iFi Audio Launches $529 iDSD GR 2 DAC/Amp With 50% More Power

Q: Will the massive 50 percent power boost in the new iDSD GR 2 secretly drain its battery too fast for on-the-go audiophiles?

Probably not for most users, but heavy use with demanding headphones will shorten runtimes. iFi rates the iDSD GR 2’s 4,900mAh battery at about seven hours of playback. That is slightly below the original Gryphon’s roughly eight-hour figure cited in review material, so there is a tradeoff: more output power appears to come with somewhat lower endurance on paper, not a catastrophic drop. The key point is that the 50 percent power boost is a maximum output figure, not a constant drain. The GR 2 can deliver up to 1,513mW into 32 ohms, but battery use depends on volume, gain setting, headphone load, whether you use balanced output, Bluetooth or USB, screen activity, and features like K2HD, XBass+ and XSpace. Efficient IEMs or easy-to-drive headphones will not keep the amp near peak output most of the time. For on-the-go audiophiles using harder-to-drive planar or full-size headphones at higher volumes, battery life could feel modest. Seven hours is workable for commuting, flights or a work session, but not exceptional in a market where smaller, less powerful devices often last much longer. iFi is clearly trying to offset that concern with its new hybrid power mode, which prioritizes external power when plugged in and is meant to reduce battery wear over time. So the GR 2 is better viewed as a transportable high-performance DAC/amp than an all-day pocket device. If power-hungry headphones are your priority, the battery compromise looks manageable rather than excessive.

3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Aug 16

$529 iDSD GR 2 is iFi Audio’s new flagship portable DAC/amp, replacing the xDSD Gryphon with a ground-up redesign, fully balanced amplification and a capacitive OLED touchscreen.
1,513mW into 32 ohms gives the GR 2 50% more output than its predecessor, driven by a new Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC architecture aimed at lower distortion, higher dynamic range and a warmer analog-style sound.
Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Lossless and LDAC expand the device beyond wired use, while USB-C and S/PDIF inputs let it connect to smartphones, computers and older CD players.
K2HD processing, app-based controls and over-the-air updates add tuning flexibility, and a hybrid power mode is designed to reduce battery wear on the 4,900mAh unit rated for about 7 hours.