DAP discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by zerodeefex, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    I have the Hiby RS6 with me going through burn in. Sounds very muscular, wide and phat - without the typical d/s DAC ringing and crystalline treble.

    Some similarities with the Cayin RU6, but it's much more refined and improved (as it should be) - much wider (sounds massive and wide more so than any of my other sources), deeper, less harshness in upper mids and treble, more phat and dynamic.

    Will post more impressions after burn in (seems like it needs it).. so far my hopes were matched, it has a very bold macho sound unlike my other sources - it's kinda like an old school big speaker rig - focus on phatness and punch, but not in a boring way, it just somehow projects the music with power and strength
     
  2. bobfa

    bobfa Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2021
    Likes Received:
    77
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Illlinois, USA
    Home Page:
    I have just finished reading the last two years of this thread and done some studies of the 2022 DAP world. How things have changed since my last purchase of Fiio X5 original. Stepping back into this world is a bit frightening and exciting at the same time. My original plan was to use my 1TB iPhone 13, Pro Max, with my Chord Mojo.

    In today's world software and OS longevity seem to be a big factor. I cannot see purchasing a DAP that is running Android 7.x Looking at the DAPs with Android 10 feels better.

    Streaming is interesting to me. All of the software features for SQ seem cool. It sort of seems that something like the Fiio M17 has some software and possibly hardware advantages, for a rather large investment. The M11 models are much more interesting price-wise. The HiBy R6 and RS6 also seem interesting. Android 9 is good. Their overlay sounds interesting.

    I can deal with <$1K and I might be able to swallow <$2K.

    Or should I just stick it out with the iPhone and the Mojo...?
    ----
    Some of my Cans:
    SE535, ER3SE, LCDi4, HD6xx, timeless, ....
     
  3. Nash

    Nash Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2018
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    India
  4. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    The RS6 has a lovely sound - it's better than the Mojo (2) in my view, but that likely because I prefer organic/analog tilt, anything that gets me closer to a good vinyl rig is a win in my book.

    The Mojo 2 however has more oomph to drive difficult cans, and with it's nice eq can handle a lot of cases.

    I do find the Mojo a little too energetic in general, like it's pulsing a tonne of details at me overloading my senses at times, where the RS6 just lets the info flow like water. This is a Chord trait in general however, not unique to the mojo.

    I had the Fiio M11 Pro and the Plus (AKM version) - it's a clean digital sound, but a little soulless for me. Frankly if you want to stick to d/s dacs I'd just keep using the Mojo, or get a nice dongle. There's lot more interesting stuff happening nowadays with R2R portable sources that bring something new and sexy to the table
     
  5. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,286
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Many places.
    Home Page:
    After reading this let me just say that if we'll ever make a DAP, you'll like it ;)
     
  6. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    is this a hint?! ;)
     
  7. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,286
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Many places.
    Home Page:
    Nope, DAPs aren't our thing. Perhaps one day that changes, but this sector we leave to others :)
     
  8. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    699
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Ordered one of your little gold bricks DAC/Amp. When you guys gonna ship???

    You ought to post the specs and a pic since its an anniversary release.
     
  9. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    Never say never! If not a DAP then I'm still waiting on you guys to bring something new and exciting to the table that outcompetes the rest of portable dongles/dacs out there - Gryphon with Class A, Hybrid Tube amplification, No need for IE Match, flexible DSP Eq ( display or app) for a reasonable price ;)
     
  10. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    100
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    NOVA
    The Hiby RS2 just went into preorder. It wasn't really on my radar, but based on the specs and experience with other Hiby products I'm considering it as it's ticking all the right boxes.

    https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-rs2

    https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/hiby-...his-new-darwin-based-r2r-digital-audio-player

    Edit: I guess I should elaborate on that. The things I like in a DAP typically are as follows:

    - Not too big or heavy - pocketable if possible and not much more than 150g
    - Proprietary OS - linux-based is ideal for UI performance and quick boot
    - True Line-Out that provides adequate Vrms, coaxial and USB DAC outputs
    - External storage - two mSD slots is great but not totally required
    - Good battery life and stand-by time - at least 8 hours for continuous play
    - Decent EQ options
    - Good ergonomics for one-handed use

    That's all from past experience anyway, as I know there are many Android-based DAPs out there and they may be very good these days in terms of UI performance (I'm a Pixel user myself) but I personally don't need any Android features in my DAP or wireless capabilities. On top of meeting these specs, having an R2R and NOS mode is what completes my interest, especially at this price point (which is right around my personal limit for something that's gonna go out into the world with me haha).
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2022
  11. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    It does look quite neat. I have the (much) more costly RS6 which is quite nice - with a bold, forward and wide sound, if the RS2 comes close to it I will kick myself as I really like the size of it... Hiby has a nice eq which I think should also work even when the DAP is used in DAC mode (both ways) as it runs on an FPGA (i think correct me if i'm wrong).

    If the RS2 doesn't have a lag when used in DAC mode (unlikely but who knows) then it'll go on my list.

    I rate Hiby quite highly and would say it's probably one of my favourite Chifi brands as their DSP (MSEB/DARWIN) is much more extensive and better implemented than other brands, and their QC seems to be better - my Cayin/Fiio DAPs are failing in various ways - volume control not working, weird blotches on screen. The RS6 doesn't have any of this
     
  12. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    Likes Received:
    2,208
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NY
    One of the most important feature I look in my DAP is streaming and I wish they had included streaming as well.
     
  13. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    If the sound quality is great I can manage streaming with ldac Bluetooth or in usb dac mode - I always have my phone with me which can be the streaming source
     
  14. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    100
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    NOVA
    Yeah the RS6 is a little too big and a little too rich for my blood, but based on the impressions of how that sounds I hope the RS2 is similar in terms of presentation. That sounds about right regarding the EQ and DAC mode w/ FPGA. I only have experience with the R3, R3 Pro and trying out a friends R5 (original) but I've always liked their UI, features, design and build quality (bar some bugs here and there, nothing I can't live with).

    I recall you mentioning using the Timeless with the RS6 in another thread, what was your overall takeaway/impression? Maybe it's not the best pairing, but was it viable? That may be a pairing I'd try but of course it could always be different with the RS2, though I figure they share some architecture so any impressions will help.
     
  15. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    There's not a lot out there that isn't viable with the RS6 IMO, especially when it comes to IEMs - when it comes to the 7hz + RS6 it's good; it's very bold, open, wide, direct and groovy sound (bass and mid forward) - those are the key words that come to mind, but I can usually say that for most IEMs when I pair them with the RS6 as it's so different vs the Mojos, RMEs and other d/s sources which seem more composed, restrained but also smoother. The RS6 simply unleashes without any hesitance as it a filter has been removed; as such with the 7hz this can be a bit too much of a good thing depending on the mood as I find their tuning a little imperfect, it can get a touch too direct - i'm still undecided however as one day I enjoy the RME and other days I like me a little R2R lovin.

    I can recommend the pairing, especially with a little MSEB eq tweaking to tone done some of the slight harshness of the 7hz - it has that specialsauce sound we all search for, the 7hz are extremely good even with their imperfections
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,708
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
  17. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    Likes Received:
    2,208
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NY
    Android 10 is welcome upgrade and makes it future proof. I guess with Android 10 we can use some app that enforces system wide EQ even while streaming, I’m not 100% sure though.
     
  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,708
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    Is Cayin working on a new DAP with R2R tech from the RU-6 but maybe moar ladders? That could be a great DAP
     
  19. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    490
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    Check out the new Hiby RS2
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,708
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    No Tidal or Qobuz support so it’s a no go for me right now at least.
     

Share This Page