iFi iDSD Phantom: The Ultimate DSD Streaming DAC & Headphone Amp

iFi’s new flagship desktop unit combines DAC, network streamer and headphone amplifier in a single chassis (that looks like two). It’s aimed squarely at listeners who believe higher sample rates deliver audible benefits or those who want the option for tubes in the signal path. The iDSD Phantom succeeds the Pro iDSD with a rebuilt streaming engine that now includes Qobuz Connect alongside Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and Roon Readiness. Network connectivity handles PCM up to 768kHz and native DSD512. In Normal mode, DSD signals pass directly to the DAC while PCM goes through user-selectable digital filters. Those who prefer their music reprocessed can engage Remastered mode, where iFi’s Chrysopoeia FPGA engine upsamples everything to DSD512, DSD1024 or the new DSD2048. That’s roughly 90 million samples per second at the top setting, should you fancy such things. At the conversion stage, four Burr-Brown DSD1793 DACs operate in an interleaved configuration. iFi claims this draws inspiration from the Philips TDA1541A chipset beloved by vintage enthusiasts. Volume control for DSD signals happens in the analogue domain rather than digital, which purists tend to appreciate. Three flavours of amplification The discrete Class A headphone amplification section offers three switchable output topologies: a J-FET solid-state mode, a tube mode using NOS GE5670 valves and a ‘Tube+’ setting that enhances second-harmonic content by 6dB for those seeking additional colouration. Peak output reaches 7,747mW, enough grunt for virtually any headphone you’d care to connect. Connectivity? There’s plenty. Digital inputs include USB-B 3.0, coaxial, AES/EBU, TOSLINK and Ethernet. The Ethernet, coaxial and AES/EBU inputs feature galvanic isolation to block electrical noise from source components. Not only. iFi’s Exclusive Modes shut down unused system processes when streaming to reduce potential signal interference. The iFi Nexis companion app now supports ‘Wi-Fi linking’ 🤷🏻‍♂️ “making it easier than ever to connect and queue music to the Phantom from anywhere in your home.” On the output side, headphone sockets cover just about every flavour: 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced, 4-pin XLR, dual 3-pin XLR and both positive and inverted phase 6.3mm. Line outputs include balanced XLR and single-ended RCA. Sound shaping Additional features include JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD processing for harmonic restoration. XBass Pro provides fully analogue bass shelving at 10Hz, 20Hz or 40Hz, useful for restoring low-end weight to open-back headphones that trade bass extension for spatial openness. XSpace Pro tackles the opposite problem: adding loudspeaker-like depth to headphone listening via crossfeed settings at 30, 60 or 90 degrees. iFi says XSpace draws from East German broadcasting research rather than the usual Bauer/Linkwitz approach. Make of that what you will. The iFi iDSD Phantom is available now for £4499, US$4499 or €4695. Further information: iFi Audio No rear-panel photos were provided.