When smartphone makers killed the headphone jack, audiophiles were left stranded. Music fans who love using wired headphones faced a grim choice: settle for compressed Bluetooth audio or ditch their favorite cans entirely.
Fortunately, companies like iFi Audio stepped into the breach by designing high-quality, miniature headphone amplifiers/DACs that let people use their wired headphones with their smartphones while significantly improving the audio quality at the same time.
The iDSD GR 2 is the latest version of the iFi’s most renowned portable audio device: the iFi xDSD Gryphon. The iDSD GR 2 has been redesigned from the ground up by reimagining the xDSD Gryphon with a completely new DAC architecture. The GR 2 features fully balanced amplification, an OLED touchscreen interface, JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, plus there’s lossless Bluetooth connectivity for anyone who wants to use wireless headphones when they are out and about.
New Burr-Brown Chip
The iDSD GR 2 is based around the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC with a bespoke balanced circuit design that has 50% more power than its predecessor. The K2HD Technology is a new feature that’s designed to add harmonic richness and musicality to digital music files. For use with high-end wireless headphones, the iDSD GR 2 supports aptX Lossless and LDAC audio codecs, producing a signal that compares well with wired headphones.
Other new features on the iDSD GR 2 include a hybrid power mode, which is designed to extend battery lifespan. When the device is used with a power supply rather than its built-in battery, the power circuit bypasses the battery, which reduces the number of charging cycles the battery undergoes.
When it comes to connections, the iDSD GR 2 offers a choice of Bluetooth, USB and S/PDIF inputs. That means it can drive a pair of wireless headphones, plug in directly to a smartphone or computer, or be connected to the optical or coaxial output of a CD player, giving older audio gear an instant sonic upgrade.
Warm Analog Sound
At the heart of the GR 2 is a major step up in digital conversion architecture. This is the first iFi product to use the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC chipset. The DAC has been specifically designed to preserve the warm and analog character that is synonymous with iFi. The DAC delivers true 32-bit resolution, lower distortion levels and an increased dynamic range.
As a current-output DAC, the Burr-Brown PCM1795 is also enables iFi to design fully bespoke I/V and output stages, optimized to extract the chip’s full potential. Class A op-amps provide a more natural analog character, while a refined circuit topology — now fully balanced from preamp to headphone stage with unnecessary electronic switching removed — has done a lot to reduce distortion across the signal path. This is a sophisticated design with lower distortion and greater transparency, designed to produce a more authentic connection to the music.
Possibly the most striking feature of the new GR 2 is its capacitive OLED touchscreen. This bright color display provides direct and intuitive control and is set flush on the surface of the GR 2’s aluminum case. Core settings are now much more accessible, removing the need for a deep dive into the menu structure. The display has been designed with speed and clarity in mind and adjusting settings now feels more responsive and intuitive.
Headroom Unlocked
As well as providing the new control interface, iFi has unlocked greater control over what the listener can hear. The GR 2 delivers up to 1,513mW RMS into 32Ω; that’s 50% more headphone drive than found on the original Gryphon. The result is more headroom for more demanding loads for bass that stays composed, sharper and more defined transients, plus more open dynamics, even with headphones that are hard to drive.
A frequent criticism of digital recordings is that they often sound cold and clinical. The natural richness of the original analog performance can be squeezed out. To counter this, the GR 2 uses JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology. This process uses a unique harmonic restoration algorithm designed to restore depth, tone and musicality by reintroducing subtle detail, bringing recordings closer to their original intent.
The result, says iFi, is a “more natural, engaging listening experience, where digital playback feels less processed and more emotionally connected to the performance. For those who prefer a lighter touch, ‘K2’ mode offers similar enhancement without upsampling.”
Freedom Without Loss
GR 2 marks a new generation of portable audio that with some of the latest advances in wireless connectivity. When Bluetooth was first launched, the standard had a narrow bandwidth that could squeeze the life out of music, making it sound thin and lacking in detail.
Now, thanks to Bluetooth 5.4 and support for Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless and Sony’s LDAC codec, the GR 2 can play nicely with the best and latest Bluetooth headphones, providing a sound that can rival wired headphones. These two codecs can deliver a wireless experience that preserves full detail of the music at CD quality, bringing listeners closer to the performance without being constrained by cables.
The GR 2 has a new hybrid power mode that can intelligently balance external power and battery operation. When connected to an external supply, it prioritizes mains power for day-to-day listening. Should extra power be required, GR 2 can draw on power stored in the GR 2’s internal battery before automatically returning to external power once demand subsides. This approach reduces unnecessary battery cycling, making the GR 2 suitable for extended listening sessions while preserving long-term battery health.
Control By App
The GR 2 is fully compatible with the iFi Nexis smartphone app that extends control beyond the device. Using the app, advanced settings can be easily accessed and fine-tuned to provide deeper personalization without complicating the overall experience.
There are settings om the player for switching on the XSpace and XBass+ effects, which boost the bottom end of the music for those who like a bit more oomph. The GR 2 also has four selectable digital filtering options for fine-tuning the character and presentation of the music.
The iFi Nexis app also provides over-the-air updates that can upgrade the GR 2 over time by adding new features, refinements and performance improvements long after it leaves the box.
Pricing and Availability:
The iDSD GR 2 is available to purchase at ifi-audio.com and authorized dealers, priced at $529 / £529 / €549.
Tech Specs:
- Hi-Res Support: PCM 768kHz / DSD512.
- Bluetooth Codecs: aptX Lossless / aptX Adaptive / aptX / LDAC / LHDC/HWA / AAC / SBC.
- Chipset: Burr Brown PCM1795.
- Digital Inputs: 1 x USB-C / 1 x S/PDIF (optical/coaxial) / Bluetooth 5.4.
- Analog Inputs: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x Single-Ended 3.5mm.
- Analogue Outputs: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x Single-Ended 3.5mm.
- Headphone Output: 1 x Balanced 4.4mm / 1 x S-Balanced 3.5mm.
- RMS Output Power: 6.94V/1 / 513mW @ 32Ω / 8.60V/119mW @ 600Ω (Bal) / 4.26V/567mW @ 32Ω / 4.27V/30mW @ 600Ω (S-Bal).
- Output Impedance: ≤0.4Ω; ≤4.5Ω with iEMatch (Bal) / ≤0.2Ω; ≤4.4Ω with iEMatch (S-Bal).
- SNR and DNR: 115dBA (all outputs).
- THD+N: 0.006% @ 16Ω (headphone outputs) / 0.0005% @ 0dBFS (line outputs).
- Battery: Lithium-Polymer 4,900mAh/ 7-hour battery life.
- Power Supply Requirement: 5V/>1.8A via USB-C / ~3.5h charging time.
- Dimensions: 141 x 75 x 19mm (5.55 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches).
- Weight: 268g (0.59lbs).