iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie – Flagship Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Product Description

The iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie is a flagship portable DAC and headphone amplifier that brings sophisticated digital remastering, powerful headphone amplification and extensive sound customization into a single battery-powered component. Featuring four Burr-Brown DACs, DSD1024 remastering, JVCKENWOOD K2HD technology and up to 5,700mW of peak output, the Valkyrie is designed for high-performance listening with demanding headphones, whether at home, at your desk or on the move.

Unlike conventional portable DACs that focus primarily on digital conversion, the Valkyrie gives listeners extensive control over how their music is reproduced. Its combination of digital filters, analog sound-processing modes and advanced remastering technologies allows users to tailor playback to their headphones, recordings and listening preferences.

DSD1024 Remastering with Custom FPGA Processing

At the heart of the iDSD Valkyrie is a custom-coded FPGA that enables DSD1024 remastering. This technology processes digital audio at an exceptionally high sampling rate, giving listeners another way to experience their music beyond conventional PCM playback.

Inspired by techniques used in professional mastering environments, iFi's remastering system is designed to reduce distortion and refine the presentation of digital recordings. The Valkyrie also supports native DSD512 and PCM up to 768kHz, accommodating a wide range of high-resolution music libraries.

JVCKENWOOD K2HD Technology

Developed through an 18-month collaboration with JVCKENWOOD, the Valkyrie incorporates K2HD processing, a technology designed to reconstruct high-frequency harmonic information in digital recordings.

K2HD aims to restore musical overtones beyond 22kHz, addressing some of the harmonic information that may be lost during digital recording and production. Listeners can select K2 and K2HD processing alongside the Valkyrie's other digital filters, providing additional flexibility when listening to different recordings.

Quad Burr-Brown DAC Architecture

The Valkyrie uses four Burr-Brown DACs arranged in a hybrid multibit configuration. This architecture combines eight pairs of differential signals and draws on iFi's experience developing high-end digital components, including the Pro iDSD.

To minimize interference between its digital and analog circuitry, the Valkyrie's analog signal path is housed on a separate circuit board. This arrangement helps reduce crosstalk and supports the low-level resolution and channel separation required for critical headphone listening.

Powerful Balanced Headphone Amplification

With up to 5,700mW of manufacturer-specified peak output through its 4.4mm balanced connection, the iDSD Valkyrie has the power to accommodate a wide range of high-performance headphones.

Its 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm S-Balanced headphone outputs provide flexibility for different headphone cables and configurations. Multiple operating modes allow users to adjust power consumption and output to suit their equipment, while dedicated xMEMS support extends compatibility to headphones and earphones using this emerging driver technology.

Digital Filters and Analog Sound Customization

The Valkyrie offers six selectable digital filters: Bit Perfect, Standard, Minimum, GTO, Apodising and Transient Aligned. K2 and K2HD modes provide further processing options.

These digital settings are complemented by three of iFi's established analog sound-processing technologies:

• XBass II: Adjusts low-frequency reproduction, particularly useful for open-back headphones or recordings with limited bass.

• XPresence: Enhances midrange presence to bring vocals and instruments forward.

• XSpace: Expands the perceived soundstage for a more spacious headphone presentation.

Together, these features allow listeners to make meaningful adjustments without relying exclusively on software equalization.

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless

The iDSD Valkyrie incorporates Qualcomm's QCC518x Bluetooth chipset, supporting aptX Lossless for compatible source devices.

With a maximum bitrate of 1,200kbps, aptX Lossless enables wireless transmission of CD-quality audio under suitable connection conditions. The Valkyrie also supports aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC and SBC.

For high-resolution wireless playback, LDAC and LHDC/HWA support audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, providing flexibility across compatible smartphones, tablets and other Bluetooth sources.

20,000mAh Battery and Up to 18 Hours of Playback

Four 5,000mAh lithium-polymer batteries provide a combined 20,000mAh capacity, supporting up to 18 hours of playback per charge, depending on operating conditions.

Battery operation also allows the Valkyrie to run independently of mains power during portable listening. For desktop use, iFi includes its SilentPower iPowerX power supply, giving users the option of extended listening without relying solely on the internal battery.

With USB-C, coaxial/optical S/PDIF, Bluetooth and analog connectivity, the Valkyrie can serve as both a portable headphone system and a dedicated desktop DAC and headphone amplifier.

Technical Specifications

What's Included

The iDSD Valkyrie package includes the DAC/headphone amplifier, an iPowerX power supply, USB-C to USB-C cable, DC to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, Toslink optical adapter, custom travel case and quick-start guide.

Experience iFi Audio at The Grid HiFi

Explore the iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie at The Grid HiFi in Houston, Texas. Whether you're building a high-performance portable headphone system or looking for a versatile desktop DAC and headphone amplifier, our team can help you select headphones, cables and source components that complement the Valkyrie's extensive capabilities.