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Post by NPAudio on Sept 28, 2020 16:52:30 GMT
HIFIMAN R2R2000
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Post by gerelmx1986 on Sept 29, 2020 16:05:39 GMT
This was hifiman last DAP? I've seen lately they're more active on developing headphones than IEM or DAP
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Post by NPAudio on Sept 29, 2020 16:19:36 GMT
I've not heard anything about any new daps, did they ever finish the firmware for this one?
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Post by Queen6 on Oct 14, 2020 9:49:03 GMT
I'd like to try an R2R DAP, might have a look as could probably pickup a HIFIMAN R2R2000 at a great price locally. the Red on being around a negotiable $550. Kind of have my budget set elsewhere, equally the R2R will be worth a listen Q-6
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Post by Queen6 on Oct 26, 2020 14:37:28 GMT
Absolutely everything anyone has ever written about this DAP is true both positive & negative. In some respects it's a decade and then some behind, yet lightyears ahead where it really counts. As the display fades and the music plays absolutely everything and mean everything you ever thought a DAP could possibly present changes. Admittedly I do have a significant pricing advantage, as in no shape or form would I be willing to pay the international pricing, then again. I deliberately opted for a small 64Gb card, loaded with just the right albums. Has to be said; if your in a shop with the vast majority of TOTL portable HiFi available to try & buy, yet this little DAP keeps calling you back over and over again, there's has to be something about it? The R2R2000 Red is absolutely the most analogue & organic DAP I have ever listened to well above and beyond even the likes of Sony's WM1Z... In all honestly I don't think that I've ever tried or owned a more diabolically unintuitive & convoluted DAP to use, nor anything that approaches the realism of what this DAP presents. The R2R2000 really makes one pause for thought. As Primitive as the R2R2000 appears to be on face value, the sound signature is very far from that, nor is clever SW trickery at hand or psychoacoustics employed, it's mostly all down the the hardware and that makes for a significant difference. Hifiman without any doubts is onto something here, problem being not needing a PHD to operate the device or feeling unfinished. The R2R2000 Red playing HQ vinyl rip's sounds and potentially more importantly feels completely analogue, eerily so. I'll be straight the the R2R2000 does come across as a work in progress, a prototype, however when it all comes together the R2R2000 is simply outstanding as a portable source I wouldn't want the R2R2000 as my primary DAP as it remains to be a rather quirky & limited device as one of several absolutely yes... TBH the R2R2000 Red sound signature is difficult to describe as it simply does not sound like any other DAP, it does truly sound very much like an analogue device being sonically beautiful & accurate. This DAP absolutely bucks the current trend of the vast majority of TOTL DAP's being physically diminutive, lacking any form of EQ or DSP. R2R2000 simply excels at one sole feature... Q-6
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Post by Queen6 on Oct 30, 2020 22:15:16 GMT
Still love the R2R2K sound signature and gotten used to it's quirks In all fairness to Hifiman they don't market the R2R2K's as a DAP more as a streaming source and USB DAC. I think where Hifiman fell fowl was to some extents was the initial marketing and not correcting the press as R2R2K was universally accepted and commented on as a DAP where it's completely outclassed by the vast majority of current DAP;s for OS, UI, usability and features. Yet the R2R2K remains to be one of the very few portable R2R multibit BURR-BROWN devices, with the PCM 1704 (Black) & PCM 1702 (Red) duel DAC's excelling above and beyond much of the competition with their unique sonic presentation. The new Hifiman HM1000 tends to reinforce this logic being completely devoid of any display and controlled remotely by an App and a handful of buttons. Once you realise this the R2R2K starts to make a lot more sense literally being a HD streaming device & USB DAC, however with an extremely minimalist OS/UI that allows the user to listen on the go as a completely self-contained source AKA a DAP. The poor uptake of the R2R2K's HD BT codec certainly didn't help either, with the HM1000 now have the far more universally accepted LDAC. I have heard that Hifiman is working on the next Gen R2R2K, equally I'm uncertain if that directly loops back the new HM1000 or indeed a new device similar or more versatile than the R2R2K. I also think that Hifiman is now more cautious on it's releases to the west to ensure the OS/SW is in a more complete state. They should be as at full price the R2R2K Black & Red are very far from budget devices and should be launched with a competent OS. So far I've had no major issue with my R2R2K Red with the OS or operation, past the initial learning curve. It can be picky about chargers when playing which may result in the player stopping playback or locking up, however it can also be perfectly ok with others. I find that once you accept it's not a DAP and don't push the OS too quickly the R2R2K works pretty well and obviously sounds great. For the most part changing tracks and navigation is serviceable, however some settings can and do have a few seconds delay in taking effect and prodding the touch panel controls while in process can have some undesired effects, again potentially locking up. Overall I like and enjoy the R2R2K, however I wouldn't want one as my sole portable device. The likes of my A&K SR25 & Sony WM1A literally run rings around the R2R2K as DAP's with the Hifiman only really excelling in one sphere and that being it's natural & accurate analogue sound signature, which is infinitely listenable, equally if planning to use R2R2K the same way as a typical modern DAP, you might have a less than great experience as it will simply come across as primitive and underdeveloped. For me the R2R2K was something I always want to experience in a portable (Multibit DAC), pricing was extremely good and I have a couple of very decent DAP's so why not have some fun with one Q-6
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 8, 2020 19:43:58 GMT
Just don't, everything scales beautifully, nothing sounds bad, very much the opposite. PJ Harvey is singing for me personally tonight; it's accurate, beautiful & intimate. The R2R2000, destroys everything with a single touch of the finger on play. The display dims and the world changes, nor can you unhear the presentation. For all the technical prowess, polish & features few other DAP's can touch the Red Prince sonically. The Dark Side pulls me ever closer, with the option open to pick up a Black Prince, ticking away in the background...LOL Q-6 Attachments:
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 13, 2020 6:45:12 GMT
Life with the R2R2000 as a DAP:
1 - Strip out all unnecessary files/metadata, especially album art, this will stop any clicking between tracks
2 - R2R2000 can be sensitive to the charger, especially if the AC power is noisy, so experiment or use a power bank as to be straight in HiFi mode the battery life is realistically only 4-6 hours...
3 - When effecting changes to settings R2R2000 takes some time to update. Patience being the virtue here, equally the DAP will respond accordingly, the display will update with positive conformation in time
4 - Be patient, stabbing forward or back will not result in the R2R2000 skipping past multiple tracks, it may result in the DAP locking up, just go one by one, or browse directly
5 - R2R2000 has a fair amount of power for such a small device and a case is generally obligatory to protect it. I generally place the R2R2000 on it's side to allow the heat to dissipate/radiate from the rear. Leaving the R2R2000 flat on the desk while playing & charging can result in the DAP getting fairly warm to the touch even with a case
6 - R2R2000 is reasonably tolerant of the source material & headgear, equally the DAP will bring out the very best in HQ files, IEM's & HP
7 - Settings are designed with a differing culture/mentality in mind, so don't get frustrated, just accept that some settings are in different places. If exposed to the culture they make sense
8 - Volume dial works far better, as in intended with the display off, I know just how it is...
9 - Ignore those criticising the 32 step volume, they simply don't understand how the R2R2000 functions; you pick your gain/power range first then set the volume. A significant numerical volume on High Gain with IEM's will result in hearing damage as the DAP is not short of power.
10 - R2R2000 has few redeeming features as a DAP, if your looking for a multi featured, multi faceted device R2R2000 is categorically not for you, as it is literally an old school player that has limited features and one way connectivity, yet presents one of the most natural and accurate sound signatures available in a portable device...
So why deal with and put up with all this? If you really listen to the R2R2000 you'll know exactly why, however be warned if you get it, you will never be able forget or unhear R2R2000 and that might just present it's own issues down the line LOL...
Q-6
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Post by gazzington on Nov 13, 2020 12:26:26 GMT
I’m quite tempted to get one of these. What iems/headphones pair well with it?
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 13, 2020 20:12:46 GMT
I’m quite tempted to get one of these. What iems/headphones pair well with it? Everything in my signature sounds great with R2R2K. Recently made the mistake of trying Hifiman's Ananda, nor am I a big fan of large over ear HP, the operative word being spectacular... Q-6
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 14, 2020 20:52:06 GMT
Was only ever a matter of time, and yes they are better than you think B) Q-6
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 14, 2020 22:09:02 GMT
Ananda is the real deal, no bones about it...
Q-6
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Post by NPAudio on Nov 18, 2020 14:32:36 GMT
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Post by gazzington on Nov 18, 2020 17:39:46 GMT
Twister reviewed a lotoo paw gold touch without using pmeq. Nothing he says shocks me 😉
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Post by Queen6 on Nov 18, 2020 23:12:09 GMT
Prefer to make my own mind up as the vast majority of reviewers are well and truly bought and paid for one way or the other...
Q-6
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