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Headfonia's DAP comparison: HM-801, T51, RWA Imod, Ipod Classic, and X1060!

post #1 of 9
3/30/10 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 
Just saw this DAP comparison by some guys from Headfonia...

http://www.headfonia.com/source/hm-8...sic-and-x1060/

It would appear that, unsurprisingly, the HM-801 (USD790) HO may be better than the rest. The T51 (or s:flo2) at around USD160 didn't do too bad either...

What do you guys think about the comparison?
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post #2 of 9
3/30/10 at 5:32am
Not sure what to think really. Very very nice images for one, but I don't see how we are supposed to really get a picture of the performance of each when the article just points to listening impressions which, as we should be used to now, are highly highly speculative.

I'll hear an S:flo or T51 soon and be able to say 100% about hiss levels, but I imagine the 801 will never meet my ears. Comments about soundstage etc., are fun I guess, but there isn't much a look at the actual signal and reason behind signatures. I suppose that is fine, but I expected a more in-depth review of actual outputs. It is a fun article (long and good), but reads more like a CNET overview.

I'd like to read about performance differences of HP output versus amped versus LOD'ed, but overall, it is a good article, though nothing new. All the results are expected as a headfier.

Love, love, love the pictures.
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post #3 of 9
3/30/10 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemac View Post
Just saw this DAP comparison by some guys from Headfonia...

http://www.headfonia.com/source/hm-8...sic-and-x1060/

It would appear that, unsurprisingly, the HM-801 (USD790) HO may be better than the rest. The T51 (or s:flo2) at around USD160 didn't do too bad either...

What do you guys think about the comparison?
Oopps.. It has been tested the 2008 Classic instead of the 2009 revision which by consensus here is a huge step forward at least of the HP out putting it close to the iPhone 3G S.

Anyway interesting read for sure.

Nothing new under the sun for me. It's clear that you could get a few daps that sound slightly better than the 3G S or the 2009 Classic at the expense of battery life, support, storage and so on. So for me the only upgrade likely would be the iMod. If a thing sounds great but i can not listen to it because of a dying battery or having to carry around memory cards look like a deal breaker for me. Surprised to check how the 2008 Classic holds itself well versus the much praised Sony. And the 09 Classic sounds far better that the 2008 edition.
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post #4 of 9
3/30/10 at 4:56pm
would be interesting to see photos of hm/801 in someones pocket
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post #5 of 9
3/30/10 at 7:08pm
Thanks for the review - a long writing with beautiful photos, hard work indeed.
My first impression, the writer is very familiar with Ipod. Did he spend enough time to know other gears? Not say the review is biased, the newness can be both pro and con. I was more hoping for a comparison without amp; after all, they are portable players.
Thanks again.
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post #6 of 9
3/30/10 at 7:09pm
Good impressions but two points I'd like to make

The Sflo:2 has an EQ that works on both the headphone out and line out. If he felt it lacked bass it's pretty simple to adjust the 6 band EQ to fix that. I have the EQ on mine adjusted to my preference and the bass is very strong.

The second point is hiss from T:51\SFLO:2 player is a myth. This player does not hiss on either output. The only type of signal degradation is a slight audbile warble in the background when the screen is turned on, Teclast said this is due to the voltage step up for the screen to display. It goes away when the screen turns off and you really have to try really hard to hear even when the screen is on. There is absolutely NO constant hiss from either output.
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post #7 of 9
3/30/10 at 8:04pm
What I was actually surprised of, was the comparison between the HP Out of the HiFiMan HM-801 and the Protector. Seems to me that for IEM users there is really no sense of spending x amount of money on a protector plus balanced cables and LOD if you can have it for roughly the same amount on the HiFiMan and still have the advantage of a better DAC.
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post #8 of 9
3/30/10 at 8:54pm
Optimally, a review about the signal quality of each would test from the HPO and the LO, but that is cool. It might be better to discuss and show succinct differences between the HPO and LO for each.
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post #9 of 9
4/2/10 at 2:16pm
indeed nice article and awesome pictures
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