iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie Headphone Amp DAC Review: Power and Bold Presentation
Read Time: Approx. 15 min.
The Latest Portable Powerhouse in iFi Audio's Lineup
iFi Audio, the company behind some of our favorite portable DAC/Amp combos, has unleashed its latest creation, the iDSD Valkyrie Hi-Res Portable Headphone Amp DAC. At $1,699, the Valkyrie is a portable powerhouse with a bigger, bolder presentation both internally and externally. The Valkyrie builds on the technology and design of previous iFi products with a quad-DAC design, eight sound enhancements, Bluetooth 5.4, and much more. How does the Valkyrie stack up against a powerhouse like the iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC Amplifier and some of its industry rivals, the Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Headphone Amp? Let's find out.
PROS
- One-stop-shop for your digital audio needs
- Incredible presentation with many included accessories
- Long battery life
CONS
- Not incredibly "Portable"
Design
Whether we like to admit it or not, presentation matters and it plays a role in our overall opinion of something new. Have you ever been super eager to try out a new dish, only to see it arrive looking rather questionable and unappetizing, and all that excitement goes right out the window? Or the opposite happens: The dish arrives on a beautiful plate, garnished to the nines, but tastes horrible. When it comes to hi-fi audio products, sound quality and performance matter the most, but a nicely presented component is always a plus.
iFi Audio is a hi-fi manufacturer delivering on all fronts, from the packaging and presentation to the included accessories. They first caught my attention when I reviewed the iDSD Diablo 2 Headphone Amp DAC. Its quirky design, features, and included "wing" accessories were unlike anything I'd seen before and I admired the lengths they went to make an all-around exceptional product. So when the Valkyrie landed on my desk, I knew I was in for a treat.
As a reviewer, I always end up having more fun with a product when I know little to nothing about its design. Every time an unopened package lands on my desk I become a kid on Christmas day, unsuspecting of what lies beyond that wrapping paper.
The Valkyrie's presentation blows you away before you even see the unit itself. Upon opening the Valkyrie's shipping box, I was greeted with a large square wooden box that took my breath away. "All this for a DAC/Amp?" I said to my colleagues. "And we're sure this comes with every purchase?" I insisted. For the sub $2,000 price, I was utterly shocked and convinced there was some kind of mistake. But nope! Every Valkyrie comes with this huge wooden presentation box, engraved with what iFi Audio says is "nordic engravings" across the lid.
After I raced to show everyone in the office and the initial shock wore off, I peeled back the hinged lid of this cigar box on steroids and there she was in all her glory–the Valkyrie. When I saw the first photos of the Valkyrie before its launch, I kept chuckling to myself about how much it resembled the battle droids from Star Wars Episode 1–If you know, you know. It sports this cool-toned gold finish with a mix of silver/gray and black accents.
Inside the box, nestled below the Valkyrie is a huge carrying case...the shock and excitement continues! This semi-hard shell case can easily fit your IEMs, Valkyrie, cables, and any other accessories. Included with the Valkyrie is the following: USB-C OTG Cable, USB-C to Lightning Cable, USB-C to USB-C Cable, DC to USB-C Cable, Toslink Optical Adapter, iPower Power Supply, Custom-made Travel Case, Nordic Engraved Presentation Box, User Manual, and Quickstart Guide.
Design
Now let's talk design and build quality. The Valkyrie's design is iconically iFi. It's got the body style of the ZEN line with rounded corners and an ultra-low profile, at 1.94 lbs and roughly 7" x 6.5" in size (6.8 x 6.3 x 1.2"). When I first saw the Valkyrie I had a hard time understanding why it was considered portable. After having a casual conversation with my colleague about it, they brought up a fair point–it's portable, not mobile. Huh? When I think of a mobile device it's a DAP or USB Dongle DAC. Something that weighs practically nothing and can slide into your back pocket or be held with one hand. The Valkyrie is portable meaning you can throw it in the carrying case, bring it to your office every day, and quickly pack it back up to take home. The Valkyrie's low profile and light weight make it easily suitable at your desk, on a shelf, or on a table. It truly doesn't take up much space at all.
I/O
Looking at the Valkyrie straight on you'll see two headphone outputs–a balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm–a large power button (that also controls volume), filter/DSD1024 button, K2 technology button, and several small LED lights for filters, input, and kHz. The power button doubles as the volume control. Push to power on/off and simply rotate the knob to change the volume. On the top of the Valkyrie is the black middle panel with the iFi logo at the top and a small LED screen at the bottom. I will say, I was disappointed to see how small the screen was with all that real estate on the top. Right underneath the screen are two buttons for activating the XSpace, XBass II, XPresence filters, and three gain modes. The underside of the unit features the IEMatch, enabling the IEM-compatible technology. The back of the Valkyrie sports all the inputs and outputs. USB-C charging port, USB-C digital input, S/PDIF digital input, one pair of RCA outputs, two single-ended 3.5mm outputs, and a balanced 4.4mm output.
The Valkyrie's functionality is pretty straightforward. While it comes with a power supply and power input, it does have an internal battery, Lithium-Polymer 20,000mAh, with around 18 hours of playback. Of course, you can use the iPower Power Supply to keep it powered at all times, with internal noise-canceling technology for this very purpose, but for portability purposes, the internal battery is awesome. The wireless functionality goes even further with Bluetooth 5.4, supporting aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, and many more formats.
To connect the Valkyrie to a Bluetooth-compatible device, users must short-press the Bluetooth/K2 button located on the far right side of the front panel. This enables pairing mode which then allows you to select the music source on your device. The component should pop up as "iFi Lossless Audio."
Sound
Valkyrie Sound Enhancements & Digital Filters
Before I get into my sound impressions, I want to touch briefly on the Valkyrie's digital filters. iFi Audio is no stranger to digital filters, incorporating them into several acclaimed products. Most noteworthy are the company's proprietary analog processing modes, XSpace, XBass II, and the newest addition, XPresence. Designed for high-quality headphones, XSpace expands the soundstage, recreating the dimensional quality of a live performance. XBass II restores low-end presence for open-back headphones or bass light recordings that crave a bass boost. XPresence adds midrange presence to a recording, making it sound more immediate and engaging. You can enable one filter, two, or all three at once. The great thing about these sound enhancements is the ability to turn them on and off. You get to decide how your music sounds, and since no two pairs of headphones sound the same, this is incredibly valuable when listening to a number of headphones.
iFi Audio takes it a step further by adding eight additional digital filters, giving you more ways to experience your music how you like. Those digital filters include: Bit perfect, standard, minimum, GTO, apodizing, transient aligned, K2 mode, and K2HD mode. K2HD is a new technology iFi has recently incorporated into its products, licensed through JVCKENWOOD. This technology restores rich, natural harmonics to otherwise lifeless digital recordings. The Valkyrie also has an xMEMs mode, allowing you to use compatible IEMs and headphones with equipped this solid-state monolithic speaker technology.
I tested each of these filters with the same track, Revolving Door by Tate McRae, to get a sense of how it changed the tonality. Here are my findings:
- XSpace: Adds a visible three-dimensional quality to the sound. Great option for acoustic, classical, and jazz music, where instrumentation is the focal point.
- XBass II: Adds low-end extension and visceral bass effect. Music has more oomph and a robust, well-rounded sound quality. Great for pop, R&B, and other genres that demand an energetic, dynamic sound.
- XPresence: Places midrange vocals front and center. Great for vocal-centric songs or those that naturally place greater emphasis on instrumentation over vocals.
For my testing setup, I decided to use a wired connection via our Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable to my desktop computer. As a Roon-tested device, I quickly enabled it and did all of my listening via Roon. To test out the versatility of the Valkyrie I paired it with the Meze Audio POET Open-Back Headphones using a Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable and the Campfire Audio Trifecta IEMs.
Take away the fancy digital filters, K2HD technology, and DSD remastering, and you've got a sound quality that's musical, dynamic, and detailed. Sade's top hits like By Your Side are naturally emotive with rich vocals and a warm, comforting melody. The Valkyrie perfectly replicated the quality of the song, delivering a sweet, smooth sound that was borderline intoxicating.
I enjoyed the Valkyrie with and without the sound enhancements, and I found them to be needed on a song-specific basis, rather than constantly. For instance, midrange vocals on the Tate McRae album felt flat at times. The K2 filter added more body and warmth to her vocals, while the XPresence enhancement added sharpness and immediacy to songs that prioritized instrumentation over vocals.
The Valkyrie's soundstage is enveloping, natural, and full of depth. I enjoy a more immersive sound, so I was pleased to find the Valkyrie's soundstage wasn't too wide or tall. Songs that benefit from that tall and wide soundstage can be easily achieved with the XSpace enhancement. The Valkyrie's low-end is naturally well-defined but not overly impactful. I only enabled the XBass II enhancement a couple of times during my listening session for songs that had a typically large bass response and demanded that extra oomph. This added some nice weight to the bottom end, making the bass more impactful and richer-sounding. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the top end was smooth and clear. Even with sensitive IEMs, I never experienced a moment of pitchiness or harshness. And speaking of IEMs, drivability was phenomenal. I always get nervous when I plug a pair of highly sensitive IEMs into a powerful component. Holding my breath while I pressed play, I was amazed to hear a sound quality with little to no noticeable noise interference.
Overall, the Valkyrie is an incredibly versatile device with an easy-to-love sound quality. It's a chameleon that will compliment every pair of headphones and IEMs you throw at it. iFi Audio has done an incredible job delivering us a component that fairs well on its own and only gets sweeter when the tonality is altered. I had a hard time finding anything to dislike about the Valkyrie's sound quality, and I spent the vast majority of my time listening with a huge smile on my face and my toes tapping along to the beat. With the plethora of sound enhancements and support options like DSD1024 for new hi-res releases, there wasn't a genre that the Valkyrie didn't complement. Reggae was immersive, rich, and musical, while classical, jazz, and acoustic melodies were detailed and articulate.
Who is the iFi Valkyrie for? The Valkyrie is the perfect component for audiophiles and music lovers with a large collection of headphones and IEMs of varying impedances. With its robust power, multiple gain modes, and a suite of sound enhancements, you'll have no problem pairing it with your favorite cans and tweaking the tonality to your liking. Whether you're an analytical or warm and musical listener, the Valkyrie has something to offer for everyone at an incredible price.
Yellow
By Coldplay
(Parachutes)
Revolving Door
By Tate McRae
(Miss Possessive)
Fire On the Horizon
By Stick Figure
(Set In Stone)
By Your Side (Remastered)
By Sade
(The Ultimate Collection)
Features
- Quad-stack (4x) DAC configuration enables exceptional resolution
- Studio grade Crysopeia FPGA Remastering Engine
- Ultra-res digital audio – 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512
- Features JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology
- Up to 5,700mW max. peak output power
Quad DAC Architecture
At the heart of the Valkyrie lies iFi Audio's advanced quad Burr-Brown DAC configuration–a hybrid multi-bit design inspired by the legendary Philips TDA1541A. This architecture blends eight pairs of differential signals to capture the magic of classic multi-bit sound while delivering superior low-level detail, rivaling the iFi Audio Zen DAC 3.
For ultimate signal integrity, iFi Audio has isolated the analog path on a dedicated board, completely separate from digital components. Talk about the perfect audiophile-grade component with multiple inputs including USB-C.
Up to 5,700mW Max. Peak Output
The Valkyrie has a plethora of features but its most impressive superpower is its power. Just when you thought the Diablo series held some of iFi's most powerful portable products, here comes the Valkyrie. Four 5,00mAh lithium-iron batteries make up the Valkyrie's powerful headphone amplifier. The Valkyrie sports three gain modes–Normal, Turbo, and Extreme–which are signified by a water drop (normal), fire symbol (turbo), and lightning bolt (extreme) on the Valkyrie's screen.
Professional-Grade DSD1024 Remastering
Inspired by the artistry of professional mastering engineers, the Valkyrie uses iFi Audio's award-winning DSD Remastering algorithm, powered by a custom-coded FPGA, elevating your music to new sonic heights. Similar to the technology used in Sony's legendary mastering studios, this professional-grade DSD1024 Remastering transforms any file by increasing resolution and reducing distortion, bringing your collection closer to professionally remastered quality whether using IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) or full-size headphones.
JVCKENWOOD's K2HD Technology
K2HD restores rich, natural harmonics to lifeless digital recordings. Advanced high-frequency extension reduces overtones by 22kHz, delivering audio quality close to the original master.
Comparisons
iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 Portable DAC Amplifier
The Valkyrie is similar to the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 Headphone Amp DAC in many ways with its exceptional power output and suite of digital filters. To me, the Valkyrie is the more powerful, refined version of the Diablo 2. The Diablo 2 came out of the gate swinging as iFi's most powerful portable device at the time, but I found it resembled a hormonal teenage boy with too much untamed energy, that at times, was hard to reel in. Even with the IEMatch feature, I had a hard time finding the sweet spot with IEMs. Subtle noise and interference were present and if the IEM was too sensitive, I had a less than pleasurable listening experience. The Valkyrie handled IEMs far better than the Diablo 2, but the Diablo 2 delivered a more impressive bass response and boom "right there in your face" sound.
The Diablo 2's sound is more energetic, lively, and dynamic than the Valkyrie, but the Valkyrie has more flexibility when it comes to altering the tonality. The added bells and whistles of the Valkyrie make it more flexible than the Diablo 2, catering to listeners with a collection of headphones and IEMs that have various tonalities and impedances.
Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Headphone Amp
The Chord Hugo 2 DAC Amp is renowned for its clarity, detail, and accuracy. Sonically, the Valkyrie and Hugo 2 differ drastically with the Valkyrie delivering exceptional midrange performance and an overall more musical, dynamic sound quality. The Hugo 2 excels with better bass control and a crystal-clear, transparent presentation that many critical listeners prefer. Size-wise, the Hugo 2 is a clear winner with an overall smaller form factor that is easier to transport.
Because the Valkyrie is newer than the Hugo 2 it has stronger Bluetooth support and a more robust set of features. While both offer digital filters, the Valkyrie stands out for its extensive suite of customization options including eight digital filters, K2HD technology, DSD Remastering, and analog processing modes. Ultimately, these two premium portable DAC/Amplifiers target two different audiences. The Valkyrie appeals to the listener seeking a feature-rich component with a warm, energetic sound signature, while the Hugo 2 attracts critical listeners prioritizing ultimate clarity, transparency, and sonic balance.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable]
For effortless connection to your laptop, tablet, and more, we recommend our Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable. Our Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable exceeds the performance of stock USB Cables, providing stable digital audio transfers from your source device to a USB-capable DAC. It offers an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
The iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie Headphone Amp DAC represents a significant technical achievement from iFi Audio. At $1,699, it delivers exceptional value through its quad-DAC design, powerful headphone amplification, extensive sound customization options, and impressive battery life. While its form factor may stretch the definition of "portable," the included carrying case and accessories enhance its practicality for audiophiles on the move. The Valkyrie's ability to drive everything from sensitive IEMs to highly demanding headphones with ease makes it a compelling one-stop solution for music lovers with a large headphone collection.
The Valkyrie's sound signature strikes an impressive balance—musical and dynamic with natural warmth while maintaining exceptional detail retrieval and a comfortably immersive soundstage that never feels artificially stretched. The suite of sound enhancements provides listeners with the flexibility to tailor the sound quality to their specific liking. Never get tired of the same old sound, and decide how you want to listen–whether that's wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.4 or wired using our Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable. iFi Audio has crafted not just a device but an experience, from the moment you open that magnificent wooden box to the countless hours of musical bliss that follow.
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What's in the Box
- iFi iDSD Valkyrie DAC/Amp
- USB-C OTG Cable
- USB-C to Lightning Cable
- USB-C to USB-C Cable
- DC to USB-C Cable
- Toslink Optical Adapter
- USB-C to USB-A Adapter
- iPower Power Supply
- Custom-made travel case
- Nordic engraved presentation box
- Valkyrie User Manual
- Valkyrie Quickstart Guide
Specifications
Analogue Inputs: Balanced 4.4mm, Single-ended 3.5mm
Analogue Outputs: Balanced 4.4mm, 2x single-ended 3.5mm, RCA
Bluetooth Formats: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC
Digital Filters: Bit Perfect, Standard, Minimum, GTO, Apodizing, Transient, Aligned K2 Mode, K2HD Mode
Digital Inputs: USB-C, S/PDIF (Coaxial, Optical), Bluetooth 5.4
DNR: Line Output: 116dBA
Headphone Output MAX: Balanced 4.4mm, S-balanced 3.5mm
Hi-Res Support: PCM 768kHz, Native DSD512 with DSD1024 Remastering
Battery: Lithium-Polymer 20,000mAh
Charging: PD/QC3.0 @ 20V; QC2.0 @ 5-12V
Dimensions: 172 x 160 x 30mm (6.8 x 6.3 x 1.2")
Net Weight: 882g (1.94 lbs)
Limited Warranty: 12 Months*
MAXIMUM OUTPUT POWER
Headphone Section:
4.4mm: 13.5V/5,700mW (@32Ω); 19.6V/640mW (@600Ω)
3.5mm: 8.9V/2,475mW (@32Ω); 9.8V/160mW (@600Ω)
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
Headphone Section: ≤0.3Ω via 4.4mm; ≤0.2Ω via 3.5mm
Line Output: 205Ω via 4.4mm; 105Ω via 3.5mm
Power Consumption:
Nitro: 13W
Turbo: 6.5W
Normal: 3.5W
xMEMS: ≤6.1W
RMS Output Power (Headphone Section): 4.4mm: 12.0V/2,250mW (@64Ω); 19.6V/640mW (@600Ω)
3.5mm: 8.5V/2,258mW (@32Ω); 9.8V/160mW (@600Ω)
SNR: Line Output: 116dBA
THD+N: Line Output: 0.002% (20-20kHz)
