Another great review/comparison. I have been on a search for my ideal portable DAC/amp which I thought had culminated in a Mojo 2 purchase earlier this year. My most recent addition, however, is an RU6 based on the recommendation of this channel. While I haven't heard the Gryphon, +1 on your assessment of strengths/weaknesses of both the Mojo 2 and RU6. I frankly love both but for completely different reasons. They certainly provide a different listening experience (in the somewhat subtle yet magical way DACs impact this). If you have not yet heard the organic character R2R brings to the table, the RU6 is your low-cost entry point and I suspect a lot of folks will find it all they need for a really lush, natural listen. I'm pretty stoked MrAyrit turned me onto this high-value device and I'm looking forward to the full review.
*When using iFi's Headphone Calculator Tool on their website to see how both the **_Gryphon_** and the **_xCAN_** amps would work with my single ended unbalanced 54ohm Fostex T40RPs, their Headphone Calculator Tool said that in Single Ended Unbalanced mode of operation into 54ohms, the **_Gryphon_** only output 320 mW per channel, with a dynamic range of 115 dB, while the **_xCAN_** can output a full 600 mW per channel, with a dynamic range of 121 dB. So for standard single ended unbalanced **_TRS_** plugged headphones, the **_xCAN_** outputs more power. Of course, this has nothing to do with all of the other upgraded parts and features of the **_Gryphon._** It's just in pure brute output power, for most common **_TRS_** headphones, the **_xCAN_** actually outperforms the **_Gryphon_** surprisingly.* 🤔
Hi Mr Ay! Hope all is well! I really appreciate your reviews and takes on everything. I bought a ton of audio gear over the years and your taste matches up with mine more than any other reviewer. I have had the gryphon for a few months and love it! Probably one of my favorite items I’ve bought lately. I have used it as a preamp for my powered monitors and it works great. As for power it’ll drive almost all my HP. I’ve been listening to my Sundara on it lately and maybe I listen a tad bit loud? But I usually have it on about 85-90 out of 106. My sundara just seems really hard to drive.
Me too from balanced output. I think gryphon is perfect for my aful performer 5 but if I listen to music with my Sundara I go with the more powerful Diablo. For me the gryphon is at it's limit in driving Sundara, not any headroom left. I love my Diablo because has a lot of power!
Thanks Mr Amrit always enjoy your honest review. I’m torn between RU6 and Mojo 2, Thought for the price Mojo 2 should have better SQ eg soundstage separation etc , could you elaborate ?
I would say that it’s a more complex and sophisticated amplification circuit. The Gryphon can drive full size headphones and do it well. The amp/dac in the Bluetooth headphones is not as powerful and probably a much simpler circuit. Something you’d have to hear for yourself. To be clear, there’s no situation where I’d use the Gryphon to drive the sony headphones.
Hi thank you very much for this review. I want to know which one has the biggest soundstage with good imaging and air between the things. Which one has most depth.
At the same time,Ifi is one of those rare manufacturers that can beat r2r dongles most dongle, for that matter)and other portable/dac amps out the box for decent prices and product longevity. Unless you just want a smaller form factor, the IFi is justifiably better
When I connect mt Dan Clarks in to the ifi Gryphon via 4.4 Balanced, I always get distortion. Whats going wrong. Also, is there any DAC / Amp better for those Headphones? Thanks
I actually thought they were the same thing, but now that I look, I see the xdsd can be hardwired. That's interesting. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on one of those. I do still really like the xcan and use it all the time. If I could hardwire it when I'm at work, that would probably be my ultimate portable solution...
@@MrAyrit Ayrit you are right if hardwired means a DAC when wired. Xcan does not make any sense to me as a pure AMP when not bluetooth connected. Gryphon($600) is cool but too expensive as an portable solution. Old xdsd was $399 and now is $199 which makes it a true ultimate portable solution for me.
@@MrAyrit I am looking forward a video introducing ppl to THE xdsd comparing with other products for sound quality (given $199 I don’t think ppl cares about other bs but only sound! Lol
@@MrAyrit no. For me Bluetooth is inservible. I don't have BT headphones. I Dont know if there are difference in sound between dacs. Some people say not, other say 40% headphone/40% dac-amp, 20% music quality... I'm using Edition Xs, Sv023, Mangird Top, Raptgo Hook (my favourite) and Ikko Oh5.
Another great review/comparison. I have been on a search for my ideal portable DAC/amp which I thought had culminated in a Mojo 2 purchase earlier this year. My most recent addition, however, is an RU6 based on the recommendation of this channel. While I haven't heard the Gryphon, +1 on your assessment of strengths/weaknesses of both the Mojo 2 and RU6. I frankly love both but for completely different reasons. They certainly provide a different listening experience (in the somewhat subtle yet magical way DACs impact this). If you have not yet heard the organic character R2R brings to the table, the RU6 is your low-cost entry point and I suspect a lot of folks will find it all they need for a really lush, natural listen. I'm pretty stoked MrAyrit turned me onto this high-value device and I'm looking forward to the full review.
*When using iFi's Headphone Calculator Tool on their website to see how both the **_Gryphon_** and the **_xCAN_** amps would work with my single ended unbalanced 54ohm Fostex T40RPs, their Headphone Calculator Tool said that in Single Ended Unbalanced mode of operation into 54ohms, the **_Gryphon_** only output 320 mW per channel, with a dynamic range of 115 dB, while the **_xCAN_** can output a full 600 mW per channel, with a dynamic range of 121 dB. So for standard single ended unbalanced **_TRS_** plugged headphones, the **_xCAN_** outputs more power. Of course, this has nothing to do with all of the other upgraded parts and features of the **_Gryphon._** It's just in pure brute output power, for most common **_TRS_** headphones, the **_xCAN_** actually outperforms the **_Gryphon_** surprisingly.* 🤔
Hi Mr Ay! Hope all is well! I really appreciate your reviews and takes on everything. I bought a ton of audio gear over the years and your taste matches up with mine more than any other reviewer. I have had the gryphon for a few months and love it! Probably one of my favorite items I’ve bought lately. I have used it as a preamp for my powered monitors and it works great. As for power it’ll drive almost all my HP. I’ve been listening to my Sundara on it lately and maybe I listen a tad bit loud? But I usually have it on about 85-90 out of 106. My sundara just seems really hard to drive.
Me too from balanced output. I think gryphon is perfect for my aful performer 5 but if I listen to music with my Sundara I go with the more powerful Diablo. For me the gryphon is at it's limit in driving Sundara, not any headroom left. I love my Diablo because has a lot of power!
Thanks Mr Amrit always enjoy your honest review. I’m torn between RU6 and Mojo 2, Thought for the price Mojo 2 should have better SQ eg soundstage separation etc , could you elaborate ?
For Sundara headphone would you prefer this or Diablo? I am not interested in BT. Will I miss Xbass and Xspace feature with Diablo?
It's a good device for only using balance.
Hi there. How does the sound quality compare to the iFi iDSD Micro Black Label? I am currently running my Theiaudio Monarch Mk2.
Favorable, IMO.
Hey, I currently have BTR5 2021 and does the gryphon sound 3x better than that?
Thanks!.
What's the benefit of using a Bluetooth DAC over using LDAC on your phone and using LDAC compatible BT iems such as the Sony WF1000XM5s?
I would say that it’s a more complex and sophisticated amplification circuit. The Gryphon can drive full size headphones and do it well. The amp/dac in the Bluetooth headphones is not as powerful and probably a much simpler circuit. Something you’d have to hear for yourself. To be clear, there’s no situation where I’d use the Gryphon to drive the sony headphones.
@@MrAyrit thank you, haven't messed with it yet....I have some nice IEMs... Thank you!
Hi thank you very much for this review. I want to know which one has the biggest soundstage with good imaging and air between the things. Which one has most depth.
I’d say the Gryphon gets it in the width. The Mojo 2 and RU6 probably have more depth though. What headphones are you using?
@@MrAyrit fiio fd5 iems they are semi open
I use a Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE
At the same time,Ifi is one of those rare manufacturers that can beat r2r dongles most dongle, for that matter)and other portable/dac amps out the box for decent prices and product longevity. Unless you just want a smaller form factor, the IFi is justifiably better
Dose the Xbass works in Bluetooth mode also? Thanks
Yes
When I connect mt Dan Clarks in to the ifi Gryphon via 4.4 Balanced, I always get distortion. Whats going wrong. Also, is there any DAC / Amp better for those Headphones? Thanks
Which DC?
@@MrAyrit Aeon Noire
Apparently xdsd gryphon is the successor of xdsd instead of xcan, does it make sense to you?
I actually thought they were the same thing, but now that I look, I see the xdsd can be hardwired. That's interesting. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on one of those. I do still really like the xcan and use it all the time. If I could hardwire it when I'm at work, that would probably be my ultimate portable solution...
@@MrAyrit Ayrit you are right if hardwired means a DAC when wired. Xcan does not make any sense to me as a pure AMP when not bluetooth connected. Gryphon($600) is cool but too expensive as an portable solution. Old xdsd was $399 and now is $199 which makes it a true ultimate portable solution for me.
@@MrAyrit I am looking forward a video introducing ppl to THE xdsd comparing with other products for sound quality (given $199 I don’t think ppl cares about other bs but only sound! Lol
is thhe iFi Gryphon 500 usd amp better than sound blaster x4?
Never heard the Sound Blaster stuff, so I can’t comment. My guess would be yes, but I’m probably biased.
I have hip dac. I don't know if I should upgrade and If I should which one buy. Ifi gryphon or ifi signature.
Well, I never tried the Signature (but I did try the old version). What headphones are you using? Would you use the Gryphon's bluetooth?
@@MrAyrit no. For me Bluetooth is inservible. I don't have BT headphones.
I Dont know if there are difference in sound between dacs. Some people say not, other say 40% headphone/40% dac-amp, 20% music quality...
I'm using Edition Xs, Sv023, Mangird Top, Raptgo Hook (my favourite) and Ikko Oh5.
Can it works with car audio via aux
I don’t see why not.
i only use pc can i conect wia USB?
Sure
What’s the best portable DAC with RCA output?
hmm, not very many that have RCA output. ifi black label? I can't remember the model, the big one, not the nano.
You can always just do a 3.5 to rca though. I do that all the time. That's how I have my RU6 hooked up.
Bluetooth implies portable... im not wearing a backpack, purse, or fannie pack so i can tote that chunk around.
It's about the size of a phone. Probably bigger than I'd want to lug everyday, but for listening around the house, it was fine.
Amazon comments reflect some complaints about sudden volume increases and heat. Anyone have a comment?
I did it experience that
@@MrAyrit thanks
Bluetooth is the way to go.