Schiit Audio might own the floor when it comes to its usage of Norse mythology in the naming of its products, but they’ve never offered anything like the iFi iDSD Valkyrie DAC/Headphone Amplifier. And probably never will. It’s a rather large ask of this portable to deliver on its namesake; the Valkyrie had the honor of guiding dead souls to Odin’s Valhalla, where if they were lucky, the deceased warriors became einherjar and prepared for the forthcoming Ragnarok. Schiit’s Ragnarok 2 Integrated Amplifier also includes a DAC and balanced headphone amplifier but that’s where Thor and Loki go their separate ways.
Quad-DAC Architecture and aptX Lossless and LDAC
The iDSD Valkyrie is built around four Burr-Brown DACs in a hybrid multi-bit configuration, drawing from iFi’s long-standing experience with the multi-bit Philips TDA1541A. This design captures the impact of the iconic multi-bit chipset, but with superior low-level linearity for state-of-the-art detail retrieval.
For those looking to stream from a DAP or use wireless headphones like the Focal Bathys or DALI IO-12, iFi has equipped Valkyrie with the latest flagship Qualcomm chipset to deliver CD-quality audio via aptX Lossless, and hi-res playback via LDAC.
Portable Power
One of the knocks against portable DAC/headphone amplifiers is that they don’t offer enough power to drive the most difficult dynamic and planar magnetic headphones without compromising on battery life and overall performance. The iFi iDSD Valkyrie delivers approximately 44% more power than iFi’s flagship, the iDSD Diablo 2 when driving current-hungry 16 Ohm headphones, and up to 5,700mW peak output power – or 2,258mW RMS
xMEMS Support
The iDSD Valkyrie supports IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) using xMEMS, an innovative speaker technology pushing the boundaries of headphone performance. xMEMS speaker technology implements both actuation and diaphragm in silicon producing the world’s fastest and most precise speakers for IEMs. With these next-generation speakers, there’s virtually no phase shift and they are close to 150 times faster than regular mechanical drivers.
Colossal Capacity, Silent Stability
To power all its advanced features, the Valkyrie requires a serious battery configuration. Under the chassis are four 5,000mAh lithium-ion batteries, totalling 20,000mAh. Not only do the batteries provide sound free from electrical interference and noise, but they do so with enough life to last up to 18 hours of playback on a single charge. Fast charging via USB-C means the Valkyrie takes just 2.5 hours to recharge.
Features:
- K2HD Technology
- DSD 1024 Remastering: High-performance FPGA professionally remasters audio to DSD512 or DSD1024.
- Quad DAC Architecture: Four interleaved Burr-Brown DACs with superior low-level linearity.
- 5,700mW Peak Output: Delivers formidable power for driving the most demanding headphones.
- Lossless Bluetooth and xMEMS Support: Delivers CD-quality Bluetooth via aptX Lossless and next-gen driver compatibility for ultra-fast, precise sound.
- 20,000mAh Battery: 18 hours of continuous playtime, with fast charging via USB-C in just 2.5 hours.
Specifications
| iFi Model | iDSD Valkyrie |
| Product Type | DAC/Headphone Amp |
| Price | $1,699 |
| Hi-Res Audio Support | PCM 768kHz, DSD512 |
| Bluetooth Formats | aptX Lossless, aptx Adaptive, LDAC, LDHC.HWA, AAC, SBC |
| Digital Inputs | 1 x USB-C, 1 x S/PDIF (optical, coaxial), Bluetooth ver 5.4 |
| Analog Inputs | 1 x Balanced 4.4 mm, 1 x 3.5mm |
| Headphone Outputs | 1 x Balanced 4.4 mm, 1 x S-Balanced 3.5mm |
| Line Outputs | 1 x Balanced 4.4 mm, 2 x 3.5mm, 1 x RCA |
| Power/Charging | 1 x USB-C |
| Headphone Output Impedance | < 0.3 ohms via 4.4mm, < 0.2 ohms via 3.5mm |
| Output Power (4.4mm – RMS) | >19.6V/640mW (@600 ohms) >12.0V/2.250mW (@64 ohms) |
| Output Power (3.5mm – RMS) | >9.8V/160mW (@600 ohms) >8.5V/2.258mW (@64 ohms) |
| xMEMS | >28Vpp (4.4mm output) |
| Line Output Impedance | 205 ohms via 4.4 mm, 105 ohms via 3.5 mm RCA |
| SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) | 116dB (A-Weighted) |
| DNR (Digital Noise Redution) | 116dB (A-Weighted) |
| THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion Plus Noise) | 0.002% (20-20kHz) |
| Power Consumption | Nitro 13W, Turbo 6.5W, Normal 3.5W, xMEMs 6.1W |
| Battery | Lithium-Polymer 20,00mAh |
| Charging | Via USB-C – QC3.0 #20V, QC2.0@5-12V |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours @ 20V, 4 hours @12V, 5 hours @ 9V, 8 hours @ 5V |
| Dimensions | 172 x 160 x 30 mm (6.77 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches) |
| Net Weight | 882 grams (1.94 lbs) |
The Bottom Line
With support for LDAC, aptX Lossless, and the ability to drive IEMs that use xMEMS drivers, the iFi iDSD Valkyrie is definitely ahead of the curve right now and we’re very impressed by the output and reported battery playtime. Those are impressive numbers on paper.
Will consumers spend $1,699 on a portable DAC/headphone amplifier is the real question and will they be open to carrying around a 2 pound component?
We shall find out in rather short order. Review forthcoming.
Price & Availability
The iFi iDSD Valkyrie is available now for $1,699 at Audio46, and internationally with pricing at £1,699 or €1,699.
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- iFi’s ZEN Phono 3 is Designed to Help You Rediscover & Reconnect With Your Record Collection
