MAGAZINE
iFi Audio, specialist for mobile DACs and headphone amplifiers, replaces the models "xDSD" and "xCAN" with the new xDSD Gryphon. The device is powered by an internal battery, and is operated via the multifunctional knob on the front, which has a width of just under 8 cm. Headphones can be connected via 3.5 mm jack or 4.4 mm Pentaconn. For power-hungry headphones, up to 1000 mW at 32 ohms is said to be available, and for high-impedance models, the xDSD Gryphon aims to deliver up to 6.7 volts of output power.
A damping switch is provided for high-sensitivity earphones. The device accepts digital signals via USB-C (USB 3.0) at up to 32 bits and 768 kHz for PCM as well as DSD512, and it also has as a full-fledged MQA decoder built-in. PCM signals of up to 24 bit and 192 kHz as well as DSD over PCM (DoP) are supported via S/PDIF. The built-in Bluetooth receiver features the decoders AAC, aptX LL, LDAC as well as aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. A Burr-Brown chip works as the DAC. An OLED display on the top of the aluminum case provides information about the current status.
In Germany, the xDSD Gryphon is available now for a price of 600 euros.
