples through hipdac2 and hifiman sundara's. I'm a huge fan of their power match and xbass.. I think the 3 handled xbass better. It was more nuanced with when it leaned into punchier bass. I'm impressed

[@gearupaaron]

Solid set of gear you got there. Are you planning on getting a 3? Thanks for watching this video, btw 🤙

[@kevinkraftable]

How important is it to get new cables for my iems or over ears? Are the stock cables fine? Or am I missing some potential with not having better cables?

[@gearupaaron]

Only get new (better) cables if, (a) the originals are terrible or shot, or (b) you have super/critical hearing to notice the marginal gains.

[@cuongvumanh5718]

Thank you for great and honestly review, Aaron I have ordered HD3, upgrade from Ifi go Link, Hope it is worth😊

[@michaelpastoral3957]

Just finished subscribing..keep up the good work

[@gearupaaron]

Thank you for your support, Michael! Please help re-share this channel, too 🤙

[@francob911]

Great Video! What would you recommend for a zumba instructors .. I need a DAC from my phone to the studio speakers

[@gearupaaron]

Thanks for watching! Will you be needing something more stationary for class or portable like the HP3?

[@francob911]

​@gearupaaron Portable without needed to be charged, I have the Fosi DS1 DAC and would like something better I've been told that the AFUL snowyNight is better

[@asan1050]

Enjoyed this video Aaron, Thank you very much!

[@gearupaaron]

Peace, man! 🙏

[@theonlyegg]

Question about those Rolling Square InCharge adapter... what if you only need USB-C to C? Those extra adapters are unnecessary and large, do they pop off?

[@gearupaaron]

I'd just stick with a good old C-to-C cable 😁 (and the adapters don't come off).

[@beppecasales]

Hi Aaron, i have an iPad with lightning port, can i use just the rolling square cable to stream hi res with Apple Music or do I need the camera adapter and the rolling square cable? Thanks!

[@pritambanerjee7172]

Can I use Hip Dac 3 for Hifiman sundara?

[@gearupaaron]

Definitely, although the Sundara is just fine without it 😁

[@sussychachi]

Sundara sounds depressing without a amp. To he honest most headphones sound depressing without power to drive them 😂

[@sussychachi]

This amp with its 600 ohm balanced input is enough to power all headphones! Highly recommend it

[@natalieandrews7793]

Would this amp work with Beyer Amiron Homes please ?

[@erock81487]

@@gearupaarongranted I’m using an Xr, but playing music with just a dongle vs my old Fiio Q1 MII, there’s a bit difference and the bass boost helps a ton as well. Obviously you can still listen to them without it, but I would definitely recommend having a dac/amp for them.

[@aceofspades6667]

I had hip Dac 1 then sold it for the ifi go blu.. will have to check out the hip 3 at some point.

[@gearupaaron]

Do it, do it!! 😁

[@AndrewLeeMalaysia]

I'm new to your channel, as well as, a newbie to the world of portable DAC/Amps. Like to pick your brain. I was contemplating getting the Fiio K3 but sold on either the iFi D2 or D3 by you. Between the headphones: Sigva Robin SV021 and Hifiman HE400SE, which would capture the best listening experience? I understand I'm not comparing apple with apple here. Thanks in advance! Just subscribed to your channel.

[@gearupaaron]

Appreciate your support (please share this channel with people you know) 🤘! If you prefer a more spacious listening experience or if you're doing some sound editing, the Hifiman would be tops, otherwise the SV021 is no slouch either. Also, nothing wrong with the K3 either 😁

[@sussychachi]

what do you think ifi hip dac 3 compared to the ifi gryphon ?

[@gearupaaron]

Depends on what you're planning on using the Gryphon for (and where).

[@sussychachi]

@@gearupaaron for phone use! Something for portable use.

[@dethcrimsonx]

Im looking to get one. Just a few questions. Will this pair up with my sony nwzx707 walkman? Im also going to use this with my galaxy s23ultra

[@gearupaaron]

Thanks for your comment 👍 It'll be a good match for your S23, although correct me if I'm wrong - doesn't your DAP already have a pretty solid DAC?

[@dethcrimsonx]

@gearupaaron it works perfect. Doesn't hurt to try it though. It's primarily for my s23 when I'm at work.

[@jonathanflannery8847]

Check out the onix alpha xl1 portable dac amp! It looks to be a beast, i just ordered one for the output power alone.

[@jeffyu8854]

Can I use this device for my IPhone 15 pro max

[@gearupaaron]

Yup, there are USB-C and Lightning cables included.

[@czondag]

When you turn the volume knob, it it also up and down on the mobile or is it separate?

[@gearupaaron]

Totally separate, which is what you want with these things.

[@junaidsultan1138]

Do this DAC can run without charging too?

[@gearupaaron]

Oh yes! 👍

[@n64matty]

How would you say this compares to something like the go bar or the questyoe m15?

[@gearupaaron]

Hi Matt, both examples you mentioned are meant to be more portable/pocketable and sound good with little to no power. The Hip DAC is if you want something a little higher end in portable Dac-amp where now you have more power from the internal battery. Hope that helps some!

[@theonlyegg]

It would be very helpful if you demoed the sound features over more than a single piano and some breathing. Not a lot for Xbass to work with.

[@gearupaaron]

Thanks for your suggestion! 👍

[@abdurrahmanghufran9405]

Can I use Hip Dac 3 for ath R70X ?

[@gearupaaron]

Shouldn't be a problem 😎

[@jeffyu8854]

Were there any better one then this one?

[@gearupaaron]

Maybe give the Fiio BTR5 a try?

[@DMatalas]

Can you please show me some examples of what this does ???

[@gearupaaron]

Maybe my other video of the Gen 2 might help? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oITPoYCiptGenrcsi=Yn5UaFjhdZXnxh26

[@Mnomphalos]

Ifi is a bad quality brand in my experience. I've bought 3 Ifi products and had issues with all 3. My Go Link stopped working - one minute fine, next dead. I bought a Go Pod and it was glitchy out of the box. The fix they described made it stop working altogether. I have a Hip Dac 3 and it will just stop at times which are becoming more frequent. I got a warranty replacement for the Go Link, and a refund for the Go Pod fortunately. I may need to make a warranty claim for the HD3 as well.

[@prince5922]

Did you just call your viewers boomers because of your ad?

[@gearupaaron]

Did I?

[@LyuboA]

how is this no brainer when you can actually buy for less money as powerfull Bluetooth Dac Amp that actually has clean sound IFI after 3 versions they still can't remove the Noise floor no THX Fiio BTR7 and BTR15 are 10 times better now even BTR17 is going to be released so this doesn't make any sense if it had at least Bluetooth then maybe but for so much Money and not having Bluetooth No THX

[@Jacob1451_Kapnobatai]

THX Is just the amp portion. Unless you NEED the extra power, it's pointless. Those other products are intended for Bluetooth. These are intended for wired devices.

[@gearupaaron]

@Jacob1451_Kapnobatai Well put!

[@Jacob1451_Kapnobatai]

@gearupaaron love mine so far. Thinking about getting a proper desktop set up with a Schiit stack

[@jasonmusic3]

I have both and have been comparing and I will say the BTR7 has Bluetooth but it can't and doesn't neither wired or wireless produce the sound the Hip DAC 2 provides. I didn't want to believe it until I listened to Frederick Chopin and heard distortion with the Hip DAC which was very good because it didn't remove that distortion from the original recording 👍🏾🤙🏾🎶❤️🎧