For the last couple of months, I’ve been dabbling in the world of DACs (digital-to-analogue converter), more specifically, a portable DAC for my Google Pixel 6, to circumvent the lack of any audio jack on the device. Since then, I’ve come to appreciate the nuances that come with a digital-to-analogue converter, prompting me to check out the iFi Uno DAC, a solid first choice for someone wanting to get into the world of high-fidelity audio without breaking the bank.
In essence, the iFi Uno and other devices like it combine the benefits of an amp and DAC into a small form factor, acting as the middleman between your source audio and receiver or headphones. With a footprint of only 88mm across and a depth of 28mm, the iFi Uno is a compact little device, making it easy to chuck into your bag or find a permanent spot in your setup.
In terms of IO, the device features a single USB-C lead for both power and interfacing with your computer, along with a left and right RCA jack for stereo output for any external devices you may wish to use. On the front of the iFi Uno DAC, an EQ, Powermatch button, and volume dial can be found next to a lone standard audio jack for headphones.
“If I had to summarize what audio sounds like through the iFi Uno DAC, the best way I could describe it would be natural.”
On the top face of the iFi Uno, three circular LED icons highlight the different frequency modes available to the user. These include a game, video (general media) and music preset. Pressing the EQ button on the front cycles through the aforementioned modes. Finally, on the bottom of the device, the iFi Uno features two rounded adhesive strips, which can be used to better affix the unit to a stable surface if desired.
In terms of build quality, the iFi Uno features a textured plastic finish on the body of the device, with the front panel, instead, featuring a brushed metal aluminum insert, a nice touch that helps paint a premium picture despite its relatively low asking price of $79.
For the majority of my tests, I used the Corsair Virtuoso Pro, a pair of headphones I looked at late last year, along with my trusty Sony WH-H900N, which I mainly used as a point of comparison, pitting Bluetooth up against a wired connection through the iFi Uno DAC, in addition to testing it with a standard 3.5mm audio jack fed to the device.
For those who care about the specs, the iFi Uno features the ES9219MQ chipset, with a range of up to PCM 32-bit and 384khz, supporting both MQA and DSD 256 audio profiles. For my testing, however, I stuck to .FLAC audio files, in addition to testing music and other audio sources derived from streaming services, including Spotify and YouTube, as I feel those are realistically more likely to be what people interested in the iFi Uno would gravitate towards for their music consumption needs.
“…the iFi Uno has been a game changer in delivering a crystal clear and nuanced listening experience.”
If I had to summarize what audio sounds like through the iFi Uno DAC, the best way I could describe it would be natural. A neutral-sounding soundscape accentuated by the mode of operation elevates your listening experience to best fit the genre. For example, the sound profile for the game mode preset on the DAC focuses on raising the midrange resolution of the sound, which directly results in better sound separation from directional sources, such as gunfire, explosions, footsteps and anything on the periphery of your current location in-game.
Before talking about the Music profile present on the iFi Uno, which will likely be most people’s daily driver and use case scenario while using the DAC, first, I want to go over the Uno’s middle profile — the Video/general media frequency. Surprisingly, I found myself using this middle profile the most when using the iFi Uno. As someone who tends to use subtitles when consuming media due to having a hard time discerning dialogue in newer movies, the iFi Uno has been a game changer in delivering a crystal clear and nuanced listening experience.
More importantly, I tend to prefer a lower max volume when using headphones, and the iFi Uno DAC was able to deliver audio that had a well-separated and distinct-sounding performance during scenes with dialogue and music that didn’t require cranking things up to max volume.
Finally, speaking of volume adjustments, the iFi Uno’s dial allows the user to have better, granular control of their audio output. When connected, the iFi Uno will enable you to go beyond the typical range of what is possible using whatever built-in solution present in your setup, or at least, that was the case when plugged into my Windows machine.
In terms of both extremes, the iFi Uno’s performance, when very quiet, left something to be desired, in the audio feeling less robust and lacking detail, while on the end of the spectrum, although I wouldn’t call it crunchy or distorted by any means, audio began to lose its dynamic range and felt overall flatter. In other words, the iFi Uno excels somewhere along the middle, making it the Goldilocks of budget and beginner DACs.
- UNLOCK YOUR MUSIC POTENTIAL – Bigger, bolder, more detailed sound to enhance your digital entertainment experience
- IMMENSE COMPATABILITY – Connect Windows PCs, Apple Macs and all manner of tablets and smartphones
