Price: $1699 / £1699 / AU$2999

iFi Audio has once again redefined its boundaries with the release of the iDSD Valkyrie, a DAC/headphone amp that treads the line between transportable and desktop-class excellence. With a striking design, four Burr-Brown DAC chips, endless customization, and massive processing power, the Valkyrie is aimed squarely at audiophiles seeking ultimate fidelity—even if it sacrifices some practicality in the process.

Striking Design and Build Quality

The Valkyrie arrives in a wooden presentation box—immediately setting the tone for its premium appeal. Weighing 882g and measuring 30 x 160 x 172mm, it’s not something you’ll slide into a pocket. Its angular design evokes the “wings of a Valkyrie’s horse,” according to iFi—aesthetic drama is part of the appeal here.

Build quality is rock-solid, with tight tolerances and a tactile finish. While it’s more suited to a desktop or high-end home system, it comes with a large carrying case and the necessary cables for those brave enough to travel with it.

Features and Technology

The iDSD Valkyrie boasts quad Burr-Brown PCM1793 DACs and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that offers six filter options and advanced upsampling—up to DSD1024. It also features:

• Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless support
• K2 and K2HD signal restoration (JVC Kenwood tech)
• Multiple analogue outputs: balanced 4.4mm, unbalanced 3.5mm
• Coaxial/optical combo input and RCA analogue outs
• 18-hour battery life with quick charging

The Valkyrie’s software-driven flexibility can be overwhelming but is a godsend for audiophiles who enjoy precise control over filtering, power levels, and upsampling behavior.

Sound Quality: Sonic Brilliance Unleashed

The sound output from the iDSD Valkyrie is nothing short of exceptional. Once properly dialed in, the Valkyrie delivers stunning levels of clarity, resolution, and tonal balance. Whether listening to 24bit FLAC files of Nick Drake or low-bitrate MP3s, it extracts maximum detail and presents it with both finesse and authority.

Highlights include:

• Vivid, immediate midrange—ideal for vocal tracks
• Tight, rhythmically agile bass with serious drive
• Smooth treble with bite, yet no harshness

Even compressed files benefit from the Valkyrie’s intelligent processing. It works just as well over Bluetooth as it does via wired input, which is a testament to its engineering.

Ergonomics and Setup: Too Much of a Good Thing?

The Valkyrie’s usability is its biggest caveat. Many controls and ports are multi-functional, with small labels and complex navigation. For instance, buttons that control input also enable K2 processing, while the volume knob doubles as a menu dial.

This makes for a steep learning curve, and while iFi gives you every tool imaginable, it requires patience to master.

Verdict: Is the iFi iDSD Valkyrie Worth It?

At $1699, the iFi Valkyrie is a luxury item—but one that delivers a level of sonic insight that justifies its price tag. It’s a technical marvel built for dedicated audio connoisseurs who prize detail, flexibility, and power over portability. It’s not for casual users, but for those who appreciate meticulous engineering and expansive feature sets, it’s one of the best DACs available today.

Pros:

• Phenomenal, richly detailed sound
• Sturdy, elegant construction
• Deep customization and processing options

Cons:

• Challenging interface and button overload
• Questionable portability claims
• Easy to over-process if not careful

Final Score: 4.5 / 5

The iFi iDSD Valkyrie is a powerhouse DAC/headphone amp that pushes boundaries. If you’re ready for the complexity and can afford the premium, you’ll be rewarded with sound that’s as close to Valhalla as digital audio gets.

How I tested the iFi iDSD Valkyrie

I connected the iDSD Valkyrie to a MacBook Pro (running Colibri software) via its USB-C socket, and I also connected it via its digital optical input to a Rega Apollo CD player.

I connected a FiiO M15S digital audio player wirelessly using the LDAC codec. I used a pair of Sennheiser IE900 in-ear headphones via their 4.4mm balanced connection as an output, along with a pair of Bowers & Wilkins Px8 via the 3.5mm unbalanced output – and I also connected the Valkyrie to a main reference system (Naim amplification, Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers) using its RCA outputs. And then I fed it a lot of music, of different file types and sizes, and of different genres, in an effort to find something the iFi doesn’t excel at.

And then I had to accept that ‘excel’ is simply what the iFi iDSD Valkyrie does.