HIDIZS S8 PRO ROBIN

Firstly, thanks to Hidizs for sending the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin unit for an honest review. If it's bad, I'll say it's bad, and if it's good, I'll say it's good. From the initial release, I was quite interested in this dongle DAC because it looks cooler than my other Hidizs dongle DAC, the S9 Pro Plus Martha. It’s supposedly cheaper, which piqued my interest even more.

Let's get straight to it... Hidizs S8 Pro Robin.


Hidizs URLs:
- S8 Pro Robin ($69): https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s8-pro-robin-hifi-balanced-dongle-dac

==DISCLAIMER==​

All impressions and reviews are subjective and follow the belief "I can lie to my savings, but I must be honest in reviews." Agree? Fine. Disagree? Fine. I review because I want to and because I enjoy it, not because I need to.

• But you might say, “You’re saying this because you’re using it now?” Oh, certainly not. I’m a true audiophile hobbyist who will always be honest without bias. Don’t believe me? Read till the end, and we’ll dissect the pros and cons.
• But you’re saying this because it’s new? This hobby is really "dark and full of poison" and will remain so until the end of the world. Human desire is never-ending.
• But better to listen yourself? Absolutely.

Important!! I suggest you audition it yourself; maybe it's my ears that need an ENT doctor or yours that do (haha).

Click to expand...

==THIS POST IS FOR==​

• What’s a recommended DAC Dongle under $100?
• What DAC Dongle has a bright and airy sound character?
• Just want to read the review

==MY DAILY DRIVER==​

- Symphonium Crimson
- Kinera Verdandi
- 634ears Loak-2 OP
- Fiio Q15
- HibyDigital M300

==LET'S GET INTO IT==​

**Unboxing:**
Just like its sibling, the S9 Pro Plus Martha ($89), for a $69 dongle, I think the S8 Pro Robin already has a standard package from its box that can be used to connect to various types of devices, from Android, PC, to iPhone with a Lightning jack. The package includes:
- The DAC/AMP dongle itself
- Type C to C cable
- Type C female to USB A male converter
- Type C female to Lightning converter


**Fitting:**
In this part, I’ll discuss how it feels when used on a PC and a mobile phone. Using the S8 Robin on a PC poses no problems because it will mostly stay on the table, and even when hanging, it has a port that doesn’t wiggle, remaining steady. Similarly, when plugged into a mobile phone, it feels light enough not to hinder mobility. It has cool volume increase and decrease buttons and a Pause/Play button that are well-positioned and do not easily get pressed when used in mobile situations. One thing I dislike is the play/pause button, which feels wobbly and not sturdy.

==SPECIFICATIONS:==​

S8 Pro Robin:
1. Dual 32-bit High-performance DAC Balanced Architecture - CS43131×2
2. PCM Supports Up to 32bit/384kHz
3. Native DSD 64/128/256
4. 4.4mm Balanced & 3.5mm Single-ended Output
5. CNC Aluminum Alloy Integrated Molding
6. Practical Function Buttons (volume +/- and filter switching)
7. Sampling Rate Indicator
8. 80mW+80mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE / 160mW+160mW@32Ω 4.4mm BAL
9. Compatible with All platforms: Windows/Mac OS/iPad OS/Android/iOS/Harmony OS
10. Hi-Res Audio Certification

==SOUND IMPRESSION S8 PRO ROBIN:==​

**Bass:**
With an airy and refined sound characteristic, the S8 Robin highlights the sub-bass and bass from the IEM's output. With enough power to drive entry-level to mid-level IEMs, the bass and sub-bass aspects of this DAC Dongle are easily enjoyable due to the enhanced sub-bass tails and more relaxed bass layering.
**Mid:**
In line with its bass, the mid aspect also has an airy and refined character. Vocals feel more open and clear. There is a significant improvement in high-tone voices, although sometimes they feel a bit too much and slightly less clean. It's not the kind of thick and full-bodied vocal, but more open and perhaps slightly thin.
**Treble:**
Bright is the tonal character of this DAC Dongle. The treble is more forward and offensive with a more refined extended treble detail, making it very pleasing for treble and micro-detail lovers. I think it pairs well with IEMs that have a dark bass character to create a more balanced sound.
**Clarity:**
Slightly shouty and sibilant in the vocal area and too bright if the IEM doesn't synergize well.
**Soundstage:**
This is commendable as Hidizs DACs always manage to provide a wide and broad soundstage.
**Imaging:**
The airy and refined sound makes the separation of sounds clearer and easier to pinpoint each instrument and micro-detail.

==CONCLUSION==​

• The S8 Pro Robin offers an airy and bright sound that will delight treble lovers. However, it needs to be used carefully as it is prone to sibilance/unclear sounds.
• Hidizs Dongles have a characteristic wide soundstage and good imaging in their price range.

That's all.
Trust Your Ears
Bye.

Hidizs, as a company, already has extended lineup of ultra-portable USB DACs to suit any taste and compatibility. Some were enhanced versions of the previous iterations, while others brought completely new form-factor and functionality. The reason for another generation of S8-series model is shifting again to Cirrus Logic DAC chips that impact the resulting sound more than the form-factor, design or sound tuning. Hope that one day Hidizs would release something like this based on the beloved AKM DACs that sound the most mellow and musical to my personal taste. Although, this review would shed some light on how or whether CRL DACs sound better or worse compared to its S9 Sabre siblings.



In the box:

S8 PRO (codename “Robin”) shares the box design with S9-series USB DACs – very compact and sturdy. High quality prints all around the wrap, full list of specs and features on the back side. Box itself is made of recyclable plastics, inside you’d find soft foam holding the DAC and small compartment underneath that stores all of the additional accessories.



Apart from the DAC itself, there are the next items included:

• “HiRES” stickers
• Type-C to Type-C cable
• Type-C to USB A adapter
• Type-C to Lightning adapter

Having the latter in the box provides the compatibility of S8 Robin with iOS devices equipped with the corresponding port.



Full specs of S8 Robin are as following:

• 1. Dual 32-bit High-performance DAC Balanced Architecture – CS43131×2
• 2. PCM Supports Up to 32bit/384kHz
• 3. Native DSD 64/128/256
• 4. 4.4mm Balanced & 3.5mm Single-ended Output
• 5. CNC Aluminum Alloy Integrated Molding
• 6. Practical Function Buttons (volume +-/filter switching)
• 7. Sampling Rate Indicator
• 8. 80mW+80mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE / 160mW+160mW@32Ω 4.4mm BAL
• 9. Compatible with All platforms: Windows/Mac OS/iPad OS/Android/iOS/Harmony OS
• 10. Hi-Res Audio Certification

Looking at the design – it also resembles previous generations of S8 and S9 DACs, with some new features and more complicated elements. S8 Robin case is made of aluminum with glass panels covering front and rear of the device. The newly designed are the decorative fins on the right side, and all buttons on the left. Pity is that the central crown is not a rotary element as it seems to be. It is a mere push-button that serves only one purpose – to play|pause. Other two buttons are for changing the volume (long press) / changing effect filters (simultaneously press both).



Since this DAC is fully balanced (2 DAC chips + parallel L+R circuitry) – it is equipped with 4.4mm Pentacon balanced connector along with single-ended 3.5mm one. USB type-C is used to connect S8 Robin to the source (Windows, Android OS, iOS, MacOS devices and HiBy OS DAPs).

S8 Pro Robin is very lightweight (only 17 grams), doesn’t require external power supply and doesn’t heat up notably which makes it perfect companion for phones, tablets or laptops.



In operation:

Undoubtedly, the central design element of this DAC is the semi-transparent logo at the front that also lights up with different colors resembling current sample rate and the chosen filter effect. To understand it, here is the list of color and corresponding meanings:

Effects:

• Red: High Pass Filter
• White: Wide Band and Flatness Mode
• Green: NOS Filter
• Blue: Deem Phase Filter
• Yellow: Fast & Slow Filter
• Pink: Phase Compensated Filter

Sample rates:

• Yellow: DSD 64/128
• Purple: DSD 256
• Blue: PCM 176.4/192kHz
• Red: PCM 352.8/384kHz
• White: PCM 705.6/768kHz
• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz

I’ve paired S8 with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8PRO, Lenovo Thinkpad E14 laptop, DooGee tablet – all recognized S8 Pro as USB DAC straight away. But I would recommend to use some specific audio player apps on Android (like HiBy Music) and ASIO drivers for S8 Pro on Windows 10/11 (available at Hidizs official website download page) in order to bypass system mixers and get the best sound quality.



As to the power draw from a smartphone – S8 Pro is pretty effective. I’ve noticed around 3-4% increase during 2-3 hours of listening to music with the screen off.

Sound:

Lows:

There is a slight emphasis on the bass which gives a bit of warmth to the overall sound which is quite good for my taste. Just getting border of the crispy sound of the Sabre siblings. Bass extension is pretty good. Lows are apparently outlined, exhibit moderate detalization. Mid bass is tight and punchy with most of the sensitive IEMs and gets slightly dull with large overheads. This region is the most vulnerable for power-hungry headphones of any types. Anything below 72Ohms should be good to go but I would not recommend the most of the ultra-potable USB DACs for anything above that.

Mids:

I like how the warmth that bleeds in from the lows add the wight and timbre to the mids. Mids manage to stay close to neutral but the warmth make it feel more volumetric and standing forward. This also helps to keep the control of the upper mids which doesn’t exhibit sibilants or hissing. Higher resolution is evident here, separation and layering of the instruments are quite good. S8 Pro is definitely demonstrates the best performance in this range – rich, resolved, natural sound and appealing timbre.



Treble:

Again, treble is sensitive to type of the IEMs or headphones used. The best performance when there is no notable shading is with the armature-based sensitive IEMs while closed-back overheads might tend to dark sound when you’d obviously lack treble amount. I wouldn’t say that treble is not crispy or detailed enough. Neither it is not under-emphasized – presence is pretty balanced with the most neutral IEMs. But the rest – resolution, amount, crispness and extension is headphones-dependent, more than with Sabre siblings. Part of this comes from the overall slightly warm sound character. Again, with neutral of bright IEMs – treble feels excellent, with no fatigue and pleasant for long listening sessions even at high volume levels.



Conclusion:

There is almost a full lineup of USB DACs from Hidizs in my possession, as well as 5 other ultra-potable DACs from other brands (ColorFly, Audirect, etc). And among those my favorite ones are from Hidizs due to the combination of price/power output/sound quality. Recent S9 generations were based on ESS Sabre DAC chips with its prominent treble clarity and performance but I’ve always tended towards warmer sound and mellow timbre. That is why DAPs based on AKK ships are the main sound sources for me throughout the years. At last, Hidizs has made a DAC with the sound character much closer to such preferences. It sounds rich, warmer, puts a slight emphasis on mids, brings it forward, resolves lows pretty well and doesn’t make you feel tired after long listening sessions due to the reasonable amount of treble.

Hidizs S8 Pro “Robin” is available at official Hidizs store page: LINK (ZMCR5OFF coupon gives -5%)

Hidizs S8 Pro “Robin” Review​

​

Hidizs S8 Pro Robin​

Intro​

Hello everyone, I have with me today the latest dongle dac from the audio brand Hidizs named the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin. I was completely curious about this one as I was an early purchaser of the last S8 series device, the Hidizs S8. I’m a fan of all of Hidizs dongle dacs and audio devices. Having owned darn near all of them over the years I’ve always been impressed for what you get for the money. I was completely shocked by Hidizs’s ultra-budget dongle dac, the Hidizs SD2 (SD2 Review) which I reviewed earlier this year. For a very low price you can have truly special sound with the SD2. However, the crown jewel series in the Hidizs lineup has to be the S9 series. I loved the 2nd S9 series dongle dac the Hidizs S9 Pro and have worn that device out over the course of my time with it. Recently I also reviewed the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha (S9 Pro Plus Review). I gave the S9 Pro Plus very high marks for many reasons but mainly for its ability to replay my music.

Fan-boy?​

So Hidizs is not ignorant to the dongle dac world. In fact, Hidizs isn’t ignorant to the source device world period! They were actually one of the pioneer brands of this very mobile technology and the lineage shows through in all of their releases. Always considered by many to be near the top of the heap per whatever price point they are daring to enter into with their dongle dacs. They are all nice devices. Still, there’s no way to get around the fact that this is a crowded market with no shortage of crowded opinions. At any rate, like I said, I owned the first S8 model and though it is pretty ancient compared to today’s standards, the sound was awesome for the time. Especially for sensitive iems (not a lot of output power). The S9 series was a giant leap for the brand while the S9 Pro is easily one of the legend dongle dacs and made many top five lists in its heyday. Heck, it’s probably still ranking high around three years later (good sound is good sound). I say all of this to also say, Hidizs knows exactly what they are doing folks. They are a brand who specializes in mobile audio. Even their daps fit within the “mobile” moniker. I realize I’m going a bit “fan-boy” in my intro here, but I want to set up the S8 Pro Robin in the right light. This’ll be interesting folks.

Where did Robin come from?​

Just as Hidizs has done in the recent past with devices like the S9 Pro Plus “Martha”, they have also given the S8 Pro the name “Robin”. These names are actually supposed to be a reminder for conservation, nature and the beauty of nature while also highlighting their innovative devices. The whole idea is to bridge a gap between nature and technology and intertwine these two vastly opposite chasms in our present world. It’s a good theme and a good idea to promote a certain likeness to your products. I will always praise any brand who cares enough to never give a number name. Put some effort into it “other brands”! Not Hidizs. They have recently really began pushing conservation and and awareness of our effects on nature. I feel that Robin is a nice name. The name Robin actually comes from the Thrush birds, or the scientific name the “Turdidae”. Of course, most folks simply refer to these birds as “Robins”. Growing up the Robin bird was clearly the most abundant in Northeast Ohio. Every spring was filled with these curious little birds. Hidizs states that the Robin is a nod to remind us to “cherish our natural world”. “Through Robin we hope to deepen the appreciation for the creatures around us, bridging the gap between nature and innovation.” – Hidizs

Well, my friends, I don’t want to run this intro too long. I do have a review to conduct. However, at the moment the S8 Pro Robin is taking some run-in or burn-in, whatever you want to call it. I’ll let it go for a few days and get to critically listening. I will do so and circle back in about two weeks. The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin…

Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:​

-Hidizs.net
-Note: Sales price: ($69 ); with the 5% discount code applied, it will be $65.55.
Special price: ($65) – limited to 100 units; with the 5% discount code applied, it will be $61.75.
Official website 5% discount code: CHRIS5OFF

Disclaimer:​

I received the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin from Hidizs as a review sample and in exchange I will conduct a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a review sample iem. Hidizs has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own, though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to Hidizs and thanks for reading.

Gear used for testing​

-Too many iems to report here

–Simgot Dew4x (Comparison)

Packaging / Accessories ​

Unboxing​

This will be rather short, just like any and every source device review. Unboxings aren’t usually very gratifying. The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin (S8 Pro for review purposes) arrived at my door in a very small black box. On the front sleeve is simply a picture of the S8 Pro and on the back is some specs. Nothing out of the ordinary. Take off the sleeve and you will be met with a Hidizs style plastic black box which is very nice. Open up the box and the S8 Pro will be sitting in a rectangular foam cut-out. Under that layer of foam is a small box which contains both a Lightning (IOS) to USB-A adapter as well as a Type-C to USB-A adapter. You also get the ever-important “Hi-Res” stickers which is nice. Lastly there is a black type-c to type-c data cable provided. The accessories are exactly what I’d expect except I didn’t expect to see both Lightning and Type-c adapters. That was pretty cool.

​

Cable ​

Hidizs does provide a usb type-c to type-c data cable which is nice that it is the type you can swap out if damaged or if you are looking to upgrade the type-c cable. In my most honest opinion, I wish the cable was a little bit more pliable. This cable is a bit harder than others with the straight rubber lining which doesn’t have a whole lot of give. I did swap out the cable quite a bit for my listening with the Aful SnowyNight’s amazing cable as well as the EPZ TP50 cable. Both are very nice and do help to bring a more dynamic presence, believe it or not. Cables matter with these devices folks. Having said that I also want to stress that the included cable is perfectly fine and won’t hurt your listening experience at all. This is simply my own pet-peeve. I like a braided cable and I like my cables to have some flexibility. Not a big deal at all. Hey, at least it’s removable.

Specifications​

-Dimensions:

58×23×11mm

Weight:

17 grams

-DAC Chip:

CS43131×2

-DSD:

Native DSD64/128/256

-PCM:

Support up to 32Bit/384kHz

-Output option:

Compatible with single-ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm earphones

Sound Parameters ​

-Frequency Response:

20Hz-45kHz

-Distortion:

PO (3.5): 0.0005%, BAL (4.4): 0.0006%

-Signal-to-noise ratio:

PO (3.5): 125dB, BAL (4.4): 128dB

-Separation:

PO (3.5): -74dB, BAL (4.4): -110dB

-Output power:

Up to 80mW+80mW SE 3.5mm / Up to 160mW+160mW BAL 4.4mm

–THD+N:

-115db

–Sound Filters:

Red: High Pass Filter

Green: NOS Filter

Blue: Deem Phase Filter

Yellow: Fast & Slow Filter

Pink: Low Latency & Phase Compensated Filter

White: Wide Band and Flatness Mode

–System compatibility:

Windows, Mac OS, Android, IOS, Harmony OS

–Audio Sample Rate Indicator:

Yellow: DSD 64/128

Purple: DSD 256

Blue: PCM 176.4/192(kHz)

Red: PCM 352.8/384(kHz)

White: PCM 705.6/768(kHz)

Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96(kHz)

Build / Design / Internals ​

Build Quality ​

The build is a bit less robust than the older sibling, the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus. However, this doesn’t make it a worse build by any stretch. Hidizs made sure to craft the S8 Pro Robin with glass panels on each side. Beware, they are fingerprint magnets. The actual housing is built by one piece of aluminum and so the build is actually quite impressive. This is a very light weight dongle dac which is a great thing for our usb type-c female connector on our phones. Beyond the housing, you’ll also notice three very distinct buttons on the side of the S8 Pro. There are two arrow buttons for volume up/down, and what looks like a volume wheel in the middle. Of course, this is not a volume wheel but instead it functions as a play/pause button. The build is nice, par for the course really. At least for its price bracket anyways. The S8 Pro is just past a couple inches, about 2 ¼” to be exact in length. It’s roughly about an inch wide and about half an inch in thickness. It’s a very practical build that works well for the hobbyist who wants an easy to use ‘plug and play’ device.

​

Design ​

This is where Hidizs really does shine against the competition. The design is very cool looking. You have glass front and back panels with probably the best sample light indicator on the market. It’s in the form of the Hidizs logo and lights up in a multitude of colors depending on your filters being used and what sample rate you are currently playing. The actual design footprint is dope. I love the colors as well. Now, you can purchase the S8 Pro Robin in either “silver” or “black” and each are very sharp looking. Obviously, mine is the black version. Hidizs used some very distinct and contrasting colors for the volume and multi-purpose buttons which does help them to stand out. Hidizs states that the little wings on the side of the S8 Pro are supposed to mimic bird wings. They call it their wing-inspired design. It’s a tough look, nice job Hidizs!

​

Internals ​

There isn’t a whole lot of info to throw at you all concerning the Internals. This is usually the case with dongle dacs. Hidizs decided to go with the tried-and-true Cirrus Logic CS43131 dac chips. Two of them to be more specific. Some of my favorite budget dongle dacs use this chip. I’ve noticed that the overall tonality can be quite different between devices which use this chip. For instance, the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 is a neutral dongle while the IFi Go Blu is warmer and there’s many more instances of pretty drastic differences between devices. One thing that seems to remain no matter the device is the nice clarity though. Now, I don’t see any op amps in use within the S8 Pro. It seems that they went solely with the inbuilt amp within CS43131 which is able to drive up to 2vrms of output power. Coincidentally, that is exactly what the S8 Pro Robin can do. There are a set of crystal oscillators as well but that’s about it. As expected.

Internals cont… ​

The CS43131 dac chip has the ability to give the listener up to PCM 32bit /384khz Decoding as well as DSD256. Now, these are not amazing numbers when you consider that many devices are able to give you 32bit /768khz and DSD512 these days. However, I don’t know how many people even have the ability to listen at these levels. For all intents and purposes, I can tell you that what the CS43131 decodes at is perfectly fine and 99% of hobbyists will ever need higher values. At any rate, this is a very low power drain IC which can provide up to 2vrms of actual output power. The CS43131 is designed to have proprietary digital-interpolation filters which offers up to five sound filter operations. It offers perfectly seamless switching from PCM to DSD and vice-versa with great channel mixing & volume matching of analog volume output. This chip is widely used for a reason as it’s especially well regarded in mobile situations. Hence why you see them in so many devices over the course of the last couple years. Good stuff.

Buttons​

I’ve already spoken on the buttons, but I will simply reiterate that they do control a couple functions on the device itself. On the side of the S8 Pro is two opposing arrow buttons with what looks like a volume wheel in the middle. Of course, many people got excited thinking Hidizs put an actual mini volume wheel in this device as well as the S9 Pro Plus. However, just like the S9 Pro Plus the circular button simply is a push button. It’s a cool look though. At any rate, the middle circular button controls play and pause. There is a slight click upon pressing the button for some haptic recognition which is nice. Next, the arrow buttons perform a couple different functions. First, the arrow buttons will control volume up as well as volume down. Hidizs had the actual volume steps engineered to make more sense for real world use. Meaning, the steps are tighter together as you raise the volume while the lower-level volume are bigger gaps in actual volume. These buttons also control the sound filters as well…

Features ​

Sound Filters ​

Sound filters are in use in many audio devices nowadays. I have many on hand which make use of this simple digital filter. It’s a simple way to ever-so-slightly change up the sound to suit your preferences. However, if any of you have ever played around with this feature then you can probably attest (like me) that you rarely notice a difference. The differences are extremely subtle on most source devices. This isn’t always true, but it’s true for the majority of the devices I’ve ever used. Well, just like the S9 Pro Plus, I do notice the slightest changes in the overall sound when using these filters. All you have to do is press both arrow buttons at the same time and the filters will change. As you do, you’ll also see the indicator lite changing to inform you what filter is in use. Those colors go like this:

Red: High Pass Filter

Green: NOS Filter

Blue: Deem Phase Filter

Yellow: Fast & Slow Filter

Pink: Low Latency & Phase Compensated Filter

White: Wide Band and Flatness Mode



Again, these are not sweeping changes that will drastically alter how you perceive your music, and it will take a tiny bit of concentrating to hear their effects. They are changes though. Personally, I use the green NOS filter (non-oversampling) most of the time.

Driving power ​

This is one of those areas that the S8 Pro Robin falls just a hair short of some of the more powerful dongle dacs within its price point. Of course, I don’t know how much more you need or expect. The S8 Pro will get you 80mw @ 32 ohms on 3.5 single ended and 160mw @32 ohms on 4.4 balanced. The S8 Pro has plenty of driving power for any iems that I have on hand, whether that be planar sets or harder to drive single BA iems like the Aful MagicOne. I have many planars, like the Hidizs MP145 on hand to test how well the S8 Pro is able to bring out the dynamics in these earphones. Unfortunately, I do not have over ear headphones but I’m assuming that some harder to drive planar headphones etc. will likely want a bit more than the S8 Pro has to offer. However, for in-ear earphones I don’t have any issues at all. Sets like the Raptgo Hook-X sounds fantastic and pairs well sonically. The fact that I didn’t need more power than the S8 Pro had to bring out the true dynamic presentation of the Hook-X was a great thing to hear. So yes, the S8 Pro doesn’t have the output of some similarly priced dongles, but I really don’t think this is a deal breaker at all. It has plenty of power for most any iems, short of maybe the Final Audio E5000 of course. One thing I would’ve liked to see is some sort of a gain function but I’m happy with what Hidizs was able to do here.

Battery Draw​

One of the better surprises that has come out of my time with the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is the fact that it doesn’t draw nearly as much power from my phone as other similarly priced devices. I think that only the Simgot Dew4x comes anywhere near the S8 Pro in this regard. I cannot give you concrete evidence of this, but I can tell you from one hobbyist to another, you’ll be happy that the S8 Pro isn’t killing your phone’s battery too badly. This offers a refreshing upside to this device that I hope is talked about more because to me the slight battery drain is quite easily one of the best attributes that a dongle dac can have.

Sound Impressions ​

Note: I just want to preface this entire section by stating that I did let the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin burn-in for about five days. I simply set it up with some music, white noise, pink noise and tones/sweeps for the entire time on repeat. Generally, it is thought that most source devices do need a certain amount of time for some run-in. I feel the time was long enough that I honestly couldn’t remember if the sound actually improved, changed, or if the run-in was a benefit at all. I simply do so on every review to get it out of the way and cover that base. Whether it helps or not is another thing. I listen to flac or better files stored on my devices using the UAPP app (mostly) as well as Hiby Player. Also, I should state that source reviews are some of the more challenging to explain. I say this because most of the way the sound will be tailored comes from the earphones or headphones you have attached. All the sources can do is influence that sound. Of course, some devices effect that influence greater than others and sometimes to a great degree.

What’s it sound like? ​

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is another good entrant into the sub $100 market for a dongle dac. As far as actual sound quality and functionality are concerned. Coming across with only a slight hint of warmth against an otherwise neutral sound, the S8 Pro Robin sounds very nice with a whole host of iems and headphones. I find the S8 Pro to be on the smoother side with good dynamics. The S8 Pro has a more engaging quality to the sound that brings upon some nice macro-dynamics. Energetic with a warm/neutral expression. I hear good presence to the sound which isn’t dull to my ears. Perhaps the lower portions of the mix come across slightly emphasized and a mostly fatigue-free treble.

Easy pairing… ​

This is a very nice sounding dongle dac which will pair well with many different sets of earphones, simply due to the fact that it’s roughly warm/neutral in tonal coloration. However, if anything, I do feel that slightly cooler sounding sets pair a bit better. The treble does get smoothed over a bit which is nice on some more offensive sets. To a degree. I used too many iems to speak on here while testing out the S8 Pro Robin. I used cooler sets like the Aful Performer 8, and warmer sets like the Penon Fan 2. Both sound clean & mature with nicely contoured notes yet in a smoother setting. This is a relaxing listen. It isn’t ultra defined or super technical in its approach. Basically, this isn’t a very analytical style tuning and much more leans to the emotional response in my music. It’s pretty amazing to see how far budget audio has come over the last few years.

Sound Between the 20’s ​

Bass Region ​

Like I said, the bass is slightly more emphasized and only a hair north of neutral. I’d say it’s emphasized enough to bring some warmth to the mix. The frequency slightly leans to the left on this one. I don’t mind this at all folks. Extension into the lowest of lows is nice with a solid rumble. The S8 Pro will not turn an already bassier iem into a “basshead set”, but it does give extra heft and density in this region. The Aful Performer 8 is not all of a sudden going to become a bassy set. Instead, the S8 Pro Robin will simply prop up this area a titch more. The bass is decently defined though whatever iem you are using will be the real determining factor in this regard. I do notice that the bass does have a nice punchy feel to it with good texture to the sound.

Midrange ​

If I were to describe the way the midrange will react with your earphones, I’d say that they come across a hint more forward but with a touch of added note weight. Just due to the additional warmth I find the lower mids to usually feel a hint heavier. Again, a lot will be determined by what earphones you are using but there are source changes in the final sound of any set. Basically, any set you are listening to with the Hidizs S8 Pro will come across a hint more forward in the midrange. The mids are close to neutral and a subtle hint of warmth. There’s a smoother inflection to notes and a hair more fullness in note body. Another thing I do notice compared to other dongle dacs is the very small taming of the upper mids. This is not an overly energetic take on this region yet stuff like female vocals really do sound highlighted and just shimmery enough without adding sibilance, fatigue, or odd timbre. Now, the S8 Pro Robin will not take an upper mid heavy sound like the Simgot EA1000 and all of a sudden take the energy out of it. In fact, I love this pairing with the EA1000 because it does take a slight bit of the shout out of it on certain tracks. Almost like a leveling off of the peaks. The mids do have a good transient response with a nicely technical sound. Smooth doesn’t usually equate to better details and separation but the S8 Pro has a nicely articulate and clean midrange with nice details and very nice imaging.

Treble Region ​

The highs are slightly dialed back and not as overtly displayed as some other source devices on the market recently. Of course, that doesn’t mean the treble comes across as “less-than” but rather it’s simply less brilliant than others. This can be a great thing on some brighter iems as the S8 Pro will subtly take the edge off for sets like the Celest Relentless, Rose Technics QT9 Mk3, etc. However, with iems that have a less energetic treble region I don’t feel there is a drop-off either. Hidizs only has so many ways to go with how they wanted the S8 Pro to sound, and I like the direction they took. I hear actual good separation of elements within the stage while the S8 Pro also has a penchant to illuminating details pretty well too. Let’s put it this way, I certainly don’t hear a loss in detail retrieval listening with the S8 Pro and I don’t think you will either. Extension into the upper treble is nice as well and will provide good info past 10k to any iem which can get you there. The treble isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it isn’t the type which adds a cool levity across the mix. I hear a transparent and clean treble region with the earphones that I used for testing and never came away feeling that I needed more. Yes, it’s less emphasized but also, it’s cleaner and more contoured. Couple that with the black background and you have yourself a technically savvy treble region.

Technicalities ​

Like I’ve said, I do feel that the S8 Pro Robin is a musicality first device. However, I don’t want my words getting twisted because not only is the S8 Pro musical…it also carries a fair number of details, along with very good separation of instruments and vocals, good depth of field too. These are all good traits for a source device to have. To think it only costs $65 to have a very nice device driving your earphones is nice to know and a testament to how far the hobby has come. Of course, the other half of the equation is the earphones that you choose to use. Thankfully the S8 Pro Robin does pair well with a wide array of iems and headphones.

Technically astute​

At any rate, the S8 Pro does an admirable job of bringing out the subtleties within my music into the forefront. There are about a thousand variables to that though. The track you are listening to, the volume you listen at, the earphones you are listening with, the genre… yada, yada, yada. These all play a part in the end result. I feel that the S8 Pro Robin really does compete extremely well against the competition. Especially in the field of “technicalities”. I’m telling you people, pair the S8 Pro with a technically inclined iem and you’ll see what I’m talking about. To add to that, you’ll also be getting slightly more plump note weight and slightly less peaks and glare, slightly less sibilance too, slightly better stage size. Again, so many variables. So yes, the S8 Pro may not specialize in detail, separation, transient attack through release, Imaging etc. but… why then is it so good in these areas? While maintaining an emotional hue to the sound, and while also maintaining its musicality. Against the competition at $65 I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to find many better. Unless of course you are in love with a more analytical sound, at which point… yes there is other dongle dacs which may have a more technically astute replay and there are source devices out there which can give you that for the price.

Comparison ​

Simgot Dew4x ($80)​

The Simgot Dew4x (Dew4x Review) was one of the very nice surprises to come out this year for me. Also, it was nice to see how well Simgot could do entering into the world of dongle dacs. Of course, it was actually no surprise to see that they absolutely nailed it. Now, the Dew4x comes equipped with two updated and brand new CS43198 dac chips. I feel that if I were deciding what dongle dac to purchase within this price point, the Dew4x or the S8 Pro Robin would be the two I’d look at first. They are both very capable and I feel it’s a no brainer to use the Dew4x as a comparison. Hopefully it helps.

Differences ​

The first difference to speak on is the fact that the S8 Pro does have slightly older dac chips in the CS43131 compared to the Dew4x’s CS43198 dac chips. Of course, this is not something to hang your hat on. It’s the implementation of these chips which makes the difference and Hidizs has had a whole lot more experience with source devices. At any rate, the Dew4x is actually slightly smaller in stature but slightly heavier in the hand. As far as looks, I do like the look of the S8 Pro quite a bit more. As far as features each one trades blows as the Dew4x has the ability to change gain at the device as well as switch between UAC1.0 and UAC2.0 while the S8 Pro has sound filters. The Dew4x is also slightly less powerful as it maxes out with a 150mw @32 ohms compared to the S8 Pro Robin’s max of 160mw @32ohms. They are basically the same and I honestly hear no difference between the two as far as output power is concerned. Both on 3.5 single ended (Dew4x – 70mw / S8 Pro – 60mw) or 4.4 balanced listening. Bit devices drain the least amount of battery I’ve encountered for having two quality dac chips within the price point. I don’t think you’ll find better folks. Granted, they don’t have as much output power as some other devices or op amps which do drain battery easier.

Sound Differences ​

Both devices perform at a very high level for the prices they are both being sold at. I truly believe they are two of the best your money can buy for those prices as well. Now, they also perform a bit differently too. The S8 Pro has a hint more warmth to its sound whereas the Dew4x is closer to neutral. Understand that the differences are very minimal, but enough that my ears can discern the difference. Between the two I hear a slightly more technical approach from the Dew4x while the S8 Pro comes across leaning more to the musical side of things. Note weight is fuller on the S8 Pro while the Dew4x has a slightly leaner note profile. The low-end of the S8 Pro is a bit more plump, punchy and dynamic whereas the Dew4x does have the snappier bass. Both midranges come across forward to a degree, but the Dew4x adds a hint more shimmer in the upper mids. The treble on both devices is held back a hair. Or better said, both devices will not kill your ears in fatigue and they both do well pair with brighter iems. I feel the Dew4x is a bit more clinical in its approach which is in perfect keeping with other devices which feature the CS43198 chips. But the S8 Pro has a hint more emotion to the sound, with a slightly bigger macro-dynamic expression. Details come through well on both devices, but the Dew4x’s tuning is a hint more tailored for the technical stuff. Of course, the S8 Pro is no slouch either and has a bigger stage, wider, more depth. At least as far as I can tell.

Further thoughts on this comparison ​

Honestly, I enjoy both devices as they provide two slightly different sound profiles but yet equally as enticing. Both offer nice features, and both are very good with power consumption. I guess it comes down to what you enjoy. Do you want a slightly more neutral take with a pinch better micro-details and clean-lined clarity or do you want a little bit more low-end weight, note weight, and bigger macro-dynamics. Obviously, that is cutting both very short and both do just about everything well sonically per their price points. Both are very nice devices.

Is it worth the asking price? ​

For me, I feel that the MSRP of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin of $69 is very good. Folks, I don’t know what you can do better with. There’s a couple that should compete well and give the S8 Pro a run for its money like the Simgot Dew4x, Moondrop Dawn 4.4., Hiby FC4, Tanchjim Space, Tempotec Sonata BHD, Shanling UA2 among many others. Of course, each one of those has its own set of drawbacks. I feel that the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is one of the more complete units within the price point. Granted, no gain switch, less overall output than some of its competitors too. So, you do have to measure and weigh this purchase based on your own unique taste, use cases and affordability. However, if it’s me, then the S8 Pro Robin would be at the top of my list in this price segment along with probably the Simgot Dew4x. So, to answer this question from my humbled perspective, I feel the S8 Pro is worth every penny. Especially at the interim sales price of $65.

The Why? ​

Have you looked at this device? It’s so cool looking! Hidizs does the build and design of any of their products very well. In fact, one thing you can count on with a Hidizs product is just that… It’ll be built very well, and it’ll have a very unique design. The S8 Pro is very light in weight and so it won’t ruin the type-c female connector on your smartphone. Made of lightweight aluminum and glass, the S8 Pro feels like nothing as I’m strolling through my home jamming out to music. Also, a great asset to the S8 Pro is that it doesn’t draw a lot of power from your device. Much less than many dongle dacs in the market carrying quality dac chips. There are some very nice upsides to this device, however once again everything comes back to the sound. Always. The S8 Pro is a nicely tuned dongle dac which can take on many genres very well and can pair well with many different earphones as well. A slightly lifted low-end, tight and defined. It has a transparent midrange with decent energy, forward and nice note weight and body. The treble has just enough brilliance and treble punch to give the listener a well-balanced treble region. Technically the S8 Pro is no slouch and is actually well detailed and clean. The stage is nice, good width, good depth. Separation and imaging are also very well done. Honestly, the S8 Pro doesn’t miss on much and I cannot imagine folks not enjoying it. So yes, I couldn’t say with a straight face that it isn’t worth the money for owning it, of course it is!

Conclusion ​

To conclude my full written review of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin, I want to thank the fine people of Hidizs. These are some of the sweetest people in the hobby and thankfully their products are sweet too. Thank you Hidizs for providing the S8 Pro Robin for a subjectively honest review and feature. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Robin.

Friends, you can go back and forth for days looking at a hundred different dongle dacs. What are the specs? How much output power, what’s the dac chip, what’s the price, and on and on. I can tell you right now that the S8 Pro is certainly up bear the top of its price point in straight up sound quality. At least for me it is. I have to give this device a definite recommendation. Nice work Hidizs!

Different Perspectives ​

Please, check out other thoughts about the S8 Pro Robin. Look at other written reviews, listen to other thoughts, watch other perspectives regarding this fine little dongle dac. We are not all the same folks. It’s just a fact if the hobby. What is amazing to one person may be horrible to the next person. It’s a constant in this hobby. So please get a good read in many different opinions so that you can make a good and informed decision. It can only help. With that, I think I’m done. Take good care if you and yours and always…God Bless!

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

The S8 Pro Robin is the latest dongle released by Hidizs and has been sent to me by the company for me to try it out and to share my opinions in this review. Hidizs have not made and requests and I will be as unbiased as humanly possible, as I always try to be.

You can find the official page for the S8 Pro here: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s8-pro-robin-hifi-balanced-dongle-dac

As with all links that I share, this is a non-affiliate link.



Intro…

As I just mentioned, the S8 Pro Robin is the latest dongle DAC to be released by the company that has already made a name for itself in the dongle market. Around 6 months ago, I reviewed the S9 Pro Plus Martha, an updated version of the previous S9 Pro, which has a current price of just over 80€. The S8 Pro Robin is an update to the previous S8 and comes in at a price of around 90€, although the first 100 orders do get it at the reduced price of 60€.

So before we actually focus on the S8 Pro, let’s see what the differences are in specs between the S8 Pro and the S9 Pro Plus that is around 10€ cheaper.

The first thing that stands out is obviously the DAC chip that is used. While the S9 Pro Plus opted for an ESS chip, the S8 Pro features two CS43131 from Cirrus Logic. Of course, the DAC chip is really just a part number and it is the implementation that counts, but it is still the first thing you will notice on paper when comparing the two.

As far as power, the S9 Pro Plus claimed 138mW @32 Ohms unbalanced and 180mW @32 Ohms balanced, where the S8 Pro maintains the same claimed power output in balanced mode but the unbalanced mode is 80mW instead of the 138mW that the S9 Pro Plus offers.

While both devices can decode PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, the S8 Pro will only do up to native DSD256, where the S9 Pro Plus increases this to DSD512.

Both devices offer 6 filter modes, identified by the colour changing led logo, however, the actual filters are different implementations.

Finally, as far as specs, the S8 Pro claims distortion as low as 0.0005% (unbalanced) and 0.0006% (balanced) with an SNR of 125dB/128dB and a separation of 74dB/110dB. The S9 Pro Plus on the other hand, claims 0.0019% in unbalanced, 0.0008% in balanced, an SNR of 123dB/120dB and a separation of 75dB/115dB.

So, all of these numbers would make you wonder why you would chose the S8 Pro over the S9 Pro Plus, when the only real benefit on paper is a slightly better distortion which is well below the human hearing threshold anyway. Well, lets take a look at the S8 Pro in depth and then, if you haven’t already seen my S9 Pro Plus review, you can find that here and make a decision for yourself.

As always, specs are specs, implementation and use are the important parts.



Presentation…

There really isn’t much difference between the presentation of the S8 Pro and the S9 Pro Plus. The device is well packed inside a hard plastic box, which is covered by a cardboard sleeve showing an image of the device and the specs on the back.

Inside the box we get the dongle, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a Lightning to USB-C adapter (this is something that didn’t come with the S9 Pro Plus) a Hi-Res sticker and a warranty card.

Nothing really special about the packaging or the contents but it is nice to see that the adapter was included for the iOS users out there and there is really nothing we can say is missing from the contents.



Build and aesthetics…

The device is easily recognizable as a Hidizs dongle, yet they have made some changes to the aesthetics in comparison to previous models, which I think look pretty good.

The black aluminium frame sports two glass panels (plexiglass) which are also black and feature the Hidizs logo on the front, which illuminates and changes colour depending on filter and playback format.

One on side of the device there are 3 copper coloured buttons, the top and bottom ones being shaped like diamonds, while the centre one is shaped like a wheel that stands out from the body.

While these buttons look very elegant in their design, I feel that the middle button is at risk of being damaged. I say this because it looks like it is a volume wheel, yet it is only a push button, and if you try to turn it, as anyone picking up this device for the first time probably will, then there is a little flex to it and I think that someone trying to turn it with a little too much strength may either snap the shaft or cause damage to the inside. It is not that I have damaged it, nor can I guarantee it will get damaged, maybe I am over thinking it, but it does give me that impression.

In general I think that the device looks very elegant is is well built, although I would have liked that center button to be a knob/wheel rather than just a button. That way they could have skipped the other two buttons. This is not a complaint, just an observation from my point of view.



Functionality…

Although there is no user manual included with the S8 Pro, the functionality is rather straight forwards.

You connect your headphones to either the balanced or unbalanced ports on the top of the device, you connect the USB cable from your source to the device on the bottom, and then you control the few functions it has from the side buttons.

The center button functions as a play/pause button on windows, with a double click functioning as next track on Android. I don’t know if the next track function is supposed to be present on windows but I couldn’t get it to work so I am guessing it is an Android only thing (well, maybe iOS also but I don’t have an Apple device to test with).

The other two buttons serve as volume up and down. This changes the volume output of the device itself, there is no local controlled amplification on the S8 Pro itself, just the overall software control on Android/Windows.

When pressing and holding the two volume buttons simultaneously, this changes the filter of the device and is reflected by the flashing of the logo in a different colour to inform which filter has been selected.

The filter options are:

RED - High Pass FIlter

GREEN - NOS Filter

BLUE - Deem Phasis filter

YELLOW - Fast and slow filter

PURPLE - Low latency and phase compensated filter

WHITE - Wide band flatness mode

Now, the names of some of these filters don’t really make much sense to me. I have no idea what “Deem Phasis Filter” is, I am unsure of how a filter could be both fast and slow at the same time, and I was also intrigued by the High Pass Filter, wondering at what frequency the high pass filter cuts off.

So, to satisfy my intrigue, I measured the frequency response of the S8 Pro (after already recording the video review) and found no difference in the lower frequencies between the High Pass Filter and the other filters, at least down to 20Hz. My test set up is not really adequate for measuring below 20Hz, so I can't say at what frequency the HPF cuts off, if at all, but I don't really see the need for this filter.

Anyway, to my ears, I seemed to prefer the NOS filter (green), so that is what I ended up sticking with after the initial playing around.





Sound…

I always say that it is difficult to judge differences between sources and that we, as reviewers, tend to have a tendency to exaggerate the minor differences to get our point across. In the case of the S8 Pro, testing side by side with the S9 Pro Plus, I think that the differences are even smaller than usual.

When switching between sources and IEMs, I would sometimes get the feeling that the S8 Pro is a little more detailed than the S9 Pro Plus, and on other occasions, I would fell that it is just a little bit warmer. Yet, these are not impressions that I found with all IEMs or even at all times, even when listening to the same track later in the day.

I would make a note in the morning that track X sounds a little warmer on the S8 Pro, then in the afternoon I would strike a line through that comment, basically because I no longer really identified that difference. Then, in the evening, I would make a note that it sounded a little brighter, only to scratch that the next morning and start again.

In general, I would say that the S8 Pro is a neutral sound signature with good detail retrieval, yet so is the S9 Pro Plus. There is much more of a noticeable difference between the original S9 Pro and the S9 Pro Plus than there is between the S8 Plus.

Basically I find the S8 Pro to be a device that performs very well and doesn’t really do anything to alter the expected presentation of the IEMs that are in use.



Conclusion…

The S8 Pro is another great little dongle from Hidizs. It may not have a huge amount of power but it is ample for the vast majority of IEMs that will be plugged into it. The performance is good and the build is good. Yes, I had a few little comments along the way but they were just comments, not complaints.

I would say that the biggest competition to the S8 Pro is the S9 Pro Plus from the same manufacturer.

As mentioned earlier in the review, I suggest you check out my review of the S9 Pro Plus and come to your own conclusion but in my book, I don’t think you can really go wrong with either of them. Both perform well and the differences in sound are far more dependent on my state of mind than huge differences in performance.

I do prefer the look of the S8 Pro personally but I would be happy to use either device.

__
As always, this review is available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

DISCLAIMER:

Introduction

A few months after launching the latest iteration of its S9 dongle, called Martha, Hidizs is returning to the field to launch a Pro version of its S8 dongle. It is the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin. Once again, the brand wanted to give it a name and Robin has been chosen, in honour of the migratory bird commonly known as the thrush. This new dongle uses the classic dual DAC CS43131 that achieves PCM up to 32bit/384kHz. It can play 64/128/256 native DSD and has dual balanced 4.4mm and 3.5mm SE headphone outputs. It is CNC machined from aluminium alloy and has 3 handy buttons, two for volume and one for play/pause. As usual, it has an RGB LED to indicate the sample rate and is available in two colours, black and grey.
The launch date will be 20 May 2024 and the special launch price will be $65. Its regular price will be $69.
Let's go into more details in the following review about this new dongle.



Specifications

• DAC: Dual DAC CS43131.
• Formats: PCM up to 32bits/384kHz. Native DSD 64/128/256.
• Headphone outputs: SE 3.5mm. BAL 4.4mm.
• Frequency response: 20Hz-45kHz.
• Distortion: SE 3.5mm: 0.0005%. BAL 4.4mm: 0.0006%.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: SE 3.5mm: 125dB.BAL 4.4mm: 128dB.
• Separation: SE 3.5mm: -74dB. BAL 4.4mm: -110dB.
• Power: 80mW/32Ω 3.5mm SE. 160mW/32Ω 4.4mm BAL.
• Buttons: volume, play/pause, filter change.
• RGB LED sample rate indicator.
• Compatible with platforms: Windows/Mac OS/iPad OS/Android/iOS/Harmony OS.
• Hi-Res certified.
• Weight: 17 grams.
• Dimensions: 58×23×11mm.

Packaging

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin comes in a small black box whose dimensions are 75x75x39mm. Without a doubt, this is the brand's classic packaging for this type of device. On the main side, the dongle can be seen on the side of the buttons, tilted diagonally. The brand logo is on the top left. At the top right is the Hi-Res Audio logo. On the bottom left is the product name and on the right the Cirrus Logic and DSD logos. On the back side are the specifications in several languages, including English. After removing the cardboard, you enter a black hard plastic box with the Hidizs logo inscribed in the centre, as well as their slogan. There is a sticker on the side indicating the product number, the serial number and the colour of the model, black in this case. After lifting the lid, you can see a foam mould covered with black cardboard and inside the dongle wrapped in cellophane and on a strip of cloth to remove it. On the underside of this first layer are the rest of the accessories. In a nutshell:

• The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin.
• A small USB Type-C to Type-C male-to-male cable.
• One USB Type-C to USB-A adapter.
• A USB Type-C to Lightning adapter.
• A serial number card.
• One warranty card.
• Two Hi-Res stickers.

As mentioned, it repeats the pattern of their previous Martha dongle, but adds a valuable Lightning adapter.



Construction and Design

The Robin is reminiscent of its sister Martha, but with some different details. The casing is made from a single piece of aircraft aluminium alloy. On the side opposite the buttons there are sloping edges at the corners, which simulate flying wings. On the other side are those 3 buttons. The volume buttons are diamond-shaped and the central button is a large wheel on a square column. All three buttons are gold-plated. Both the front and the back of the Robin use glass panels. On the top side, near the USB Type-C connection is the RGB LED above the brand logo. On the rear face you can read the DAC branding at the top right, as well as the formats it supports. At the bottom left is the model name and a short description. Finally, the narrow side contains the 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL audio outputs. The balanced connector is gold-plated, but the SE is not.
The dimensions are 58×23×11mm and it weighs 17 grams.
As I say, it is reminiscent of Martha, but with a more symmetrical design in its wings on both sides, three buttons, the two volume buttons more pleasant, while the third central button is too big and can be a sign of weakness when putting it in a pocket, etc., because it protrudes more than necessary, I would have liked it to be more compact and integrated with the body of the dongle.



Connectivity

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is compatible with Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS, Harmony OS. To make it compatible with iOS it is no longer necessary to purchase a separate Lightning to Type-C cable with OTG function because it is included. For Windows 10 and above, no additional driver is required and ASIO driver is available. Allows exclusive mode with HiBy Music APP. It does not support microphone, but you can control the system volume with its two buttons, as well as play/pause with its central button.



Operativity

As mentioned, Robin has three buttons, two for volume and one for play/pause control. But pressing both volume buttons allows you to change the digital sound filter. The RGB LED allows you to see which filter you switch to:

• Red: High pass filter.
• Green: NOS filter.
• Blue: Deem phasis filter.
• Orange: Fast and slow filter.
• Purple: Low-latency and phase-compensated filter.
• White: Wide band flatness mode.

As usual with such digital filters, you have to have a very sharp ear to notice the differences. But, in my opinion, they are always welcome.
Again, Robin has an RGB LED to indicate the sample rate or format reproduced, according to the table below:

• Yellow: DSD 64/128.
• Purple: DSD 256/512.
• Blue: PCM 176.4/192 kHz.
• Red: PCM 352.8/384 kHz.
• White: PCM 705.6/768 kHz.
• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz.

My usual tests are with my PC using Foobar 2000 x64 with ASIO drivers. I have also tested it with Android and HiBy Music with exclusive mode.
On Windows 10 the volume control works from 0 to 100, but with 2 step jumps, as usual with other volume control dongles.
It doesn't have gain modes either.



Measures

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin doesn't seem as powerful as its sibling S9 Pro Plus Martha. But it has a good power reserve. According to the specifications it reaches 80mW per SE and 160mW per BAL. As for the output impedance, it is very low for both outputs, less than 1Ω.



No Load SE

Slightly more than 2V for SE output without load.



15Ω SE

1.25V for 15Ω which is 100mW and just over 83mA. Pretty good.



33Ω SE

1.6V for 33Ω, which is just over 77mW and over 48mA. Assuming the same voltage for 32Ω, the specified 80mW is achieved.



100Ω SE

A little disappointing that Robin can't deliver 2V without visible distortion for 100Ω when this is the norm for high impedances. Anyway, the power is 40mW and 20mA.



No Load BAL

As usual, just over 4V without load on the balanced output.



15Ω BAL

Maybe it's the volume control, but only 1.12V is reached for 15Ω per BAL. More than 83mW and 75mA. Less than the SE output.



33Ω BAL

This is where it gets interesting and the Robin goes up to 2.53V for 33Ω, which is 190mW and almost 77mA without any distortion. You specify 160mW and get 30mW more. Very nice.



100Ω BAL

However, the piston is lowered again for high impedances. It stays at 3.2V for 100Ω, which is 100mW and 32mA. Not too much.



Frequency Response

Perfect linearity from 10Hz to 40kHz with no channel difference for a wide output volume range.



Sound

The sound of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is quite energetic and direct. It has a neutral-warm tuning, with a sound that is more analogue than analytical. It generates a dense and full stage, focused and up front. It has good width but doesn't feel too airy, more of a cohesive, tight and powerful sound. It doesn't offer a gaseous or volatile feel, but instead feels more close, resolute and defined. In that respect, the Robin's sound is fast, fun, full, immediate, but natural. There is no artifice in its execution, no extra texture added in the bass, despite the weight of the bass lines and the power in the kick drums. The execution of pure, very low frequency tones is canonical, deep and sensory when the connected headphones possess these capabilities. It does not generate colour and has a good level of realistic darkness. Because it is fast, it causes no problem in recreating layers and following complex bass lines. Both the performance and the timbre are those of the Dual DAC it is equipped with, but oriented to be more evident and clearer.
In the midrange the sound is clean, transparent and well defined. There is still that sense of remarkable focus that makes the notes articulate in a resolute and precise way. There is no haze, no trail, the notes are concise, rigorous and do not linger in the environment. On the other hand, it feels well separated and there is darkness in the background. Thus, the result is a fairly pure, crisp, present and close midrange, which retains an analogue feel but with very high resolution and a close focus.
Although the Robin's frequency response is completely flat, the highs do not feel as present in the mix. They still possess an initial immediacy that makes them prominent in sparkle, but in a subtle way, without feeling predominant. This sensation accentuates the neutral-analogue character, but adds a crispness to the treble. On the other hand, the extension is full, but somewhat more diluted.



Comparisons

Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro

Tempotec is an expert in the use of the CS43131 DAC in dual mode and several dongles are used in this configuration. New to the BHD Pro is the addition of a professional FPGA and a transparent window to reveal the interior. According to specifications, the Sonata BHD Pro has a lower distortion level and a higher SNR. In terms of power measured by me, both have the same level of SE output, while the Robin is clearly superior for BAL (100mW at 33Ω for the Tempotec versus 190mW at 33Ω for the Hidizs).
Aesthetically, Tempotec has a very distinctive design, with a focus on functional efficiency. Hidizs has a more distinguished and elegant touch. The BHD Pro has a rocker volume control, while the Robin has 3 buttons, two for volume, one for playback control and a combination for changing filters. The Tempotec has a 60-step volume control, while the Hidizs has a 50-step volume control. The BHD Pro supports MQA and has ASIO drivers. The Robin also has ASIO drivers and both have the same resolution for reading audio formats. Both have USB Type-C input and 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL outputs.
In terms of sound, the big difference is in the approach to the stage. While the Robin is more direct and focused, with more weighty, crisp and present notes, the BHD Pro is somewhat more volatile and spacious, softer in its presentation. The Hidizs has an informative analogue character, more explicit and concise. The BHD Pro is somewhat more diluted and open. In the treble you feel that vivid sparkle of the Hidizs, while the Sonata stretches more into the air zone, with a more relaxed, but more extended diffusion. The separation is more evident in the Hidizs, but the scene is more spacious and volatile in the Sonata. Beyond these considerations, however, the sound of both has a very similar profile, with a very similar timbre. There is a little more weight to the Hidizs' notes, with that more direct, foreground feel, giving it a more energetic and dynamic feel. The Tempotec, on the other hand, is a bit quieter and more harmonious. In terms of detail, both have the same micro level. There is no advantage of one over the other in terms of resolution or detail.



Conclusion

I guess Hidizs didn't want to pass up the opportunity to use Cirrus Logic's Dual DAC CS43131 in its catalogue, before implementing newer chips from the brand itself. It has encapsulated it in its more contemporary, Martha-like packaging and renamed it Robin in this case. He has added three buttons, 6 digital filters and the classic informative RGB LED. All this at a very competitive price of less than $70. As usual, Hidizs is true to its specs, and it's a good value for the stated power.
At this point, it seems a little difficult to generate a differential sound with this overused SOC. However, Hidizs manages to maintain the subtly warm and neutral character of the Cirrus, adding a sense of immediacy, precision, proximity and accuracy, generating a direct, powerful and energetic sound on all three bands. All this, without losing sharpness or clarity, incorporating a heightened sense of information and description to the analogue stage of the sound.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE.
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro.
• Hidizs MP145 Golden Titanium.
• Letshuoer Cadenza 4.
• NiceHCK Himalaya.
• Simgot EA500 LM.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Hidizs S8 Pro Robin
$69
2x CS43131

Before I start this review, let me thank Hidizs for providing me this dongle.
Rest assured, my review is 100% my own personal opinion.

Just in case you're Interested on getting this dongle after reading this review, you can get it here :
https://tinyurl.com/s8rln (Affiliated)
5% Discount Code : LITTLENEZT
Unboxing
Build Quality

The Robin is made from aluminum and glass, the shape is inspired from a bird's wing.


No complaints regarding the build quality feels solid and looks great.

The OTG Cable itself is just OK, nothing fancy, it just works.


Output Power

Rated at 80mw single ended and 160mw balanced 32ohm.
Tested using HD650, 3.5mm port, I can get a reasonably loud listening level without any problem.

Power Consumption
Tested plugged in to my Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G, per 1% of battery I got around 9-10 minutes of playback time, very efficient IMO.

One thing I should mention, the Robin does not have an independent volume control.

Sound
Neutral

Bass : A bit playful and has that roundness feeling to it, it seems like the Robin has a slight highlight on the bass region, not much but just to make it feel more fun.
Bass control tested using HD650 seems to be good, not great or perfect, just good, probably due to it soutput power limitation.

Midrange : Dead neutral, it has no highlight or accent on the midrange, and is pretty transparent, this can be a positive or negative depending on what you want from a dongle dac.

Some people might think the Robin is thin sounding if they used to overall weightier presentation, and some people might really like this dead neutral presentation to get the most honest sound from their dongle and seek the true characteristics of their cans.

Treble : Sparkly and extended without sounding harsh.
The Robin has a very good treble for its price, it has a very good extension, good airy presentation without ever making your cans sounds shrill or un-natural.

Technicalities
Very good for $69

Stage : Medium Sized
Definitely not large but not smalleither, it has a very good stage layering.

Imaging : Very Good
Tested using my usual Moondrop CHU 2 Imaging test, the Robin actually did quite good, its definitely more than 2.5D sounding but its not quite holographic yet.
Tested using my HD650 and HD560s, the Robin can display holographic information without any problem.

Separation and Positioning : Very Good
I had no problem separating and locating sound position, though its not the most razor sharp that I've ever heard from dongle, but putting context that the Robin only cost you $69USD, I can say its performing really good on its price bracket.

Detail Retrieval : Very Good
It has a very good detail retrieval for its price, Its basically on the same class as Martha, the S9 Pro Plus which is more expensive than the Robin.

Comparation

Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha

The Robin is cheaper by $20USD.
S9 Pro Plus Martha uses ES9038Q2M.
Martha has more output power.
Sound wise, compared both on stock filters, I found that the Robin is more neutral than Martha.
Martha has some kind of highlight on its lower midrange and bass to sound a bit more weightier than Robin, though technicality wise, the Martha has better stage size and thanks to its stage size, separation and positioning is a bit better too on the Martha.

Conclusion

Is the S8 Pro Robin worth it?

It depends, if you're on a very limited budget, the Robin actually has a very good offering for its price, but for $20 more, you can get the Martha which has slightly better technicalities but different tonality from the Robin.

Talking about tonality, if you want amore neutral sounding dongle, then yeah definitely go with Robin,

Personally I don't have any reason on not to recommending this device, though one thing I should mention ,that Robin just like Martha, missing independent volume control, which is a bit sad, you can't really dial in the exact volume you want with android devices, its always gonna be a bit too loud or a bit too low.

So yeah, if you're in the market for a $69 USD dongle, want a dead neutral tonality, and don't mind the missing of independent volume control, the S8 Pro Robin is actually one of the good dongle available on the market out there.

Thanks for reaching this far !

Just in case you're Indonesian or understand Bahasa Indonesia, you can watch the review of Robin here



-littlenezt.

Hidizss S8 Pro Robin review and comparisons.
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The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin (69 USD) dongle DAC/Amp was provided to me for a review by Hidizs and its review tour group in my area, which I'm very thankful for.
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The packaging is good and appropriate in quality for it's price, but that's not as important as the sound quality and how it compares to other dongle DAC/Amps, so I'll make this review focused on the sound. It includes a directional USB cable and the beautiful-looking buttons on the side that only function as Previous track, Play/Pause, and Next track, unfortunately.
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It utilizes two Cirrus Logic CS43131 chips to provide balanced output for its 4.4mm socket and its single-ended 3.5mm socket. The sound signature is flat-neutral; it has a good balance between sounding analog and digital, but it leans more towards the digital side as it sounds a little analytical. It can drive my normal-sensitivity IEM to very loud volume levels, more than I could take, but with a low-sensitivity IEM such as the recently released and then reviewed by yours truly, the Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV, I have to take the volume near maximum to give me a satisfying loudness.
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The soundstage size is very good, and I can clearly hear the decay of the reverb on the whole musical performance as well as on individual instruments. The instrument separation is very good, and I have no issues with its imaging performance; it seems fine. The overall sound is pretty transparent.
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The bass has good tightness and sounds tighter than most dongle DAC/Amps I heard, indicating very good bass control. The midrange sounds very neutral and lively. The treble is very extended but could sometimes sound too analytical and dry for me, no matter which digital filter settings I use.
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Compared to the Moondrop Dawn Pro (50 USD):
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The Dawn Pro uses the same chips as the S8 Pro Robin. I was expecting them to sound very similar, and boy, was I wrong. The S8 Pro Robin sounds clearer and more forward, albeit dryer in the midrange and treble, whereas the Dawn Pro is so laid-back and lusher. The S8 Robin has more perceived resolution and details, and the bass of the S8 Pro Robin is noticeably tighter than the Dawn Pro. They both have similar sound stage sizes, but the imaging of the S8 Robin is better. What I'm really trying to say is that the Dawn Pro leans a little towards the analog type of sound signature, and the S8 Pro Robin leans a little more towards the digital and clear type of sound signature.
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Compared to the Moondrop Moonriver 2 (189 USD):
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The Moonriver 2 uses the higher-tier Cirrus Logic CS43198 chip and also utilizes additional amplifier chips to boost the output. They are both leaning a little toward the digital and analytical sides; both have very flat perceived frequency responses, but the Moonriver 2 has better bass control, besting the already good bass control of the S8 Pro Robin. The midrange is similar, but I find the treble on the S8 Pro Robin sounds a little dryer. The S8 Pro Robin has a cleaner and clearer detail presentation and a darker background. Tonally, they are very similar, and in terms of sound staging performance, the S8 Pro Robin is superior; they are about equal in imaging.
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Compared to the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha (100 USD):
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The S9 Pro Plus Martha is a higher-end dongle DAC/amp in the Hidizs lineup, with more resolution and musicality than the S8 Pro Robin. It boasts airier-sounding highs, a more forward-sounding midrange, and slightly less controlled bass. The soundstage is also larger. The imaging performance is similar, with the exception that the S9 Pro Plus Martha reveals more air around the instruments and vocalists.

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Pros:
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- beautiful design
- clean sound
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Cons:
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- there is no volume knob
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Conclusion:
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The S8 Pro Robin is another winner coming from Hidizs; the very competitive sound quality and the affordable price, not to mention good aesthetics, earned my high recommendation.
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Happy listening! Cheers!

The HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is the latest portable DAC/Amp from Hidizs in a compact and stylish form factor. In this review we delve in S8s technical capabilities, explore the design and functionality, and analyzes its sound signature to help you determine if it's the perfect audio upgrade for you.

Unboxing the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a fuss-free affair. The compact box opens to reveal a sturdy plastic case that holds the tiny DAC itself.Inside the case, you'll find the S8 Pro Robin nestled snugly. Hidizs throws in all the cables you need, USB-C to Lightning for iPhones, a standard USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for older devices. A quick-start guide and warranty card round out the package.

Lifting the S8 Pro Robin out, we find a hidden compartment beneath it. This compartment holds the bundled accessories:
• A USB-C to Lightning adapter: Perfect for connecting the S8 Pro Robin to your iPhone or iPad for lossless audio enjoyment.
• A USB-C to USB-C cable: This is your main connection cable for Android devices, PCs, and Macs with USB-C ports.
• A USB-C to USB-A adapter: Don't worry if your device lacks a USB-C port. This adapter ensures broad compatibility with older laptops and devices.
• A user manual and warranty card are also tucked neatly within the box.
• As a bonus, Hidizs throws in a couple of "Hi-Res" stickers, allowing you to proudly proclaim your love for high-resolution audio


Dual CS43131 DAC Chips

At the heart of the S8 Pro Robin are its dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips. It supports high-resolution audio playback, reaching up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256. The S8 Pro Robin caters to a wide range of earphones and headphones with its dual outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended jack and a 4.4mm balanced output. The balanced output delivers significantly more power (160mW+160mW @ 32Ω) compared to the single-ended output (80mW+80mW @ 32Ω). This higher power output translates to better dynamics, tighter control.


Premium Build Meets Compact Convenience

The S8 Pro Robin design gives it a sense of luxury and elegance with its sleek and compact design. The CNC aluminum alloy shell feels incredibly sturdy and premium in your hand, accented by stylish glass panels. Its lightweight design makes it incredibly portable.

One of the first things you'll notice is the eye-catching, oversized gold or copper play/pause button. While it might initially appear to be a volume wheel, it serves a singular function. The volume up/down or skip track buttons complement the aesthetic with their shape and color. These buttons offer more than just basic controls; pressing both volume buttons simultaneously cycles through different digital filters, allowing you to tailor the sound signature to your listening preferences.

A small LED Hidizs logo on the faceplate doubles as a sampling rate indicator, providing a quick and convenient way to see the resolution of the audio file you're currently playing. While the S8 Pro Robin offers all the basic and practical features of a dongle dac, one minor omission is a dedicated gain switch. This could be a drawback for users with particularly sensitive IEMs.

Functional Yet Flexible Controls

The S8 Pro Robin prioritizes user-friendliness with its set of multi-functional buttons. Play/pause, volume control, and track skipping are readily accessible, allowing for seamless music control without ever needing to take your device out of your pocket.


Clarity and Detail

The sound signature of the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is characterized by its clarity and detail retrieval. The device leans towards a bright sound profile, which means it emphasizes the higher frequencies and brings out the intricacies in your music. This is particularly beneficial for genres like classical, acoustic, and vocal-centric music, where precision and detail are paramount. Instruments are well-defined, and vocals are clear and prominent, making it easy to pick out individual elements in a recording.


Bass: Punchy and Refined

While the S8 Pro Robin focuses on clarity and detail, it does not neglect the lower frequencies. The bass is punchy and impactful, providing a solid foundation for your music without overwhelming the other frequencies. The sub-bass extension is impressive, adding weight and depth to the overall sound. The mid-bass is smooth and clean, ensuring that drums and basslines have a satisfying presence without muddying the soundscape. This balance between clarity and bass presence makes the S8 Pro Robin versatile enough to handle a variety of genres, from electronic and hip-hop to rock and pop.


Mids: Intimate and Forward

The mids on the S8 Pro Robin are forward and intimate, which means that instruments like guitars, pianos, and vocals are pushed to the forefront of the mix. This characteristic creates a sense of intimacy and allows listeners to appreciate the fine details in vocal performances and instrumental parts. The forward mids are particularly well-suited for genres that rely heavily on midrange frequencies, such as folk, jazz, and classical music. However, listeners who prefer a more bass-heavy sound signature might find the mids a little overpowering. The emphasis on midrange frequencies can sometimes overshadow the bass, making it less prominent in the overall mix.


Treble: Energetic and Smooth

The treble on the S8 Pro Robin is energetic, which complements its overall bright sound signature. High frequencies are well-extended, contributing to a sense of airiness and creating a wide and expansive soundstage. This spaciousness allows you to better appreciate the placement of instruments within the mix and enhances the overall listening experience. Despite its energy, the treble is smooth and avoids the common pitfalls of harshness or sibilance. This ensures that listening sessions remain enjoyable and fatigue-free, even during extended periods.

Potential Drawbacks: Room for Improvement

While the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin offers a plethora of features and impressive performance, it is not without its minor drawbacks. One notable omission is a dedicated gain switch, which could be beneficial for users with particularly sensitive earphones or IEMs. A gain switch would allow for more precise control over the output level, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of headphones and earphones.

Additionally, while the forward mids and bright sound signature are appealing to many audiophiles, listeners who prefer a warmer or more bass-heavy sound might find the S8 Pro Robin's tuning less to their liking. However, the ability to customize the sound signature with digital filters helps mitigate this concern to some extent.

Conclusion:

In summary, the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is a remarkable device that combines advanced technical capabilities, a luxurious build design, and a meticulously detailed sound signature. if you are looking for high-fidelity audio on the go or simply looking for a high-quality DAC/Amp to enhance your listening experience, the S8 Pro Robin stands out as a stylish and versatile option.

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Hidizs for providing this unit.

The S8 Pro Robin can be gotten here: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s8-pro-robin-hifi-balanced-dongle-dac (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS/COMPATIBILITY

• DAC Chip: Dual CS43131 Cirrus Logic
• Weight: 17 g
• Dimensions: 58 × 23 × 11 mm
• Output ports: 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced
• Typical output power: 3.5 mm single-ended: 80 mW (@32 Ω); 4.4 mm balanced: 160 mW (@32 Ω)
• Playback: PCM up to 32 bit/384 kHz; DSD 256
• THD+N: 0.0005% for 3.5 mm; 0.0006% for 4.4 mm port
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 45 kHz
• S/N: 125 dB for 3.5 mm port; 128 dB for 4.4 mm port
• Tested at: $69 USD (special launch price of $65 USD for first 100 units)

The Robin is a plug-and-play dongle. I did not need any additional driver installation for Windows 10 and above, and this dongle was easily picked-up by various Android and Windows devices I paired it with. Unfortunately, I do not use Apple devices and hence cannot vouch for their compatibility.


ACCESSORIES

Other than the dongle, the packaging comes with:
- Lightning to USB-C adapter
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Plastic case
- Hi res stickers



The accessories are definitely up-to-the-mark for a sub-$100 USD dongle packaging. We even have a Lightning adapter for our Apple ecosystem friends, which is something often neglected. The provided USB-C to USB-C cable is on the shorter side but is flexible enough, with strain reliefs at each terminal.

We have a nice plastic case to store everything, and there's even a bunch of HI RES audio stickers! Well, if you are interested to read more about these controversial stickers, feel free to check out this post on their origins: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/page-5424#post-17611464


DESIGN/FUNCTION



The Robin is fashioned from CNC-molded aluminum alloy, and is lined by a matte jet-black hue. There are glass panels on both the top and bottom of the chassis, and it's quite elegant, sleek and mature-looking for sure. Build is very solid, and weighing just 17 g and measuring 58 × 23 × 11 mm, it is very compact and can easily fit into a pocket or pouch.



This DAC/AMP has no display screen. Neither does it have an app or PEQ, but thankfully it comes with 6 DAC filters.




On one end of the fuselage, we have the USB-C port, which functions as a data and power port.




On the opposite end, we have the 3.5 mm (single-ended) and 4.4 mm (balanced) port, with the latter reinforced with gold-plating.



On the side of the dongle we have 3 buttons. The outer 2 function as volume controls, with fine volume steps with each press. Sadly, the Robin does not have an independent volume controller. The middle round button is a pause/play button. This is a nice touch - no pun intended - as some other dongles do not incorporate a pause button, necessitating users to fiddle with the upstream source to do so.

Pressing the 2 volume buttons simultaneously toggles thru 6 different DAC filters:


The DAC filters are quite subtle but they do change the sonics slightly, so do explore around to see what suits your needs.



The Robin has an LED light at the bottom of the glass panel, which changes colour to reflect the current sampling rate:

• Yellow: DSD 64/128
• Purple: DSD 256
• Blue: PCM 176.4/192 kHz
• Red: PCM 352.8/384 kHz
• White: PCM 705.6/768 kHz
• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz

INTERNALS

This DAC/AMP is powered by dual CS43131 chips. It allows playback of PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, and DSD up to DSD256.



CIRRUS' Popguard® technology is incorporated here, which is a handy tool to prevent a "POP" discharge during disconnecting of transducers.


SOUND/PERFORMANCE

I tested the Robin with only Android phones and Windows laptops and PCs. Once again, I'm not an Apple user, so I can't confirm its performance with Apple products.

On phones, I used the HiBy Music Player, with USB bit perfect OTG activated on a Samsung S22.



Tonally, with the stock DAC filter, this dongle can be described as warm neutral. Essentially the lower mids region is a bit thicker than neutral, adding heft and note weight, though it does add minor colouration to the mix. Treble seems a touch restrained, allowing the upper mids to be blunted a tinge, with mostly sibilant-free sonics. Overall, this imparts a mostly smooth soundscape with natural timbre.

In technicalities, soundstage is broad in width and height, with solid imaging. It has average micro-detailing, and instrument separation is done well for a sub-$100 dongle.

Power-wise, the Robin juices out 80 mW (@32 Ω) for the single-ended port, and 160 mW (@32 Ω) for the balanced one. These are quite standard specs when compared to modern day dongles - it isn't the most powerful dongle in existence - but it will do a serviceable job in powering most IEMs, other than outlier gear. Sadly, there are no gain switches available.

As usual, I test all sources with my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93 dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300 ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87 db/mW sensitivity)

On 4.4 mm, the E5000 was adequately powered in terms of headroom, but the bass was flabby and one-noted. The HD650 sounded quite dynamic with decent soundstage, though it wasn't the tightest in the bass. Headroom was once again not an issue here, more of the bass control.

The final boss - the Yinman 600 ohm - which has an absurdly low sensitivity coupled with high impedance, is not driven properly by most dongles, or even DAPs. Unsurprisingly, the Robin struggles in terms of bass texturing and dynamics, though headroom was covered sufficiently.

I appreciate that this dongle runs cool during usage, even when driving power-hungry goliaths. There is no hiss heard with sensitive IEMs, and the well-implemented anti-POP design eliminates "popping" when removing transducers.

We have no information on the output impedance specs of this dongle, but it should be relatively low, as
fussy low impedance IEMs that I played with the Robin sounded not too skewed in frequency response.


COMPARISONS

Comparisons will be made against other sub-$100 USD dongles that utilize Cirrus DAC chips.


Penon Tail

The Penon Tail also uses dual CS43131 chips, but it is a more barebones dongle: in addition to not having app compatibility or EQ, the Tail also does not have DAC filters, LED lights, screen, and an independent volume controller. The volume steps are also more widely spaced on the Tail, and it has an annoying "pop" on removal of transducers.

The Tail is neutralish but with a thinner note weight and a more metallic timbre. Both dongles have similar power specs - on balanced, the Tail can pump out 151.25 mW (at 32 ohms), which is very close to the 160 mW on offer with the Robin.

In terms of technicalities, the Tail is weaker in soundstage and micro-detailing, with imaging on par.


Fiio KA13

The KA13 is a neutral bright dongle that also houses dual CS43131 chips. It is a brighter source, with more fatigue and sibilance in the higher frequencies. The KA13 is also more sterile in note weight, and doesn't sound as full.

The KA13 on 4.4 mm desktop mode can hit 550 mW output (THD+N balanced＜0.0005% (32 Ω)), beating the power output of the Robin handily. It can thus power more demanding stuff, albeit the KA13 gets much hotter during usage, with worse battery drainage.

In technicalities, the KA13 has a slightly wider soundstage but worse imaging. Micro-detailing is similar.

For those looking at UI aspects, the KA13 has a Fiio control app for additional settings to configure, in addition to having a well-implemented independent volume control with finely tuned steps.


CONCLUSIONS



In the ultra-competitive sub-$100 USD dongle nuclear race, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin fares decently. It brings a warm neutral soundscape to the table, with good imaging and soundstage.

The Robin runs cool during usage, with a small lightweight profile, and it has 6 DAC filter options to play with. Volume steps are finely tuned, though sadly there are no independent controls. Accessories are also generously provided for, with even Apple users covered with the provision of a Lightning adapter. There is no hiss with fastidious high sensitivity IEMs, and there is a well-implemented anti-POP design, so users don't get a nasty "POP" in the ears on removing gear.

Otherwise some nitpicks would be this dongle lacking an app or EQ functions, and it is also not the most powerful one in its price bracket, though the Robin should comfortably drive the majority of IEMs out there, other than outliers.

All-in-all, this is a reasonable dongle at the sub-$100 USD range to consider; one that eschews the usual overly bright steroid-infused sonics that veer towards sterility, and is something that is both musical with ample technicalities to boot.

Introduction​

The HIDIZS S8 Pro is a portable dongle DAC/amp that promises exceptional sound quality and features at an affordable price point. As the successor to the popular HIDIZS S8, the S8 Pro aims to build upon its predecessor’s strengths while introducing notable improvements. In this review, we’ll scrutinize the design, build quality, technical capabilities, sound performance, app integration, and unique features of the HIDIZS S8 Pro, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses to determine whether it’s worth your 65 dollars.

Disclaimer: This review reflects my honest opinions only. I haven’t received any compensation to influence my thoughts. All ratings consider the product’s price point. Hidizs S8 Pro is kindly provided by hidizs for the review purpose only. They don’t have any control of any aspect of the review.

Specifications​

• Dual 32-bit High-performance DAC Balanced Architecture – CS43131×2
• PCM Supports Up to 32bit/384kHz
• Native DSD 64/128/256
• 4.4mm Balanced & 3.5mm Single-ended Output
• CNC Aluminum Alloy Integrated Molding
• Practical Function Buttons (volume +-/filter switching)
• Sampling Rate Indicator
• 80mW+80mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE / 160mW+160Mw@32Ω 4.4mm BAL
• Compatible with All platforms: Windows/Mac OS/iPad OS/Android/iOS/Harmony OS
• Hi-Res Audio Certification
• Dimensions:58×23×11mm
• DSD: Native DSD64/128/256
• PCM: Support up to 32Bit/384kHz
• Output option: Compatible with single-ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm earphones
• Sampling rate indicator: Support
• Shell material: CNC integrated aluminum alloy
• Function buttons: 3
• Switching filter: Support
• Transmission interface: Type-C interface interchangeable cable design
• Net weight: About 17g

Individual Ratings​

Build Quality
The S8 Pro boasts a sleek and premium glass sandwich design with an aluminum alloy chassis. The attention to detail and solid construction exude a high-quality feel, though the glass panels can be fingerprint magnets.

4.5/5

Technology
With dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, the S8 Pro can decode high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, ensuring future-proof performance. Its low distortion and high dynamic range ratings are impressive.

5.0/5

Sound Quality
The S8 Pro delivers an engaging and immersive listening experience with a neutral to mildly W-shaped sound signature. It offers tight, impactful bass, clear and articulate midrange, and well-defined highs with excellent detail retrieval and channel separation.

4.5/5

Power Output
While not the most powerful dongle on the market, the balanced 4.4mm output can provide up to 160mW of power, making it capable of driving a wide range of headphones and IEMs, including some moderately power-hungry models.

4.5/5

App Integration And Usage
The S8 Pro works seamlessly with popular music apps like UAPP, PowerAMP, Spotify, and HiBy Music on Android and Windows platforms, although there is no dedicated app from HIDIZS.

4.0/5

Unique Features
The hardware-based volume control, play/pause button, and the inclusion of both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs are standout features. The 6 digital filters offer customization options.

4.5/5

Overall Rating​

4.5/5.0

Bottom Line​

The Hidizs S8 Pro is an outstanding budget dongle DAC that offers exceptional value for its price point. Its combination of premium build quality, impressive technical capabilities, and engaging sound performance make it a highly recommended choice for anyone seeking to elevate their portable audio experience without breaking the bank.

Value Proposition​

The price of the S8 Pro is really good considering it has a dual Cirrus logic DAC and ample amount of power to drive even full-sized headphones, which is a pretty good deal for the price of 65 dollars.

Packaging​

• HIDIZS S8 PRO
• TYPE-C TO TYPE-C CABLE×1
• TYPE-C TO USB-A ADAPTER×1
• TYPE-C TO LIGHTNING ADAPTER×1
• USER MANUAL×1
• WARRANTY CARD×1

Design And Build Quality​

The Hidizs S8 Pro boasts a sleek and compact glass sandwich design, housed in a beautifully carved rectangular aluminum alloy chassis with a brushed matte finish on the sides. Both the front and back are covered in glass, and the sides have a beautiful wing-like design. Its solid construction and attention to detail are immediately apparent, exuding a sense of premium quality that belies its budget-friendly price tag. Measuring just a few inches in length, the S8 Pro is highly portable and can easily slip into a pocket or bag, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go listening.

One of the standout design elements is the inclusion of wing-like protection on the chassis, which not only serves as protection for the volume buttons but also looks sleek. The sample rate indicator is in the front glass panel. Which looks really good as the whole Hidiz's logo glows when listening to the music.

But I do have a complaint here to make. A small nitpick, but still. From mp3 to FLAC, all have the same green color. There is no color distinction for the mp3 or flac or hires flac. I really would have loved this even more when I could just see it in a glance what I am listening to is regular FLAC, or 96 Khz Hi-Res flac.

Here are the list of colors and what they mean:

• Yellow: DSD 64/128
• Purple: DSD 256
• Blue: PCM 176.4/192(kHz)
• Red: PCM 352.8/384(kHz)
• White: PCM 705.6/768(kHz)
• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96(kHz)

My next complaint is the glass sandwich design. I really loved how it looked, but only after cleaning it. Its a fingerprint magnet. I would really enjoy it if it had frosted glass panels instead of the regular ones.

Warning: Don't mistake the middle circular knob-looking thing for a knob and try to twist it. It's a button, so if you twist it. It will definitely break.

The volume control and the play pause buttons, located on the side of the device, provide a tactile and satisfying click with each press, allowing for precise volume adjustments. Furthermore, the S8 Pro features a detachable USB-C cable, enhancing durability and offering the flexibility to use custom cables if desired.

Technology and Decoding Capabilities​

At the heart of the S8 Pro lies a powerful dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip configuration capable of decoding high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256. This impressive decoding capability ensures that the S8 Pro can handle even the most demanding audio files, making it a future-proof investment for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.

Complementing the capable DAC chips is a low distortion rating of 0.0005%/0.0006% and a dynamic range of 125dB/128dB, ensuring that the S8 Pro delivers a clean and faithful reproduction of your music. Additionally, the balanced 4.4mm output can provide up to 160mW of power, making it capable of driving a wide range of headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs) with ease.

Sound Quality​

Tonality​

The Hidizs S8 Pro excels at delivering an engaging and immersive listening experience. Its sound signature can be described as neutral with a subtle boost in presence and intensity, infusing the music with a sense of dynamism and vibrancy. In simple words, it is neutral to mildly W-shaped. The bass, treble, and vocals are boosted mildly but noticeably. The tonality is very good.

Bass, Midrange, and Treble​

The bass response is where the S8 Pro truly shines. It is tight, well-controlled, and extends deep, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the frequency range. The bass is fast and impactful.

The mid-range is clear and articulate, allowing vocals and instrumental details to shine through with exceptional clarity and nuance. The male vocals sound natural. But the star of the show was the female vocals, they sounded lush, elegant, and more importantly, they sounded correct. And the textures of different instruments are rendered with impressive competence and are highly detailed.

The highs are extended and well-defined, adding a sense of air and brilliance to the overall presentation without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing. If its a busy track, like too many instruments playing in the background. The sheer detail that this DAC produces is impressive and sometimes overwhelming.

Technicalities​

The channel separation is another area where S8 Pro gets a perfect score. The left and right channels are separated superbly. It has such a distinct separation quality that I find it really impressive for the price. The dual DAC seems to be working really well.

The soundstage size and depth is average. But considering the price, it is acceptable.

The imaging also suffers from the lackluster soundstage but the instrument detailing is amazing.

I would not recommend this to gamers. But for music lovers, it is genuinely good. For detail lovers, it will be fantastic.

App Integration And Usage​

There is no dedicated app from the Hidizs. But the popular apps like UAPP, PowerAMP, Spotify and HiBy music all works perfectly fine, with all functions working properly. But keep in mind that the only one which gives more volume steps, i.e. the volume range, is the UAPP. All others will start to sound louder by around 40 to 60 percent. I only tested S8 Pro on android and windows, so can't comment on the iOS side of things.

Unique Features​

One of the standout features of the S8 Pro is its hardware-based volume control. Unlike many dongles that rely on software volume adjustments, the S8 Pro's volume buttons directly control the output level, ensuring precise and responsive volume changes without any potential software latency or interference. Along with the play-pause button. You can even use the play pause button to skip track. Just double-press the button to skip tracks.

Additionally, the inclusion of both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output is a welcome touch, catering to a wide range of headphones and IEMs and allowing users to take advantage of the potential benefits of balanced audio output.

Furthermore, the inclusion of 6 Digital Filters is not something you could find in this price range.

Filters with the color codes:

1. High Pass Filter: Red
2. NOS Filter: Green (Best One in my testing. I used this throughout the testing, as this gave me the best volume range and neutral sound)
3. Deem Phasis Filter: Blue
4. Fast and Slow Filter: Yellow
5. Low-Latency and phase compensated filter: Purple
6. Wide band Flatness Mode: White

How to change the filters. Just hold both volume buttons simultaneously, and you will see the Hidizs logo flashing with different colors, then stop and show the green color. But don't be fooled by this; you already have selected the appropriate filter; green is the default color that they always show. Like, If you select the deem phasis, you will see the logo flashing blue and then stop at green.

The 6 Filters here gives different flavours of sound. Like the deem phasis, filter gives a warm tonality to the DAC, and the fast and slow filter has a bright sound signature. But I loved the NOS filter. This filter gives a neutral sound with the best volume range. This kind of filter switching feature is not something that is readily available in this price range. This is a nice addition to an already capable DAC.

Power Output and Drivability​

With its balanced 4.4mm output capable of delivering up to 160 mW of power, the Hidizs S8 Pro can comfortably drive a wide range of headphones and IEMs, including moderately power-hungry models. While it may not be the most powerful dongle on the market, its output is more than sufficient for most portable audio needs.

During testing, the S8 Pro effortlessly powered various IEMs and headphones, including planar magnetic models like the KEFINE Klanar and the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (250Ω). Even with higher impedance headphones, the S8 Pro maintained excellent control and dynamics, delivering a satisfying and engaging listening experience.

FAQs​

Q. Who should buy these?​

Audiophiles and music enthusiasts on a budget are looking for an affordable way to improve their portable audio experience.
Users seeking a compact and portable dongle DAC with both single-ended and balanced outputs
Individuals who appreciate a neutral to mild W and dynamic sound signature with excellent detail retrieval
Anyone in need of a capable and future-proof dongle DAC that can handle high-resolution audio formats

Q. Who should avoid these?​

Users who require extensive customization options or advanced audio processing features
Those seeking the absolute highest power output for driving extremely demanding headphones
Individuals who prioritize a warmer or more colored sound signature over neutrality

Q. Can the S8 Pro drive high-impedance headphones?​

While not the most powerful dongle on the market, the S8 Pro's balanced 4.4mm output can deliver up to 160 mW of power, making it capable of driving most moderately power-hungry headphones, including some high-impedance models.

Q. Does the S8 Pro support MQA decoding?​

No, S8 Pro does not support native MQA decoding. But you can always rely on the software decoding of MQA of the source. So it can play MQA without decoding it natively.

Conclusion​

The S8 Pro is a remarkable achievement in the budget dongle DAC market. Its combination of premium build quality, impressive technical capabilities, and engaging sound performance makes it a compelling choice for anyone seeking to elevate their portable audio experience without breaking the bank.

While it may not be the most feature-packed or powerful dongle on the market, the S8 Pro's strengths lie in its ability to deliver exceptional value for its price point. Whether you're an audiophile on a budget or simply looking for an affordable way to enhance your music listening, the S8 Pro is a solid investment for 65 dollars that punches well above its weight class.