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iFi Audio iDSD GR 2 MT
It hasn't been long since the launch of the iDSD GR 2, but iFi Audio has already prepared a special version of its latest portable DAC and headphone amplifier. The iDSD GR 2 MT, with the final letters standing for "Master Tuned," was developed in collaboration with Steve Levine, the British record producer whose credits include Culture Club, The Beach Boys, Gary Moore, and Motörhead. This is not, however, the usual kind of special edition where the differences amount to a new finish, a celebrity signature, and a few additional menu options. For the GR 2 MT, iFi has upgraded several components in the analog signal path, replaced the circuit board material, and introduced two exclusive digital filters developed with Levine. The starting point remains the standard iDSD GR 2, introduced in June 2026 as the successor to the popular xDSD Gryphon. Rather than treating it as a modest update, iFi approached the GR 2 as a substantially new design, introducing a revised DAC architecture, fully balanced amplification, a color OLED touchscreen, and support for the latest wireless audio technologies. At the heart of its digital section is the Burr-Brown PCM1795, a current-output DAC chip that gave the company's engineers considerable freedom in designing the analog circuitry that follows it.
This is where the most important differences between the standard GR 2 and the Master Tuned edition begin. The conventional FR-4 circuit board has been replaced with a hydrocarbon-ceramic substrate that, according to the manufacturer, offers exceptionally low signal loss. The current-to-voltage conversion stage associated with the PCM1795 has also been redesigned. The original OVA2637 amplifier and standard surface-mount resistors have been replaced by an OV4627A operational amplifier and audiophile-grade tantalum resistors. Meanwhile, the headphone amplifier section now uses Audio Note Kaisei capacitors instead of conventional electrolytic components. Externally, the special edition can be identified by an illuminated logo positioned next to the display. Steve Levine's involvement went considerably further than approving a finished product and allowing his name to appear on its packaging. The producer participated in the tuning process, with the most obvious results being two exclusive digital filters - one developed for PCM material and the other for DSD. According to iFi Audio, the objective was to strike a balance between neutrality, clarity, and the emotional character of the original recording. As Levine explained during the launch, "The goal of any producer is to document the authenticity and emotion behind the artist's performance." He added that he had applied the same philosophy when voicing the iDSD GR 2 MT.
Beyond these modifications, the GR 2 MT retains the most important features of the standard model. The Burr-Brown PCM1795 works alongside JVCKENWOOD's K2HD technology, which is intended to reconstruct some of the harmonic information lost during various stages of digital audio processing. The headphone amplifier delivers up to 1,513 mW RMS into 32 ohms, providing sufficient power not only for efficient portable headphones and in-ear monitors but also for more demanding full-size designs. Wireless connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4, with support for codecs including LDAC and aptX Lossless. When used with a compatible source, the latter allows transmission of CD-quality audio without the losses associated with conventional lossy Bluetooth compression. The GR 2 MT also retains an extensive selection of digital and analog connections, allowing it to operate not only as a portable DAC and headphone amplifier but also as part of a larger desktop or home audio system.
Everyday operation is simplified by a 2.3-inch color OLED display with capacitive touch controls. The device is also compatible with the iFi Nexis app, which provides access to more advanced settings and allows firmware updates to be installed wirelessly. Another practical feature carried over from the standard GR 2 is its hybrid power management system. When used as a stationary component, the device can bypass its internal battery entirely, drawing power directly from an external supply. This prevents unnecessary charging and discharging when the GR 2 MT spends most of its time connected to a desktop computer rather than accompanying its owner on the move. It is a particularly welcome feature in a product designed to serve equally well in portable and stationary applications.
The arrival of the Master Tuned edition also illustrates iFi Audio's determination to blur the distinction between portable audio equipment and fully fledged desktop headphone systems. Even in its standard form, the GR 2 was designed to be something listeners could take with them during the day and then connect to a more elaborate setup at home, using it much like a compact stationary component. The MT version does not fundamentally change this concept, but takes it a step further through more carefully selected components and additional options for tailoring the sound. Importantly, this is not merely a software variation of the original model. The changes extend to the circuit board itself, the current-to-voltage conversion stage, and the headphone amplifier circuitry, making the Master Tuned edition a genuinely different implementation of the same basic design. The iDSD GR 2 MT is available now through authorized retailers, with suggested retail prices of $699 in the United States, €729 in Europe, and £699 in the United Kingdom. Info and photos by iFi Audio.
