iFi Audio Hip-dac2

The super-slim, battery-powered iFi hip-dac2 connects to your phone and headphones to give you better sound on the go. Just like iFi Audio's original hip-dac before it, I've named this updated version the " best battery-powered portable headphone amp " of the year. The hip-dac2 keeps the same handy, charming flask-shaped design and adds some functionality and processing power. There's also a little extra flair, thanks to the delightful "sunset orange" finish on the heavy-duty aluminum chassis. It's still about the same size, compact enough to slip right into your pocket. When you're ready to listen to music, connect it to your phone or laptop to bypass that rotgut built-in audio circuitry — and drink in the top-shelf sound. Wired headphones sound much more dynamic and detailed when driven by the hip-dac2. iFi opted to use a 16-bit XMOS microcontroller/processor for the hip-dac2. That chip is responsible for handling the incoming USB audio data and it helps lower latency and increase the clock speed. On top...