iFi iDSD GR 2: a premium portable DAC delivering poised, detail-rich sound
What Hi-Fi? tests iFi’s premium portable DAC/amp, the iDSD GR 2, which sports a rugged aluminum chassis, wide inputs/outputs (balanced 4.4mm, 3.5mm, USB-C, optical/coax, Bluetooth 5.4), and a Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC with support for up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. It adds XBass/XSpace, four digital filters, and a hybrid power mode for flexible listening. In use it yields a clear, detailed, and evenly balanced sound with good headroom, though it sacrifices a touch of dynamic drama versus top contenders like the Mojo 2. Battery life is around seven hours; build is solid, but some ports aren’t clearly labeled and the volume knob behavior can be counterintuitive. Priced around £529 / $529 / AU$849, it’s a feature-rich, versatile option for portable listening rather than the most exciting sonic performer.