Thanks for your feedback Roland

I’m planning to buy one but still confused between IFi Gryphon and A&K SR25 Mk2.

What are you confused about?

@@GavinsGadgets Which one should I buy ? I have IFI Zen Signature 6XX bundle for desktop; I love the Burr-Brown DAC chip on them but I really want some all-in-one mobile audio solution which A&K SR25 Mk2 is perfectly capable of providing, meanwhile I have no experience with cirrus Logic Chips.

I have not heard the A&K. I can only say that the Gryphon sounds superb..

Hi Barry, thanks for your feedback. Glad you are enjoying yours as much as I am. Look forward to your thoughts with your IEMs too :) Bass roll off should be pretty good.

@@GavinsGadgets hey buddy I just got my UE 18+ IEM’s back in from repair, and just as I anticipated, this unit running the 4.4 balanced input with a 2.5 > 4.4 adapter Using the IEM 4.4 switch on the bottom of the gryphon is just phenomenal. The sub bass rumble I’ve been searching for from a portable so long really comes out in its the full expression. Along with the XSpace and the XBass options just offers so much versatility depending what you’re listening to. Even when you get up to the turbo level with the volume, I wasn’t getting any distortion from the low end. At question for you Gavin. Does the XBass and XSpace switch on the back work in conjunction with the button on the front, or do they have separate functions?? Just simply the best portable Bluetooth DAC/AMP combo at that this price point on the market right now. Huge question for you Gavin as I’m always looking for something better, what would you put next to this that would give it a run for it’s money? I do all kinds of extensive research before I buy anything but just don’t have the cash to do actual comparisons. Is there anything better for hi end IEM’s at the moment? Maybe something a little less bulky? I have the ES 100, The Qudelix 5K and the FiiO BTR5 where I give the slight edge to the 5K then the FiiO a close second. As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t get much better than the Gryphon right now, but would love your opinion. Thank you for all of your fantastic content. I think your opinion on most everything is spot on and keep up the excellent work!!!!

The bass switch on the rear just alters the type of bass boost for the front switch. Glad you're loving it with your IEMs too. I don't think there is something quite like it although I am testing something that will be reviewed for next weekend that might be a competitor. , The Xduoo XD05 Bal. As to something better, only the iFi diablo sounds better but it lacks the functions of the Gryphon.

Cheers Paul. Appreciate your feedback 👍

Thanks for your feedback. Excellent on both aspects.

Thanks for your feedback, appreciated 👍

COUNTER point, Tidal masters work flawlessly for me, absolutely loving the device

If the issue was fixed? What about other potential software bugs, did You encouterd any ?

The new firmware that fixes the sound bug was released a few days ago. They're no other bugs reported as far as I'm aware

Thanks for the answer. Im quite interested in one, thanks for the review also 🙂

Thanks for your feedback Ray. I am pleased you like it too. I haven't got the micro signature to hand, but as I use the same audio tracks, I prefer the Gryphon sound quality.

Gryphon sounds more detailed imo and bass boost is miles better than the Signature. However with IEMatch turned off the Gryphon's noise floor is significantly higher and pretty much unlistenable with sensitive IEMs when you turn on the bluetooth connection

Why would you turn it off. It's meant to be on. The IE match is needed due to the Hugh volts and power that are available to drive harder to drive headphones.

@@GavinsGadgets What I meant was the noise floor of the Gryphon with IEMatch off is far higher than the noise floor the Signature at any power setting with IEMatch off. Like the go blu it’s just a really noisy device

Thanks for your feedback 👍

Thanks 👍

Thanks for your feedback. I think the volume is down to the device you connected it to. If you read the instructions or it might have been on their website, the volume is normally remembered by the device you connect to. Definitely give it more time. IMO it sounds better than those other dacs. Good luck and thanks for saying hello. 😀

I wold be pretty upset to lose even a cheap pair of iem's. Imagine if it Blew up an expensive headphone :( Does the unit raise the volume if it is set to minimum ? Best of luck

@@deadline7610 Yes, pretty much to 90 plus volume. It was my mele earphone by bggar, not terribly expensive but it was a good sounding earphone for the price.

Quite a few other people are reporting this volume bug. People need to be careful cuz you could injure your eardrums and your gear

I have asked iFi for info on this as well, so I can add something for everyone to see .As I have mentioned previously, I did not experience any problems myself and I used it for hours and hours.

Thanks Mark for your feedback. I would agree too that the Gryphon makes a more compelling option than the Diablo.

Thanks Anthony. I have already got the Mojo 2. My next video is the Mojo 2 review and comparison vs Gryphon and Xduoo.

Lol

Possibly yes. I wouldn't recommend though. Or double check with iFi. Those 600 ohm beyers really need high current tube amps.

Thanks for your comment

@@GavinsGadgets thanks for review! Its the only one out on KZfaq now. As always great review. Im pulling the trigger base on your review! Thanks

👍👍👍

Hip dac never charged via it type a USB port though sickdead, for signature, I have the V1 signature DAC that came originally with their higher end power conditioner, while in use if you remove the external power and let it drive via usb power only the difference is not subtle, punch and dynamics move up or down about 3 seconds after inserting or removing I was quite shocked at the difference. So if you have a decent power supply use it with the signature circuitry, you won’t have to critical listen to hear the difference.

Should mention I bought mine previously loved, my plan was to sell the power adapter as a snake oil, that’s until I a/b’d it, that conditioner isn’t going anywhere.

You're welcome. Hope you enjoy it 👍

Both are excellent. The Diablo is ahead on SQ. The Gryphon has Bluetooth.

Hi Stephen. For those headphones, a wired setup will always sound better. Wireless will be good if the source is too.

Thanks. Yes the Sennheiser are a good match

Based on your headphone and IEM, and warm sound preference, the Gryphon is a good fit.

Yes that's exactly what it's for.

@@GavinsGadgets Do you know if a 3rd-party Lightning to USB-C cable would work for a wired connection between an iPhone and the ifi Go Blu for example?

I don't. Some won't work.

I did mention the comparison between the zen dac in my review, and should do.

@@GavinsGadgets my bad, heard it at the end 😆 Thank you!

Yes I realized I didn't separate out the two options after I finished recording. Wireless paired fine with multitude devices and sounded great.

Wireless pair fine and the sound is very close to wire just less dynamics and reduce highs l observed, which might be a reasonable compromise to stacking.

The pairing works beautifully on my iPhone and iPad Pro. No issues at all

Thanks for your feedback. Yes I have used most of them. This is better sound quality wise, more like the Diablo. As to a big step up , that is always subjective. If you're happy with what you have, then best to keep that. I would say it's about 25-30% improvement

You have a good amp DAC already. Tricky one.

Thanks for your feedback. An app would have been nice but with everything included I don't think it's necessary.

It is better but I would keep what you have.

@@GavinsGadgets Thanks

I have the xcan as well and personally the gryphon blows it out of the water. If you’re looking to upgrade, you’ll be selling your xcan and never looking back with the gryphon. The electrical interference that you hear on the xcan is non existent on the gryphon. Only when you’re changing the x bass settings you might hear just the switch alone. Night and day improvement

The iPhone can make a reasonable transport. So allocating the budget entirely to the DAC /amp is a better idea for sound quality.

@@GavinsGadgets thank you!

Somewhere in between the two. The Diablo sounds incredible. If you're happy with what you have got, best keep it IMO

It sounds about 25-30% better.

No it wouldn't as far as I'm aware

Yes, very much so.

@@GavinsGadgets Thanks!!

Maybe you'll see a second hand one soon

Hi Phil. Not heard the Sony DAP but the Gryphon is better than the Cobalt. The Gryphon is musical. If you have decided on those headphones, give them a go 😃

Yes you can.

You'll be fine for quite some time

APTx Losless is built on top of APTx Adaptive and ifi have already hinted they will support it, it’s a firmware upgrade and probably on the go blue as well.

My personal preference is the ifi. More dynamics. Punch. Musical sounding. I'm doing ok thanks too. Hope you are doing great.

@@GavinsGadgets Thank you for your prompt reply brother.. How is SQ compared DAPs you owned? How it goes with IEMs? Thanks in advance

Better and excellent with my IEMs

@@GavinsGadgets Dear Gavin..Hope you are doing well mate.. I am still waiting for gryphon stock to arrive , Still out of stock :( . Meanwhile I still have time please can you share your thoughts on gryphon vs ifi xdsd signature sound quality? Thanks in advance.. 🙂

Different. I prefer the Gryphon as whilst both are warm sounding the Gryphon is less so. That makes it sound better IMO

Thanks Adrian. Yes it is IMO. Battery life is as per the technical specs. It can vary on how hard headphones are to drive and volume level too.

@@GavinsGadgets I have the meze empyreans, they are not very hard to drive. ( 32 Ohm) i'm also using the wavelet app for auto eq ... the thx sound its a bit harsh for my ears ... so i guess i should wait for a while until the little q3 gets at his end of life cycle

@@adriangpuiu The biggest strength of the gryphon is it smooth delivery of the sound while still able to deliver details compared to any other dac amp on the market.

Thanks for your feedback. I didn’t install any firmware on mine. just used out of the box, just fine.

@@GavinsGadgets I guess I'll do the same then. Looking forward to receiving the unit soon. Thanks again.

No problem. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think. 😀

Hi Adrian, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!! I would get the Gryphon first as you move around a lot, like me. If that is good enough, then there's no need for anything else, and you've saved a few quid too :) The Shitt gear is lovely though!

@@GavinsGadgets thanks Gavin I appreciate the responce, that just leaves me with my latest problem, I got a set of the Deva Pro's last week and there is a lot to love. Problem is my Sundara 2020 build with xbass on sound 90% the same, wired of course 😳, Sundaras are slightly better resolution and of course sound stage is very different with the Deva Pro's using stealth magnets so now I am trying various mental techniques to justify owning both 🙄

I can't help you there 😀😀

I would be interested to know too. The xduoo is on my hit list.

I have the same question:$ Im between both.

@@Mr76Gus I get my Xduoo XD05 Bad end of next week, so will compare and review it vs the Gryphon. Will take me a few weeks to get video done, but it will be up soon!

@@GavinsGadgets thanks:) waiting for. Change opamps sounds very good.

Yes I've heard this. Looking at burson v5i. Don't suppose you know of a good place to buy them from?

Thanks. This IMO

👍

The q5s is a good piece of kit. If you're happy with it then stay with it. IMO the Gryphon is better though in terms of sound and functionality.

Yes I would.

Get the zen can to work with the DAC and get some balanced cables for the headphones

Hi. I did cover this off in the video.

I am not sure what you are asking. You can plug a power cable into there if you want to charge it. It's an option on the menu. Otherwise, I've no idea what would happen.

@@GavinsGadgets I mean both charging port and audio input port has same usb type -c. can the device be charged with both port? or will the device break if charging cable in inserted into audio usb port?

You can if you change the setting in the menu

Better than the Fiio. Too generic really to answer part two. Can a desktop fit in your pocket.

If you use a mobile device, you will need an app like usb audio player pro on android. If using Bluetooth, you have LDAC on the Gryphon

It has powered my 470 ohm headphones really easily.

Not too familiar withe the B&W transmitter case. Using IEMs with the Gryphon isn't overkill if you want the best sound quality, but you would connect the Gryphon to the source directly.

Yes but what are you using with the Xcan?

@@GavinsGadgets a massive range of headphones and IEMs I am lucky enough to work in audio. Also can you control tracks on it? That is a big downside when using Bluetooth on the x can. Thanks for the reply and somthing cool for you to lookup is my gym bag bluetooth clip it's 15 bucks and sounds surprisingly good with iems. It's called Melodylab streamer. Crazy for 15 bucks! Cheers!

Hands down sell your xcan and upgrade to the gryphon. I promise you will not regret it

Everyone has different ears Laurence. I would rate the Gryphon differently to you. If you thought the signature was more your cup of tea, have you heard the ifi diablo yet?

@@GavinsGadgets It's like you said, everyone has different ears. The Diablo is more powerful than the signature and more neutral / analytical sounding. I had them both at the same time for a demo and ended up keeping the Signature. It's got a warmer more laid back sound that I find more enjoyable. From my understanding, the Gryphon sounds closer to the Diablo than it does the Signature. Still thinking of demoing the Gryphon as an alternative to the BTR5 I use for TV in bed 💤 I love the design and having an oled screen that tells you which bitrate you're listening to is such a cool feature. Nice review!

Too close to call tbh different sound slightly as well. And use cases. One is portable.

@@GavinsGadgets do you think the zen signature dac v2 is a bit better than the mojo 2? I plan to use one of those (or the gryphon) primarily with my nad 326 amplifier. All wired.

The Zen dac is more appropriate to use as it's designed to be used fully wired.

Works fine with mine.

Hi Errol, you can watch my video review of the Mojo 2 tomorrow at 3pm UK time. It's also a 3 way comparison between the Mojo 2, Gryphon and Xduoo XD-05 Bal. I do pick a winner as well. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/geCHhdynsdzKYH0.html

No it can't. You can charge independently but it's still battery powered.

Yes it does. In the settings it’s called the usb dual port charge and it lets you charge while running the sound directly through the usb data port. It’s just a slower charge which shouldn’t matter plugged in as a desktop dac/amp combo

It’s possible

Yes IMO it does. Also having the analogue bass boost is great for certain headphones too.

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll see what I can do

@@GavinsGadgets looking forward!

Just concerned about its current output and that it's peak output is 1W

I've got a few HiFiMan. They seemed ok.

@@GavinsGadgets Thanks Gavin, Susvara is fine then, just kidding 😁

🤣🤣

@@GavinsGadgets Forgot to ask the 1W is that constant or peak, aka how many caps have they squeezed in there 😁

You’ll need a computer Steve.

@@GavinsGadgets thanks so much