iFi iDSD GR 2 adds touchscreen DAC power and balanced audio

iFi iDSD GR 2 is the company’s latest premium portable DAC and headphone amplifier, and it is being framed as the next step after the xDSD Gryphon from 2021. The new model moves to redesigned balanced circuitry, adds a Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC chip and brings in an OLED touchscreen for control and status information. That combination makes it clear that this is meant to be a more fully featured device than a basic dongle DAC.

For Indian buyers, the most relevant part of the update is the product direction. This is not a tiny, pocket-first accessory; it is a premium audio device that tries to bridge laptop listening, desktop use and travel playback. That makes it more interesting for users who already own wired headphones and want a single unit that can handle multiple sources without stepping up to a larger desktop stack.

The confirmed hardware list is broad. iDSD GR 2 offers balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm inputs and outputs, USB-C, optical/coaxial connectivity and Bluetooth 5.4. Wireless codec support includes aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX and LDAC. On the digital side, it supports PCM playback up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, which keeps it in high-end territory for modern portable audio gear.

Power and amplification are equally important here. The unit uses Class A amplification and a fully balanced signal path, and it is described as delivering a claimed 1513mW RMS output. A hybrid power mode lets it prioritise mains power when connected, while the internal battery is used when extra power is needed. Battery life is described as around seven hours, which is useful but still suggests that this is a hybrid portable rather than an all-day travel companion.

Physically, iDSD GR 2 sits in a difficult middle ground. It is roughly the size of a modern smartphone when viewed from above, but the ridged aluminium chassis and thicker profile make it far less pocket-friendly than a simple dongle DAC. At 268g, it is not heavy in absolute terms, but it is clearly built to feel substantial rather than feather-light. That is a sensible trade-off for a product that wants to serve both desktop and portable use cases.

The OLED touchscreen is one of the headline usability changes. It is used for volume adjustment, input selection, digital filter control and file-rate display, and it is described as responsive and precise. Android users can also use the Nexis app for deeper control and over-the-air updates, although the app is said to work best when the source device is physically connected. iPhone users can still use it over Bluetooth, but the feature set is more limited.

The tuning tools are where iFi has tried to make the device more flexible. The PCM1795 chip is paired with K2HD technology, which is meant to restore harmonic detail and musical tone. Four digital filters are available: Standard, Bit-Perfect, Minimum Phase and GTO. On top of that, iFi’s XBass and XSpace processing options remain available for users who want more low-end weight or a wider soundstage.

Those features matter because they let buyers shape the presentation to different headphones and sources. Nothing in the supplied evidence turns the product into a guaranteed all-rounder for every listener, but the mix of balanced output, high claimed power and multiple filters suggests that iFi wants it to cover more than one listening style. That is particularly relevant in India, where buyers often want one premium device to stretch across multiple headphones and devices.

There is no confirmed India launch date, India price or local retail availability in the supplied evidence. That means any INR estimate would be speculation, and it would not be appropriate to guess one. For now, Indian buyers should treat iDSD GR 2 as a reported international product update rather than a confirmed domestic launch.

If the model does arrive through Indian retail channels, the final sticker price could be affected by import duties, GST, distributor margin and stock position, but none of those factors can be turned into a reliable estimate yet. Buyers looking for the most practical path should wait for an official India listing, authorised dealer confirmation or clear regional pricing before budgeting for it.

The practical appeal of iDSD GR 2 is its flexibility. It can work as a wired DAC for a laptop, as a headphone amplifier for a desktop setup and as a wireless receiver for phone-based listening. That combination is attractive for Indian users who do not want separate boxes for every source. Balanced 4.4mm support also gives it a clear appeal to owners of premium wired headphones that are already set up for balanced output.

The main buying question is whether the feature set will justify its eventual Indian price. Smaller iFi DACs already exist for users who want something lighter or cheaper, so iDSD GR 2 appears to be aimed at listeners who care more about output power, design and control options than pure portability. If you already own demanding headphones or plan to move between desk and travel use, the broader feature set will likely matter more than its chunkier footprint.

iFi iDSD GR 2 is shaping up as a serious premium portable DAC/headphone amplifier with modern wireless support, balanced outputs, a touchscreen interface and hybrid power handling. On paper, it looks like a more ambitious and more versatile successor to the xDSD Gryphon.

For India, the story is still incomplete. The hardware details are in place, but local pricing, availability and launch timing are not. Until those pieces are confirmed, Indian buyers should view iDSD GR 2 as a high-interest audio product to watch rather than a device ready for immediate purchase.