Member Reviews: Studio V Anniversary Edition

I recently decided to take a bit of a chance and buy blind into a new DAP. Over time I've slowly become more and more tired of the mainstream Apple/Sony/insert company name here MP3 players on the market and their lack of audio capabilities. Nowadays my player of choice is the iPod Touch and although I very much like my iPod's UI interface I've gravitated towards using a mobile amp to bring the players sonic signature up to speed. Although results have been very good I'm now finding myself becoming more and more tired lugging a two piece brick around so much so I've decided to give the so called boutique audiophile DAP market a shot. After a little nosing around on head-fi and some...

  Well, this one has taken a while for me. First of all, thank you Jack for letting my participate in the promotion, it was the only was I was able to afford this! :rolleyes:   So, a little background info here. I've gone through quite a few DAPs once I decided to try to make a main portable rig. I started from a modest Clip+, which as we all know is the gateway drug. It made me want an E6, then an E7, then a CMOYbb, and finally a C421. My DAP went to an Ipod, and finally a DIYmod. I thought the DIYmod/amp combo was my end game. It sounded great, had a TON of storage, and had that sexy “Head-fi stack” appeal. But something still didn't feel right. It was a bulky combo,...

Full Review at http://www.head-fi.org/t/634747/hisoundaudio-studio-v-3rd-anniversary-edition-review   Hisoundaudio Studio V 3rd Anniversary Edition Quick Review   Thanks to Hisoundaudio for the sample.   Brief:  Hisoundaudio updates the Studio V.   Price:  Circa US$450 or £265 (pre HMRC.)   Specification:  Good Question, I don’t know bar what’s up for the Studio V.   Accessories:  A US plugged USB power charger, a USB cable and a pair of the PAA-1 earphones.    Build Quality:  Not as perfect as the sharp edged old one but it’s still essentially a block of machined...

With the latest version, Hisoundaudio has improved on the hiss by redesigning the circuit. Build quality has also improved from the previous versions, with better machining of the aluminium.   Most importantly, sound is still as amazing as ever, up to par with higher end players such as DX100 and Colourfly C4 IMO.   Compared to the earlier version, this unit has less hiss and more refined highs, Battery Life kicks the ass out of every player in the market. Charge it once is enough to last me 2 weeks :)    

The player, for lack of a better word, is dramatic but not artificially so. More like it has the ability to bring home the soul and intentions of a song. There's a tangibility here that you don't get from other all in one players. Music often has a personal message or story that a performer is trying to relate and it's the hardest thing kit has to do. Call it goose bump factor but it won't show up in specs. This player can transport you there.   It's not perfect. The ui could be more refined (but it's fine), the display larger(but it's fine), quieter (but it's fine) and sonically, it just sounds great in a natural presentation yet dynamic sort of way. It's close...

the Studio V is an DAP made by hisound. There are two firmware on this DAP, dynamic and BA. I will be using the Dynamic firmware in my review and the IEM that i will be using is UM3x RC and IE80.   High: Really smooth high and detailed. the studio v extended the high nicely. i suspect the Studio V would not pair nicely with an bright IEM.   Bass: the bass is tight and punchy, its not boomy but definitely present and well controlled.   mids: the mids are very detailed and abit foward in my opinion. it also have an nice midrange   Imaging: The imaging is probably the best part of the Studio V 3rd anv. it have superb imaging making the sound like...

Simply stunning sound quality - will drive anything with its massive power output. The UI isn't brilliant, but it is OK. English instructions would probably help (maybe I'll write some).   Head and shoulders above the Sansa Clip+, but then so it should be at 10 times the price.       Update - 5th October 2012   I have had this player for the best part of a month now and still love it to bits. I recently spent a week on a beach listening to this player and have to say that it lasted all week on a single charge with still 50% left for the plane home.    What impresses me most is the detail and clarity that this little unit squeezes...