What's New With the iFi iDSD GR 2 MT Portable DAC/Amp?

Shortly after its release, the iFi iDSD GR 2 got an upgrade to the iDSD GR 2 MT. This 'Master-Tuned' edition is a collaboration with renowned engineer Steve Levine, and it has two special filters that are tuned to the discerning audiophile's ear. With the iFi GR 2 still so new and sought after, what makes this upgrade worth nearly $200 more? Is this DAC worth the upgrade? Today, we take a look at the GR 2 MT and see what this special edition has to make it a step above the rest. 

First, let's take a look at the physical design. In designing in the GR 2 MT, iFi didn't stray from the form factor of its predecessors. The Gryphon, GR 2, and the GR 2 MT all have the same shape and build, with a few color changes from one model to the next. The GR 2 MT has a grey body with black details, and is a decent weight to make it feel like a quality device as opposed to something flimsy. It's nice to have this familiarity in design so that returning iFi users will be familiar with its style. The GR 2 MT fits inside the dedicated case for the GR 2, so you can protect your device when you're on the go. 

One standout design element lives on the bottom of the GR 2 MT, where Steve Levine's signature is engraved. It's a way to distinguish one design from the others and give Steve Levine the credit for helping design this audiophile-grade device. 

The iFi GR 2 MT works the same as the GR 2. You can connect to your audio source via USB-C or Bluetooth, and you have the option to use coaxial or optical for more extensive speaker setups. While physical buttons and a volume dial are available on the side of the device, the touch screen is another way for users to change settings and modes on their device without having to find the right button. Simply tapping the icon of what you want to change gives you the same customizable ability. If the touchscreen is not for you, you can lock it so accidental touches won't change your entire setup. 

Like the GR 2, the GR 2 MT has 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections for your output, but also allows you to switch to speaker connection mode so you can utilize the 3.5mm and 4.4mm line-out options. You have the option to add filters like XBass and XSpace to enhance your listening, or you can use the different DAC filters. A new addition to the GR 2 MT is seen here, with Steve Levine's two custom filters that are specially tuned for the discerning ear. Using these in tandem with the K2HD technology makes listening smooth and crisp in any genre.

• Analog Inputs: Balanced 4.4mm / Single-Ended 3.5mm
• Analog Outputs: Balanced 4.4mm / Single-Ended 3.5mm
• Battery: Lithium-Polymer 4,900mAh; ~7hr battery life
• Bluetooth Codecs: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, AAC, SBC
• Chipset: Burr-Brown PCM1795
• Digital Inputs: USB-C / Bluetooth 5.4
• Dimensions: 141 x 75 x 19mm (5.55 x 2.95 x 0.75")
• Net Weight: 268g (0.59lbs)
• Headphone Output: Balanced 4.4mm / Single-Ended 3.5mm
• Hi-Res Support: PCM 768kHz; DSD512
• Output Impedance:
  • ≤0.4Ω; ≤4.5Ω with iEMatch (Bal)
  • ≤0.2Ω; ≤4.4Ω with iEMatch (S-Bal)
• RMS Output Power:
  • 6.94V/1,513mW @ 32Ω; 8.60V/119mW @ 600Ω (Bal)
  • 4.26V/567mW @ 32Ω; 4.27V/30mW @ 600Ω (S-Bal)
• THD+N:
  • 0.006% @ 16Ω (headphone outputs)
  • 0.0005% @ 0dBFS (line outputs)
• SNR DNR: 115dBA (all outputs)
• Power Supply Requirement: 5V/>1.8A via USB-C; ~3.5h charging time

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

What does the GR 2 MT sound like? If you're familiar with the Gryphon to GR 2 upgrade, then you'll find that this has essentially identical sonic qualities. The GR 2 MT is crisp and clean, delivering power that aids even the most demanding headphones in any setting. I liked the space even before you apply the XSpace filter, which is a testament to how spacious the GR 2 MT makes headphones sound. In earphones like the Sennheiser IE 600 or the Meze Astru, the wide soundstage is clearly heard with distinct separation between instruments in all ranges. The GR 2 MT was used with a collection of different headphones, much like the testing process for the GR 2. The sound is clean and honest, letting the headphones' original profiles come through and be the highlight of the listening experience.

I was quite impressed with the driving ability on the GR 2 MT, and the adaptable gain output makes it easy to use IEMs or power-hungry headphones interchangeably. The spatialization in high-end devices like the 64 Audio Ocean is masterfully executed on the GR 2 MT, as well as the Sennheiser HD 800S. Track elements were already quite spacious and separated, but the GR 2 MT helped them stay crisp in detail and still work in harmony throughout the listening session. It was entertaining to hear this space in more reference headphones, as the natural quality of them was still very effective and made listening sessions immersive and realistic. 

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

It can be difficult sometimes to tell how a DAC handles certain frequencies when using so many different headphones, but I count that as a good thing. The GR 2 MT didn't change the headphones' sound signatures to make them unrecognizable; instead, you could appreciate the tuning that was given to you from each headphone or IEM. The bass in headphones like the Dan Clark E3 or the Noble Vanguard was really punchy and crisp, and you could still appreciate the wide sound in open-back headphones like the HEDDphone D1 or Sennheiser HD 650.

Clarity and detail were highlights on the GR 2 MT, especially in the bass and treble. The midrange melodic details were reproduced well and had an extra push of separation from the expansive soundstage. Bass was punchy even before the addition of the XBass filter. This punchy quality, paired with crisp detail in all the frequency ranges, makes the GR 2 MT a great device to enhance any signature to make it more engaging and dynamic. I was fully immersed in my listening, both in IEMs and open-back over-ears, and it made listening more entertaining as a whole. Both studio engineers can appreciate this close attention to detail, as well as casual listeners for the enhancement in dynamics. 

STEVE LEVINE SIGNATURE FILTERS

The main feature and update to the GR 2 MT is the tuning by Steve Levine. His filters are labeled with his signature, engraved on the bottom of the device and on the OLED touchscreen. What do these filters sound like? When listening to the GR 2 MT with the Steve Levine filters, I found the difference to be quite subtle compared to the starker change you might expect from something like the XSpace or XBass filter. For the more trained ear, you'll be able to pick up the crisper attack and smoother roll-off in the high range, and the bass gets a push deeper into the sub-bass region. This makes the soundstage deeper and fuller, almost giving frequencies an extra breath of space to live and ring out. This filter worked great with open-back headphones and more reference sound signatures where that push was great for making spaces sound more natural. I liked listening to the Sennheiser series with this filter, as well as the HEDDphone D1 or the Audeze LCD-X. 

If you already bought the GR 2, is it worth upgrading to the GR 2 MT? What is so special or different about the GR 2 MT that makes it $180 more expensive than its predecessor? As mentioned earlier, the specially tuned filters by Steve Levine are a draw for detail-oriented audiophiles or the working studio engineer. Sonically, there is a nice upgrade with these filters that is subtle but effective once you take the time to listen to one over the other. Inside, the devices themselves showcase a more impressive upgrade, including new capacitors and upgraded resistors. Most other elements remain the same, so if you aren't entranced by these small technological upgrades, the regular GR 2 might be the device for you. 

I think studio engineers and sensitive audiophile ears would be able to benefit most from the GR 2 MT over the GR 2. The upgrade would be more noticeable with an extensive and high-end setup, and for those who want that super-clean signal that eliminates any chance of noise, the GR 2 MT is equipped with such tech. Below is a helpful table that outlines the main differences between the GR 2 and the GR 2 MT for your reference. 

So is the iDSD GR 2 MT the upgrade every audiophile should be getting their hands on? It really depends on how you listen. I find this is a great upgrade for those who value reference sound and would enjoy hearing Steve Levine's take on a tuned profile. The build quality and basic functionality remain consistent, so the only thing people will have to decide on is the sound. If you own the GR 2 already, testing out the GR 2 MT side-by-side with the original would be a great way to test if the sound upgrade is something for you. If you're an audiophile just looking for decent sound with portable convenience, the original GR 2 is still a great upgrade and at a much cheaper cost. 

At the end of the day, your ears will be the best judge. Try out the GR 2 MT at Audio46 today and see if the profile is compatible with your taste. 

You can get the GR 2 MT at Audio46.