I have the mk1, it has plenty power and I find the xbass very useful especially with open headphones like grado . And yes, it has some randomly issues that you have described with tidal.
Thanks a lot for this! Following up on your recommendation from the Drop HD6XX video. My overall thought as a music lover in general, and a producer is I wish manufacturers would concentrate on DAC and AMP quality while delivering as much transparency as possible and not screw with stereo imaging (sounded to me like that's what it is from your description). It's the universal go-to cheat when wanting to create more "clarity" and instrument separation, but it's the wrong kind. Stereo imaging is very important to leave alone because it is one of the tools over which producers mule endlessly. These days, many times stereo is being used as one of the defining dynamics in a song for example, when going from a verse and bridge - to the chorus. The stereo image widens, becomes lush, opens up the vocals and other instruments etc. When tampered with, it will either kill that dynamic by overriding it with a constant "over wide" imaging, or will completely ruin the track. Second deterrent may be the frequency control, with the roll-off you mentioned. Not that I long for 6-10k frequency boost or even anything in that range that comes out flat, but as a principle, I don't like it when manufacturers meddle with sound even when they roll it off for you. With that being said, I ordered this thing of course, as A. I believe you, and B. The tradeoffs can be dealt with, and overall from what you describe, it's still a good value for money. The way to deal with tradeoffs: EQ - typically manufacturers use a static setting of an X amount of reduction in db. All you need to do is pre-compensate with exactly the same amount. If they do it dynamically - you're screwed. The same cannot be said though about stereo imaging unless you write a program which would keep up with dynamics of the track automatically while adhering to your settings. It's just not worth the effort. I hope these two are not as influencing as I fear.
Agree .. make my DT 880 600 ohms sound great with hi gain and bass engaged .. as they are a bit bass light. The volume control is so pleasant to use .. big plus.
That’s wonderful to hear! Your review happened to be perfect for me, the HD600’s are one of my main 3 pairs. They’re brand new, like most of my headphone equipment because my living situation changed drastically. I have a hip dac3 on the way and a sweet IFI case for it as well. It’s good to know that the single ended works as well. I live in Florida now in a condo, with a beautiful view but can’t really use loudspeakers anymore. So this will be perfect for sitting on the balcony and jamming while looking at the Bay. Inside I have a Schiit stack with a magni, modi, Sys, and Mani2 that’s more stationary obviously for my records etc. I have a wiim connected to it for streaming. It was just perfect you were testing it with 600’s because I’ll be using them with it quite often. I have a pair of HD490pros that I personally just love, they sound better everyday it seems, and a pair of Emotiva GR-1’s, also loving them. I listen to rock primarily, which my gear practically gives that away, but anyway I’m very excited and feel the same way you do about the hipdac2(I had one for a bit but had to change, I can’t remember exactly why, I wanna say it had to do with being able to afford my new TT) and I’m psyched to be getting the 3! I’m very happy with my new system(s) and I’m finding the world of headphones can be so much more than I ever imagined, I always based my system around loudspeakers primarily before all of this change. It’s not the most expensive but whatever it’s not all about that, I subscribed when I saw you understand and feel the same way. It’s about the music, and by god the vessel I’ve built for inside and now on the go is perfect for me atm. Of course we always have that curiosity about what else we can do, but I plan on cranking up the stuff I do have, sitting back and burnin one and smelling the roses! Lol, the smell might not be roses but just as good😜
@@khalbrando2990 Well said! I hope you enjoy your new HipDac! And that's a very solid desktop system you have there, well done! Enjoy what you have, kick some ass on the bay front, and just vibe it!
I always dig your review! Thanks for making them! From a fellow designer (UX design) I have to agree that the design of it is very attractive and the UX pretty good as well! Would pay more to have color options! Here’s my question, I have an HD6XX that I’ve been driving with a BTR15 (single ended) and with my M2 Mac. I’m trying to understand how this Dac/Amp will change the sound of my Sennys? I know that HD6XX don’t have the widest soundstage, but will it really improve compared to my 125$ BTR15? In order words is it worth it?
All amps in general have their own unique sound, so the HipDac would likely sound different from your BTR. I couldn't tell you in what way it would sound different as I've never used a BTR15 before. If you are specifically looking to add more soundstage to your 6XX your best bet is to find a tube amplifier. I don't think that the HipDac will have any significant impact on the soundstage performance compared to what you're used to.
There seems to be disagreement about how well the HD3 will drive different kinds of headphones. You mentioned the HD600s. Can you give some other examples? For example: Arya Stealth or Organic, Audeze LCDs, etc.
My hip dac-3 went from intermittently not working in Tidal to never working after playing a MQA audio track. I have to power off/on or un-plug/plug and it works again. Found they have a FW to disable MQA and after that everything works great other than not using the native MQA decode on the DAC.
I have the Ifi iCan Signature and it made the rest of my amps obsolete. It can basically switch into all the other types of Amps and it gives so many sound choices that I rarely ever even turn on my Wooaudio Wa-22 anymore.
@@MasterMarslander Yeah I am now looking for an iDSD Sig to go with it, but perhaps I am risking falling into the hole again. So I will refrain….. for now……
@@MasterMarslander Not to sound pompous of anything, but my debate is currently between the iDSD and the Chord TT2. Leaning more towards the iDSD currently, but I might stagger this purchase until next year because I think they are about to release an update on the entire iCan iDSD line soon so it will be cheaper to buy new, and might be worth it to buy the updated version if it brings anything new to the table. Must contain the hedonic treadmill as much as possible.
@Crashboomwallop yes, still highly reccomend. Have not tried the NX7 yet, but in terms of alternatives I have a Tone 2 that I'm really excited to talk about sometime soon.
Do you meant the music for the logo animation? It's a stock track I picked up ages ago. File name is "lofi beat chill," and unfortunately there's no metadata to tell me the artist.
The problem you mention is because Tidal Android app has broken bit perfect functionality. If you use version 2.93 or Uapp, things work perfectly. It's a brilliant piece of kit for the money. Drives my Ananda with more authority than Btr7 and close to the zen can.
Yeah, definitely some quarks you have to be prepared for. My first HipDac 2 was a dud in less than a week and had to be replaced. Otherwise, it's been really good. So just be sure you have a good return policy from where you buy.
@@MasterMarslander, in my case, Bloom Audio offered me monetary compensation, rather than shipping my iFi Phantom all the way from Manila to USA. Incidentally, ALL matter has quarks. 😸
I have the mk1, it has plenty power and I find the xbass very useful especially with open headphones like grado . And yes, it has some randomly issues that you have described with tidal.
Thanks a lot for this! Following up on your recommendation from the Drop HD6XX video. My overall thought as a music lover in general, and a producer is I wish manufacturers would concentrate on DAC and AMP quality while delivering as much transparency as possible and not screw with stereo imaging (sounded to me like that's what it is from your description). It's the universal go-to cheat when wanting to create more "clarity" and instrument separation, but it's the wrong kind. Stereo imaging is very important to leave alone because it is one of the tools over which producers mule endlessly. These days, many times stereo is being used as one of the defining dynamics in a song for example, when going from a verse and bridge - to the chorus. The stereo image widens, becomes lush, opens up the vocals and other instruments etc. When tampered with, it will either kill that dynamic by overriding it with a constant "over wide" imaging, or will completely ruin the track.
Second deterrent may be the frequency control, with the roll-off you mentioned. Not that I long for 6-10k frequency boost or even anything in that range that comes out flat, but as a principle, I don't like it when manufacturers meddle with sound even when they roll it off for you. With that being said, I ordered this thing of course, as A. I believe you, and B. The tradeoffs can be dealt with, and overall from what you describe, it's still a good value for money.
The way to deal with tradeoffs: EQ - typically manufacturers use a static setting of an X amount of reduction in db. All you need to do is pre-compensate with exactly the same amount. If they do it dynamically - you're screwed. The same cannot be said though about stereo imaging unless you write a program which would keep up with dynamics of the track automatically while adhering to your settings. It's just not worth the effort. I hope these two are not as influencing as I fear.
Agree .. make my DT 880 600 ohms sound great with hi gain and bass engaged .. as they are a bit bass light. The volume control is so pleasant to use .. big plus.
For the 600’s, did they sound so good single ended as well? Or only balanced?
I actually primarily used them single ended for this particular review. Sounds great. Very kind of Zen Dac Signature sound.
That’s wonderful to hear! Your review happened to be perfect for me, the HD600’s are one of my main 3 pairs. They’re brand new, like most of my headphone equipment because my living situation changed drastically. I have a hip dac3 on the way and a sweet IFI case for it as well. It’s good to know that the single ended works as well. I live in Florida now in a condo, with a beautiful view but can’t really use loudspeakers anymore. So this will be perfect for sitting on the balcony and jamming while looking at the Bay. Inside I have a Schiit stack with a magni, modi, Sys, and Mani2 that’s more stationary obviously for my records etc. I have a wiim connected to it for streaming. It was just perfect you were testing it with 600’s because I’ll be using them with it quite often. I have a pair of HD490pros that I personally just love, they sound better everyday it seems, and a pair of Emotiva GR-1’s, also loving them. I listen to rock primarily, which my gear practically gives that away, but anyway I’m very excited and feel the same way you do about the hipdac2(I had one for a bit but had to change, I can’t remember exactly why, I wanna say it had to do with being able to afford my new TT) and I’m psyched to be getting the 3! I’m very happy with my new system(s) and I’m finding the world of headphones can be so much more than I ever imagined, I always based my system around loudspeakers primarily before all of this change. It’s not the most expensive but whatever it’s not all about that, I subscribed when I saw you understand and feel the same way. It’s about the music, and by god the vessel I’ve built for inside and now on the go is perfect for me atm. Of course we always have that curiosity about what else we can do, but I plan on cranking up the stuff I do have, sitting back and burnin one and smelling the roses! Lol, the smell might not be roses but just as good😜
@@khalbrando2990 Well said! I hope you enjoy your new HipDac! And that's a very solid desktop system you have there, well done! Enjoy what you have, kick some ass on the bay front, and just vibe it!
@khalbrando2990 also, let me know how that ifi case is. Been looking at then too, but reading mixed reviews.
Great review. I'm with you on the color options. They don't have to be flashy, but something a little more stylish than tan would be nice.
I always dig your review! Thanks for making them! From a fellow designer (UX design) I have to agree that the design of it is very attractive and the UX pretty good as well! Would pay more to have color options!
Here’s my question, I have an HD6XX that I’ve been driving with a BTR15 (single ended) and with my M2 Mac. I’m trying to understand how this Dac/Amp will change the sound of my Sennys? I know that HD6XX don’t have the widest soundstage, but will it really improve compared to my 125$ BTR15? In order words is it worth it?
All amps in general have their own unique sound, so the HipDac would likely sound different from your BTR. I couldn't tell you in what way it would sound different as I've never used a BTR15 before. If you are specifically looking to add more soundstage to your 6XX your best bet is to find a tube amplifier. I don't think that the HipDac will have any significant impact on the soundstage performance compared to what you're used to.
There seems to be disagreement about how well the HD3 will drive different kinds of headphones. You mentioned the HD600s. Can you give some other examples? For example: Arya Stealth or Organic, Audeze LCDs, etc.
Sure. I'll gather a smattering of examples that pair well when I get home.
My hip dac-3 went from intermittently not working in Tidal to never working after playing a MQA audio track. I have to power off/on or un-plug/plug and it works again. Found they have a FW to disable MQA and after that everything works great other than not using the native MQA decode on the DAC.
Yup. I had a short chat with Ifi after they saw this video and we tested a couple of outcomes. Bottom line - Tidal needs to get thier shit together.
I have the Ifi iCan Signature and it made the rest of my amps obsolete. It can basically switch into all the other types of Amps and it gives so many sound choices that I rarely ever even turn on my Wooaudio Wa-22 anymore.
Hot dog, that's awesome. 🤩
@@MasterMarslander Yeah I am now looking for an iDSD Sig to go with it, but perhaps I am risking falling into the hole again. So I will refrain….. for now……
@Mosamania they just released thier 3rd generation Zen line, so it might be a prime time!
@@MasterMarslander Not to sound pompous of anything, but my debate is currently between the iDSD and the Chord TT2. Leaning more towards the iDSD currently, but I might stagger this purchase until next year because I think they are about to release an update on the entire iCan iDSD line soon so it will be cheaper to buy new, and might be worth it to buy the updated version if it brings anything new to the table. Must contain the hedonic treadmill as much as possible.
Still recommend it? Any other alternatives now? Have you used topping NX7 amp?
@Crashboomwallop yes, still highly reccomend. Have not tried the NX7 yet, but in terms of alternatives I have a Tone 2 that I'm really excited to talk about sometime soon.
@@MasterMarslander oh its that khadaas thingy na. Cool, will await your review before i get one over the other
Great review
I am also curious if it can drive arya stealth
hey man. whats the music in your intros? trying to find it ...
Do you meant the music for the logo animation? It's a stock track I picked up ages ago. File name is "lofi beat chill," and unfortunately there's no metadata to tell me the artist.
The problem you mention is because Tidal Android app has broken bit perfect functionality. If you use version 2.93 or Uapp, things work perfectly. It's a brilliant piece of kit for the money. Drives my Ananda with more authority than Btr7 and close to the zen can.
Yeah, I've been having the same trouble with some Fiio amps and Tidal after dropping the video. Freaking Tidal. I'll try rolling it back. Thanks!
Hi, would you mind to pair it with the BOKEH and share your insight with me please?
I am really interest on that.
Great review.
Sure thing. I'll get back to you.
The pair sound large, relaxing, vibrant and delightful. Solid pairing.
iFi products are plagued with quality control issues, in my experience. 😢
Yeah, definitely some quarks you have to be prepared for. My first HipDac 2 was a dud in less than a week and had to be replaced. Otherwise, it's been really good. So just be sure you have a good return policy from where you buy.
@@MasterMarslander, in my case, Bloom Audio offered me monetary compensation, rather than shipping my iFi Phantom all the way from Manila to USA.
Incidentally, ALL matter has quarks. 😸
Does this have the AutoEQ feature the Qudelix has? What about some of the other customizations Qudelix 5K offers?
@@Prxyshj Nope, no EQ or DSP correction. Just hardware.
@@MasterMarslander, isn't the XBass button an equalization filter?
Three opening minutes of uncontrollable drooling was more than enough, thank you.
Can't help myself sometimes.
Too must gushing, couldnt watch therest.
I definitely gush about the design, because I love it. Use the time stamps to move past design to find just objective statements.
Naa... My old skol Q5S TC way better.. Peace!
The continued use of older gear is never a bad thing. Glad you still love it. 👍
What a simp! 😂
I will always simp for good design.
2:37 sick of the simping. I'm off