Amp3 Pro2 and the STUDIO

[tstarn06]

Originally Posted by HiFlight

Steve...
My experience with my Pro.1 running the v5.31firmware is exactly as yours...I reformatted the internal drive, which I didn't do the first update, then ran the firmware update again after reformatting.

The SQ is warmer than it was when I first updated without a format.

My Pro.1 also now recognizes my 1gb card that has approx 10.5 gb of folder albums. Boot time is about 2 minutes, but it does resume at the tune that was playing when shut down.

I will probably continue to use my Pro.1 until the Pro.2 firmware is updated, as I can live with the long Random boot times, and if I remember, I just change to Normal prior to shutting down.

I have confidence that Hisoundaudio will address the reported Pro.2 issues in a short time, as Craig is really on top of this project.

I didn't do a "clean" install the first time, so tonight I redid it all after formatting the Amp3 Pro 1. Wow, nice improvement with the overall sound sig, as noted, more air and a bit warmer. Thanks Ron and Steve.

[Woody469]

Originally Posted by mcoleg

here's the manual for the pro1 - the faction and buttons should be pretty similar.

Thank You mcoleg Do I just leave the "stock" firmware on there or upgrade? Also, does the light go out when fully charged? I've read the manual in the past and don't remember those questions being answered.

*Update* The light DOES go out when fully charged.

[tstarn06]

I don't believe the you can upgrade the Pro2 firmware, yet.

[sbulack]

Originally Posted by Woody469

Thank You mcoleg Do I just leave the "stock" firmware on there or upgrade? Also, does the light go out when fully charged? I've read the manual in the past and don't remember those questions being answered.

*Update* The light DOES go out when fully charged.

There has been no firmware upgrade released yet for the AMP3-Pro.2 that I am aware of. You just leave the stock firmware on your Pro.2.

After it's recharged, you'll want to put some of your music on it.

Plug it into a compatible computer via the USB A-to-mini-B cable that came with it. You should see the internal and external memory each mount as a hard drive partition.

On Windows, you can drag and drop .mp3, .wav, .wma and .flac files onto the hard drive partitions corresponding to the internal and external memory areas of the AMP3. My favorite method for adding files to my AMP3 is to add a folder for each album, and to then copy the actual music files for the album into the folder. For tagged files, the AMP3 will add the files to its Music "database", indexed by Artist, Title, Album and Genre. The Track order for tagged files in albums will be according to the ID3-V2 "Track #" fields. For .wav files (which do not really have generally-recognized tags), these will not be added to the music file indices. These are best accessed through the Storage Management Top-Level menu selection, in which you will see the names of the folders. Select the folder (album) of interest, and then you will see the list of song file names. For .wav files, the tracks are sorted in lexical filename order, so it helps if each track filename starts with a two-digit track number, a space, and then the track title.

Navigation is explained pretty well in the Pro.1 manual, and works the same way for the Pro.2.

[Woody469]

Thank You tstarn06 and a huge Thank You to you sbulack.
Thankfully I have that little 8GB micro SDHC card. My cell has a 16GB in it. I should swap the two.....lol Actually, that's a good idea, I think I'll do that.

[SACD-Man]

I know that there should be a new software release for the Pro2 soon. We are collecting as much data as possible.


Thx!
Craig

[sbulack]

Originally Posted by SACD-Man

I know that there should be a new software release for the Pro2 soon. We are collecting as much data as possible.


Thx!
Craig

Thanks to you for that news, Sir Santa.

[RASeymour]

In the short time I had my Pro 2 I noticed that some title would be cut off. There'd be a scroll of artist album track # and then song title. Sometimes the song title would be cut off. I know that the tag was correct.

Is there a character limit? I couldn't find much in the settings about the view settings.

[acroyear]

Craig, the Pro2 sounds good, but for some reason it's just not as loud as the Pro1. I can't drive any of my full size headphones with it. Is there something that can be done? This should be a priority for a firmware update IMHO.

[SACD-Man]

Originally Posted by acroyear

Craig, the Pro2 sounds good, but for some reason it's just not as loud as the Pro1. I can't drive any of my full size headphones with it. Is there something that can be done? This should be a priority for a firmware update IMHO.

Yes I agree that the volume to a center of my attention. I'm working with hisoundaudio on this. Hopefully I can have more details as they come available.

Craig

[SACD-Man]

Amp3 Pro2's are now back in stock!!!

WHOA!!!!

[acroyear]

Originally Posted by SACD-Man

Yes I agree that the volume to a center of my attention. I'm working with hisoundaudio on this. Hopefully I can have more details as they come available.

Craig

Thank you for all your hard work Craig, and I'm looking forward to the Studio 1. Do you have any idea of the size or dimensions of the Studio?

[SACD-Man]

Originally Posted by acroyear

Thank you for all your hard work Craig, and I'm looking forward to the Studio 1. Do you have any idea of the size or dimensions of the Studio?

I BELIEVE the same size...

[Woody469]

Any word on the ETA of the Studio?

I really like the Amp3 Pro2. I almost sent it back though. I had the hardest time loading it with music. I reformatted it numerous times and even kept a pin in my pocket to press the reset when the unit failed to initialize. It would just hang there, stuck, until I inserted the pin to reset it. In a last ditch attempt, I converted my flac files to wav and the thing fired up. Whoa.........big smile. The sound was incredible. Definitely affordable high end. I tried it with almost all my iems. It (the Amp3) seems to work best with iems that hail from Asia. Go figure right.
It matches great with the HiFiMan REO, the CrossRoads Bijou 3, SoundMagic PL30, the PK1, PK3 and yes, my recabled Zino's ! I'm sure the Koss PortaPros would be nice too but I haven't tried yet. The Victor JVC FX500 sound a bit boomy as do the M5. I think it is because those 2 iems, although they sound good with some units, are bass heavy iems. The Amp3 Pro2 I think is a very "honest" unit in that it deserves a neutral iem.
It is a VERY cool product with clean audiophile sound. The unit is a bit quirky at times but I find it a small price to pay for a great sounding "all in one" unit.
I usually judge my (portable) audio by what I call its "groovability" factor. That is, does it make me feel like I wanna dance, play air guitar, or time flies by and I tell myself, I just have to hear this or that. This has a groovability factor of 9.
Does it push full size cans? No. But I don't think it is supposed to. It goes plenty loud when I use the right iem and well recorded music. Oh, by the way, if the music was recorded awful, the Amp3 will remind you constantly that it was recorded poorly. If its well recorded, audio bliss can and will be had.
I haven't tried the line in and I probably won't. The radio, if thats you're thing, is very good.
All told the Amp3 Pro2, mated with the right headphone or iem is a fantastic sounding, although sometimes buggy, budget audiophile product. (the sound actually reminds me of a properly set-up turntable.)
Anyone having a good experience with a different iem or headphone, please let us know. Thank You
Add On: I think audio gear is finally headed in the right direction. My experience with the Amp3 Pro2 has left me salivating in anticipation of my Studio I *hint hint*

[acroyear]

It's a wonderful machine. I'm using it with Audio Technica ESW9's and it sounds beautiful. I do feel that it needs a little more power though, as it's hard to hear on my commute. At 40 Ohms, the ESW9's are not all that demanding, and they really aren't full size cans. I think an AMP3 player should at a minimum match the volume of, say your average Ipod. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the thing. We've been inseparable since it arrived two weeks ago! Amazing sound, far better than my Cowon D2 (but nowhere near as loud)... Overall, the Pro2 is a fantastic product, and I've already pre-ordered a Studio 1 based on my faith in the company.