iFi Audio XDSD

The iFi Audio xDSD's front panel features an analog volume dial, headphone jack, and striking color-coded LED lights. If you're into high-end headphones like I am, the pocket-sized iFi Audio xDSD is a handy piece of gear to have around. It's highly portable, but don't let the compact size fool you: this battery-powered headphone amp/DAC combo packs enough punch to use in your everyday desktop headphone setup. I auditioned it for a week, and it delivered top-notch sound to everything from professional in-ear monitors to extra-large over-ear headphones. But the portability makes it extra special. It fits easily in a bag or briefcase and has built-in Bluetooth. So you can connect to your phone or laptop, wired or wirelessly. Now you can bypass your device's ho-hum audio circuitry — and get serious sound quality, wherever you are. iFi makes a product called the xCAN headphone amp , which has a similar look, sound profile, and many of the same features as the xDSD. But there are some key differences that can he...