[nmatheis]

Soundaware Esther Analog review: LINK
 
TL/DR: As I think most of you know, I love the sound Esther Analog provides. I think it's my favorite sounding DAP at the moment, and I've tried quite a few DAPs recently. However, the immature firmware makes this a reserved recommendation. In fact, I debated a long time time about whether to give it 3 or 3.5 stars and decided to go with 3.5 stars because I think the sound quality is very good and know that Soundaware is actively working on making the firmware better. I'll revisit the review and increase the rating if / when Soundaware implements firmware fixes.

 

[sstyle]

So, I had a chance to try M1 (both versions) and compare to QLS-360. "Analog" version is closer to QLS than Vitality and sounds great. More aggressively, clear. I really think about change my QLS to Analog M1, but I wish to compare with Cayin N6. I think they should sound similar to each other. 
 
BUT I have a four issue with M1:
 
1) Dust between the glass and the screen on a NEW device. OMG.
2) First 30% charges about 30min, than battery charged to 99% for 5-7min. I disconnected a power cable and battery drain speed was about 1% in second until the end. There is 0.45 FW, and it looks like it fixed in 0.46 FW, but I do not know exactly.
3) When power cable is connected I hear a noise in my headphones.
4) The rubber plug looks like not so reliable and looks worse than body quality.
 
Amplification is not so powerful, I should set volume to 90-92% (High gain) with my HD650. And the same value for my Westone UM3x but with Middle gain.

 

[soundaware]

 

Hi @sstyle
1) The dust is easy to drill into cracks.

2) The battery shown is inaccurately, will be fixed next firmware version.
3) The static electricity may cause small current noise.
4) The rubber plug is made of elastic soft rubber, matched for assembling.
 
Pushing headphone, it does need a amp to push HD650 better.

 

[soundaware]

 

[howdy]

Is there a high gain on this. I can easily play this at 100 on the volume with out it being "loud" and they are 22ohm CIEMs.

 

[nmatheis]

I PM'ed you but will answer here, too.

There are three gain settings to pick from in the main menu: L/M/H.

Choose the gain setting that lets you crank the volume way up to get best use of Esther's DAC.

What is your IEM's sensitivity? I used Esther on L Gain with all of my IEM and found volume 75-100 worked great for all of them. Of course, they might be more sensitive than yours, or we might just have different preferred listening levels.

Cheers,
Nikolaus

 

[Currawong]

I finally got around to making a coax cable. The M1 annoyingly uses ring and sleeve of a TRS plug for coax, so a custom cable was required.
 

 

[nmatheis]

I finally got around to making a coax cable. The M1 annoyingly uses ring and sleeve of a TRS plug for coax, so a custom cable was required.

Nice! So how is it?

 

[sonickarma]

Any firmware news  ?

 

[mrhizzo]

Anyone tried the M1 Analog and the M1Pro to compare?

 

[nmatheis]

howdy: Any thoughts on the Esther Analog?

 

[soundaware]

Will any guys go to CanJam Singapore this weekend?  

 
Soundaware will be there, with M1, M1PRO, and desktop digital streaming audio players & transport system.
Excited to see you!

 
Bringing-m1-pro-a280-etc-soundaware-will-join-in-canjam-singapore-2016-20-february-21-february-updated

 

[nmatheis]

I told my buddies in Singapore to stop by and say hi, Mary!

 

[soundaware]

I told my buddies in Singapore to stop by and say hi, Mary!

Thanks！

 

[nmatheis]

Hopefully they'll all show up ready to test out Esther with their FLC8S!