HiFiMAN HM-801 Portable Player / DAC Review: Part One of Two - Page 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_charles 

And yet a 4.5 db treble roll-off at 20k is Hi Fi - that is a strange definition

Believe it or not, this treble roll off leads to a much more natural and smooth sound that I love compared to the harsh and digital sound of the sources I've heard.

^Indeed. That's just such an "audiophile" thing to say, that an equalizer is not hifi. 

Are they really that removed from the business of recording and mastering music?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic 748i 

Believe it or not, this treble roll off leads to a much more natural and smooth sound that I love compared to the harsh and digital sound of the sources I've heard.

And again, I submit that you could do the very same thing with an equalizer. Leave the player flat, and let the user determine how the final sound should come out, through headphone choice and equalizer adjustment. I don't think it's a particularly novel concept.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxK 

And again, I submit that you could do the very same thing with an equalizer. Leave the player flat, and let the user determine how the final sound should come out, through headphone choice and equalizer adjustment. I don't think it's a particularly novel concept.

I prefer the more expertise coloring of the HiFiMAN DAC. It sounds so smooth, natural and incredibly detailed. I love it.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic 748i 

Believe it or not, this treble roll off leads to a much more natural and smooth sound that I love compared to the harsh and digital sound of the sources I've heard.

Here is a humble suggestion and something I have done a few times myself for fun. Take a wav file of familiar music and make a copy. Apply a low pass filter to the copy you can start the roll-off at a point you like I suggest ~15K , then do a set of at least 16 DBTs between the unaltered and the low-passed files - I think you might be surprised...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic 748i 

You know, you can go to an audiologist to have that huge gunk of ear wax removed...

My, aren't you just a ray of sunshine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic 748i 

You know, you can go to an audiologist to have that huge gunk of ear wax removed...

Have you heard any of the gear being discussed here?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

 

Have you heard any of the gear being discussed here?
 

Yep, the HiFiMAN, I own one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic 748i 

Quote:

 

Yep, the HiFiMAN, I own one.

Can you try the IE8 with it?  I'm curious now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict 

Can you try the IE8 with it?  I'm curious now.

Don't have an IE8, sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_charles 

Here is a humble suggestion and something I have done a few times myself for fun. Take a wav file of familiar music and make a copy. Apply a low pass filter to the copy you can start the roll-off at a point you like I suggest ~15K , then do a set of at least 16 DBTs between the unaltered and the low-passed files - I think you might be surprised...

Let's keep this discussion on track and away from DBT and measurement debates.  If you own one or heard one, then discuss what you think.  Otherwise, there is a large thread in Sound Sciences where there is a long running discussion on the topic.

-Ed
 

Anyone else here using the Pico Slim with the HM-801? 

-Ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood 

 

Let's keep this discussion on track and away from DBT and measurement debates.  If you own one or heard one, then discuss what you think.  Otherwise, there is a large thread in Sound Sciences where there is a long running discussion on the topic.

 

-Ed
 

All nick implied was that by setting up a low pass filter, one would be able to mimic the rolled off treble of the 801, and that sonic 748i would in fact prefer the chopped off treble vs the actual CD recording, if in fact that is his preferred sound signature. Also thereby implying that you can achieve the "801 sound" easily by using an EQ.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood 

Anyone else here using the Pico Slim with the HM-801? 

 

-Ed

Perhaps I'm spoiled by my clip, but considering how massive the 801 already is, how could you possibly pair it with an amp? To be honest, the first time I saw people using them with the RSA protector here, I literally laughed out loud. Not to mention the size of all those interconnects sticking off it.

I used to use a portable CD player not terribly long ago, and it wasn't the most portable thing. But the 801 + amp combo is just ridiculous.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxK 

All nick implied was that by setting up a low pass filter, one would be able to mimic the rolled off treble of the 801, and that sonic 748i would in fact prefer the chopped off treble vs the actual CD recording, if in fact that is his preferred sound signature. Also thereby implying that you can achieve the "801 sound" easily by using an EQ.

 

Perhaps I'm spoiled by my clip, but considering how massive the 801 already is, how could you possibly pair it with an amp? To be honest, the first time I saw people using them with the RSA protector here, I literally laughed out loud. Not to mention the size of all those interconnects sticking off it.

 

I used to use a portable CD player not terribly long ago, and it wasn't the most portable thing. But the 801 + amp combo is just ridiculous.
 

Once you hear this combo, you'll see why I bring these things outside with me to work.

My reason for wanting the Hifiman is to have it all in one player. It would replace much of my stuff.

Regarding amps - I can see the use of The Protector with Hifiman if one wants to use balanced headphones. But why do people pair the $700 Hifiman with a small amp? Or worse - with a huge amp! :) What portable amps is an improvement over the Hifiman amp?

I mean, the Hifiman costs $700 for a reason right? It has really good dac and amp inside? What could be the reason for the price if not quality components? $700 for stupidly over sized dap with 4 gigantous gb of storage? Of course the answer is that people want the best sound no matter the size. But to buy a Hifiman with that high price tag and not use half of whats inside it is...maybe not ridicolous but a bit weird.