iFi iDSD GR 2 Portable DAC Amp Debuts With New DAC Architecture, K2HD, and Lossless Bluetooth

iFi Audio is bringing the Gryphon back with sharper teeth. The new iFi iDSD GR 2 arrives at High End Vienna 2026 as the next-generation successor to the xDSD Gryphon, a portable DAC/headphone amplifier that we have covered before and one that earned a loyal following for squeezing a lot of desktop-style flexibility into a travel-friendly chassis.

Priced at $529 USD, the iDSD GR 2 is not a minor refresh. iFi says the new model has been rebuilt around an all-new DAC architecture, upgraded fully balanced amplification, an OLED touchscreen interface, JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, and lossless Bluetooth connectivity.

That puts the GR 2 in the middle of a very competitive portable DAC/amp market where battery life, output power, codec support, usability, and actual headphone-driving ability matter more than anything. As always, the spec sheet looks promising. The listening will decide whether the Gryphon legend still breathes fire or just got a new badge.

iFi iDSD GR 2: New DAC, More Power, Better Wireless

The iFi iDSD GR 2 is more than a cosmetic update to the xDSD Gryphon. iFi has moved to a new PCM1795 DAC with a bespoke balanced circuit design, upgraded the fully balanced amplifier section, and increased output to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms — a claimed 50% jump over its predecessor.

The control side gets a colour OLED touchscreen with capacitive controls, while wireless support moves to Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC. Wired users are not being ignored either, with USB, S/PDIF, and line-level connectivity all included.

The GR 2 also adds JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, XBass+, XSpace, Hybrid Power Mode for better long-term battery health, and iFi Nexis app support for OTA updates and deeper control. There is a lot packed into this portable DAC/headphone amp, especially at a price point we expected to be higher based on early rumors surrounding the GR 2.

Bluetooth 5.4 With aptX Lossless and LDAC

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also updates the wireless side with Bluetooth 5.4, including support for aptX Lossless and LDAC.

That gives the GR 2 stronger wireless credentials than many portable DAC/amps, especially for users who want to connect from a phone, tablet, or laptop without giving up higher-quality codec support. aptX Lossless can deliver 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality playback under the right conditions, while LDAC offers bitrates up to 990kbps for compatible Android devices.

There are still the usual Bluetooth caveats. Codec support depends on the source device, connection stability, and the listening environment. iPhone users will not get aptX Lossless or LDAC from iOS, so the GR 2’s wired USB input will still matter for Apple users who want higher-resolution playback.

New PCM1795 DAC Architecture

The biggest internal change inside the iFi iDSD GR 2 is the move to the Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC, which iFi says is being used in one of its products for the first time.

That matters because this is not just a chip swap. The PCM1795 is a current-output DAC, which gives iFi more room to design its own I/V conversion and output stages around the chipset. In the GR 2, that includes a bespoke balanced circuit, Class A op-amps, and a signal path that is now fully balanced from the preamp section to the headphone stage.

iFi also says it has removed unnecessary electronic switching from the circuit, which should help reduce distortion across the signal path. The goal is lower noise, cleaner conversion, and a more transparent presentation without abandoning the warmer tonal balance that many listeners associate with iFi’s portable DAC/amp designs.

We will dig further into how much of that shows up in actual listening, but on paper, this is one of the most meaningful engineering changes between the older xDSD Gryphon and the new iDSD GR 2.

OLED Touchscreen Control

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also adds a colour OLED touchscreen with capacitive controls, which should make the device easier to use without digging through layers of menus.

That matters on a portable DAC/headphone amp with this many features. Input selection, gain, filters, Bluetooth status, battery information, and sound processing modes all need to be easy to access, especially when the device is being used with a phone, laptop, tablet, or digital transport.

The new interface gives the GR 2 a more modern control system than the older xDSD Gryphon, and it should make day-to-day adjustments faster and less frustrating.

Hybrid Power Mode for Battery Health

The iFi iDSD GR 2 introduces a new Hybrid Power Mode designed to manage how the unit draws power during longer listening sessions.

When connected to an external power supply, the GR 2 can prioritize external power instead of constantly running from the internal battery. If the amplifier section needs additional current, it can draw from the battery briefly, then return to external power once demand drops.

That should help reduce unnecessary battery cycling, which matters if the GR 2 spends a lot of time connected to a desk, laptop, or fixed audio system. Portable DAC/amps are still battery-dependent devices, and long-term battery health is not a small detail unless you enjoy turning expensive gear into a paperweight with balanced outputs.

It is a practical feature, not a flashy one, but it could make the GR 2 more useful for listeners who move between portable and desktop setups.

More Power for Full-Sized Headphones

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also gets a meaningful power increase, with iFi claiming up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms. That is said to be 50% more headphone drive than the original xDSD Gryphon.

That level of output should make the GR 2 a realistic option for many full-sized planar magnetic and dynamic headphones from the balanced output, not just sensitive IEMs and easy-to-drive portable models. It also gives users more headroom before the amplifier starts to feel strained.

There are still some important blanks to fill in. We are waiting to see how the GR 2 handles higher-impedance loads above 200 ohms, where voltage swing matters more than headline wattage into 32 ohms. And to be clear, this is not designed for electrostatic headphones, which require their own dedicated energizer or amplifier.

On paper, the extra output is one of the GR 2’s more useful upgrades. More power only matters if it comes with control, low noise, and clean gain, but the numbers suggest iFi is aiming beyond the usual pocket-DAC crowd.

K2HD Processing and Digital Filters

The iFi iDSD GR 2 also includes JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology, which is designed to process digital recordings by restoring some of the harmonic information that can be reduced during digital mastering, compression, or conversion.

That does not mean it magically turns every file into a master tape. The goal is more specific: to add a degree of harmonic reconstruction and tonal density to digital playback without forcing users into a fixed sound profile. iFi says the GR 2 also includes a lighter K2 mode, which offers a similar approach without upsampling.

The GR 2 also provides four selectable digital filters, giving listeners some control over how the DAC handles timing, roll-off, and overall presentation. Some users will hear those differences more clearly than others, depending on the headphones, source material, and how allergic they are to menus.

Specifications Compared

The Bottom Line

The iFi iDSD GR 2 looks like a meaningful step beyond the older xDSD Gryphon, not just a cosmetic refresh. We know it uses a new Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC, a fully balanced circuit design, upgraded amplification rated at up to 1,513mW RMS into 32 ohms, a larger color OLED touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC, JVCKENWOOD K2HD processing, four digital filters, XBass+, XSpace, Hybrid Power Mode, and iFi Nexis app support. At $529 USD (£529 / €549 / $799 CAD), it also lands lower than early rumors suggested, which makes the feature set more interesting. Nevertheless, the hardware story is promising.

Where to buy: $529 at iFi Audio (Available July 6, 2026)

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