iFi xDSD GryphonFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 34 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment69%
PROS 69%
CONS 31%

Rank based on 34 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a compact DAC/amp that also works well as a desktop unit
  • You mainly use dynamic-driver headphones or IEMs and value strong Bluetooth/LDAC performance
  • You're upgrading from a lower-tier portable amp like the Hip-dac or original xDSD

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need maximum power for demanding full-size planar headphones like Audeze
  • You rely heavily on Bluetooth IEMs, which some users report connection problems with
  • You're bothered by potential firmware bugs like sudden volume jumps to maximum

What users complain about

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You are here
31Premium
iFi xDSD Gryphon
Excellent detailed soundUpgrade over lower-tier iFi/competitor unitsVersatile desktop/portable useInsufficient power for some planar headphonesVolume jumps to maximum bugBalanced vs single-ended power gap criticized
iFi xDSD Gryphon
Excellent detailed sound
Upgrade over lower-tier iFi/competitor units
Versatile desktop/portable use
Insufficient power for some planar headphones
Volume jumps to maximum bug
Balanced vs single-ended power gap criticized

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is widely praised as detailed, musical, and reference-level for a portable device. Multiple users describe the Gryphon as sounding better than devices like the Mojo, Hip-dac, and BTR5, and even competitive with expensive DAPs. It's described as having wide soundstage, accurate treble, lush midrange, and controlled bass. Several owners run it with headphones ranging from Sennheiser HD6X0 to Focal and Meze models, reporting excellent results across dynamic drivers and IEMs, with LDAC Bluetooth sounding nearly as good as wired USB.

Power output is sufficient for most headphones but debated for demanding planar magnetics. Some owners successfully drive Hifiman Arya, Sundara, and Meze Empyrean models, while others say it lacks current for full power on planar magnetics like Audeze, prompting them to choose the higher-powered iDSD Signature instead. There's also criticism that the large gap between balanced (1000mW) and single-ended (320mW) output unfairly requires buying balanced cables to get full performance.

Build quality, firmware, and connectivity have some recurring quirks despite an otherwise polished feature set. Users report a bug where volume unexpectedly jumps to maximum, USB-C to Lightning cable connections failing after weeks of use, and inconsistent Bluetooth pairing with BT IEMs. Firmware updates have added useful features like play/pause/skip via the volume knob and hardware volume sync, but changes like switching from dB to an arbitrary volume scale frustrated at least one long-term user. Battery life was also called a letdown by one experienced owner.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?