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iFi iDSD GR 2: one-minute review
With the iFi iDSD GR 2, a seemingly arduous task was at hand. British hi-fi brand iFi had to produce a portable DAC/amp that could improve on the spectacular xDSD Gryphon, which we handed a rave five-star review. But boy, did they pull it off.
The iDSD GR 2 provides upgrades that feel meaningful, practical, and tangible. It delivers around 50% more amplification power than its predecessor, making it easier to drive more demanding headphones, all while providing enhanced dynamic range and lower distortion. What’s more, it adds K2HD tech, licensed from JVC Kenwood, which helps to restore warmth and musicality that digital recordings sometimes lose.
Oh, and it fixes our only major gripe with its predecessor, by adding a vivid OLED touchscreen display, making it feel intuitive and easy to use when switching sources, toggling XBass and XSpace processing, or accessing settings. As a result, it easily competes with the best headphone DACs that money can buy.
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It’s a fantastic performer, delivering articulate, layered, and balanced sound. I paired the DAC/amp with the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 music player and a range of headphones/IEMs, including the Sennheiser HD 600, and the results blew me away. The GR 2 supplied intricate instrument separation, punchy bass, phenomenal mid-range clarity, and expressive treble, making for a captivating listen, no matter what genre I threw at it.
What’s more, the DAC/amp has higher battery capacity (4,900mAh) with adaptive power, meaning I could indulge in long listening sessions without interruption. Combine that with a neat companion app, numerous connectivity modes, and a lightweight feel, and the GR 2 is the ideal device for audiophiles to carry while on the move.
At launch, the iFi iDSD GR 2 is cheaper than its predecessor was at the point of release, despite making a whole host of improvements. And while it would’ve been nice to see a case bundled in at this price-point, and while there are cheaper options on the market, I still think this model offers impeccable value for money when considering the sheer volume of tech crammed into this little device. As a result, it’s all too easy for me to recommend the GR 2.
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: price & release date
- List price of $529 / £529 / AU$849
- Released in June 2026
The iFi iDSD GR 2 released in June 2026, and is the spiritual successor to the brand’s popular portable DAC/amp, the iFi xDSD Gryphon — a model that hit the market back in 2021. Despite offering a number of upgrades over its predecessor, the GR 2 is cheaper at launch, coming in at $529 / £529 / AU$849.
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: features
- Brilliant OLED touchscreen display
- 4,900mAh battery capacity with adaptive power
- K2HD tech opens up even more textured, subtle playback
The iFi iDSD GR 2 is rammed with features, and improves significantly on its already impressive predecessor.
Some of the most captivating options are back, including XBass and XSpace filters, which you can use in tandem or individually. XBass provides a tasteful bump to low-end sounds, while XSpace aims to deliver a more expansive soundstage — both work brilliantly, and I found myself using them often for more hard-hitting hip-hop and dance tracks.
You can select these via a new OLED touchscreen interface, which is phenomenally responsive and very easy to use. Here, you can access a range of settings, including Bluetooth pairing, dual charge mode, a voice prompt toggle, volume sync and more. The main menu also enables you to sift through the GR 2’s vast array of sources, such as Bluetooth (with higher-res aptX Lossless and LDAC support), USB-C, optical, coaxial, and line in. There’s also a lock button if you want to avoid accidental screen touches.
On top of this, the model features dedicated 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone ports and a USB-C charging slot. Speaking of charging, it will take about 3.5 hours to get to 100% from flat, which isn’t particularly impressive, although I still found that I got quite a lot of playtime from the GR 2 without having to juice it up. That’s because the model features an upgraded battery capacity of 4,900mAh, which should be good for around 7 hours of use — though this will vary depending on volume and if you’re using sound filters.
You can use the GR 2 while charging it via its dedicated USB-C port, a very useful feature if you find you’re indulging in long listening sessions (as I did during testing). The DAC/amp also brings a new adaptive power feature to the table, which balances external power and battery operation. So, if you’ve got the GR 2 hooked up to an external supply, it can prioritize mains power, and in the case that additional power is required, it can be drawn from the device’s battery. The GR 2 will also automatically return to external power if demand drops.
Perhaps my favorite new feature on the GR 2, though, is its K2HD tech, which we saw before in iFi’s considerably pricier and larger iDSD Phantom desktop DAC. This is intended to restore harmonic detail, and bring a track closer to its intended sound, and is exclusively licensed to iFi by JVC Kenwood. I’ll speak more about the sonic benefits of K2HD in the ‘sound quality’ section, but for now, just know that it is indeed a brilliant addition.
Finally, it’s worth noting that you can control the GR 2 with the iFi Nexis app, which is incredibly easy to use. It displays all of the options you’d typically see on the device’s touchscreen display, enabling you to easily switch between connectivity modes, adapt volume, toggle on the XBass / XSpace modes and more.
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: sound quality
- Balanced, articulate, and nuanced sound
- K2HD adds beautiful depth and detail, XBass / XSpace fantastic too
- 50% more headphone drive, but less distortion and greater dynamic range
The original Gryphon was a great performer, delivering impeccable detail, precision, and dynamism, so it should come as no surprise that its sequel is phenomenally talented as well.
Although I tried the GR 2 with a few pairs of IEMs, I conducted most of my testing with the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones, and iFi’s DAC/amp got the very best out of them.
When tuning into a 24-bit 192kHz FLAC of Doralice by Stan Getz, João Gilberto, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, the GR 2 provided a beautifully balanced, insightful listen. Vocals were textured and carefully defined, and the K2HD feature added a nice dosage of warmth. Acoustic guitars were brilliantly separated too, and sounded as if they were operating in a discrete pocket within a broad and nuanced soundstage. Subtle percussion worked away in the right channel and expressive, leading sax also flowed through with personality and natural tonality.
With a more energetic track, Rocking Chair by Mr Scruff, the GR 2 continued to impress. The resonance of bongos in the intro was striking, higher pitched percussion in the treble range came through with vibrancy and precision, and there was an incredibly warm and textured quality to the squelchy bass, which hit with impressive impact — especially with XBass active. Individual instruments, like keys and tambourines were again fantastically weighted and separated, and K2HD added a delicious layer of subtlety and detail that effortlessly restored the richness of the tune’s low end.
Even compared to a strong portable rival, like the FiiO BTR17, the iFi iDSD GR 2 proved to be exceptional. In Felini by Venerus and Marco Castello, the trickling of water was true-to-life and acoustic guitars were expertly separated from emotive vocals. On that subject, iFi’s model just added a bit more detail and depth to the vocals compared to its (still impressive) FiiO rival. The GR 2 exhibited a markedly delicate, raw quality with the vocals and I felt as if I was getting the sort of listening experience the artists had intended.
The capability of the GR 2 to serve up punchy bass, articulate mids, and expressive treble while maintaining such excellent balance across the frequency range has to be applauded. Combining this with its nuanced and precise soundstage — with or without XSpace — and impressive handling of dynamics, it truly feels like the full package.
What’s more, the GR 2 has around 50% more power to drive headphones with (up to 1,513mW RMS) than its predecessor, but it still offers even greater dynamic range and less distortion. So, whether you’re looking to upgrade from the OG Gryphon or get a portable DAC/amp with serious audiophile credentials, I think the GR 2 is one of the best options on the market right now.
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: design
- Excellent OLED touchscreen display
- Lightweight and pretty portable
- Case can be purchased separately
In terms of design, the iFi iDSD GR 2 is a considerable upgrade over its predecessor, largely as a result of one major change: its touchscreen.
Not only is the OLED color display vivid and clear, but it’s incredibly easy and intuitive to use. The touchscreen is responsive and enables you to easily make any changes you want or switch to a different source. You can also adjust the screen’s brightness to your liking, or lock the screen entirely if you want to prevent accidental commands.
Otherwise, the GR 2 has all of the qualities you’d want from a portable DAC/amp. It’s lightweight (at just 0.6 lbs / 268g), has a wide range of connectivity ports, and has a good standard of build. It also has a tactile volume control knob with a small set of physical buttons — all of which are well-sized and effective.
Some may find that there are more ‘portable’ options out there. The FiiO BTR17 I compared to the GR 2 has a considerably smaller footprint, and will fit in just about any pocket. But for the tech stuffed inside iFi’s new model, I’d still argue it’s portable enough, and I had no issue slotting it into my short pockets or a small bag. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, no, my review sample never ran hot — not that the OG did either, you understand, but it’s often a question we’re asked. These products bear plenty of power squirrelled away within a small enclosure, so it’s important to mention.
The only thing I would have liked is a case, which has to be purchased separately. But otherwise, the GR 2 is a certified hit in the design category.
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: setup & usability
- Incredibly easy to get set up and started
- iFi Nexis app only adds more seamless usability
- Easy to use interface
The iFi iDSD GR 2 is incredibly easy to start using. Just power the device on and it’s ready to go — no overlong login process, no confusing pairing requests, just plug and play design at its best.
Even if you’re not a seasoned user of DACs or amps, everything is labelled clearly, making it very simple to navigate. The iFi Nexis app also helps you tap into any settings you need on the fly, only heightening the device’s versatility.
- Setup & usability score: 5/5
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: value
- Not the cheapest option around, but still great value
- Less pricey than predecessor at launch
- Impeccable all around quality makes it feel worth the investment
Look, I’m not going to pretend that the GR 2 is a cheap piece of tech. It comes in at $529 / £529 / AU$849, which is a considerable investment to make into your audio setup — but I still think it more than earns its price.
First of all, it’s cheaper than its predecessor at launch, but offers 50% more amplification power, a much-improved user interface, K2HD tech, and more. It does all of this while remaining highly portable and delivering stellar sound, and there can be no doubts over the quality you get in return for your outlay.
Yes, you could grab a model like the aforementioned FiiO BTR17 for around $219 / £179 / AU$349, and while that’s a nifty small pick with strong performance and features to match, it can’t deliver the depth of the GR 2, which stuns with its excellent sound filters, wide connectivity options, top-tier audio, and mighty portable power.
Should I buy the iFi iDSD GR 2?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Features |
Excellent new display, K2HD and XBass / XSpace work a treat, neat adaptive power with upgraded battery capacity. |
5/5 |
|
Sound quality |
Balanced, layered, precise sound with beautiful detail from K2HD with tasteful bass and soundstage boost options. |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Fantastic touchscreen display, great build quality, lightweight, would be even better with a case bundled in. |
4.5/5 |
|
Setup & usability |
Quick setup, easy to use interface, neat control app. |
5/5 |
|
Value |
More affordable than its predecessor while meaningfully improving upon it in almost every way. |
5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
iFi iDSD GR 2 review: also consider
How I tested the iFi iDSD GR 2
- Tested across multiple days
- Used with Sennheiser HD 600, Beyerdynamic IEMs, and more
- Compared against rival model
I spent multiple days intensively testing the iFi iDSD GR 2, during which time I spent countless hours listening to music and exhausting its various features.
Most of the time, I used the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones to test the GR 2 out, although I did also use a few pairs of IEMs from the likes of Beyerdynamic. I used the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 as my main source device, and played a range of file types. And when listening to music, I tuned into tracks from a wide variety of genres, and made sure to compare the GR 2 against a rival from FiiO.
More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a resident Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed a range of products, from hulking party speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750 through to reference-grade IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 600.
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