iFi Audio iDSD Phantom Reference-Class Streaming DAC System Review
Read Time: Approx. 13 min.
TL;DR:
- Two flagship amplifiers in one chassis with real-time switching between solid-state precision, tube warmth, and hybrid Tube+ mode
- Reference-class all-in-one integration: Quad-stack DAC, comprehensive streamer (Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify Connect, Roon Ready), powerful headphone amp (7,747mW max), and preamp functionality consolidated into a single space-saving component without sonic compromise
- Unprecedented sonic customization: DSD remastering up to DSD2048, K2HD Technology, seven digital filters, XBass Pro, XSpace Pro, and three power modes put professional-grade processing tools at your fingertips via intuitive app control
- Exceptional power and versatility: Drives everything from sensitive IEMs to demanding planar magnetics with authority, featuring six headphone output configurations, comprehensive digital connectivity, and dual network options (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
- Future-proof design: OTA firmware updates ensure the Phantom can improve over time, while the multi-layered control approach (app, remote, front panel) respects different user preferences and workflows
Three Sonic Personalities, One Reference-Class Performer
In the world of high-end audio, the path to sonic excellence has traditionally meant assembling a stack of separate components–a dedicated DAC, a separate streamer, a headphone amplifier, perhaps a preamp for your speakers. Each component brings its own power supply, its own set of cables, and its own potential pain points. iFi Audio challenges the multi-box ideology with its latest integrated innovation: the iDSD Phantom–a flagship, reference-class streaming DAC system combining a DAC, streamer, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier into a single chassis.
Beneath the surface lie professional-grade technologies that put you in control of your listening experience. DSD Remastering up to DSD2048 and K2HD Technology offer a high level of sonic control, while XBass Pro, XSpace Pro, digital filters, and real-time circuity serve as the finishing touches on your sonic canvas.
PROS
- Dual amplifier architecture with real-time switching
- Plethora of sonic control and customization features
- Ample headphone jacks
CONS
- Physical design may not appeal to everyone
Design
The iDSD Phantom enters a room and demands attention. From the first moment you lay eyes on it, you're trying to figure out if it's one component, two stacked together, or just the most unique component you've seen in a while. The iDSD Phantom bears a striking resemblance to the iCAN Phantom, with the same two-toned chassis that gives the appearance of two units, but in fact it is a single, dual-level device. If you put them next to each other, it would take a trained eye to spot the tiny differences to tell them apart.
So let's break down the design of this component. Right off the bat, the iDSD Phantom pulls you in with its two-tone color scheme. The top layer is dominated by two large control knobs on either side of a small round display screen. Push the control knob on the left to power on and off the unit and turn the dial to navigate the unit's various display menus–settings, inputs, brightness, operation modes, gains, remastering, filters, iEMatch, XBass, and XSpace. Push it again to make selections. The knob fixed on the right side is solely dedicated to volume control. Nestled between the two knobs and the display screen are two switches, one for switching between operation modes and the other for quick gain adjustments.
Directly beneath the display screen, sticking out in a cassette player fashion, are five buttons: a back/DSD2048 button, a filter button, a K2HD button, an XSpace button, and an XBass button. The bottom layer sports four outputs–a 3.5mm single-ended, a 4.4mm balanced, a 4-pin XLR, and a 3-pin XLR (L/R)–and one USB-C digital input. Turn the unit around, and you'll find even more connection ports on the back panel: Balanced XLR output (L/R), RCA output (L/R), two USB-A ports, one USB-B 3.0 port, a S/PDIF digital input, a AES3 (XLR) digital input, a RJ45 input, a M12 input, an optical (SC) input, and a BNC (Sync In) input.
The iDSD Phantom is not a component designed to blend into the background. Between the two-toned chassis, perforated rounded edges, and removable glass top fitted with a heat sink, the Phantom is a unit that sparks conversation. At 10.1 x 7.3 x 4.7" in size, the Phantom saves space and can be positioned easily in a desktop setup, on a shelf, or tucked away into a cabinet.
Included with the iDSD Phantom are enough accessories to get you started and enjoy music in no time. Two USB cables, a USB-A to USB-B and a USB-A to USB-C, are included, alongside a 5V OptiBox power adapter, iPower Elite 15V, OptiBox, Antenna, Infrared remote control, RJ45 cable, RCA cable, SC-SC fiber optic cable, quick start guide, and an instruction card.
Sound
Power, precision, performance, oh my! The iDSD Phantom handled the likes of all headphones I tested it with, from the Focal Utopia 2022 and Meze Audio POET to the Dan Clark Audio E3 and Meze Audio STRADA, all with varying impedances.
I spent quite a bit of time switching between the three amplification modes to get the most out of the Phantom's sound quality. The solid-state mode is as technically precise and quick as you'd expect. When paired with the Dan Clark Audio E3 Headphones, the Phantom's solid-state mode delivered a neutral and detailed sound quality. Bad Bunny's track NUEVAYoL is quick and punchy. From the first few seconds, you're preparing for the ride of your life, where a broad mix of orchestral instruments, synthesizers, and Bad Bunny's impressive rapping cadence take center stage. This is one of those tracks that sounds fine in your car, good over your laptop's stock speakers, but impeccable over high-end headphones and loudspeakers.
The rapping cadence alone is why it's become one of my favorite tracks to test gear with. While I don't understand Spanish well enough to pick up what he's saying, I can certainly tell when the track's not being played to its fullest extent. This track was articulate, accurate, and quick in the solid-state mode.
Switching to the tube mode, I'm greeted with a softer, warmer presentation. The precise edges of various instruments are rounded out, delivering a mellower, more lush sound quality, yet that quick tempo is still very much alive. The tube mode gave NUEVAYoL a clubbier sound quality, where the low-end is emphasized, and the midrange prioritizes musicality over detail and articulation. I personally love the sonic characteristics of vacuum tubes, so I was in hog heaven.
Now, how does the Tube+ mode stack up against the competition? Think of Tube+ mode as the happy middle, combining the strengths of solid-state amplification and tube amplification. You're getting the hallmark mellow, warm tube sound, yet with the signature precision and accuracy of a solid-state circuit. I found Tube+ perfect for tracks that were almost too lush in tube mode, but bordering on analytical-level sterility in solid-state mode. With the track NUEVAYoL, it maintained the mellower, more lush sound, yet added more definition to Bad Bunny's vocals, which were a little too relaxed in tube mode for my taste. As for drivability, the Phantom handled the E3 as a champ, and my sensitive ears enjoyed it at lower volume levels and didn't need the extra oomph an increased gain stage could've provided.
Madeline
By Lily Allen
(West End Girl)
NUEVAYoL
By Bad Bunny
(debí tirar más fotos)
Obsolete
By Tame Impala
(Deadbeat)
Been Like This
By Doja Cat
(Planet Her)
Features
- Reference-class DAC/preamp, network streamer and headphone amplifier
- Remarkable power – up to 4,676mW RMS & 7,747mW Max to drive the toughest headphone loads with ease
- Ultra-res PCM 768kHz and DSD512 streaming over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Quad-stack DAC – 4x DACs in interleaved configuration enables exceptional resolution
- DSD Remastering: option to upconvert PCM and DSD files to DSD1024 or DSD2048
- 7 selectable digital filters including JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD Technology
- Two discrete input stages – switch between solid state and NOS GE5670 vacuum tubes in real time
- Intelligent app control – works with iFi Nexis for remote control and OTA updates
- Three power modes: Normal for IEMs, Turbo for mid-sensitivity headphones, and Nitro for demanding headphones with a 18.4V max output
- Exemplary build quality, comprehensive connectivity, and informative colour display
- High grade hand held remote control
DAC Architecture
At the heart of the iDSD Phantom lies a sophisticated quad-stack DAC implementation utilizing four Burr-Brown DAC chips in an interleaved configuration. This topology, inspired by legendary multi-bit designs, delivers exceptional low-level detail retrieval while maintaining musicality and natural timbre. Galvanic isolation on the digital inputs eliminates electrical interference before it reaches the signal path, ensuring pristine audio reproduction.
Headphone Amplification: Power & Versatility
Practically speaking, a high-quality dedicated headphone amplifier will cost you anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000 easily. So you set a $2,500 budget, and now another painstaking decision must be made: choose between a solid-state amp or a tube amp. But what if you didn't have to make a choice?
What makes the iDSD Phantom truly unique isn't its funky chassis, but its dual amplification circuit, containing solid-state and vacuum tube amps. The days of choosing between solid-state and tube amplification are over; now you're getting both in a single chassis. The Phantom's user-switchable circuitry stages let you choose between three distinct sonic characters: Solid-state, Tube, and Tube+.
The solid-state circuit, comprising a discrete J-FET design, delivers lightning-fast, distortion-free precision. This is the mode for audiophiles seeking transparency, precision, and an analytical listening experience. The solid-state circuit delivers ruler-flat frequency response and vanishingly low noise.
For the analog lovers who can't seem to shake the vacuum tube bug off of them, the Phantom's Tube circuit is the missing cure. Hand-selected NOS GE5670 vacuum tubes deliver warmth, harmonic richness, and liquid smoothness. The tube mode excels with acoustic music, jazz, and vocals with a touch of warmth and dimensionality that enhances the listening experience.
And if that's not enough for you, the Tube+ circuit uses a lowered-loop gain to deliver enhanced second harmonics, more body, and even more presence. Think of this mode as the middle path. It retains much of the solid-state circuit's resolution while introducing subtle tube warmth.
Three Power Modes
The Phantom's amplification specifications are equally impressive, with 7,747mW maximum power output, 4,676mW RMS continuous power, and 18.4V maximum output voltage. The Phantom has no problem driving even the most notoriously difficult headphone loads like the HiFiMan SUSVARA or Meze Empyrean 2 to satisfying volume levels with ample headroom.
With great power comes great responsibility, and iFi Audio has got you covered with three selectable power modes, catering to headphones with vastly different sensitivity and impedance characteristics. Normal Mode is optimized for sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs) and efficient headphones, providing a low noise floor and ample gain structure. Turbo Mode is designed for mid-sensitivity headphones like need additional power, but don't demand maximum output, balancing power and refinement. The third mode, Nitro Mode, offers maximum power delivery to demanding planar magnetic and high-impedance headphones.
This effortless mode switching is yet another great perk provided by iFi Audio, ensuring optimal performance across the entire spectrum of headphones on the market today. An IEM like the Campfire Audio Andromeda will sound clean and noise-free in normal mode, while a power-hungry headphone like the HiFiMan SUSVARA will be driven effortlessly in Nitro mode.
Sonic Enhancements: Beyond Bit-Perfect
Controlling the iDSD Phantom doesn't just stop at amplification. iFi Audio's two sonic enhancements, XBass Pro and XSpace Pro, JVCKENWOOD's K2HD Technology, and four digital filters, unlock a world of audio possibilities.
XBass Pro, provides adjustable bass enhancement at three frequency points: 10Hz, 20Hz, and 40Hz. Unlike simple bass boost technology that adds distortion and muddiness, XBass Pro is designed to boost low frequencies without clouding the midrange. It's the ideal enhancement for open-back headphones or any situation that demands fuller low-end presence.
XSpace Pro takes headphone listening beyond the confines of your head. It addresses the common headphone limitation of the "in your head sound" that comes from drivers positioned directly at your ears. XSpace Pro is iFi Audio's implementation of crossfeed processing that introduces subtle inter-channel delays and level differences to simulate the spaciousness of speaker playback while preserving clarity and detail. With three selectable levels, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees, you can fine-tune the effect to create a more natural, lifelike presentation.
JVCKENWOOD's K2HD Technology restores the depth, nuance, and musicality of the original performance by reintroducing harmonic content lost during the production process. As audiophiles, we're constantly chasing that extra percentage point to get us as close as possible to the original. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we need a little extra help, and that's where the Phantom's K2HD technology comes in. And for those who want the sonic benefits without changing the sample rate, the K2HD's K2 Mode offers similar enhancement without upsampling.
Once you've chosen your circuitry mode, restored harmonics with K2HD, and applied analog processing, you can fine-tune the Phantom's sound even further with an array of digital filters, each subtly shaping the time-domain response to suit your taste. These digital filters include Bit-Perfect/Bit-Perfect+, GTO, Transient Aligned, and Apodizing. Bit-Perfect/Bit-Perfect+ delivers a pure, untouched playback. It gets you the closest you'll get to the raw recording. GTO upsamples the audio signal to 352.8/384kHz with minimal filtering and minimal post ringing. It adds density and detail to the recording.
Transient aligned is a balanced filtering mode with a focus on reducing HF noise, resulting in a smooth, controlled, and relaxed sound quality. And lastly, apodizing upsamples the audio signal to 705.6/768kHz with greater post-ringing. You get a similar sonic character to the GTO filter, but with a softer edge.
User Experience and Control
The iFi Nexis App, available for iOS and Android devices, provides comprehensive remote control of the Phantom's features. From the app, you can control virtually every aspect of the unit: Select inputs and adjust volume, switch between amp modes, enable sonic enhancements and filters, perform over-the-air firmware updates, configure DSD remastering settings, enable XBass Pro and XSpace Pro, and more. The app allows you to monitor current resolution and sample rates, view detailed track information, and configure network settings for optimal performance.
The Phantom's streaming capabilities–all managed through the Nexis app–include native service integration from Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Spotify Connect. This native integration allows you to browse and control each service directly from its native app, then cast playback to the Phantom. The unit also supports Apple AirPlay 2, DLNA/ UPnP, NAA, and Roon, awaiting Roon Ready certification.
The Phantom's network streaming reaches full resolution capability: PCM up to 768kHz and DSD512 natively via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, with DSD2048 achievable when combined with the onboard DSD remastering engine. In normal mode, native DSD signals pass directly to the DAC while PCM signals go through a user-selected digital filter. Switch the unit to remastered mode for upconversion to DSD512, DSD1024, and DSD2048.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon USB Cable, Silver Dragon Network Cable, Silver Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable]
Now, you've invested in a reference-class component like the Phantom, and are missing a few cables to get started. That's where Moon Audio's Dragon Cables come in. We've designed these cables specifically for audiophiles who demand every ounce of performance from flagship gear like the Phantom.
While I wish I could sit here and spend our time recommending every cable in our collection, I'll stick to the essentials here: The Silver Dragon USB Cable, Silver Dragon Network Cable, and Silver Dragon Interconnect Cable. Each of these cables uses our UP-OCC silver conductors that preserve digital signal integrity with minimal jitter and interference. When you're streaming high-resolution files or DSD content to the Phantom, the Silver Dragon ensures that data arrives exactly as it should.
All of our Silver Dragon cables are handcrafted in our facility, custom-built to your specifications, and backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Trust me—once you hear what the Phantom can do with a proper cable foundation, you won't go back.
Verdict
The iFi Audio iDSD Phantom proves that flagship audio doesn't require choosing between tubes and solid-state, between power and versatility, or between separate components and space-saving integration. Intelligent engineering means you get reference-level performance in a single chassis that adapts to every recording, every headphone, and every listening preference without compromise.
Whether you're using it as your primary DAC, your headphone amp, your streamer, or all three simultaneously, the Phantom delivers performance that stands alongside components costing significantly more while giving you flexibility those separates can't touch.
Featured Products
Related Videos
iFi's Secret Weapon: How $50,000 AMR Technology Ended Up in $500 Audio Gear
Best Desktop DACs/ Amps/ Streamers for Home Audio 2026: Top Sellers Ranked
The Best Portable DACS at Every Price Point in 2026: Top 5 Audiophile Picks
What's in the Box
- iDSD Phantom
- USB3.0 A to B Cable
- USB-A to C Cable
- 5V OptiBox power adapter
- iPower Elite 15V
- OptiBox
- Antenna
- Infrared Remote Control
- RJ45 Cable
- RCA Cable
- SC-SC fibre optic Cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Instruction Card
Specifications
Hi-Res Support: PCM 768kHz, DSD512 (DSD2048 with remastering)
Streaming: Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon, Airplay, DLNA, UPnP, NAA
Digital Inputs: 1x USB-B 3.0; 2x USB-A (Host); 1x USB-C (Host); 1x S/PDIF (coaxial); 1x AES3 (XLR); 1x RJ45; 1x M12; 1x Optical (SC); 1x BNC (Sync In)
Input Stages: Solid-state, Tube, Tube+
Line Outputs: 1x Balanced XLR (L/R); 1x RCA (L/R)
Headphone Outputs: 1x 3.5mm S-balanced; 1x 4.4mm balanced; 1x 4-pin XLR; 1x 3-pin XLR (L/R); 1x 6.3mm (positive phase); 1x 6.3mm (inverted phase)
XBass: 10, 20, 40Hz
XSpace: 30, 60, 90 degrees
K2HD Technology: Yes
Output Impedance: Balanced (<2 ohms), Single-ended (<1 ohms)
Frequency Response: 10Hz-65kHz (-3dB)
RMS Output Power: > 4,670mW (at 64 ohms); up to 7,747mW max output power
Power Consumption: <30W idle, 60W Max
Dimensions: 256 x 185 x 120mm (10.1 x 7.3 x 4.7")
Weight: 3.75 kg (8.33 lbs)
Headphone Output Power:
- Balanced RMS: > 3,781mW/11V (at 32 ohms); > 564mW/18.4V (at 600 ohms)
- Balanced Max: > 7,747mW/15.7V (at 32 ohms); > 558mW/18.3V (at 600 ohms)
- Single-ended RMS: > 2,311mW/8.6V (at 32 ohms); > 144mW/9.3V (at 600 ohms)
THD+N:
- Balanced: < 0.005% at 16 ohms (2.4V, 20-20kHz)
- Single-ended: < 0.01% at 16 ohms (1.27V, 20-20kHz
SNR:
- Balanced: > 116dBA at 600 ohms (20-20kHz)
- Single-ended: > 114dBA at 600 ohms (20-20kHz)
DNR:
- Balanced: > 116dBA at 600 ohms (10-20kHz)
- Single-ended: > 115dBA at 600 ohms (10-20kHz)
Output Noise:
- Balanced: <30uV(A) at 600 ohms (max output 20-20kHz)
- Single-ended: <20uV(A) at 600 ohms (max output 20-20kHz)
