iFi xDSD Gryphon Headphone Amp, DAC Review & Comparison | Moon Audio

[@moon-audio]

Some Gryphon users have noticed unexpected changes in volume. Be sure to download and install the latest firmware on the Gryphon since iFi has implemented fixes for this volume issue. More info coming soon here: www.moon-audio.com/update-your-gryphon-firmware

[@christiharris292]

I bought mine when it first came out Oct/Nov 2021. I am thrilled with it, as a newbie I am using it as my desktop setup until I learn more about what I like and what I'm looking for. It is truly an awesome unit.

[@moon-audio]

Great to hear!

[@joshuakarp2586]

I just bought the Matrix Audio Element X2 from Moon and it’s SICK! I also bought the Black Dragon power cable with took away the hum from the stock power cable. Highly recommend that combo for the desktop.

[@GurvanBHC7]

Hey, how do you find Xspace? This feature really work for expande the soundstage ? Thank you in advance

[@christiharris292]

@@GurvanBHC7 to me it airs it out a bit, so yes a little but not a great amount

[@jamesewanchook2276]

Great vid, do you think it would power Dan Clark E3? And, would this Gryphonover colour my MM500's for mixing and mastering? Thanks,

[@axelfoley1768]

I did the comparison with the Mojo II. I was only looking for the best sound, any other features would just be a bonus. Suffice to say I walked away with the iFi Gryphon. You'll need to spend a lot of money to go better than this. I really wanted a DAP, problem is I couldn't find one that could match the Gryphon's sound. Clearly the iFi team realised the Burr Brown DACs doing us some party cake 🥳🍰🤸😁

[@moon-audio]

Both are great choices, and it all depends on what sounds better to you! Glad to hear you're liking the Gryphon. 🙂

[@bryce74]

@@moon-audio What is your preference and what would you say would pair better with the LCD X 2021. I really like the crossfeed on the mojo 2. I have it on a low setting with a -2DB on 125hz base shelf as the cross feed makes it boomy but the EQ adjustment fixes it.

[@bryce74]

I got your preference at the end of the video. But I guess it also depends on your headphone pairing to.

[@GurvanBHC7]

Hey, how do you find Xspace? This feature really work for expande the soundstage? Thank you in advance

[@axelfoley1768]

@@GurvanBHC7 it does work to add a bit of extra spread. But the soundstage is already fantastic on the Gryphon, so it doesn't really need it, unless you want a bit of extra artificial gimmick spread.

[@Presidentialrun2028]

Just bought this. Hope it was worth it. Should be here Saturday.

[@moon-audio]

Hey there! Hope you got your new Gryphon. What do you think so far?

[@jotarokujo-xn2xx]

I want to use it with my 2011 car which does not have bluetooth but it has red and white aux. Can I connect this to the car?

[@untitledwebm]

Hey, currently have btr5 2021 and does the gryphon sound 3x better than that?

[@WhoobieD]

Going to pair this with the Sony NW-A306, great review!

[@almo29]

Ok, so I have a Beyerdynamic MMX300 V2 headset. Ive been waiting (in europe) for the Schiit hel 2 for 2 years now... Is this a good alternative or are there others that ar better suited for desktop?

[@joshchacko7729]

How does it compare to the Ifi Signature when it comes to sound profile with respect to xbass and xspace as well?

[@moon-audio]

There are a few different iFi SIgnature products, if you are talking about the iFi Pro iDSD Signature, it's on a whole different level sound and price wise. These features work similarly but the Pro has an even more realistic presentation. If you are talking about the ZEN ONE Signature DAC, it's not quite as good as the Gryphon, but still impressive for it's price.

[@joshchacko7729]

@@moon-audio Thank you for the detailed reply. Sorry for the lack of specification, I was referring to the micro idsd Signature by Ifi.

[@sunnydayz77]

I have a Fiio BTR 7. Would the gryphon be a worthwhile upgrade ? I mostly use iems like CCA PLA13 planar iems, Sennheiser ie 200s

[@moon-audio]

Based on a quick feature comparison we find that the Gryphon would be a sizable upgrade! The Gryphon also works very well with your IEMs, but it also how quite a bit of power available if you ever wanted to pick up a full sized headphone to pair with it.

[@sunnydayz77]

@@moon-audio thanks a lot for the insight. Will go for the gryphons.

[@beyondtheuniverse999]

Hey did you make the decision? Does gryphon sound better than BTR7?

[@sunnydayz77]

@@beyondtheuniverse999 hi. I bought the gryphon and sent it back as in my opinion it did not justify the price over the BTR7. Sound wise it was good but not much more than the BTR7. Its big too and I am much happier with my BTR7.

[@beyondtheuniverse999]

@@sunnydayz77 I personally don't mind the size, did you play with the bass and space enhancements when you had the gryphon? And would you say it's at least slightly better than BTR7 with those enhancements or they both are on par in terms of sound quality?

[@monarakudumbiya957]

Hi , can the gryphon drive a DT 990 600 ohm ? Thanks

[@moon-audio]

Yes, set it to high gain and you are good to go! If you really like to crank your music we would recommend spending a bit more and getting the iFi Diablo instead: www.moon-audio.com/idsd-diablo-amp-dac.html

[@indrakumarc73]

I have ifi micro idsd signature, do you think Gryphon is a worthy upgrade? And i guess the balanced 4.4mm out on Gryphon is supported by fully balanced circuit? Thanks

[@moon-audio]

Yes the Gryphon is a very significant upgrade over the micro iDSD signature. It is a balanced connection but the right and left channels aren't fully separated in the way that they are on the iFi DIablo.

[@freedom36]

Hi, first of all, thanks for such an enjoyable review 😊 coming to my question: Do I have to download something else to use it actively (I mean that making the dac fully function) while listening to music from online streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer etc? Or is it enough to connect gryphon to my pc via usb/type-c port?

[@moon-audio]

In most cases the Gryphon can work by just being plugged into your audio source. That said, sometimes windows needs drivers installed to work it's best with DAC/AMPs. Here's a direct link to iFi's Driver page ifi-audio.com/support/download-hub/. Outside of drivers, you don't need to install any other software to stream Spotify/Deezer/etc. to the Gryphon!

[@colingordon0986]

Will this work well and sound good with a headphone that is 10ohms low impendence

[@moon-audio]

It certainly can! That said, there are other important measurements (such as headphone sensitivity) that are needed to calculate the power level needed for various headphones. For specific headphone questions, you can reach us via our Contact Us form: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@the14u36]

Sound quality only does it sound batter than the monolithic THX?

[@moon-audio]

Sorry, we're not familiar with that product. If you have any other questions about the iFi Gryphon, please reach out to us here: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@longzie1]

@@moon-audio Hi, what is your opinion on the bass and sub bass with the Gryphon? How would you compare it to the Mojo 2?

[@moon-audio]

Stay tuned for a special video comparing the sound of the Gryphon to the Mojo 2... coming soon! 🙂

[@longzie1]

@@moon-audio Looking forward to it 👍

[@joshuakarp2586]

Another awesome video! When was this DAC released?

[@moon-audio]

Thanks, Joshua! The Gryphon was released in late 2021. We're excited to carry it and many more awesome iFi products! 🙂

[@joshuakarp2586]

@@moon-audio I’m going to have to get this…

[@axelfoley1768]

@@joshuakarp2586 you won't regret it. Very natural sound, very spacious sound, very even-handed sound, very detailed & lush sound. Pretty much the best sound i've ever heard from a portable audio device.

[@joshuakarp2586]

@@axelfoley1768 it came a couple days ago and is AWESOME!

[@olexandrs6639]

Does it have sound lag when uaed as dac for windows pc via usb?

[@moon-audio]

Are we talking about when using for movie playback? If so, we have noticed no lag.

[@olexandrs6639]

@@moon-audio movies, fps online games like cs go for instance. I am curious if it can drastically expand soundstage. I heard that wm1A had a time lag when used as external dac.

[@olexandrs6639]

@@moon-audio so? will u reply?

[@moon-audio]

Sorry about the delay! The Gryphon will sound much better than your PC's integrated DAC chip, hands down. iFi's XSpace and XBass features will also add some great flexibility depending on your listening or gaming setup. Regarding lag, we didn't notice any when using with our PCs at the office here. Please reach out to us here if you have any additional questions: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@ismadelro]

Buen canal 👍🏻

[@the14u36]

The cables that come with it hi end do they needed to be upfraded

[@moon-audio]

Every part of the signal chain matters. From end to end. Materials matter! 🙂

[@binuat80]

Hi, Could you review the X Duoo XD05 Bal. I am using one It Outputs 1w continuous. (can drive almost any headphones). I have (Hifiman Ananda, Neumann NDH20 and Sony WH-100 XM2 for Over head monitoring) and (Fiio FH5, Moondrop CHU, BLON BL-03 and BLON BL- MAX for In ear monitoring). It has Dual ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC Chips. Also it has the option to swap its on board dual op amps. Texis Instruments IC op amps (stock on the unit) and an additional pair of Japan Radio Company IC op amps (in the box). I personally opted to replace the stock pair with Burson Audio - Supreme Sound Hybrid op amp V5I (Dual X 2). It sounds superb in wired mode. Bluetooth connectivity range is a minor issue. Also on the unit there is a Boost switch which I can't figure out any purpose, as its application or exit makes no difference. I innately thought it was for IEM Gain matching but Im not sure right now. I would like to hear your views on this portable DAC. If you could also shed some light on the use of the Boost switch on the unit.

[@garth56]

Mojo 2 is way better