(January 20, 2026) iFi Audio is raising the bar for what it considers a desktop flagship with the launch of the new iDSD PHANTOM, a reference-grade DAC, streamer, and headphone amplifier designed to serve as a single-box centerpiece for high-end personal audio systems. Rather than positioning the PHANTOM as a routine product refresh, iFi is presenting it as a full generational leap, built from the ground up to consolidate digital playback, network streaming, and high-power headphone amplification into one integrated platform.
At a glance, the PHANTOM replaces the role once occupied by the Pro iDSD, but the internal changes go far beyond incremental tuning. iFi points to a redesigned streaming engine, a new FPGA-based remastering platform, expanded analog output architecture, and significantly higher amplifier headroom as the defining pillars of the new flagship. The intent, according to the company, was not simply to add features, but to rework the signal path from input to output with measurable performance improvements and greater system flexibility.
Streaming capability is a central focus of the PHANTOM platform. The new network engine supports playback up to 768kHz PCM and native DSD512, with built-in compatibility for Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Roon, DLNA, and UPnP. This allows the PHANTOM to operate as a standalone network streamer, pulling content directly from online services, local servers, or attached storage devices. iFi also highlights improvements in system stability and interface responsiveness compared to previous generations, positioning the PHANTOM as a true front-end source component rather than a DAC that happens to include streaming.
Noise control and signal isolation are also major components of PHANTOM’s design. Galvanic isolation is applied to Ethernet, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU inputs to electrically separate incoming sources from the internal audio circuitry. iFi has also incorporated its Exclusive Modes feature, which disables unused system processes during playback to reduce internal electrical activity and minimize potential interference inside the chassis.
At the digital core of PHANTOM is iFi’s new Chrysopoeia FPGA remastering engine. This custom platform enables DSD remastering up to DSD2048, applying proprietary timing and jitter management algorithms before conversion. In remastered operation, each DAC channel processes up to DSD1024 internally, combining to reach the full DSD2048 output capability. According to iFi, pushing quantization noise further outside the audible band at these extreme sample rates helps preserve low-level detail while reducing in-band distortion artifacts. Conversion, itself, is handled by a quad-DAC architecture built around four interleaved Burr-Brown DACs. PCM playback supports selectable digital filter options, while native DSD playback bypasses digital filtering and volume control entirely, shifting level management into the analog domain. This hybrid approach allows format-specific signal handling while maintaining consistency across different playback modes.
On the analog side, PHANTOM introduces three selectable output voices. Users can choose between a dual-mono solid-state output stage based on discrete J-FETs, a dual-mono tube stage using hand-matched NOS GE5670 valves, or a Tube+ mode that further enhances second-harmonic content by adjusting loop gain characteristics. iFi says the output stage has been redesigned with a 67 percent increase in current capacity compared to previous models, improving drive capability and reducing distortion under load.
Power delivery is also enhanced, providing PHANTOM with up to 7,747 milliwatts of peak headphone output using a discrete pure Class A amplification stage. Balanced headphone output power reaches at least 4,676 mW at 64 ohms, while maintaining a high-voltage swing for high-impedance headphone designs. This positions the PHANTOM as a universal driver solution capable of handling everything from sensitive in-ear monitors to demanding planar magnetic and dynamic flagship headphones. Sound shaping tools are part of the output analog toolkit. XBass Pro provides fully analog bass enhancement with selectable low-frequency lift points at 10Hz, 20Hz, and 40Hz. It also adds adjustable spatial expansion with 30-, 60-, and 90-degree settings to simulate speaker-style presentation in headphone listening. These features are implemented in the analog domain to avoid additional digital processing stages.
Connectivity options are vast. Digitally, inputs include USB-B, dual USB host ports, coaxial S/PDIF, AES3 via XLR, Ethernet, optical SC, and BNC word clock sync. Headphone outputs include 3.5mm S-Balanced, 4.4mm balanced, 4-pin XLR, dual 3-pin XLR, and dual 6.3mm connections supporting positive and inverted phase operation. Line-level output is available via balanced XLR and RCA connections, with selectable Hi-Fi and Pro output voltage ranges.
Physically, the PHANTOM measures approximately 10.1" W x 7.3" D x 4.7" T and weighs a plump 7.9 lbs. Power is supplied via an external DC input, supporting both 12V and 15V operation depending on system configuration.
The iFi iDSD PHANTOM is available now through iFi Audio and authorized global dealers, priced at a flagship-worthy $4,499 USD.
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