The Gryphon has what headphone audiophiles want most in a headphone amp:
- fabulous sound
- a headphone amp to use with analogue sources
- a headphone amp for digital sources
- balanced and unbalanced headphone output
- battery operation with fast charging USB C
- a mobile music lover’s dream. The xDSD Gryphon is the high-end audio system you can take with you wherever you go.
- a pure DAC or DAC/preamp to connect to an amp and speakers; the heart of a home audio system
- hi quality Bluetooth streaming
Using the latest QCC 5100 series Bluetooth v5.1 as the starting point, for wireless connectivity, the xDSD Gryphon is at the bleeding-edge when it comes to the latest formats:
USB & S/PDIF. Wired to the nines.
xDSD Gryphon features separate Bluetooth, DAC, and amp stages; each is optimized for maximum performance.
Clever configuration enables the sheer variety of input devices that can be connected to Gryphon while maintaining its compact form. At the rear, two USB-C ports are provided: one input for digital audio, handled asynchronously, and the other for charging. USB-C and Lightning OTG cables are included for use with modern smartphones, tablets, and computers, along with a conventional USB-A cable that fits most wall chargers.
Next to these lies the S/PDIF digital input, which allows both optical and electrical (3.5mm) onnections.
3.5mm and 4.4mm Pentaconn analogue sockets can also be found at the rear, for single-ended and balanced connections respectively. They double as both inputs and outputs — inputs when xDSD Gryphon is being used as an analogue headphone amplifier, and outputs to enable its use as a DAC/preamp in a home audio system, with fixed and variable output options to connect to an amp and speakers.
At the front, a pair of headphone outputs are provided — a 3.5mm output that benefits from iFi's S-Balanced circuitry for single-ended headphones, and a 4.4mm Pentaonn fully-balanced output that takes advantage of Gryphon's balanced amp design.
Tailored to your ears
XSpace adds back the cavernous sound stage of recordings.
XBass II reinstates the missing bass from open-backed headphones or for recordings that you hanker for bass slam. Under XBass II you can select ‘Bass’ and/or ‘Presence’ so that the upper midrange frequencies are correctly added back into your favourite recording.
iEMatch – is our proprietary tech which reduces the annoying hiss from high-sensitivity headphones without losing any dynamic range.
With digital sources, users can choose between three bespoke digital filters via the on-screen menu: Bit-Perfect, Standard and GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimised), each having a fine-tuning effect on sound.
Reviews
"The best premium portable DAC"
read the review in TechRadar
"birth of a ‘head-fi’ legend"
read the review in HiFi Plus
Hi-Fi News loves Gryphon
"The xDSD Gryphon possesses an admirable combination of useful features and superb sound, all at an affordable price. Comprehensive Bluetooth support, proprietary eq modes, plus a balanced output, make it as well suited for those seeking an on-the-go upgrade as for audiophiles feeding demanding headphones at home via their hi-res library. iFi Audio's impressive track record continues…"
read the review in HiFi News
video review, cord mojo vs. iFi Gryphon - please wait 10 secs to load
Specifications
- Portable ✅ Yes
- Streamer: Bluetooth aptX HD ✅ Yes
- DAC: Burr Brown (same as their $3000 model)
- Digital inputs: USB Type C, S/PDIF coaxial ✅ Yes
- Headphone Amp: 4.4mm, Single-Ended 3.5mm ✅ Yes
- Variable Audio Out: ✅ Yes
- Balanced 4.4 and 3.5 mm Audio output ✅ Yes
Detailed Specifications
Dimensions 123x75x19 mm 4.8"x3.0"x0.7"
Weight 215 grams, 0.5 Ibs
Battery
- USB-C charging. BC1.2 compliant up to 1900mA charging current
- Battery life varies based on use, headphones, and settings. Up to 8 hours in ideal conditions.
Line Section
- Outputs Balanced 6.7V max. (variable), S-Bal (SE) 3.5V max. (variable)
Output Impedance
- Balanced ≤200Ω , S-Bal (SE) ≤100Ω
- Balanced <110dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- S-Bal (SE) <110dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- Balanced <0.007% @ 0dBFS
- S-Bal (SE) <0.015% @ 0dBFS
Headphone Section
- Outputs Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn, S-Bal (SE) 3.5mm Single-Ended
- Output Power
- Balanced >1000mW @ 32Ω, >74mW @ 600Ω, >6.7V max. @ 600Ω
- S-Bal (SE) >320mW @ 32Ω, >40mW @ 300Ω, >3.5V max. @ 600Ω
- Output Impedance Balanced <1Ω, S-Bal (SE) <1Ω
- Output Impedance Balanced <116dB(A) @ 0dBFS, S-Bal (SE) <115dB(A) @ 0dBFS
- THD+N <0.005% (1V @ 16Ω)
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What's in the Box
