The Uno, by iFi, is touted as a first-rung audio upgrade for those who know they want to improve their computer audio experience but are not quite ready to throw lots of money at the solution.

iFi's Uno is a curvy little DAC/ headphone amp that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (26x88x81mm (HxWxD)) and sports USB-C input for simple connection to Windows PCs, Apple Macs, and all manner of smartphones and tablets. Requiring no external power source, the Uno is powered by the device it's plugged into, as well as being fed the audio stream.

Within its tough, mineral-filled polymer case, you'll find ESS Technology's ES9219MQ/Q DAC chip, boasting all the goodness of the company's 32-bit HyperStream III architecture. We're told that this combines with Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies alongside iFi's dedicated clock circuitry. This is all said to deliver ultra-low distortion, excellent clarity and impressive dynamic range.

The iFi Uno supports PCM to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD up to 11.2MHz (DSD256), and MQA. Incidentally, an illuminated ring behind the volume control changes colour to indicate the format and sample rate of the incoming digital signal.

Although inexpensive, iFi says that the Uno brings you high-end features such as adjustable analogue gain with DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement), plus technologies to minimise THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk. Additionally, a choice of digital filters is accessible via the front-panel buttons, enabling you to fine-tune the DAC's sound according to taste.

The headphone amp feeds a 3.5mm socket at the front, incorporating iFi's S-Balanced configuration to reduce noise and crosstalk. This delivers 211mW into 32 ohms and 3.5V into 600 ohms, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headphone and earphone types. Furthermore, the PowerMatch button adjusts gain by 6dB to match the connected headphones – choose the higher setting for more current-hungry loads and the lower setting for more sensitive types.

Furthermore, the stereo RCA output at the rear promises to use iFi's ability to deliver high-grade audio circuitry in remarkably affordable devices. Meanwhile, the volume knob provides analogue adjustment in the DAC itself rather than relying on the software-driven volume controls in connected digital devices.

Finally, three analogue processing modes adjust the frequency balance for music, movies, and games at the push of a fascia-mounted EQ button with an illuminated logo on top of the Uno indicating the current mode.

The iFi Uno is available for $79 USD from the end of November.

Visit iFi for more information