iFi Audio has announced the iDSD GR 2 at High End Vienna, a ground-up rethink of one of its most popular portable products.
Positioned as the next step on from the xDSD Gryphon, the newcomer combines a new DAC architecture, fully balanced amplification, a colour capcitive OLED touchscreen, JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD processing and lossless Bluetooth support in what the company is calling its most versatile true-portable DAC/amp yet.
Among the upgrades are a new PCM1795 DAC with a bespoke balanced circuit design, up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms output, and Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC, while support for the iFi Nexis app also brings over-the-air updates and extra control options.
New DAC, New Direction
At the heart of the GR 2 is the first use of Burr-Brown’s PCM1795 DAC chipset in an iFi product. The company says the move retains its trademark warm, analogue-leaning presentation while delivering true 32-bit resolution, lower distortion and improved dynamic range.
Because the PCM1795 is a current-output DAC, iFi has been able to create bespoke I/V and output stages around it. The GR 2 also adopts Class A op-amps and a refined fully balanced topology from preamp to headphone stage, with unnecessary switching removed to cut distortion across the signal path.
The promise here is greater transparency, lower noise and a more direct connection to the music.
More Muscle
Power has also taken a healthy step up. The iDSD GR 2 is rated at up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms, which iFi says is 50% more output than the original Gryphon and should translate into more headroom for demanding headphones. The practical benefit, according to the brand, is firmer bass control, cleaner transients and freer dynamic expression when the load gets tougher.
The GR 2 also adds JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, which is designed to restore some of the harmonic richness and subtle detail often lost in digital recording and playback.
iFi says the result is a fuller, more natural and more engaging presentation, while a lighter-touch K2 mode is available for listeners who want enhancement without upsampling.
Four selectable digital filters are included too, giving users another way to fine-tune the character of the sound.
Smarter Power
Wireless playback has been upgraded as well, with Bluetooth 5.4 joined by aptX Lossless for CD-quality 44.1kHz/16-bit transmission, while LDAC support stretches to bitrates of up to 990kbps for those chasing the best possible wireless quality short of fully lossless delivery.
Battery management is another new talking point, according to iFi. The GR 2’s hybrid power mode prioritises external power when connected, but can dip into the internal battery when extra current is needed before automatically switching back again once demand drops.
That approach is intended to reduce unnecessary battery cycling during longer listening sessions and support better long-term battery health.
The unit is also compatible with the iFi Nexis app, which opens the door to deeper settings adjustments and over-the-air firmware updates so the feature set can continue to evolve after purchase.
The iDSD GR 2 is available to purchase at ifi-audio.com and authorised dealers for £529 | US$529 | €549 | CA$799.
For more information visit iFi Audio
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