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Hifiman HM-801 DAC performance - Page 2

post #16 of 24
5/21/10 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 

I can easily confirm that the USB Dac part of the HM 801 is not as good as its coaxial dac. The USB dac part is not any better than the USB dac from my Audio-gd Compass.

 

I will test HM 801's coaxial dac and player performance later; both sounded good with a brief listen, although the headphone out of HM 801 can not compete with Compass pre-amp to AMB M3 amp (to ATH-AD2000).

 

That said, I still like HM 801 as an all-in-one portable player/dac/amp and its good soundstage. HM 801 pairs perfectly with Yuin PK1 (no hiss). My Sleek SA6 (50 ohm impedance, 110 dB SPL/mW sensitivity) does hiss slightly with HM 801 w/o music, with music they work fine.

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post #17 of 24
5/24/10 at 1:39am


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwood View Post




I have the HM-801, Pico DAC, and the Grace m902, and use them all on a regular basis.  Despite what the RMAA naysayers say (most have not even heard or even seen an HM-801 in real life) the HM-801 has noticeably better sound quality when listening to REAL headphones with REAL music. 

 

The Detail and Soundstage of the HM-801 is on another level.

 

That said, the HM-801's USB input is a big let down, which is not surprising considering it's not an optimal straight to I2S implementation.  It sounds only marginally better than the HeadAmp Pico DAC, if at all.  The HM-801's best performance is with FLAC files on SDHC cards played internally.

 

-Ed

Agreed.
 

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post #18 of 24
6/3/10 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 

When used as dac in my system (feeding AMB M3 amp and ATH-AD2000s), I will say: Buffalo 24 >> Hifiman HM 801 >/= Audio-gd Compass.

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post #19 of 24
6/4/10 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zzffnn View Post

When used as dac in my system (feeding AMB M3 amp and ATH-AD2000s), I will say: Buffalo 24 >> Hifiman HM 801 >/= Audio-gd Compass.


Then are you happy with the 801?

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post #20 of 24
6/5/10 at 10:30pm
Thread Starter 

I am happy with 801.

If forced to quantify the difference, I will say (IMO with M3 and AD2000) if Buffalo 24 is 100% (geat air and texture/body), 801's line out is 86% (good air and less body), Audio-gd's pre-amp out is 78% (less air and less body).

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post #21 of 24
6/5/10 at 11:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zzffnn View Post

I am happy with 801.

If forced to quantify the difference, I will say (IMO with M3 and AD2000) if Buffalo 24 is 100% (geat air and texture/body), 801's line out is 86% (good air and less body), Audio-gd's pre-amp out is 78% (less air and less body).


Thanks Zzffnn,

 

I like the 801 because it's portable and hope that one day a portable Buffalo 24 may come out.  I can only use portable source in most of my listening time.

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post #22 of 24
6/16/10 at 11:52am

In regards to the HM-801 (line-out) vs. Pico DAC (w/ amp), I did a side-by-side comparison using a pair of ATH-ESW9s and Corda Headfive. IMO, the HM-801 clearly and definitively outperforms the Pico in almost every way. Most noticeable was more air and fuller body with the HM-801. The soundstage of the Pico sounded a bit narrower, and after listening to the HM-801 for some time, TBH, it was difficult to go back to the Pico 

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post #23 of 24
7/3/10 at 10:02am
Thread Starter 

Comparing my Gamma2 vs. Hifiman 801 as dac, Gamma2 provides more clarity IMHO. I like them both though.

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post #24 of 24
7/3/10 at 2:56pm

I am listening to the HM-801 vs Pico DAC/amp and then tomorrow versus the Nanonite Flo2.

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