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Post by Queen6 on Sept 14, 2021 21:21:21 GMT
Does it measure well though? Based on data from L7audio. He concluded that it is not a very worthy buy, but then is worth a try. The Sony WM1Z doesn' measure well too, but it sounds very good. Ideally you'd want both:) Lotoo PAW Gold Touch can, equally around at $3000 for the privilege LOL. Smart money would be on a PAW 6000 as it's not very far off the LPGT in terms of audio quality, reduced features & power and in the same range as the WM1A for pricing. Q-6
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Post by ttt123 on Sept 15, 2021 13:58:53 GMT
Not having a display and relying on a Smartphone for control pretty much kills the HM901R for my use. I'd rather stick with my R2R2K. The player may be basic in features, yet it still remains an effective standalone DAP with dual R2R DAC's and associated sound signature. The HM901R seems more of a follow up to the HM1000 which went nowhere fast, due to quality & SW issues. Pity as Hifiman very clearly understands audio, yet struggles with the design and execution of it's players. TBH having to rely on a secondary device to control a standalone portable player to me is a significant oversight. The upcoming Hiby RS6 is likely a far more practical solution, which I believe uses the same R2R solution... Q-6 Totally understand your requirement for a standalone DAP. I've also simplified what I carry around on the street, using an NW-A105 and a BT earphone, which are small enough to carry in a pocket. For mobile use, the WF-1000XM4 connected via LDAC is sounding pretty good, for such a small setup. The HM1000 has major hardware problems, on top of being extremely unpredictable when sync'ing the DataBase to the smartphone, with problems seen by multiple owners. The overall experience is so bad that HifiMan should withdraw it from the market, and replace all the defective ones already sold. That is the only decent thing to do. The HM901R is a big improvement over the HM1000, and is quite affordable, so I think it is a worthy addition to HifiMan DAPs. It follows the HifiMan tradition of being quirky, with design choices that could be be much better. Of forcing the u ser to adapt to it, and accept it's implementation, as a package. Many improvements are needed/possible in the hardware and software, but if you like the HifiMan sound, then you put up with it's quirkiness, for a sound that is class leading. And put aside the irritations, and accept it with it's warts, and adapt to it. Otherwise, it will be a constant source of irritation, until the user learns to accept it's limitations as minor things to adapt to.
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Post by Queen6 on Sept 16, 2021 11:32:09 GMT
Not having a display and relying on a Smartphone for control pretty much kills the HM901R for my use. I'd rather stick with my R2R2K. The player may be basic in features, yet it still remains an effective standalone DAP with dual R2R DAC's and associated sound signature. The HM901R seems more of a follow up to the HM1000 which went nowhere fast, due to quality & SW issues. Pity as Hifiman very clearly understands audio, yet struggles with the design and execution of it's players. TBH having to rely on a secondary device to control a standalone portable player to me is a significant oversight. The upcoming Hiby RS6 is likely a far more practical solution, which I believe uses the same R2R solution... Q-6 Totally understand your requirement for a standalone DAP. I've also simplified what I carry around on the street, using an NW-A105 and a BT earphone, which are small enough to carry in a pocket. For mobile use, the WF-1000XM4 connected via LDAC is sounding pretty good, for such a small setup. The HM1000 has major hardware problems, on top of being extremely unpredictable when sync'ing the DataBase to the smartphone, with problems seen by multiple owners. The overall experience is so bad that HifiMan should withdraw it from the market, and replace all the defective ones already sold. That is the only decent thing to do. The HM901R is a big improvement over the HM1000, and is quite affordable, so I think it is a worthy addition to HifiMan DAPs. It follows the HifiMan tradition of being quirky, with design choices that could be be much better. Of forcing the u ser to adapt to it, and accept it's implementation, as a package. Many improvements are needed/possible in the hardware and software, but if you like the HifiMan sound, then you put up with it's quirkiness, for a sound that is class leading. And put aside the irritations, and accept it with it's warts, and adapt to it. Otherwise, it will be a constant source of irritation, until the user learns to accept it's limitations as minor things to adapt to. I agree that if you like the Hifiman sound you'll live with their implementation of players. More so regarding the HM1000 as seen so many with issues. Personally yet to listen to the HM901R so difficult to comment on the value, equally would need to sound very good for the price given the limitation's and dependency on a Smartphone. Q-6
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Post by ttt123 on Sept 16, 2021 19:55:48 GMT
Had some time to connect it to my old audio system, which was not getting much use. Mainly due to space limitations, couldn't use the tube amp, moving away from CDs, and not being able to reach a good sound, with the options I had tried. Streaming through a Logitech Squeezebox, BT from a DAP, to a Micromega Myamp with weak/old BT. The system is a mix of old equipment, Sonus Faber Electa Amator speakers, decent Audioquest speaker cables, the Myamp (for it's remote control function, small size, low heat), and a Cambridge 201 6" Sub.
Connected the HM901R to the Myamp, and thought I'd give it a quick try. Wound up listening all afternoon. I will just say that using the HM901R as a source has made the system listenable/enjoyable. Previously, I could not listen for long, or turn the volume up. Coming from a tube setup, all the source options I had previously tried were just not very enjoyable. Granted it could have been much better it I had spent money on a Transport/DAC, which I did not want to do. (and had no space for)
The HM901R gives an analog like sound, highs are detailed and not rough/harsh. Bass is solid, and I am able to enjoy the music coming out of this hodge podge of a system. For the relatively small cost, to get a decent/simple integrated source/front end (Music Storage/player/line out) with nothing in between, like interconnect cables, transmission (BT or Wifi), etc., makes the cost more than justified, just for this function alone, for me. Also no worries about getting the best fidelity BT codecs, etc., as they are not used/needed.
So I have found a good use for this eclectic player on the home system, and also by itself as a normal DAP. As an integrated source for an amp/powered speaker, I don't think anything else can touch it, at anywhere close to the same price. Definitely nothing can touch it's size/weight and provide similar functions. Actually, it's ridiculously cheap as a decent, musical front end source.
A tip given from another user is to remove the Amp card when using the line out to drive an amp or speaker. The line out does not go through the amp card, and this removes a source of noise from the battery rails.
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