HiBy Music's new Android 12 R4 discrete Class A music player is just such an example, being whatever you want it to be – a pocket rocket compact travel companion or beginner DAP.  We've seen this before: just HiBy pushing the boundaries of what's capable at the very top, but also at the bottom. Built on four low-power consumption ESS Technology DACs and two dedicated word clocks, pocket rockets like R4 – at this price – were what Head-Fi used to dream about. Able to decode streams off Spotify, Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music, Tidal and whatever you could download from HiBy's open Android Google Play Store, R4 is an affordable audiophile's dream. It goes right onto Headfonia's Recommended Buys list and into Audiophile-Heaven's Hall of Fame. It punches above its weight to Headfonics. "R4 punches well above its weight, while elevating music playback and user experience beyond anything else I’ve personally used in this price range" says The Headphone List. That fidelity flows on to be translated into difficult, committed audiophile IEM loads too. Eschewing the de rigueur op-amps that you've gotten blaissé about – the ones that other manufacturers fit even into their mid-tier players – HiBy asks you to choose R4's superior discrete Class A output stage instead. [See Product Desc. For More] For an entry-level player, working with high open-loop performance before feedback is applied is no mean feat ... not to mention being able to handle considerable current and provide actual power into low-impedance IEMs. Distortion always remains low when you're listening, helped by its amplifier's Class A operation. 16 output transistors are fully biased to achieve their most linear open-loop operation, ensuring an accurate reproduction of your music without the excessive use of negative feedback.  This means that the increasingly low impedances of modern IEMs will be dealt with adequately. R4's output devices are truly capable of handling current and outputting up to 525 milliwatts of power – it's not a player that will lose composure dealing with loads from Empire Ears and Vision Ears. Picking this HiBy up quickly on the go does not mean sacrificing fidelity. Using op-amps would have been too easy, and HiBy firmly stick by their discrete amplification guns even at R4's price of entry. It's a level of detail that's paid off in natural, accurate sound, reproducing the detail its quad of ESS ES9018C2M DACs are capable of. The attention paid to R4's digital decode extends beyond its DACs, its FPGA and dual crystal oscillators – it's in HiBy's desire to split its quad array of chips into two pairs. One pair decodes PCM, and the other DSD. By recognising the completely different requirements in decoding each format, R4 keeps impressing us below the surface. Specially configuring a pair of its DACs, and their ensuing analog low-pass filters (LPF), means HiBy are in a much better position to bypass DSD's problems and decode the format purely. R4's DSD decode path benefits greatly from its LPF's stronger rejection of ultrasonic noise, in particular preventing single-rate DSD64's noise problems from contaminating the subsequent signal path. HiBy might have gone in all in on the consumer market with R4, but that never stopped these innovators from respecting their audiophile roots. It then backs up that distortion and noise performance with all the luxuries that a modern music lover counts on. Android 12 and Google Play Store's apps run smoothly thanks to a Snapdragon 665 CPU, for up to 11 hours on a single charge. Seasoned audiophiles needing a compact and rugged travel companion will not find themselves missing their reference DAPs very much at all, given how high R4 gets you up the tree in performance. Similarly, newcomers will be treated to the full audio experience very quickly – and in painless financial manner. If you've graduated from R4, be sure to check out HiBy's other marvels here too, or view all our other music players here.

Flagships deserves flagships.  The Evo One answered the call with expertise formed with three decades of savoir-faire. "Aria"— the lyrical solo in opera that conveys emotion and artistry. A team of top engineers helmed by Thomas Liang, former CEO of Cayin, they convened on the pledge that great sound is not only heard, but felt — a living expression of passion, precision, and continues timeless quest for better sound in EvoAria.The two variants go beyond material for the chassis, TC4 Titanium and Brass. Sound tunings are optimised meticulously for each material. The PCB layout employs different routing strategies and craftsmanship, fully demonstrating the EvoAria team’s design capability and sonic quest for purity.// HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES: Triple Analog Architecture: Dual Hybrid (Tube preamp + Solid-state Output)Pure Transistor Modes: Fully Balanced, Fully Differential and Fully Discrete Amplification Circuitry Powered by Qualcomm’s QCS8550, the most advanced SoC currently used in Portable Digital Audio Players Innovative Dual NuTube 6P1 Implementation DAC Configuration: • 2x 4191EQ• 4x 4499EXEQ***Titanium version expected to reach in April 2026.***Copper version expected to reach in June 2026.

arrays operate in balanced mode for each channel. Through the natural advantages of a balanced design — excellent common-mode noise rejection, better signal-to-noise ratio, and higher soundstage density — it is possible to reduce noise and interference from the source of the signal. The result is a sleek, lightweight player giving dynamics, texture and details with excellent linearity. // GOOD TO KNOW Dimensions: 136mm x 73.5mm x 19mm Weight: 265g Chassis: Aluminium Alloy Screen: 5.5inch, 1080*2160 resolution, In-cell capacitive touch screen Formats: APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, ACC, ALAC, AIFF, OGG, MP3, DFF, DSF, DXD, DST, including CUE, ISO, M3U, M3U8 Playback time: Up to 13 hours Charging time: 2.3hours Bluetooth: V5.0 Storage：4G RAM +128G ROM, supports Micro SD card up to 2TB // MORE ABOUT DX2708-Channel, Fully Differential R2R The DX270 features a fully balanced 8-channel R2R architecture, using dual R2R DACs per channel to eliminate zero-crossing distortion and maintain smooth, linear signal transitions. This differential design delivers exceptional stability even at low levels and achieves an industry-leading 130dB dynamic range. A Leading Technology for Superior Sound Quality The DX270 uses a hybrid 20-bit R2R plus 4-bit String DAC architecture, with a String DAC handling high-bit processing for wide dynamic range, low distortion, and minimal spurious noise. By employing 344 high-precision resistors, nearly double that of standard R2R designs, iBasso achieves a more delicate, natural, and pure sound. Outstanding Linearity The complex waveforms of music are composed of many frequency components. When the DAC’s output curve isn’t perfectly linear, extra harmonic distortion, intermodulation, and waveform distortion occur. The DX270, with ultra-high resistor matching, reliable switch precision, and optimized circuit architecture, exceeds mainstream R2R linearity. The output curve closely matches the ideal curve, free of extra harmonics or distortion, delivering a “night-black” background while delivering a natural and realistic musical presentation.  Non-SRC Android 13 + Mango OS The DX270 utilizes Android 13 OS with a refined UI that supports installation of various streaming APPs. It bypasses SRC at the system level, allowing apps like Mango Player to work at their best. Additionally, it features Mango OS, a Linux-based music system with many advanced algorithms, which are dedicated for audio playback. With lower SoC load, no WiFi interference, no Bluetooth interference, and lower EMI, the results are a purer sound.

It would have been enough for iBasso Audio to answer the market by throwing D16's DSD DAC into an Android music player. Instead the new flagship DX340 doesn't stop there, its innovation seeing it become Headfonia's reference portable source. The capability of iBasso's proprietary 1-bit, all-to-DSD, DAC is boosted by the arrival of FPGA-Master 3 to take DX340 above and beyond any other custom discrete decoder in a DAP. Totally transparent on a micro and particularly a macro level, portraying a soundstage filled with natural air and light, iBasso's fluid flagship reproduces digital with a life-like flow – a caress that presents dynamics sweetly without any hint of listener fatigue.  iBasso's impressive FPGA and DSD DAC are backed by Amp15 that answers another market call. A Desktop Mode is built in via 12V DC input, allowing DX340 to boost its max output power to 4.3 watts! All that, for you to take your Hi-Res Lossless Tidal and Apple Music anywhere with you on this Android 13 pinnacle. [See Product Desc. For More] DX340 takes advantage of its powerful new FPGA hardware to load original and even more advanced software algorithms on, giving listeners immediately audible DSP tweaks that control harmonic distortion profiles. When it comes to music playback, DX340 doesn't differentiate between CD rips, Hi-Res downloads and Android streaming. It upconverts all your normal PCM material into DSD before decoding your digital to analog. All formats are passed as DSD through DX340’s 1-bit decode.  Without irony, DX340 will yield the most improvement to collectors of SACD-rip, DSD64 files. As a heavily-upsampling DAC, iBasso take the honours as one of the first Head-Fi products to target and remove DSD64's terrible ultrasonic noise problems. iBasso build a 1-bit DSD DAC into DX340 because there's zero error at the point of conversion. There, DX340 relies on the total accuracy of DSD's 1-bit conversion to analog, taking advantage of DSD's sheer ease of decoding to boot. The pitch for DSD's 1-bit conversion is digital at its simplest and closest point to analog – level represented only either as a 1 or a 0, switching on or off.  To achieve analog, the bitstream is simply low-pass filtered. But there's work DX340 needs to do first, preparing incoming DSD and certainly PCM data aboard your player to emerge as the best possible 1-bit digital stream for conversion.  How DX340 alleviates said white noise issues of DSD64 – indeed, of any inherent problems to single-rate material be it DSD's noise or PCM's steep digital filtering, intersample overs and digital pre-emphasis – is that it applies heavy oversampling to incoming data. iBasso's DSP oversamples data to huge bit depth and sample rates synchronous to their new FPGA-Master 3 generating I2S. The new multibit data running many times DSD's base 2.8Mhz rate is then put through a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) process in preparation for 1-bit decoding. iBasso treats each of DX340's 32 resistors per DAC phase as individual entities, operating them at very specific moments in the time domain.  Ordinarily that might spell chaos co-ordinating a total count of 128 individual DAC elements, but it's iBasso's FPGA-Master 3 that grants a firm grip of how each resistor-capacitor low-pass filter outputs in the time and frequency domain. The result of the entirety of 128 DAC elements outputting at phased intervals leads to a coherent, continuous waveform with finer stairsteps in time. That captures more detail in your music and reduces errors, decoding your music back more accurately to the original waveform. DX340's PWM DSP pre-stage addresses the problems of conventional noise-shaped digital's inconsistent rise and fall edges at the frequency level, with adjustments made to facilitate more accurate, predictable switching. This approach results in a reduction of errors by avoiding intersymbol interference. Notably, non-linearities arising from rise and fall mismatches do not manifest as total harmonic distortion. iBasso's PWM DSP does not produce harmonic errors that vary with digital output levels.  And the processing power FPGA-Master 3 possesses allows listeners to experiment with digital harmonic distortion profiles in real-time. Dubbed 'Advanced Harmonic Adjustment', DX340 owners can switch between adding even-order harmonics – for smoother and more liquid sound – or odd-order harmonics – for greater dynamics and harder impact. Instant synergies with your headgear can be discovered in this way. Aboard DX340's logic is a digital volume control with large coefficients to trim levels and add datastream width. This high bit and sample rate headroom is free from overload issues when it is eventually brought back down to the required 1-bit DSD signal for low-pass filtered conversion – but now at a bandwidth of 49Mhz, moving DSD's white noise issues far, far out of the audible band. iBasso's discrete proprietary tech immediately differentiates itself from commercial DAC chips, where IC packages are often too small to perform an ideal 1-bit DSD conversion. DX340 also avoids the errors of dynamic element matching inherent to 2-7 bit delta-sigma decoders. This high-fidelity is amplified and flows on to DX340's Amp15 and powerful op-amp output buffers that supply current and mean iBasso's flagship promises high damping factor while maintaining its low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. Up to 4.3 watts output is power enough to drive many demanding headphones at the desk. And on the go, DX340 leverages iBasso's dual battery system that supplies digital and analog stages separately for clean, abundant reserves Specially selected by iBasso, DX340 boasts eight Texas Instrument devices that are ideal voltage sources and stable into capacitive loads, with their gain bandwidth product ensuring frequency response extends well beyond the human hearing range for excellent phase response and taut, impactful and life-like dynamics. Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the mandatory application of negative feedback around iBasso's analog circuit remains high, so where she really can shine is in swinging voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat. But where DX340 exceeds all others who use this TI buffer is its ability to accept a 12 volt DC input into Amp15, bypassing its battery and internal 8 volt rails to increase headroom and linearity, directly boosting the amount of swing DX340 is capable of.  With Desktop Mode activated by inserting said DC power supply, Amp15 is capable of outputting over 2 watts per channel, effortlessly running big headphones at the desk! But discrete audio amplification will always still have its day, and previous owners of the DX300, DX320 and their relevant amplifier cards are not left hung out to dry.  Amps 12 thru 14 are adaptable to DX340's new structural housing via card adapters, meaning you can enjoy Amp12's discrete current-handling and reduced feedback of such topologies with the most demanding low-impedance flagship IEMs around today. While the Nutube gain stages of Amp13 and Amp14 can also transfer their lush goodness to DX340, grab the JAN6418/BUF634A Amp16 now to enjoy incredible power output with its valve flavour! Away from the desk, you'll enjoy clean power for whichever card you load up, with separate battery systems – one for digital and one for analog circuits – meaning you'll never risk one side dirtying the other. This battle against obsolescence through swappable amp cards and dual batteries is aided by DX340's enclosure being easy for you to access and change any parts that you need, without returning to the factory.  iBasso's future-proofing is complete with the loading of Android 13 aboard a Snapdragon 665 SOC backed by 8GB of RAM. And a coaxial output also means DX340's FPGA-Master 3 makes for a wonderful source with iBasso's own D16 and D17, should you want to stack DX340 is the pinnacle of iBasso engineering, a testament to how far they've brought Head-Fi. Upgrade yours today with Amp16 ... or, if you seek other simpler DAC and DAP solutions, check out iBasso's other releases here, or view our other music players here.

Cayin Audio's N30LE flagship proved so popular, they shrunk it down into a mini-me. Introducing the N3 Ultra, the entry-level tube music player with dual JAN6418 valves that yield warm, liquid sound to both single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs.  Baby Cayin's strengths are clear to Twister6. Headfonics says Ultra "is a huge setup from the older 2021 N3Pro version". Dual AKM AK4493SEQ DACs help bring N3 Ultra's concept into the future. Its tubes then sweeten Cayin's decoded analog. Ear Fidelity writes it's "wildly recommended ... it's just that good", praise which was echoed by Headfonia and ichos-reviews. Not content to just extend tube timbre to its balanced outputs, Cayin also adopted N30LE's dual modes to give N3 Ultra the same Classic and Modern tube flavour options. Working its JAN6418 pair either as a triode, a pentode, or turned off entirely, yields clear, audible differences that lets you find the perfect synergy with your transducers. This swappable tube signature then flows on to powerful solid-state output buffers capable of driving the low impedances of your IEMs and headphones. The evolution from Cayin's original N3Pro kick-started a tube DAP genre and indeed inspires flagships these days. But Head-Fi's foremost innovators show us first never follows, staying ahead of the curves with guaranteed hits like N3 Ultra. [See Product Desc. For More] N3 Ultra is so much more than its DAC chips, which as Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)’s resurgent AK4493SEQs deserve a mention as lowering power consumption and performing better than their predecessor's metrics. Where N3 Ultra really begins to impress is the presence of its pair of Raytheon JAN6418 tubes – each taking care of one channel. READ ALSO The past, present and future of Cayin tubes Placed at the voltage gain stage where it will yield the biggest sonic impact, the small output of these pentodes makes its presence heard on all four analog outputs by popular request – 3.5mm single-ended phone out, 4.4mm balanced headphone out, 3.5mm single-ended line-out and 4.4mm balanced line-out. Indeed, N3 Ultra is a huge upgrade. It throws out the lossy DAC digital volume control of its Pro predecessor – catastrophically located in the signal path before the tubes back then, already diminishing dynamic range performance before the arrival of the precious decoded analog at arguably the noisiest section of its circuit. Never again. N3 Ultra incorporates a JRC NJW1195A electronically controlled analog volume control only far AFTER its tube gain and right before its power stage, where its quality can be showcased. This resistor ladder volume control comes only after the voltage drivers, kept far from the input signal for maximum integrity, and the best signal-to-noise performance. READ ALSO DAPs have gone down the tube Cayin count on the square law function of N3 Ultra's JAN6418 to push down distortion at the drawing board. The huge operating voltages of this valve section, and their Class A operation, in a portable player means that open-loop linearity exceeds virtually every other non-tube DAP ... at any price. The signal that goes in, comes out amplified the same. You'll hear from N3 Ultra the kind of effortlessness yielded only by high operating voltages, Class A bias and the non-existent capacitance of tubes. These factors allow minimum negative feedback to be applied, as what enters Cayin's JAN6418s has little error that needs correction. You can focus on the music in either Classic or Modern – the latter working each JAN6418 as a pentode – tube modes, knowing that you're hearing back the track close to the way it was recorded. The single-ended operation of Cayin's valves emphasises even-order harmonics for natural, engaging and warm sound. And the small quantity of tube feedback means distortion remains low order, rather than complex intermodulation. N3 Ultra's highly-linear small signal is then converted to balanced and flows into the player's differential solid-state output stage. These op-amp buffers give Cayin's prodigy the grunt to drive lower impedance IEMs and headphones like Focal perfectly. In this way, you can bask in the natural allure of tube sound, and still trust your player to act as a proper voltage source, packing low output impedance and high damping factor.  READ ALSO N3 Ultra's development story You'll want to get your music aboard N3 Ultra, and Cayin build in a Snapdragon processor as well as lightweight, non-streaming Android skin to keep operation bloat-free. Microphonic control is well in place around N3 Ultra's JAN6418s – learnt from generations of Cayin tube music players – and abundant heatsinking is applied around them to keep rising temperatures away from critical components. As evidence by N3 Ultra, Cayin don't build entry-level players. Each release is over-built to stand up to the rigours expected of it, and beyond. Check out the rest of these innovators' releases here, or view our other music players here.

Ambitions keep rising at HiBy Music. Give your flagship IEMs the treatment they deserve in 2025 and beyond with R6 Pro II alongside R6 Pro Max. As if bringing AKM’s sought-after flagship AK4191EQ DSP and dual AK4499EXEQ DACs to a new level of affordability wasn’t enough, R6 Pro II adds on a discrete Class A balanced 4.4mm headphone amp. Sophisticated, open and airy, there's a refined flavour imparted on top of its neutral yet forgiving transparency. Headfonia have already elected it to their Recommended Buys list, something that Audiophile-Heaven second. R6 Pro II is The Headphone List's "instant recommendation at or below the kilobuck mark ... packs more technology than I’ve seen in flagships only a year or two ago, with sound quality that comes oh so close". R6 Pro II’s AKM decode gets passed along beautifully to drive your prized headphones and earphones says MOONSTAR Reviews. Audio Discourse writes HiBy hit it out of the park – empowered by a beautiful I/V stage, Class A discrete transistor output stage, Android 12, full Google Play Store and streaming usability, plus HiBy's relentless drive to surpass previous limits. [See Product Desc. For More] A modern-day music player is so much more than its DAC chips, and HiBy have taken that to heart … hoping everyone does too, to truly see the extent of their efforts. Greatness achieved at the highest end is easy, but portable digital audio has a new master in HiBy because of how much of that essence trickles down affordably into R6 Pro II. HiBy’s effort means R6 Pro II is greater than the sum of its parts regardless of its entry price, and ensures the very best platform for Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)’s resurgent flagship DACs to make their mark.  That’s evident because of the mastery HiBy designed around AKM's digital ecosystem. These Japanese giants, back on their feet with a clean slate, started afresh expanding the basic footprint of a single DAC chip IC into three separate parts – to similarly multiply capabilities by a factor of three. AKM’s AK4191EQ DSP is the brains of the operation, receiving pristine I2S clocking and data from HiBy’s FPGA. Aboard, AK4191EQ’s delta-sigma modulator takes advantage of its expanded, dedicated, silicone footprint to lay claim to the title of the first chip IC working at seven bits. These seven single-bit modulators flow on into R6 Pro II's AKM 4499EXEQ DACs, one for each channel and built with a single purpose in mind: to turn the interpolated, noise-shaped, digital data it receives into the most precise analog waveform possible afforded by its large footprint.  Silicone size matters when it comes to a great DAC IC, and AK4499EXEQ has it. Enabled by much more exact, matched resistors and capacitors aboard for precise DC single-bit decoding, and dynamic element matching that is less burdened by switching errors – granted by parts accuracy from a bigger footprint. Any conversion errors from AK4499EXEQs outputting in current manifests as DC offset, and not total harmonic distortion, that is easily filtered out. That's expected of any source claiming to be high performance.  HiBy's eight-channel current-to-voltage I/V section follows these AK4499EXEQs, befitting of chips that output in current for best distortion performance and indeed more expensive players.  By treating each of the eight channel current outputs separately before stereo summing, R6 Pro II yields a small-signal stage that is transparent and, most importantly, accurate. HiBy's gain signal flows as a linear waveform on to a series of 16 discrete bipolar power transistors working in Class AB or an optimally pure Class A. Differentiating itself from so many others who use op-amp ICs with inordinate amounts of gain, R6 Pro II's open-loop linearity remains excellent before application of feedback. That's owed to its Class A bias ensuring individual output transistors are working in optimum condition – aided by an operating voltage of five volts. Distortion and noise are kept low, without resorting to the excessive use of negative feedback. HiBy designed a true-balanced differential amplifier to further improve R6 Pro II's linearity, and you can count on common-mode rejection at its best whenever you plug in via 4.4mm.  R6 Pro II's current handling is impressive given its number of output transistors in parallel, meaning this HiBy remains unfazed driving even the punishing low impedances of Odin and Legend Evo from Empire Ears, plus the Vision Ears EXT, Subtonic Audio's Storm, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. A separately regulated inductor-based power supply ably backs up this potent voltage source. And even this overachieving HiBy is able to supply its clean small-signal to the likes of outboard amps such as Cayin Audio's C9II, via a dedicated 4.4mm line-out port. By putting such a high-performance circuit and a big 5,000mAh battery in the palms of people's hands and offering them a Snapdragon 665 with full Google Play support, HiBy grant you the ability to bypass Android 12's sample-rate conversion for bit-perfect playback. This is what it means to truly step-up in 2024, and HiBy use the statement that is R6 Pro II to tell you how much more you should expect. See what forward-thinkers HiBy can really do higher up the range here, or view our other music players here.

***Limited to 688 units globally. Building on the huge success of the DX340, iBasso’s DX340 MAX incorporates the essence of iBasso’s latest R&D developments.  Equipped with FPGA-Master3.0 technology built on years of in-house developed algorithms by iBasso. Paired with two Accusilicon femtosecond oscillators with the phase noise as low as -158 dBc/Hz@1kHz, a fully synchronized single-clock operation is achieved. Jitter is brought down to a minimum, ensuring very note is accurate, clear, and detailed. The volume control has also been redesigned with a system that features separate analog and digital volume control. Hence, we are now able to reap the sonic benefits of a stepped attenuator, while not losing the seamless tuning of more typical digital volume control systems. DX340 MAX also features separate analog and digital batteries, with separate charging for each. You can charge both at the same time. Much more can be said on a technical level – yet it’s the ability to synthesize all of the newest R&D into it’s essence into what we hear, and the emotions that it evokes that truly matters. The playback is simply sublime, packing intricate details, accuracy and dynamism. Putting all the MAX series on the line, this version of iBasso’s take on classic reference is without doubt, the best we’ve heard. Such clean, incisive technical performance coupled with a full bodied representation, gives it the musicality without the sharpness, liquid yet detailed sound signature. Timeless clean lines in aerospace grade titanium chassis, the DX340MAX will hold as a reference player for years to come. 

- Optimized headphone amplifier architecture for a power boost to effortlessly drive a wide range of headphones or IEMs- Upgraded power transistors for improved thermal stability along with a more optimized pin layout and electrical characteristics, resulting in a purer, cleaner audio signal- An optimized internal power system design for all-day music listening without battery anxiety, with PD2.0 fast charging for quick top-ups- High precision CNC machined 6063 aluminum alloy chassis, now with an all-new titanium colorway for a beautful visual allure // SPECIFICATIONS- DAC: Fully balanced discrete 1-bit resistor network DSD DAC- MCU: Snapdragon 665- OS: Customized Android 12- Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM- Storage: 64GB Internal Storage- Power Output (Phone Out): 330mW @ 32 Ohms (3.5mm SE), 690mW @ 32 Ohms (4.4mm BAL)- Output Impedance (Phone Out): 0.6 Ohms (3.5mm SE), 1.2 Ohms (4.4mm BAL)- Output Level (Pre-Amp Out): 4.0 Vrms max (3.5mm SE), 7.0 Vrms max (4.4mm BAL)- Output Impedance (Pre-Amp Out): 110 Ohms (3.5mm SE), 220 Ohms (4.4mm BAL)- Battery Life (Phone out): ~11 hr (Class A, 3.5mm SE), ~9 hr (Class A, 4.4mm BAL)- Dimensions: 142 x 77.8 x 22.2 (mm)- Weight: ~370g // IN THE BOX- N7+ Digital Audio Player- Leather Case- 2.5mm (F) to 4.4mm Adapter- 2.5mm (F) to 3.5mm Adapter- USB-C Cable- Tempered Glass Screen Protector- Documentation

When you've got the code, you've got the power. HiBy Music's proprietary DARWIN DSP and digital filter design has paid off in R8II – Head-Fi's groundbreaking, first totally original, discrete pulse-width modulated (PWM) music player. Sweet, with a black background and plenty of vocal density, R8II is one smooth customer. With DARWIN having gained prominence in the R2R RS6 and RS8 players as software specially written for hardware, the oversampling, noise-shaped PWM R8II eschews standard DAC chips and is an even further step as a pure HiBy digital creation. It goes right onto Headfonia's Recommended Buys list. Headfonics hail R8II's "vocal presence and midrange openness that might tick more boxes than the RS8". Twister6 praised "such rich selection of features and the flagship level of performance at a cheaper price in comparison to their RS8 TOTL flagship".  The Headphone List gives it the "highest possible recommendation". Indeed, HiBy loaded code aboard R8II's FPGA to run its PWM DAC with a new frequency and time domain accuracy. It gets the Soundnews Gold Award and even outscores its RS8 cousin, as this reviewer validly questioned if it's the best portable DAP ever. All these gains in decoding digital to analog translate to a newfound realism and accuracy in playing music back via the Android 12 R8II, which comes with HiBy's discrete Class A 4.4mm headphone amplifier capable of driving a new generation of low-impedance flagship earphones. [See Product Desc. For More] Instead of being a mere drive towards cost-effectiveness, the PWM R8II – dubbed DARWIN Multi-Phase Array (MPA) – unlocks a new era of sustainable portable performance in DAPs. This PWM prodigy sidesteps the impractical dependance on parts precision necessary in analog circuits and filters to perform. Rather, R8II shifts the hard work into the digital realm for frequency and time-domain results only possible with high-speed DSP. Its pulse-width modulation decoding of digital via individual capacitors and resistors is already a one-up on the standard delta-sigma modulation typically found in DAC chips.  HiBy's DARWIN MPA addresses the problems of conventional delta-sigma's inconsistent rise and fall edges at the frequency level, with adjustments made to facilitate more accurate, predictable switching on and off between 1s and 0s. This approach results in a reduction of errors by avoiding intersymbol interference. Notably, non-linearities arising from rise and fall mismatches do not manifest as total harmonic distortion. R8II's PWM decoding does not produce harmonic errors that vary with digital output levels. The brains of R8II are contained within its FPGA running a second generation of DARWIN digital filters. HiBy has cracked the formula for simultaneous time and frequency domain performance via its proprietary code. Certainly, digital can only claim to be high-performance if it oversamples heavily past the problems of Nyquist. And R8II is such a fruition of this ideal being developed entirely in-house at HiBy. DARWIN digital filters oversample incoming PCM data by 128x. These formats are put through a discrete MPA DAC running at an incredible speed of 6.144 Mhz. Shifting the Nyquist frequency exponentially beyond the range of human hearing enables the associated digital filter to function with a shallow profile. This allows for the effective blocking of aliased digital frequencies, while concurrently enhancing time-domain performance by minimising impulse ringing – a contrast to what a standard steep digital filter might induce. Importantly, this approach dramatically relaxes demands on the parts precision of any subsequent analog low-pass filter following R8II's DARWIN MPA DAC. Not that its discrete current-to-voltage I/V converter – made of individual transistors – has a problem dealing with any remaining distortion presenting itself as a DC offset that is easy to filter out. The dynamic element-matched, multi-bit output of R8II's DAC is precious. Indeed, HiBy's I/V stage has the high slew rates and instant step response necessary to keep up with the more linear phase of DARWIN MPA's shallow digital filters. Whatever entered R8II's DAC as digital comes out exactly the same in analog due to this I/V's low open-loop gain – with lower negative feedback necessary leading to its high speed, plus high slew rates and unity gain stability.  There's a reason R8II portrays elements within the soundstage with such solidity, despite aural image tangibility not normally being the strong suit of 2-7 bit delta-sigma or PWM designs. Indeed, the elements within the soundstage this HiBy generates are convincingly rendered because its small analog signal post-conversion is of the highest quality, and inherently stable without going into oscillation caused by too much I/V gain product. HiBy's decode goes through a four-channel analog volume control before reaching the Class A discrete output stage, preserving your music's true dynamic range resolution. R8II's power supply rails see operating voltages for its power section sit at a nominal 6 volts that Turbo Mode boosts to 7.5, assuring the open-loop linearity of discrete transistors. HiBy's discrete amplifier can be operated in Class AB or an optimal Class A, for sonic tweaking with your favourite earphones and headphones. Differentiating itself from even other flagships that cling to op-amp layouts seeking THX-certification but with inordinate amounts of gain and feedforward/feedback, R8II's linearity remains excellent already in the open-loop, owing to its high operating voltages and bias. Those ensure individual transistors are working in optimum condition. Distortion and noise are kept low, without resorting to the excessive use of negative feedback. HiBy designed a true-balanced differential amplifier to further improve R8II's linearity, and you can count on common-mode rejection at its best whenever you plug in via 4.4mm preserving its resolution. It's an output stage that's direct-coupled to improve low-frequency performance, and R8II audibly plumbs the lowest bass depths. With the extension down low, phase reproduction in the audible human hearing range for taut, hard-hitting and life-like dynamics is excellent. At the tip of R8II's power stage spear, 16 transistors ensure excellent current-handling for good reason, to reap the full benefit of HiBy's separately regulated power supplies for analog and digital sections.  The former is particularly massive and incorporates inductors that store huge energy in a magnetic field before releasing on demand to HiBy's Class A amplifier.  Superior even to super capacitors due to their low DC resistance, these inductors constitute a massive power supply for an output stage that can follow the impedances of the Empire Ears Raven, Odin, Legend Evo plus Vision Ears Elysium EXT down low. Simultaneously, R8II swings enough voltage to push Subtonic Audio's Storm and Symphonium Audio's Crimson, Sony's IER-Z1R as well as Focal's Utopia, Stellia and Clear MG Pro, with total aplomb. You'll want to exploit all of R8II's technical feats by getting as much of your music aboard. So HiBy built in the futuristic Snapdragon 665 SOC and 8GB of RAM to run Android 12 and Google Play Store perfectly. A 12,000mAh battery supplies up to 20 hours of use. Stream Hi-Res Lossless Tidal and Apple Music at full bit and sample rates with HiBy's Direct Transport Audio OS that bypasses detrimental Android sample-rate conversion. And an alcantara-covered backplate and stainless steel chassis means you'll always listen to R8II in style. It's style that absolutely comes with substance, containing a HiBy heirloom. A heirloom that cumulates as a symbol for how far they've come turning their code into truly groundbreaking products and musical nirvana. Track how HiBy made their way to the top by checking out their other innovations here, or view our other music players here.

--- SOLD! --- HiBy Music's R8 release comes as a sign of assurance, a bid at challenging for the top of the DAP market. If you've found a niche make it yours, and HiBy's uber-powerful Android 9 and MQA 16X player is a showcase of electronics engineering brilliance. [See Product Desc. For More] R8's dual AKM4497s bring out the best of your online and offline Tidal MQA files, with a headphone amplifier Turbo Mode that puts out desktop amplifier leagues of power to drive Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones with ease. Here is a DAP that's all about the big experience. Such as the biggest, most speaker-like performance from Sennheiser's HD800S driven 4.4mm balanced: two strong tower images playing from in front of you. Even desktop amplifiers struggle to portray the same cues in spatial depth with this headphone legend, certainly never matching full-size stereo listening...until now. R8 leapt onto Headfonia's 'Recommended Buys' list for its supremacy in powering virtually all manner of headphones, being elevated to a 'Best of 2020' award given it's no small task for a portable device. Yet Twister6 hailed HiBy for giving us a flagship music player not all about brute force, but beautiful sound as well. This all led to Headfonics proclaiming R8 the most complete DAP on the market at time of writing. For the music player that does it all comes with a full suite of accessories including its own premium leather-bound carry box and exclusive Dignis case in tow. It's an unboxing experience to behold. Porta Fi called it – HiBy nailed it with R8. Now at Zepp, whet your appetites with the rest of HiBy's releases here first, or browse our other music players here.

***500 Units globally This is Cayin offering all their cards with permutations in setting that will serve your collection of IEMs like a reference DAP should. Eloquent in sonic excellence with their new AKM architecture, the N8III is refined and effortless in its voicing. For a complete review, visit us to have a listen or read what Twister6 had to say here. // HIGHLIGHTS: • Triple Timbre: Tube Classic / Tube Modern / Solid-State• New flagship AKM DAC architecture• Triple amplifier modes + dual output modes• Up to 900mW single-ended / 1285mW balanced output• 13,500mAh battery with PD2.0 fast charging• 8GB + 256GB with Snapdragon 665• Customized Android audio system with DTA (SRC Bypass)

- Utilizes 40 dual transistors to form an 80-transistor matrix for a higher current output, better low-impedance headphone compatibility and outstanding sound performance- Cascaded current feedback circuit effectively avoids transient distortion while preserving dynamic range and astonishing transient response- Two-stage amplification architecture ensures linear amplification without initial signal attenuation and eliminates signal distortion for crisp and clean beats with natural decay- Complementary output circuit reduces asymmetric distortion, resulting in a warmer, natural listening experience // SPECIFICATIONS- Max output power (headphone out @ 32 Ohms): 1170mW (Battery power), 1740mW (12V DC power supply)- Crosstalk: 122dB (headphone out), 123dB (line-out)- Dynamic Range: 123dB- SNR: 122dB (headphone out), 123dB (line-out)- Output Impedance (headphone out): 1.2 Ohms

It would have been enough for iBasso Audio to answer the market by throwing D16's DSD DAC into an Android music player. Instead the new flagship DX340 doesn't stop there, its innovation seeing it become Headfonia's reference portable source. The capability of iBasso's proprietary 1-bit, all-to-DSD, DAC is boosted by the arrival of FPGA-Master 3 to take DX340 above and beyond any other custom discrete decoder in a DAP. Totally transparent on a micro and particularly a macro level, portraying a soundstage filled with natural air and light, iBasso's fluid flagship reproduces digital with a life-like flow – a caress that presents dynamics sweetly without any hint of listener fatigue.  iBasso's impressive FPGA and DSD DAC are backed by Amp15 that answers another market call. A Desktop Mode is built in via 12V DC input, allowing DX340 to boost its max output power to 4.3 watts! All that, for you to take your Hi-Res Lossless Tidal and Apple Music anywhere with you on this Android 13 pinnacle. [See Product Desc. For More] DX340 takes advantage of its powerful new FPGA hardware to load original and even more advanced software algorithms on, giving listeners immediately audible DSP tweaks that control harmonic distortion profiles. When it comes to music playback, DX340 doesn't differentiate between CD rips, Hi-Res downloads and Android streaming. It upconverts all your normal PCM material into DSD before decoding your digital to analog. All formats are passed as DSD through DX340’s 1-bit decode.  Without irony, DX340 will yield the most improvement to collectors of SACD-rip, DSD64 files. As a heavily-upsampling DAC, iBasso take the honours as one of the first Head-Fi products to target and remove DSD64's terrible ultrasonic noise problems. iBasso build a 1-bit DSD DAC into DX340 because there's zero error at the point of conversion. There, DX340 relies on the total accuracy of DSD's 1-bit conversion to analog, taking advantage of DSD's sheer ease of decoding to boot. The pitch for DSD's 1-bit conversion is digital at its simplest and closest point to analog – level represented only either as a 1 or a 0, switching on or off.  To achieve analog, the bitstream is simply low-pass filtered. But there's work DX340 needs to do first, preparing incoming DSD and certainly PCM data aboard your player to emerge as the best possible 1-bit digital stream for conversion.  How DX340 alleviates said white noise issues of DSD64 – indeed, of any inherent problems to single-rate material be it DSD's noise or PCM's steep digital filtering, intersample overs and digital pre-emphasis – is that it applies heavy oversampling to incoming data. iBasso's DSP oversamples data to huge bit depth and sample rates synchronous to their new FPGA-Master 3 generating I2S. The new multibit data running many times DSD's base 2.8Mhz rate is then put through a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) process in preparation for 1-bit decoding. iBasso treats each of DX340's 32 resistors per DAC phase as individual entities, operating them at very specific moments in the time domain.  Ordinarily that might spell chaos co-ordinating a total count of 128 individual DAC elements, but it's iBasso's FPGA-Master 3 that grants a firm grip of how each resistor-capacitor low-pass filter outputs in the time and frequency domain. The result of the entirety of 128 DAC elements outputting at phased intervals leads to a coherent, continuous waveform with finer stairsteps in time. That captures more detail in your music and reduces errors, decoding your music back more accurately to the original waveform. DX340's PWM DSP pre-stage addresses the problems of conventional noise-shaped digital's inconsistent rise and fall edges at the frequency level, with adjustments made to facilitate more accurate, predictable switching. This approach results in a reduction of errors by avoiding intersymbol interference. Notably, non-linearities arising from rise and fall mismatches do not manifest as total harmonic distortion. iBasso's PWM DSP does not produce harmonic errors that vary with digital output levels.  And the processing power FPGA-Master 3 possesses allows listeners to experiment with digital harmonic distortion profiles in real-time. Dubbed 'Advanced Harmonic Adjustment', DX340 owners can switch between adding even-order harmonics – for smoother and more liquid sound – or odd-order harmonics – for greater dynamics and harder impact. Instant synergies with your headgear can be discovered in this way. Aboard DX340's logic is a digital volume control with large coefficients to trim levels and add datastream width. This high bit and sample rate headroom is free from overload issues when it is eventually brought back down to the required 1-bit DSD signal for low-pass filtered conversion – but now at a bandwidth of 49Mhz, moving DSD's white noise issues far, far out of the audible band. iBasso's discrete proprietary tech immediately differentiates itself from commercial DAC chips, where IC packages are often too small to perform an ideal 1-bit DSD conversion. DX340 also avoids the errors of dynamic element matching inherent to 2-7 bit delta-sigma decoders. This high-fidelity is amplified and flows on to DX340's Amp15 and powerful op-amp output buffers that supply current and mean iBasso's flagship promises high damping factor while maintaining its low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. Up to 4.3 watts output is power enough to drive many demanding headphones at the desk. And on the go, DX340 leverages iBasso's dual battery system that supplies digital and analog stages separately for clean, abundant reserves Specially selected by iBasso, DX340 boasts eight Texas Instrument devices that are ideal voltage sources and stable into capacitive loads, with their gain bandwidth product ensuring frequency response extends well beyond the human hearing range for excellent phase response and taut, impactful and life-like dynamics. Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the mandatory application of negative feedback around iBasso's analog circuit remains high, so where she really can shine is in swinging voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat.

- 3rd generation Darwin architecture, DARWIN III, redefines the entire high-definition audio processing workflow- New high performance FPGA core, high-precision R2R resistor network DAC with high-speed electronic switches and a revolutionzed R2R power supply design for crosstalk elimination and increase in power supply ripple rejection ratio- Brand new industrial design with a crown-shaped knob featuring 3D geometric cuts and intricately carved textures, and ergonomically bevelled unibody aluminium metal chassis for a lightweight, yet exquisitely crafted masterpiece- All-new Adaptive Amplification technology that instantly adjusts amplifier output in real time, lowering gross power consumption while maintaining pure Class A quality- Quallcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 (same platform as Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) SoC for a revolutionary all around high-performance while supporting the DSP array- 16GB RAM + 512GB internal storage supports the overall performance and leaves a massive music library at your command // SPECIFICATIONS- SoC: Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550- Operating System: Android 13- DAC: DARWIN III- Voltage Swing (PO): 2.73Vrms (3.5mm SE), 5.08Vrms (4.4mm BAL)- Output Power @ 32 Ohms (PO): 210mW (3.5mm SE), 812mW (4.4mm BAL)- Minimum THD: 0.0008% (LO), 0.003% (3.5mm PO), 0.001% (4.4mm PO)- Supported Formats: DSD1024, PCM1536kHz/32bit, MQA16X- Analogue Ports: 3.5mm PO/LO (shared), 4.4mm PO, 4.4mm LO- Digital Audio Ports: I2S, USB-C (spdif, USB Audio In, USB Audio Out)- WiFi: Wi-Fi7 MIMO (802.11be)- Bluetooth Version: 5.3- Bluetooth Output Codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX HD, aptX, LDAC, AAC, SBC- Bluetooth Input Codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC- RAM: 16GB (LPDDR5 - 4200MHz)- Internal Storage: 512GB- MicroSD: Supports up to 2TB- Battery Life: Up to 10.9 hrs (4.4mm BAL, Class A), Up to 19 hrs (4.4mm BAL, Class AB), Up to 15 hrs (4.4mm BAL, Adaptive AMP)- Charging Protocol: PD 3.0, up to 80W- Dimensions: 75.7 x 148.5 x 24.1 mm- Weight: ~411g // IN THE BOX- RS8II player- Leather Case- USB Type-C to Type-C Charging Cable- Tempered Glass screen protector- Dust plug- Documentation

For the first time since 2021, a new Cirrus Logic player with a discrete output stage. HiBy Music's R6III formula pairs the incredibly-popular CS43198 with a Class A discrete transistor balanced amplifier at a new low in price-point. HiBy have "a tastefully refreshed version of an already impressive DAP ... incorporates a more capable array of DACs for enhanced performance and a darker background that is easily discernable, synergising well with IEMs of higher resolving power" says Headfonics. The Cirrus Logic-Class A combo shows up in R6III's sound, with a sense of vibrancy and vigour delivering notes with charged energy. There's a trademark HiBy accuracy to frequency response too, coloured yet always correct keeping budding music enthusiasts keeping them entertained – always. HiBy's latest release packs refinement amidst a black background attained from a low noise floor, capable of exposing all the detail flagship IEMs and headphones are capable of today.  Four CS43198 DACs supply the increasingly-popular Cirrus Logic package as R6III's decoding backbone, allowing you to play back Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless, 16X Tidal Masters and Spotify with no shortage of mobile fidelity on Android 12's modern OS. [See Product Desc. For More] R6III brings its Cirrus Logic workhorses, and accompanying assortment of digital reconstruction filters for sonic tweaking, to a new level of affordability. The converted analog, decoded with the backing of a FPGA leashed to R6III's DACs generating I2S, yields up to 127dB of dynamic range via CS43198's dedicated Class H voltage outputs – not compromised as ESS or AKM chips treat the voltage path. This audio flows as an accurate waveform on to a series of 16 discrete bipolar power transistors working in Class AB or an optimally pure Class A. A continuation of its junior R4's high output device count, and differentiating itself from so many others who use op-amp ICs with inordinate amounts of gain, R6III's open-loop linearity remains excellent before application of feedback. That's owed to its Class A bias ensuring individual output transistors are working in optimum condition – aided by an operating voltage of five volts. Distortion and noise are kept low, without resorting to the excessive use of negative feedback. HiBy designed a true-balanced differential amplifier to further improve R6III's linearity, and you can count on common-mode rejection at its best whenever you plug in via 4.4mm. R6III's current handling is impressive given its number of output transistors in parallel, meaning this HiBy remains unfazed driving even the punishing low impedances of Raven, Odin and Legend Evo from Empire Ears, the Vision Ears EXT and the Oriolus Szalayi. And even this baby HiBy is able to supply its clean small-signal to the likes of outboard amps such as Cayin Audio's C9II, via a dedicated 4.4mm line-out port. By putting such a high-performance circuit in the palms of people's hands and offering them a Snapdragon 665 with full Google Play support, HiBy grant you the ability to bypass Android 12's sample-rate conversion for bit-perfect playback. Music is truly accessible to anyone and everyone.  Discussing the above, it's so easy to forget we're talking about R6III as HiBy's entry-level offering. See what these forward-thinkers can really do higher up the range here, or view our other music players here.

Cayin Audio's N6III continues with E203. The latest DAC/amp module is built around ESS Technology's ES9039Pro and a Class A discrete transistor output stage with Hyper mode, to yield some of the most complete portable amplification known to modern Head-Fi. Nothing else this side of $2,000 will drive a Nightjar Acoustics Duality, Subtonic Audio Storm and Symphonium Audio Crimson without compromise. Twister6 noted E203's "deeper sub-bass rumble, fuller body textured mids, and a more relaxed treble". Headfonia placed this motherboard on their Recommended Buys list for "a dynamic and complete sound profile with controlled, impactful bass, crisp mids, capable tonality, and well-extended treble". Headfonics drew attention to “Hyper mode standing tall over Class A and Class AB". ESS DACs saw arguably the most popular modules with the preceding N6II. In the time since, N6III has been able to take inspiration from C9II to invent a whole new analog circuit utilising this generation's 30 per cent increased board space, designing a great platform to debut the ES9039Pro in a Cayin DAP. [See Product Desc. For More] Hyper modern, this ESS flagship's Hyperstream IV technology is good to go for the next decade. ES9039Pro's patented pulse-width modulation technology is already a one-up on standard delta-sigma modulation, now pushing nigh inaudible high-order distortion levels post-conversion further down. This eight-channel DAC bring five new digital filters – many with low in-band ripple – to the party for new flavours of sonic reproduction. ES9039Pros pack enough computational horsepower to run their 8x oversampling process in just two passes thus minimising rounding errors – an upgrade on other attempts that use a concatenation of three stacked 2x oversampling passes which compound errors. Perfectly exploiting the dynamic range and distortion headroom these futuristic ESS DACs provide is Cayin's implementation. An eight-channel current-to-voltage I/V conversion stage is built in to preserve the full information from N6III/E203's digital decode. This overbuilt stage is befitting of ESS chips that output in current for best distortion performance, and indeed more expensive players. By treating each of the eight channel current outputs separately before stereo summing, N6III/E203 yields a small-signal stage that is transparent and, most importantly, accurate. The sheer resolution the ES9039Pro is capable of in E203 is the stuff of legend. But in the spirit of innovation, Cayin may be the first ones to tame this chip for personal audio use, drawing upon their experience developing the wildly-popular C9II tube/solid-state hybrid tube portable amplifier. Plenty of C9II's feats focused on beefing up its small-signal voltage stages, where the majority of an analog circuit's sonic signature is shaped. Cayin focused on reinforcing the current-delivery capabilities of said small-signal stages, ultimately allowing them to drive C9II's big discrete output transistors – and more importantly, the challenging capacitive loads they represented. Results spoke for themselves for C9II, and that's now trickled down into N6III/E203. This module likewise overbuilds its differential, balanced small-signal stage – where E203's sound signature is defined – packing in the venerable Texas Instruments OPA1612 that has been respected in line-stages for over a decade. How E203 overcomes its internal lag circuit capacitance is audible, resulting in an extended high-frequency performance that enables excellent phase response in the human hearing range for realistic dynamics. An airy, open, precise soundstage is possible as a result. Overcoming circuit capacitance also leads to voltage signals traveling through without lag behind current, leading to a more natural sound that does not descend into harshness. Cayin desire for you to enjoy this performance into a wide variety of gear. That's why E203 packs a Hyper mode, where operating voltages for its power section rise above 10 volts – the headroom and linearity of its discrete output devices assured as a result.  This open-loop linearity will particularly reward listening to the highest fidelity IEMs from Elysian Acoustic Labs, Empire Ears, PlusSound and Vision Ears available today, especially with E203's discrete headphone amplifier.  Indeed, Cayin's big output devices can be operated in Class AB or an optimal Class A, for sonic tweaking with your favourite earphones and headphones. Differentiating itself from its peers built with op-amps yet with inordinate amounts of gain and negative feedback, E203's linearity remains excellent already before correction is applied, owing to its high operating voltages and bias. Those ensure individual transistors are working in optimum condition. Distortion and noise are kept low, without resorting to the excessive use of negative feedback. Cayin designed a true-balanced differential amplifier to further improve N6III/E203's linearity, and you can count on common-mode rejection at its best whenever you plug in via 4.4mm preserving its resolution. At the tip of the power stage's spear, unconventionally large 3 ampere output transistors common to C9II and HiBy Music's RS8 ensure excellent current-handling. These are output transistors that can withstand high voltages – facilitating Hyper mode and a total of almost 2 watts for big headphones too. Capable of following the impedances of today's flagship IEMs low, Cayin's tradition building amplifiers that provide actual power as proper voltage sources continues. Rarely will a single device be as complete as N6III/E203 at this size, form factor and price point. The combination of the ES9039Pro's neutral, ultra-high-resolution capabilities, combined with an airy, delicate voltage-gain stage and an output section that effortlessly drives a wide range of demanding headphones, ensures this modular marvel will remain an exceptional performer for years to come. As you await the launch of their next audio motherboard, check out N6III's companion C201 module here, the rest of Cayin's gear here, or view our other music players here.

Third time's the charm for Cayin Audio with N6III. They've perfected the formula for the ideal Android 12 platform – one music player that truly will keep up with all your audio needs. The trilogy continues with the C201 module built around eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips to yield neutral, high-resolution headphone playback, or E203 with the mighty ESS Technology ES9039Pro flagship for supreme detail and low-impedance flagship IEM driving power. It goes onto Headfonia's Recommended Buys list. N6III's "very appealing sound signatures suit a wide range of IEMs and headphones" writes Headfonics.  Twister6 praised it for filling the modular niche, with the "ability to order N6iii with either of the modules" being a rare one. That versatility was echoed by ichos-reviews in their assessment of C201. Choose which module you'll start your N6III journey with here, and never fear about missing out. After all, you can continue to develop your collection with any of the new DAC/amp motherboards that are subsequently released. [See Product Desc. For Individual Module Info] It's easy for another Cayin to follow in the footsteps of the N6II – the first interchangeable audio motherboard that contained the entire DAC and its corresponding analog audio circuit in one whole swappable module. View all info on the stock C201 module – Eight Cirrus Logic CS43198s with precision analog volume control View all info on the stock E203 module – One ESS Technology ES9039Pro with Class A/AB/Hyper mode discrete transistor output stage First never follows, but in the case of N6III there's a strong foundation laid down by its groundbreaking mid-priced predecessor. Never wanting for sound quality – even inspiring other manufacturers to produce their own copies – Cayin have taken steps forward to modernise the N6 modular concept with a Snapdragon 665, 6GB of RAM, an external long-range Wi-Fi antenna and a 50 per cent larger battery. Modules can now also be changed without separate tools. Need we mention that the signal path is fully shielded from parasitic wireless interference housed in its own isolated aluminum chassis. N6III's build only increases the noise rejection immunity of modules that are each already top-notch audio performers in their own right. View the futuristic N6III's respective C201 and E203 modules as well as all our other Cayin music players here, and our other DAPs here.

After iBasso Audio's success with DX260, you knew DX180 was going to be on its way. Doing good by DX260's industry-leading measurements, DX180's 130dB of dynamic range and -115dB THD is ensured by 4 Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs. Twister6 says it simply: "I'm impressed!" It exceeds the highest expectations of ichos-reviews. More than outright audio benchmarks, it's the continued evolution of iBasso's FPGA-Master 2 technology to lower entry points that's reason to celebrate. It landed on Headfonia's Recommended Buys list and Audiophile-Heaven's Hall of Fame. "DX180 is a very accomplished and natural-sounding" player says Headfonics, this iBasso arriving at the sweet spot between raw resolution and musicality. MOONSTAR Reviews praised a near-flawless display. iBasso's affordable player never pushes you out of your comfort zone, sweetening the deal – and detail – its correct, super-quiet operation, yields. With its unique CS43131 implementation, the Android 13 DX180 exceeds even Cirrus Logic's nominal specs giving listeners a degree of pocket fidelity from Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music never experienced before. [See Product Desc. For More] That's owed to iBasso's very precise decode thanks to its FPGA-Master 2, banishing noise and distortion with proprietary code aboard operating DX180's arsenal of DACs with an accuracy and co-ordination not thought possible before. This numbers-chasing from iBasso leads to a new-found transparency in your music playback. The technical basis upon which the idea of DX180 was founded was to operate its sheer number of DACs in as flexible and independent a way each. Each DAC answers to iBasso's veritable puppet master – the FPGA-Master 2 aboard. iBasso's treat each of the 4 CS43131s as individual entities, and operates them at very specific moments in the time domain. Ordinarily that might spell chaos, but it's iBasso's FPGA-Master 2 that grants a firm grip of how each Cirrus Logic outputs in the time and frequency domain. The result of the entirety of 4 DACs outputting at phased intervals leads to a coherent, continuous waveform with finer stairsteps in time. That captures more detail in your music and reduces errors, decoding your music back more accurately to the original waveform.  Throughout, FPGA-Master 2 keeps an iron grip on proceedings as the CS43131s work in synchronous mode, counting on iBasso's FPGA-generated I2S to work in the exact manner intended. Superior to the switched-capacitor output stage on Asahi Kasei Microdevices voltage DAC counterparts, the Class H analog outputs of CS43131s are accurate before being fed into DX180's low-pass voltage summing gain stage that smooths the audio wave removing ultrasonic artifacts further. After the differential decoding, iBasso's generous use of negative feedback quashes distortion and claims up to 130dB of signal-to-noise ratio. The employment of this feedback also sees DX180 achieve massive bandwidth that's effectively flat 10Hz to 75Khz. That means phase reproduction in the audible human hearing region is stellar, for realistic portrayal of dynamics and natural transparency – a triumph of iBasso's new mid-line player. Powerful op-amp output buffers supply current and mean iBasso's wonderkid promises high damping factor while maintaining its low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the application of negative feedback around DX180's op-amp IC analog circuit remains high. So where she really shines is in swinging voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat. And DX180's future-proof Android 13 software will mean Google Play Store app support of Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music for years to come, backed by a Snapdragon 665 SOC processor. Certainly, iBasso's FPGA-Master 2 wonderkind might be all the DAP you need. Till you step up to what dual battery power supplies, a discrete DAC and output stage can do for you in DX340 and one of its swappable amp cards. Explore the rest of iBasso's range here, or view our other music players here.

It had to be Cayin. From those who gave Head-Fi the first Android-based R2R DAP, and the first similar discrete resistor DAC/amp dongle, comes N7. This all-to-DSD flagship music player is a fitting celebration of Cayin Audio's 30th anniversary. Built of 128 individual resistors and original DSP work carried on a FPGA, the fully-balanced, differential, 1-bit discrete DAC in N7 is proprietary Cayin through and through. It's "the kind of DAP that invigorates your listening experience with headgear that perhaps over time you have gotten a bit blasé about" praised Headfonics. "Cayin is putting the bar very high for themselves and the competition" added Headfonia. Twister6 wrote home about N7 after he adopted it as his daily driver for "flagship-level performance". It's a flagship bargain to eCoustics. ichos-reviews envies "the lucky owner with many hours of pure musical bliss". Cayin doesn't differentiate between CD rips, Hi-Res downloads and Spotify, Tidal or Apple Music streaming. The Android 12, Google Play Store N7 converts all your normal PCM playback into DSD.  All formats are then passed as DSD through N7's precise 1-bit decode, before signal flows on to a balanced 4.4mm discrete transistor headphone amplifier biased into Class A. [See Product Desc. For More] Caiyin's latest innovation combines the best of digital and analog technology to emerge totally unique and apart from an increasingly mature market. N7's corporeal, physical and tangible sound is unmatched by any other DAP. N7 doesn't just sound surprisingly non-digital: it's utterly realistic and true to life. Natural and chock full of resolution, Cayin's landmark release stands apart by presenting music in a spectacular yet totally even-handed way bottom to top. Cayin returns to Sony's Scarlet Book SACD revolution of the 1990s and elevates that conversion philosophy with modern hardware plus a proprietary DSP trick or two. N7's highlight is its 1-bit decoder, drawing inspiration from the Philips and Marantz DSD DACs of yore. N7 converts all PCM files to octo-rate DSD first via DSP logic, while letting native DSD material flow on to the 128 discrete resistors in its fully-balanced DAC – in actuality a simple analog low-pass filter. There's zero error at the point of conversion in a 1-bit DAC. There, Cayin relies on Pulse-Density Modulation (PDM)'s total accuracy, and sheer ease of decoding. The pitch for DSD's 1-bit conversion is digital at its simplest and closest point to analog – level represented only either as a 1 or a 0, switching on or off. To achieve analog, the bitstream is simply low-pass filtered. Cayin's all-to-DSD discrete DAC is accurate ... and also elegant, breakthrough and historic in personal audio. It draws inspiration from the illustrious halls of Hi-Fi, where each EMM Labs, Nagra Audio, Playback Designs and PS Audio 1-bit DAC release has been greeted with accolades and fanfare. N7's discrete proprietary tech immediately differentiates itself from commercial DAC chips, where IC packages are often too small to perform an ideal 1-bit conversion. N7 also avoids the errors of dynamic element matching inherent to 2-7 bit delta-sigma decoders. The delicate analog voltage waveform painstakingly decoded from DSD in N7 is precious. Cayin's R&D, invested building their own DAC, pays off as the fragile small-signal goes on to be handled by a similar discrete bipolar transistor gain stage. This design is more than up to the task of preserving the signal – mere op-amp ICs need not apply. Instead of wasting their DAC development efforts by entrusting the analog job to commercial ICs, Cayin's labour of love continued into its discrete, differential, analog stage for common-mode rejection. N7's driver section counts on all the benefits that come with a discrete bipolar design – low voltage noise, low open-loop gain and the resultantly lower negative feedback necessary, high slew rates and unity gain stability. This accurate linearity means that whatever entered N7's DAC as digital, comes out exactly the same in analog. There's a reason N7 portrays elements within the soundstage with such solidity, the aural images it generates so convincingly rendered – its small signal post-conversion is of the highest quality, and inherently stable without going into oscillation caused by too much gain product. The utmost attention is paid throughout. The results of which can be fed out as a line or pre-amp voltage to a downstream amp such as Cayin's C9ii and iBasso Audio's PB5 tube/solid-state hybrid portable amplifier. The decoded analog goes through a four-channel analog volume control before reaching the Class A discrete output amp, facilitating that very special 1-bit discrete DSD decode and importantly preserving your music's true dynamic range resolution. N7's high rails see operating voltages for its power section rise above 10 volts, the linearity of discrete transistors assured as a result. Cayin's discrete headphone amplifier can be operated in Class AB or an optimal Class A, for sonic tweaking with your favourite earphones and headphones.  Differentiating itself from even other flagships that cling to op-amp layouts seeking THX-certification but with inordinate amounts of gain and feedforward/feedback, Cayin's linearity remains excellent already in the open-loop, owing to its high operating voltages and bias. Those ensure individual transistors are working in optimum condition. Distortion and noise are kept low, without resorting to the excessive use of negative feedback. Cayin designed a true-balanced differential amplifier to further improve N7's linearity, and you can count on common-mode rejection at its best whenever you plug in via 4.4mm preserving its resolution. It's an output stage that's direct-coupled to improve low-frequency performance, and N7 audibly plumbs the lowest bass depths. With the extension down low, phase reproduction in the audible human hearing range for taut, hard-hitting and life-like dynamics is excellent. At the tip of the power stage's spear, unconventionally large 5 ampere output transistors ensure excellent current-handling for good reason, to reap the full benefit of N7's separately regulated power supplies for analog and digital sections. Capable of following the impedances of the Empire Ears Raven, Odin and Legend Evo down low, Cayin's 30-year tradition building amplifiers that provide actual power as proper voltage sources into halving resistances continues with N7. You'll want to exploit all of N7's technical feats by getting as much of your music aboard. So Cayin built in the futuristic Snapdragon 665 SOC and 4GB of RAM to run Android 12 perfectly. A 9,000mAh battery supplies up to 10 hours of use. Stream 16X Tidal MQA and full Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music at full bit and sample rates with Cayin's Direct Transport Audio OS that bypasses detrimental Android sample-rate conversion. And voilà: there ends the list of exploits as long as Cayin's illustrious history that the discrete 1-bit DSD decoding, Class A N7 brings to market – ready to take on the next 10 years. Also look how Cayin intend to define a new era via their entire catalogue here, or view our other music players here.

The AMP19 is a NuTube + Super Class A Amp Card for iBasso DX340 — Two output modes to choose from one compact amp card. The TubesSixth-generation Nutube 6P1 triode vacuum tube, which was developed jointly by Korg and Noritake for a warmer, natural sound. Super Class A Mode utilising 20 dual transistors to build a discrete component amplifier, which is capable of delivering up to 2A current output. The abundant current reserve offers powerful energy and dynamic performance, quick transient response, fuller sound, and excellent vocal density and texture. - Over 30,000 hours lifespan- Power consumption only 2% of traditional tubes- Size approximately 30% of traditional tubes The AMP19 uses a "hanging" installation method using PORON material to suspend the tubes within the chassis. This innovative approach effectively achieves shock absorption while significantly; suppressing microphonic effect. The Super Class-AUtilizes 20 dual transistors to build a discrete component amplifier, which is capable of delivering up to 2A current output. The abundant current reserve offers powerful energy and dynamic performance, quick transient response, fuller sound, and excellent vocal density and texture. PowerWhen connected to 12V DC External power source, the headphone amplifier power supply is boosted from ±6.5V to ±12V, reaching 2150mW + 2150mW @ 32Ω, which will easily drive all flagship headphones. Portable in form, but with the driving power comparable to desktop units—this is one of AMP19’s strengths. Volume controlIn Tube mode, AMP19 uses JRC hardware volume control, which adjusts output volume via an analog method, ensuring that the DAC signal remains fully intact, avoiding digital volume attenuation and preserving audio fidelity. It effectively reduces output noise at low volumes, maintaining clear, detailed sound and full music layering even at low listening levels. The volume control provides 100 fine volume steps, allowing precise adjustment for high-sensitivity in-ear monitors or high-impedance headphones. When using solid states, it utilizes the volume control provided by the DSP. SPECIFICATIONS: (A) SUPER CLASS-A MODE: 4.4mm Balanced Phone Out Output Level: 8.3Vrms (Super Gain)5.8Vrms (High Gain)3.8Vrms (Mid Gain)1.8Vrms (Low Gain) Output Power: 2150mW + 2150mW @ 32Ω (12V DC-IN)1000mW + 1000mW @ 32Ω (Battery)THD+N: -109dB (A-weighted, 300Ω load)Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 121dBDynamic Range: 121dBCrosstalk: -114dBFrequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz ±1dBOutput Impedance: 1.4Ω 3.5mm Single-ended Phone Out Output Level: 4.15Vrms (Super Gain)2.92Vrms (High Gain)1.89Vrms (Mid Gain)0.89Vrms (Low Gain) Output Power: 500mW + 500mW @ 32Ω (12V DC-IN)260mW + 260mW @ 32Ω (Battery)THD+N: -105dB (A-weighted, 300Ω load)Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110dBDynamic Range: 110dBCrosstalk: -114dBFrequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz ±1dBOutput Impedance: 0.7Ω (B) TUBE MODE: 4.4mm Balanced Phone Out Output Level: 7.7Vrms (Super Gain)4.53Vrms (High Gain)2.92Vrms (Mid Gain)1.55Vrms (Low Gain)Output Power: 1850mW + 1850mW @ 32Ω (12V DC-IN) , 590mW + 590mW @ 32Ω (Battery)Frequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz ±1dBOutput Impedance: 1.4Ω 3.5mm Single-ended Phone Out Output Levels: 3.7Vrms (Super Gain)2.3Vrms (High Gain)1.49Vrms (Mid Gain)0.79Vrms (Low Gain)Output Power:428mW + 428mW @ 32Ω (12V DC-IN),165mW + 165mW @ 32Ω (Battery) Frequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz ±1dBOutput Impedance: 0.7Ω

A pioneer and innovator in hybrid tube/solid-state CD source components, Cayin brings their accumulated expertise to the all-new CP6 Portable CD Player. From digital reception, D/A conversion, amplification and power management to user interaction, every aspect of the CP6 has been meticulously optimized to deliver an exceptional listening experience for the discerning audiophile. // FEATURES- Equipped with a carefully matched pair of Raytheon JAN6418 vacuum tubes, all outputs support one-touch switching between 3 distinct timbre modes.- Dual Cirrus Logic CS4308P implementation delivers ultra-low distortion and noise with exceptional linearity and outstanding dynamic performance.- Fully discrete op-amp based voltage amplification allows the headphone amplifier to handle everything from demanding headphones to ultra-low impedance IEMs with its ample current reserves.- A dedicated 22V ultra-low-noise high-voltage LDO regulated power supply together with a DC filament design effectively eliminates power-supply noise and hum, resulting in a low-noise, low-distortion tube implementation.- Swithable operation modes offer the warmth and finesse of Class A or the energy and authority of Class AB.- Battery operation provides up to 7.5 hours of on-the-go playback, while external DC power allows for an increase in power output for the headphone amplifier stage, providing greater driving authority and headroom.- The flagship Qualcomm QCC3083 high-definition Bluetooth solution features an integrated transmit and receive architecture for bi-directional Bluetooth 5.4 support.- Built around a purpose-designed anti-shock CD transport mechanism, the transport delivers stable and accurate disc reading with exceptional reliability with Audiophile-grade CD ripping.- With the Cayin Control App, comprehensive customization and convenient wireless control creates a more intuitive and personalized user experience, with the possibility of further evolution and expanded functionality through future firmware updates. // SPECIFICATIONS:- Tubes: 2x Raytheon JAN6418- DAC: 2x CS4308P- ADC: ES9821Q- Bluetooth Processor: QCC3080- Output Power (3.5mm PO @ 32 Ohms): 330mW+330mW (Battery), 420mW+420mW (DC)- Output Power (4.4mm PO @ 32 Ohms): 900mW+900mW (Battery), 1100mW+1100mW (DC)- Bluetooth Version: 5.4- Supported Codecs (BT Receiver): LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC- Supported Codecs (BT Transmitter): aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, SBC- Dimensions: 167 x 151 x 29 mm- Weight: Approx 720g

- Dual CS43198- 4x OPA1622 headphone amps separate from DAC- Battery: 4000mAh (with PD 2.0 Fast Charge)- 3.5mm PO+ 4.4mm BAL.PO - Up to 480mW output power- Line out | USB | S/PDIF | Bluetooth freeform signal I/O - X1600E SoC- 3.3” Highresolutiontouchscreen- Aluminum alloy frame + Ultrasuede® Backboard from Toray Japan- Dual Hi-Res certification (wired and wireless)- Supports up to 2TB Micro SD Card- DSD256/ PCM384kHz / 32bit

- Groundbreaking architecture featuring twin Cirrus Logic CS4308P DACs in an advanced dual-chip configuration to deliver exception audio resolution and unparalleled driving power- Independent Class A and Class AB headphone amplifier circuits, freely switchable for optimized listening scenarios- Dramatically improved power output over the previous generation not only elevates transient speed and dynamic performance, but also delivers thunderous impact with refined control- Natural well-balanced tuning, rich in detail yet never harsh- In conjunction with HiBy's many years of software and hardware integration experience, the Snapdragon 665 allows for a high level of fluidity and responsiveness- Coupled with 6GB of RAM to enable seamless app switching and stable background operation, and 128GB of internal storage for effortless daily use- Based off Android 12, HiByOS is optimized for professional music reproduction from the ground up, bypassing SRC system-wide for third-party music players and streaming apps // SPECIFICATIONS- DAC: Dual CS4308P- SoC: Snapdragon 665- Power Output (Phone Out): 165mW (3.5mm SE), 632mW (4.4mm BAL)- Minimum THD (Phone Out): 0.0003% (3.5mm SE), 0.0004% (4.4mm BAL)- Supported Formats: Up to DSD512, Up to PCM768kHz/32bit- Memory: 6GB RAM- Storage: 128GB Internal, micro SD up to 2TB- Dimensions: 147.45 x 75.2 x 15 mm- Weight: 283g // IN THE BOX- R6 Pro II 2025 player- Leather Case- 2x Front panel screen protector (1 pre-applied on screen)- USB C-C charging & data cable- USB Type-C to Type-A adapter- Documentation

- The R202 module supports both R-2R and 1-Bit DAC architecture for pure, format-optimized sound- Auto-mode allows for mart, seamless switching between each DAC architecture depending on the format- Discrete fully balanced 24-bit R-2R PCM DAC featuring 192 pieces of ultra high precision 0.1% resistors- R-2R Mode delivers a rich, smooth and emotionally engaging sound with a spacious and laid-back presentation, perfect for long, immersive listening sessions- Discrete 1-Bit balanced DSD DAC built with 128 pieces of 0.1% ultra high precision thin-film resistors- 1-Bit Mode reveals delicate high-frequency overtones with natural clarity, offering a well-defined soundstage and pinpoint imaging for a lifelike experience- Amplifier section built with a dual-parallel design and four-core balanced drive, ensuring precise, full-differential amplification for exceptional detail and dynamic response- Matrix-structured power supply design and precision built quad-channel analog volume control further reduces noise and distortion for high-fidelity // SPECIFICATIONS- R-2R DAC: Fully discrete 24-bit balanced, built with 192 x 0.1% ultra-precision think-film resistors (48 x 4 configuration)- 1-Bit DAC: Fully discrete 1-bit balanced, bult with 128 x 0.1% ultra-precision think-film resistors (32 x 4 configuration)- DAC Power Supply: TPS61087 + TPS61240 matrix- OP-Amp IC: 4x OPA1612, 2x OPA1662- Volume Control: NJW1195 full-balanced analog volume controller- Headphone Amplification Circuit: 4x INA1620 dual-channel op-amps with internal channel parallel drive- Headphone Amp Power Supply: LT8582- Output Impedance (@ 32 Ohms load): 0.5 Ohms (3.5mm SE), 0.8 Ohms (4.4mm BAL)- Output Power (@ 32 Ohms load): 250mW (3.5mm SE), 550mW (4.4mm BAL)- Battery Life (with N6III): 15hrs (Auto), 16hrs (R-2R), 14hrs (1Bit)

The DX260MKII is the definitive version of its already great predecessor. It's got eight flagship DAC chips (Cirrus Logic CS43198) combined with iBasso's own audio processing tech (called FPGA-Master 2.0), translating to breathtaking clarity, depth, and precision for your favorite tracks. The DX260MKII is also designed to be easy and enjoyable to use. They've upgraded to a faster Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of quick UFS internal storage.This means it runs butter smooth, whether you're flicking through your music library or using streaming apps. You can use Android 13 for all your favorite streaming apps. Or, for the purest sound, switch to iBasso's Mango OS – a Linux-based system that cuts out Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference to focus solely on music playback. Both systems ensure the best possible sound quality by bypassing any system-level sound processing. Here’s what the DX260MKII offers: High-Quality File Support: Plays high-resolution audio like PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and native DSD up to DSD256 (even DSD512 according to some reports). Clear Display: Features a sharp 5-inch touchscreen for easy navigation. Good Connectivity: Comes with Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a fast USB 3.1 port. Powerful Enough for Your Headphones: Delivers plenty of power for a wide range of headphones and IEMs. Long Listening Sessions: The battery provides around 14 hours of playback. Solid Build & Practical Design: It has a sturdy aluminum body. The back cover is even removable, which could be handy for future battery replacement. Plus, it can bypass the battery when plugged in and charging, which is good for battery longevity. Versatile Outputs: Includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a 4.4mm balanced jack, and a coaxial output.

Featuring over 9 + N preset EQ sound effects meticulously tuned by HiBy engineers, these distinctive selections offers a unique listening experience, ably catering to wide ranging genres for all users. This 4.4mm portable DAC/amp sources key Sabre parts to build a wonderfully detailed, and powerful, MQA dongle for earphones and headphones alike. [See Product Desc. For More] Such clean signal and power more than adequately brings out the qualities of Focal's Clear MG Pro and Stellia, plus Rosson Audio Designs, accurately rendering transients in a large soundstage but always doing so in a liquid manner with nary a hint of listener fatigue or glare. Features of the Hiby FC5 WD: - 1.1” OLED color display - Dual flagship CS43198 DACs - Dual SGM8261-5 Amplifiers - DSD512 PCM 768kHz/32bit - Dual audio oscillators (45.1584MHz, 49.152MHz)

In great working condition, and a 6-months warranty for peace of mind! With the Darwin architecture, the RS6 has more than widthstood the test of time and remains a beloved mainstay amongst Hiby's lineup.

Lotoo have yet another chance to showcase their DSP code mastery, bringing AKM's AK4191-AK4499EXEQ DAC ecosystem in the Paw Gold Touch (LPGT) 2 music player to new heights. After taking the original Paw Gold Touch as far as they could with constant Digital Signal Processing evolution, Lotoo acknowledge the strides digital audio has made in the six years since, bringing its flagship up to 2024 standards. Knowing what AKM's own AK4191 delta-sigma modulator is capable of, and Lotoo's own track record of proprietary software upgrades down the years, LPGT2 is good to go for a decade on its own on the digital front. It's backed up by a 4.4mm output capable of producing 1,000mW balanced power per channel. In addition to the Analog Devices Blackfin DSP microprocessor, LPGT2 adds the wireless Lotoo Teleport Protocol (LTTP) that allows your everyday smart device to transmit streaming of up to 24/96Khz high-res lossless audio to your player. Via a USB-C attachment to your phone, LTTP brings the improvements Lotoo's techniques bring to your favourite streaming content from Tidal and Apple Music. [See Product Desc. For More] Lotoo's use of the Analog Devices Blackfin BF706 DSP microprocessor is the stuff of legend by now, with the code written and loaded up over multiple firmware upgrades and several years a technique these Taiwanese coding innovators have made their own – so much of how each of Lotoo's classic DAPs sound is owed to this. The generation of pristine I2S is the ultimate goal for LPGT2's DSP. But even the best digital trickery in the world needs a hardware platform sufficiently capable to execute software. Enter Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)’s resurgent flagship DACs.  These Japanese giants, back on their feet with a clean slate, started afresh expanding the basic footprint of a single DAC chip IC into three separate parts – to similarly multiply capabilities by a factor of three. AKM’s AK4191EQ is the brains of the operation, receiving pristine I2S clocking and data from LPGT2's Blackfin. Aboard, AK4191EQ’s delta-sigma modulator takes advantage of its expanded, dedicated, silicone footprint to lay claim to the title of the first chip IC working at seven bits. These seven single-bit modulators flow on into LPGT2's dual AK4499EXEQ DACs, one for each channel and built with a single purpose in mind: to turn the interpolated, noise-shaped, digital data it receives into the most precise analog waveform possible afforded by its large footprint. Silicone size matters when it comes to a great DAC IC, and AK4499EXEQ has it. Enabled by much more exact, matched resistors and capacitors aboard for precise DC single-bit decoding, and dynamic element matching that is less burdened by switching errors – granted by parts accuracy from a bigger footprint. Any conversion errors from AK4499EXEQs outputting in current manifests as DC offset, and not total harmonic distortion, that is easily filtered out. That's expected of any source claiming to be high performance. A high-quality current-to-voltage I/V section follows these AK4499EXEQs, befitting of chips that output in current for best distortion performance and indeed flagships like LPGT2. The second Lotoo device after Mjolnir this decade to boast such a circuit, LPGT2 brings those benefits to a portable device 10 years after the first generation LPG in 2014. Once again, LTTP allows you to get high-res lossless from your favourite streaming app on your smartphone to LPGT2, adding to its versatility beyond its 2TB SD card capacity. Running on Lotoo OS 1.6, LPGT2 once again eschews Android operation for the cleanest, lowest interference and CPU noise for a black background. That's only helped by an eight-layer PCB with shielding for the analog circuit, preserving all the analog resolution dual AK4499EXEQs can produce. This high-fidelity is amplified and flows on to powerful op-amp output buffers that supply current and mean Lotoo's flagship promises high damping factor while maintaining its low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs. Specially selected by Lotoo, LPGT2 boasts Texas Instrument parts that are ideal voltage sources and stable into capacitive loads, with their gain bandwidth product ensuring frequency response extends well beyond the human hearing range for excellent phase response and taut, impactful and life-like dynamics. Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the mandatory application of negative feedback around Lotoo's analog circuit remains high, so where she really can shine is in swinging +20.3 dBu of voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat. Indeed, this latest evolution of Lotoo's beloved Paw Gold concept ensures it's totally future-proof, ready for whatever the bright future of the rapidly-advancing world of Head-Fi throws at it, on the digital and analog fronts. After LPGT2, keep up to date with the fantastic staying power Lotoo releases have here, or view all our other music players here.

HiBy Music's R1 is one's ideal first music player. As affordable as a portable USB DAC dongle, it's R1's standalone features as a DAP that stand out. MOONSTAR Reviews rates it highly as your first dedicated device to play your music on. HiBy packs its own battery meaning you won't need to deplete that of your everyday mobile devices.  HiBy use R1's battery to good effect, building a full audio circuit around it. You'll hear the upgrade proper PCB space and a dedicated power supply yields. From the outset, you'll find out what 'Hi-Fi' sound is about, through its Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC. With specially-developed audiophile digital filters aboard R1's DAC– coded for their audio reproduction fidelity and not cost – you'll hear the difference versus your regular mainstream Bluetooth buds and PC outputs.  R1 also achieves high playback bandwidth, essential if phase response in the human hearing range for taut, snappy dynamics is to be preserved. Instruments and voices will sound lifelike for the first time, with transient reproduction all phase and timing intact. Come and reap the benefits from one of Sennheiser's single dynamic driver IE200 and IE600 earphones. Also check out the rest of HiBy's other releases here, or view our other DAPs here.

The only limit set for Lotoo had been size, but now they've roundly conquered that with Mjolnir. Limited to only 600 units made worldwide. The ultimate Lotoo ever built is a trans-portable 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm music player and DAC/amp powered by a super battery unit. Capable of outputting up to 2.5 watts of power per channel, Mjolnir is built on AKM's final units of AK4499EQ DACs. Mjolnir gives its prized, rare and out-of-print AK4499EQ chip from 2019 an all-metal, CNC-machined platform to shine upon. Robust power supplies comprised of six 21700 battery cells means this Lotoo monolith works on an operating voltage of 20 volts.  That, coupled with its silent noise floor and up to 134dB of dynamic range delivering fidelity, means Mjolnir performs about any way you want it. That means it'll drive the Empire Ears Raven and Oriolus Traillii JP, up to Focal's Utopia, ZMF Headphones' Atrium Closed and Caldera plus HEDD Audio's HEDDPhone 2 equally well. [See Product Desc. For More] It's wonderful that Lotoo provided Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)'s AK4499EQ zenith the time capsule needed to transport this legendary chip forward for the enjoyment of future audiophiles.  With Mjolnir built on Lotoo's LTOS custom user interface, this uber-flagship DAP adds its own value with a digital subsystem – consisting of Lotoo's tried-and-true NXP i.MX 6ULL and Analog Devices Blackfin DSP processor sub-system carrying proprietary code that generates clocking and audio data I2S for its AK4499EQ. Marking Lotoo's return to current-output DACs for the first time since 2014 when Texas Instruments' (TI) PCM1792 appeared in Paw Gold, Mjolnir's four-channel AK4499EQ outputs analog to a current-to-voltage I/V stage where D/A conversion errors manifest as a DC offset that is easy to filter out – instead of more sinister total harmonic distortion. The desire for purity is mirrored in Lotoo's construction of Mjolnir. Multi-layer PCBs and a 3mm thick metal locked-in shield for the audio circuit, down to individual screws fashioned from 304 and 316 stainless steel and a CNC chassis built to surpress quality-averse vibrations, are testament to Lotoo's attention to detail. Mjolnir's pristine small signal gets fed to its power stage consisting of eight TI LME49600 buffers – the first and only time Head-Fi has seen these parts implemented in such a topology – making up an incredibly powerful paralleled quad-mono balanced output stage capable of 5 total watts. With Mjolnir's 20 volt battery power rails running closer to each LME49600's power supply requirement, each op-amp already acts linearly in the open-loop before mandatory feedback is added. Dynamics are unhindered regardless of load complexity – undoubtedly bolstered by LME49600's incredible slew-rate spec. The negative feedback finally applied as the cherry on the cake sees Mjolnir achieve up to an incredible 130dB dynamic range via 4.4mm or 4-pin XLR headphone outs, or 134dB via dual 3-pin XLR line-outs. Indeed, Lotoo built Mjolnir to function perfectly as a DAC too, its Wi-Fi undergoing Roon testing and certification, with DLNA readiness meaning use with UPnP software is also possible. Digital outputs into your Hi-Fi system's DAC also sees Mjolnir execute transport duties via AES/EBU, S/PDIF RCA and optical. So here is Lotoo with Mjolnir proudly asking whether your all-in-one system even hubs, building the ultimate all-in-one to end every argument against it. Check out Lotoo's other devices here, or view our other DAPs here.

--- SOLD! --- iBasso Audio have shown Head-Fi what the entry-level DX170 and flagship DX320 are capable of. And it's been left to the DX240 to act as the crossroads of them all, bringing together all the best traits of iBasso's DAP prowess into one single device.  DX240 is so good, in fact, it displaces DX300 on Headfonia's Recommended Buy list and joined its big sibling there on Audiophile-Heaven. DX240's owners are entitled to three free amp card endplates and a matching leather case worth $149, while the upgrade to Amp8 MKII updates capabilities further! [See Product Desc. For More] Revitalising the popular form factor that the original genre-defining DX200 and DX220 packed, the DX240 is another cumulation of the progress iBasso have made. With stock Amp1 MKIII, this versatile player promises an abundance of transparency and plenty of involvement through a liquid mid-range, particularly with female vocals. ESS Technology's ES9038Pro top-dog – outputting in current to a proper I/V stage for best distortion characteristics – arrives as the decoding backbone. The refinements made around this DAC chip bring DX240 into portable audio's future.  Trickling down from the DX320, a FPGA acts as a clock and data master, presenting raw I2S for the ES9038Pro in the cleanest, quietest and most precise manner. Joining those are the Snapdragon 660 CPU, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.  Headfonics say DX240 lands with real purpose in the world of modern music players. Major HiFi met "really no setbacks to this device whatsoever". MOONSTAR Reviews says DX240 delivers sonically, and in terms of usability. "Every dollar works out completely" to Audio-PH.  Twister6 found this iBasso a jack of all trades and master of them all too. Full Google Play Services and Android 11 usability is a breeze when viewed through DX240's 1080p screen. Play up to DSD512, 16X Tidal MQA and full Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music online or offline – entirely bit-perfect through iBasso's bypass of Android sample-rate conversion. Truly, DX320 miniaturised desktop DAC/amps – and DX240 miniaturised DX320. With a palm-and-pocket-friendly form factor, DX240 is reminiscent of DX170 – but with added amp card modules. Amps1 through 8, developed for iBasso's DX2xx line, are compatible here, so your collection of cards will find a new lease of life. At the same time, enjoy the new Amp8 MKII, developed for and only for the DX240. But really, iBasso's DX240 is a new lease of life for the entire music player category, balancing fidelity, power, portability and access in one stroke. Bravo – also shop iBasso's other releases here, or all our other music players here.

Being the compact flagship, the RS2 II utilizes the same Darwin III architecture as the flagship RS8 II full-size flagship, with further updated core processing components suited to the alternative DAC hardware onboard. Already the leading technology for a full end-to-end audio processing chain in the industry, it meets further evolution in the RS2II. - All new FPGA Digital Processing Engine feature results in a fully software-controllable digital processing and analog conversion pipeline.- The Darwin III architecture utilizes a precisely matched R2R network of resistors. The digital signal passes through a network of voltage dividers, each accurately converting to an analog voltage level thereby avoiding high-frequency noise and digital glar, making the sound more natural, clear and emotional.- Quad OPA1612 feeds the output stage with full voltage and current for exemplary transient and dynamic response.- A further four flagship-grade OPA1622 amplifies current in four independent channels, easily driving even exotic multi-driver IEMs with full dynamics and tight control.- HiByOS refined and perfected over a decade to optimize audio quality from the root of the system upwards, guaranteeing a pure listening experience that moves your soul.- Upgraded X1600E SoC for silky-smooth UI operation and faster response.- Dual micro-SD slots each supports up to 2TB for a massive 4TB total capacity. // SPECIFICATIONS- DAC: Darwin III (R2R-based)- CPU SoC: X1600E- Output Power (PO): 630mW (4.4mm BAL), 172.5mW (3.5mm SE)- Battery Life: Approx 8 hours (4.4mm BAL, screen off playing 44.1kHz WAV)- Dimensions: 91.95 x 62.05 x 18.6 mm- Weight: 156g (Aluminium alloy), 240g (Brass limited edition) // IN THE BOX- RS2II- Leather Case- Screen Protector- USB Type-C to Type-A adapter- USB Type-C to Type-C cable- Type-C to RCA Coaxial Cable- Documentation