iFi launches Steve Levine-tuned iDSD GR 2 MT DAC/amp

iFi has launched a portable DAC/headphone amplifier developed in collaboration with producer Steve Levine. The iFi iDSD GR 2 MT has two exclusive Levine-tuned digital filters, one for PCM and one for DSD, and is available in the UK for £699.

The MT retains the standard model's Burr-Brown PCM1795 current-output DAC chipset and amplifier-stage architecture, with component-level refinements. It uses a hydrocarbon ceramic circuit board, tantalum resistors in the DAC stage and Audio Note capacitors in the amplifier stage. The circuitry is fully balanced end to end and uses Class A op-amps, while the iEMatch circuitry incorporates low-impedance MOSFETs. Digital format support extends to PCM at 768kHz and DSD512, with JVCKENWOOD K2HD processing and a separate K2 mode without upsampling.

Headphone connections comprise a balanced 4.4mm output and an S-Balanced 3.5mm output. Their specified RMS power at 32Ω is 1,513mW and 567mW respectively. Balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm connections are also provided for both analogue inputs and line outputs.

Wired digital inputs comprise USB-C and a combined optical/coaxial S/PDIF connection. Bluetooth 5.4 supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC codecs. Settings control and over-the-air updates are available through iFi Nexis. Its USB-based functions are exclusive to Android devices.

The ridged aluminium chassis has a capacitive OLED colour touchscreen, an illuminated logo beside the display and a metal control knob. The unit measures 141 × 75 × 19mm and weighs 268g. Its 4,900mAh lithium-polymer battery has a specified life of approximately seven hours and a charging time of approximately 3.5 hours. A hybrid power mode prioritises external power and draws supplementary battery power when required.