iFi Audio
iFi Audio - xDSD Gryphon
Portable DAC & Amp
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24 Hours
Designed in the
UK
Bluetooth with
aptX HD, aptX LL & LDAC
4.4mm
Balanced Output
Connect With
S/PDIF Coaxial
Upto 1000 mW @ 32Ω
Power Output
PAIRS WELL WITH THESE ACCESSORIES
ADVANCED AUDIO ARCHITECTURE WITH BURR-BROWN CHIPSET AND PUREWAVE POWER
Portable DAC/Amps tend to be compromised because they focus on either the digital or analogue section. But not both. The iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon is engineered differently. Just like its mythical namesake, it is two beasts in one. From the Ultra-Res digital stage using the Burr-Brown MultiBit chipset at the core, to the PureWave analogue power section pumping out 1,000mW, it offers serious output power. The Burr-Brown True Native chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended. PureWave is a new, balanced, symmetrical dual-mono topology with short, direct signal paths. The name refers to the sonic purity it achieves thanks to exceptional linearity and infinitesimally low levels of noise and distortion.
FEATURING A BALANCED AUDIO CIRCUIT WITH A NEGATIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM
The iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon utilises a superior method to the traditional
single-ended circuit approach to deliver pristine audio. xDSD Gryphon features a Balanced, differential
analogue circuit to reduce noise and crosstalk within the signal path by separating the left and right
channels, leading to less interference and clean sound. This Balanced circuit design is usually implemented
in higher-end products, but iFi Audio is now using this across its product range to produce the best quality
audio for all its users. The team at iFi Audio recognised that different parts of a circuit benefit from
specifically optimised feedback loops and have developed a Negative Feedback System that is much more
accurate than the usual approach. This system incorporates multiple feedback paths instead of a global loop
allowing every path to be optimised for a particular function that works synergistically with the others to
deliver optimal performance.
DELIVERING RAW POWER WITH DUAL OUTPUTS AND S-BALANCED TECHNOLOGY
The iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon uses PureWave amplification circuitry to drive your
connected headphones or IEM’s. It has 1,000mW at 32 Ohms. With a whopping max 6.7v output, bring on the high
impedance headphones because the xDSD Gryphon will not break a sweat driving them. The device also features
a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector for balanced playback along with a 3.5mm single-ended connector with S-Balanced
technology for use with single-ended headphones. S-Balanced technology delivers maximum performance from
both single-ended and balanced headphones. You can also use premium high-sensitivity IEMs with the 3.5mm
connector.
UTILISING THE LATEST QUALCOMM 5100 SERIES BLUETOOTH CHIP FOR HD AUDIO
The iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon uses the latest QCC 5100 series chip that offers
Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. Utilising Qualcomm’s new QCC5100 Bluetooth processing IC in combination with
proprietary circuits createS an audibly superior ‘Bluetooth engine’. All the current high-definition
Bluetooth audio formats are supported – Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, Sony’s LDAC and HWA’s LHDC,
regular aptX and aptX Low Latency, AAC (Apple iOS devices) and SBC. Of the 24-bit-capable codecs, aptX
Adaptive and aptX HD support up to 48kHz, while LDAC and LHDC reach 96kHz. iFi’s ‘Bluetooth engine’ can also
be updated over the air, allowing for future codecs to be added.
FULL MQA ENCODING & DECODING FUSED WITH BUILT-IN USB AND S/PDIF CONNECTIVITY
The iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon comes with Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) support,
enabling you to hear music exactly as recorded. MQA authentication is a badge of approval and guarantees the
device master-quality audio output. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream
or download. To further enhance the signal path, iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon is equipped with a USB and S/PDIF
connector that allows the xDSD Gryphon to handle all pro audio formats. All the following latest formats are
catered for but most importantly, are pushed to their zenith.
PCM(768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz), DSD (512/256/128/64), DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz),
MQA (Decoder) On S/PDIF, PCM (192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1 kHz) and DoP. 
ENHANCED WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES THAT ALLOW YOU TO PERSONALISE AUDIO
iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon features a digital platform where each section of the circuitry is distinct. It features a QC5100 chip for Bluetooth reception, a Global Master Clock for jitter, Burr-Brown chipset for DAC conversion. The xDSD Gryphon is also equipped with XSpace, XBass II, iEMatch and CyberSync technologies to elevate your audio. With XSpace enabled, it adds back the actual sound stage of recordings. Bass II reinstates the missing bass from open-backed headphones. Under XBass II you can select ‘Bass’ or ‘Presence’ so that the upper midrange frequencies are added back into your favourite recording. iEMatch is iFi Audio's proprietary tech that reduces the annoying hiss from high-sensitivity headphones without losing any dynamic range.
COMES EQUIPPED WITH CYBERSYNC TECHNOLOGY AND THREE BESPOKE DIGITAL FILTERS
CyberSync is a software-driven volume control that operates in the analogue domain. It provides perfect volume synchronisation between the source and the DAC. It detects which operating system (OS) the DAC is connected to – iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS or Linux – and instructs the source’s OS to bypass its software volume control. Whether the volume is adjusted using the xDSD Gryphon’s rotary control or on the source device, CyberSync ensures the change is performed purely by the iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon’s superior analogue control chip, while also displaying the adjustment on the source device’s screen. 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 the sound.
EMBEDDED WITH A OLED SCREEN THAT FEATURES SILENTLINE TECHNOLOGY FOR LOW NOISE
iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon sports a high-quality OLED display that helps you view the changes on your device. The OLED screen in the xDSD Gryphon features a SilentLine design. This ensures that there is no electrical noise to interfere with the audio signal. The way its switches between settings has been engineered to ensure sonic transparency. FET-based switching is handled by a microcontroller, which only ‘wakes up’ when the user changes the setting, thus eradicating any sonic interference. The OLED display and iFi’s CyberSync operating system combined, usher in a whole new world of user enjoyment – all information from format to battery life is there.
| INPUTS | Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, HWA, AAC and SBC Codec) Wired (digital): USB-C S/PDIF co-axial Wired (analogue): Balanced 4.4mm Single-Ended 3.5mm |
| FORMATS | DSD: DSD512/256/128/64, Octa/Quad/Double/Single-Speed PCM: 768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/ 96/88.2/48/44.1kHz DXD: 768/705.6/384/352.8kHz, Double/Single-Speed DXD MQA (Decoder): 384/352.8kHz Bluetooth: Up to 96kHz |
| DAC | Burr-Brown |
| BATTERY | USB-C charging. BC1.2 compliant up to 1900mA charging current |
| DIMENSIONS | 123x75x19 mm 4.8"x3.0"x0.7" |
| WEIGHT | 215 grams 0.5 Ibs |
| OUTPUTS | Balanced: 6.7V max. (variable) S-Bal (SE): 3.5V max. (variable) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | Balanced: ≤200Ω S-Bal (SE): ≤100Ω |
| SNR | Balanced: <110dB(A) @ 0dBFS S-Bal (SE): <110dB(A) @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | Balanced: <0.007% @ 0dBFS S-Bal (SE): <0.015% @ 0dBFS |
| OUTPUTS | Balanced: 4.4mm Pentaconn S-Bal (SE): 3.5mm SE |
| 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 |
| SNR | Balanced: <116dB(A) @ 0dBFS S-Bal (SE): <115dB(A) @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | <0.005% (1V @ 16Ω) |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon |
| 2. 1x USB-A to USB-C Cable | |
| 3. 1x USB-C to USB-C Cable | |
| 4. 1x Lightning to USB-C Cable | |
| 5. 1x Protective Bag | |
| 6. 1x User Manual | |
| 7. 1x Instruction Card |
| GENERIC NAME | Headphone Amplifier |
| COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | China |
| IMPORTER DETAILS | Importers Name: Ferrari Video Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020 Contact No: 044-24420733 |
| NET QUANTITY | 1 |
1 Year Warranty
Don't sweat it, this iFi Audio - xDSD Gryphon comes with a warranty
from iFi Audio that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about iFi Audio's warranty in India.
Customer Reviews
I've tried a lot of portable DAC/Amps and Gryphon is definitely one of the best AIO product under 1 Lakh. I can think of 2 other products (iDSD Signature, Dethonray Honey H1) that sound better than the Gryphon but at the cost of being less portable, less feature rich, large and at extra cost.
Build: Solid, and feels great in hand. The LEDs and display add to the already great looks and all the switches and connectors feel solid and tactile. It's also shaped in a way that it's very nice to hold with no sharp edges or odd bumps.
Sound: Deviates from the iFi house sound a bit, more neutral & smooth rather than warm & smooth like the Zen DAC, micro iDSD Signature... this could be a good or bad thing depending on your headphone and subjective preferences but in my listening, what I found was that the Gryphon paired with a wide variety of Headphones & IEMs compared to older iFi devices. On the other hand Brighter great paired well with older iFi devices.
Overall there's not much to complain, the analogue DSP works great and Bluetooth works without any drops. I've tried Pre-Amp functionality with my Active Speakers and it works without any issues and being able to use xBass in Pre-Amp is a good bonus. I've also used Gryphon as an Amp connected to Cayin RU6 with interesting results.
If I'm nit picking, Gryphon can sound a bit too smooth at times, at least with my Headphones and I would have like a bit more battery life (I get ~6 Hours). Final thing would be the price, at 53k (my purchased price) it get's close to the iDSD Signature which sounds slightly better but if you want any of the other features then I'd highly recommend Gryphon.
I upgraded to this from the iFi Zen DAC v2. It's definitely a step-up from Zen. It has all the connectivity options you would ever need. The sound is less warm than the regular iFi sound signature (zen dac, hip dac).
This might not be able to perform at the level of dedicated HiFi setups. But, for a mid-fi device, with similarly priced headphones, it's a great deal as a portable unit.
It has a better XBass boost. Build quality is solid. The OLED panel helps very much to flick through the options. I'm getting around 6-7 hours of battery life. have tried it with a separate tube amp and sound signature becomes much warmer, smoother and overall fun to hear. So, it can function as a standalone DAC fairly well. Bluetooth quality, although not at par with wired is entirely usable and makes this device a fun, portable go-anywhere and plug into anything sorta DAC.
iFi Audio - xDSD Gryphon
Thank you for the awesome ratings!
Exceptional device. I use it on BT/ DAC mode with iPad and Samsung note 10 phone. Brilliant sound.
We appreciate the genuine feedback and we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well.
The device sounds very close to my sp2000 cu. Phenomenal sounding device for the price. And the delivery was usual super fast my HPZ. All in all, a 5-star Bluetooth dacamp! ❤️❤️
Regards,
Vishy
iFi Audio - xDSD Gryphon