Welcome to my review of the iFi xDSD Gryphon which retails for £599.
The Key Features
- Full MQA decoding – Native DSD (up to DSD512) and full MQA decoding up to 384kHZ on a powerful 16 – core XMOS processor
- Hi-Res Audio – PCM up to 32- bit / 768kHz via USB or 192kHz via optical or coaxial and Advanced 96kHz Bluetooth 5.1 + module with QCC5100 chipset supports various HD formats including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC and HWA / LHDC.
- Balanced (4.4mm Pentaconn) and S – Balanced (3.5mm) analogue inputs and outputs. Built – in iEmatch and auto – gain technology automatically adjusts output to suit headphones / IEM sensitivity.
- Extras including XBass and xSpace settings, balanced circuit design with OptimaLoop multi – path feedback and an ultra-low noise, 1000mW high power amplifier
- Military Grade Aluminum with an OLED display finishes
Audio Tracks used for Testing
-Roxy Music – True to Life (Remastered)
-Leonard Cohen – In My Secret Life
-Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy (2012 Mix Master)
-Eric Clapton – Layla (Acoustic Live at MTV Unplugged)
-Axel F – From Beverly Hills Cop
-Natalie Merchant – Ophelia
-CeeLo Green – Bright Lights Bigger City
-Stevie Ray Vaughan – Tin Pan Alley
-K.D. Lang – Constant Craving
-Nigel Kennedy – The New Four Seasons
-Hans Zimmer – Mountains
Video Review
Conclusion
The iFi xDSD Gryphon is by far my favourite amp/DAC with every option I would have ever asked for. Plus it sounds incredible. Gold star award. 9.9/10.
Useful Links
Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/xDSD-Gryphon-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B09H39DBY6
iFi Audio website – https://ifi-audio.com/products/xdsd-gryphon/
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 
Reading the first user reviews (on head-fi.org) it’s safe to say that iFi should have waited until the product was finished before they brought it to market. There are quite few issues, mostly volume related, that make it crippled at this moment. A score of 9.9 out of 10 does not reflect this in any way. Hope it will be close to that in the future but objectively that is not the score it deserves.
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Hi Jereon, my score is based on my usage with the device. I did not experience any volume issues and I used many devices with it. I expect some of those that used it didnt read the instructions/guide. The volume is dictated by the device it connects too, which remembers the last setting it was used on.
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No it is definitely a serious issue that is also confirmed by iFi. They are working on a firmware upgrade, Fingers crossed that it will solve (most of) the issues.
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Good news. I sent ifi an email and just got s reply. The firmware update is available now.
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