[Kiats]

Do you know if minibox really has a different kind of sound vs, balanced card. Do you think its worth getting the IEM card because I have higher end headphones and earphone?

The iem card is very refined and has good sense of space for iems. I like it because the gain is not so great and so offers me more control over volume. I'm not sure if it can drive other than easy to drive cans like the Grados.

As for the minibox, it is a little powerhouse that drives my AKG cans nicely, and even the HD 800, Beyer T1 and the HE-6 (though the last not optimally). Here, the soundstage and headroom is good and you get more details or richer sound.

Hope that helps!

 

[Trogdor]

I tried to connect the  HM-901 to my computers two times, both times it was a bit crazy

so I quietly put the usb cable back in the box and use a card reader ever since...

On my Mac, the USB cable works for me. No issue.

Betcha ten to one you either put it in backwards or not all the way (I say this because it has happened to me several times).

 

[Trogdor]

Alright, once again, any update on the dock?

Note, the database refresh after adding new tracks is still awfully slow. I just don't get it.

 

[jamato8]

I haven't heard of any. Have asked but no response yet. I guess Fang is working on it. 

 

[roskodan]

what are those cards hifiman is selling? how do you use them? diy something?

 

[LarsHP]

  what are those cards hifiman is selling? how do you use them? diy something?

If you mean amplifier cards, then yes, you need at least one amp card unless you only want to use the HM-901 with external (headphone) amplifier.
 
The different amp cards are for different needs (in ear monitors, medium headphones, heavy to drive headphones etc.), just like you can have different lenses for different needs on a SLR camera.

 

[roskodan]

so it's exclusively for use with hifiman's DAPs? does those DAPs have an integrated amp/hp jack or you must plug in a card to connect your hp?

 

[LarsHP]

  so it's exclusively for use with hifiman's DAPs? does those DAPs have an integrated amp/hp jack or you must plug in a card to connect your hp?

As you can see from this picture the amplifier card is mounted inside the player. There is of course a female plug for headphones in the player, at the top of it (not shown in this picture). All DAPs must have an amplifier inside - the difference here is that you can easily change the amplifier module to fit the need of the headphone. These modules fit HiFiMan HM-901 and HM-802 only. The older HM-801 also has amp cards like this but they are different.
 

 

[jamato8]

And the modules are easy to use. A number of choices to fit ones needs. 

 

[kkcc]

And the modules are easy to use. A number of choices to fit ones needs. 

Being able to swap amp board for different iem/hp I have is another key draw in addition to SQ of the 901 to me. The fun factor of being able to get different sound kept me interested despite owning it more than a year now. And I had come to accumulate 8 amp cards now (and a half written comparison post that I had completely forgotten since I misplaced my re600 when I was in he middle of drafting that lol)....

 

[jamato8]

8 cards!

 

[kkcc]

1. Original 901 stock AD8397 card
2. Balanced card
3. Minibox card
4. IEM card
5. Original Discrete card v3
6. 802 stock Classic Card
7. Angel card
8. New Discrete card

Yup didn't count wrongly... 8.

 

[AnakChan]

1. Original 901 stock AD8397 card
2. Balanced card
3. Minibox card
4. IEM card
5. Original Discrete card v3
6. 802 stock Classic Card
7. Angel card
8. New Discrete card

Yup didn't count wrongly... 8.

 
I know #1 -> #4. Are #5, #7, & #8 by Hifiman or are these the one-off DIY units that some chap made and sold?

 

[kkcc]

I know #1 -> #4. Are #5, #7, & #8 by Hifiman or are these the one-off DIY units that some chap made and sold?

Yes 5,7,8 are made by a third party chap. Hifiman is also having a amp board design competition soliciting user designed submission. Hoping something good will come out of it!

 

[jamato8]

Yes 5,7,8 are made by a third party chap. Hifiman is also having a amp board design competition soliciting user designed submission. Hoping something good will come out of it!

That is pretty exciting. I am looking forward to what board comes out on top.