[Mython]

  oh nice comparison sheet mython, looking at it the hm901 seems to really be a giant in size

 
Yes, I really wish it (and the DX100/HDP-R10, HM-802) weren't the little monsters that they are, but they're still great for those who don't rely on pockets to carry their DAP hardware

 
 
...I just happen to be one of the DAP-users who does rely on pockets, so...

 

[Mython]

DELETE

 

[Mython]

DELETE

 

[zachchen1996]

   
Is there any hard evidence of this being fact (i.e. a web URL), or is it just rumour ?
 
I've seen it mentioned by several head-fiers during the past week, but no one has offered any links to such information.

rumor or not, it would be foolish of sony not to include it in a successor

 

[Mython]

DELETE

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

It will be really awesome if Sony releases ZX-2 with DSD native support and USB host capabilities to connect with other DAC that can decode DSD as well. I will sleep better if such news surface on the internet in the near future.

 

[kkcc]

Yes, I really wish it (and the DX100/HDP-R10, HM-802) weren't the little monsters that they are, but they're still great for those who don't rely on pockets to carry their DAP hardware


...I just happen to be one of the DAP-users who does rely on pockets, so... :rolleyes:

Well I do routinely carry my HM901 in my pants pocket. Having said that I would love die for a package with the same SQ in a small package (well my wallet did died for the AK)...

Having spent more $$$ on DAPs that I will ever confess to the Mrs, I firmly believe power supply, and hence size and heat, are necessarily evils for SQ. Dx100 (and to some extend C4) was a breakthrough in that size:SQ ratio, now AK240 seems to be another big step (while AK120 failed big time). Been hoping M would be another step.

I am really curious of M's SQ at such a nice size. I managed to demo a couple Chinese android phone with the 9018k2m DAC trying to get some idea of this chip but they sounded no better than my Note 3 imo. Only takeaway is that implementation and amp stage is equally if not more important than the chip.

Without much way to anticipate/predict its sound, the M's $850 price really made this a much much tougher decision than if it would be $650.... especially with the $350 X5 that I demo'ed, is nicely built, and sounded excellent for its size/price.

Also, if the pre-order fulfillment is prioritized for local Korean market as the price is, I suspect we may receive the DX90 with dual ess9018k2m before the M.

Decisions decision....

Sorry for the incoherent babbling... I guess I've been trying to convince myself why the pre-order is a good idea after tracking this for so long... first world problem I guess!

 

[Bluebear]

   
It depends on your needs.
 
For some of us, even though the HM-901 sounds wonderful, it is too bulky to carry around in a pocket.
 
The Calyx-M is less than half the thickness, and significantly lighter:
 
 
 

Calyx-M​	134.6​	69.16​	12.5​	160g​
Fiio X5​	114​	67.6​	15.6​	195g​
iBasso DX100​	118​	71.8​	27.5​	265g​
HiFiMan HM-802 / HM-901​	117​	72​	29​	250g​
iBasso DX50 / DX90​	100​	64​	16.9​	150g​

 
You forgot to include the AK series, FiiO X3 as well as the Sony ZX1: 
 

Astell & Kern AK100	79​	59.2​	14.4​	122g​
Astell & Kern AK120	89​	59.2​	14.4​	143g​
Astell & Kern AK240	107​	66​	17.5​	185g​
Calyx-M	134.6​	69.16​	12.5​	160g​
Fiio X3	109​	55​	16​	122g​
Fiio X5	114​	67.6​	15.6​	195g​
iBasso DX100	118​	71.8​	27.5​	265g​
HiFiMan HM-802 / HM-901	117​	72​	29​	250g​
iBasso DX50 / DX90	100​	64​	16.9​	150g​
Sony NWZ-ZX1	122.3​	59.7​	13.5​	139g​

 
If you compare the dimensions of the three AK100/120/240 DAPs to the other current/upcoming DAPs, it is really an engineering feat to make them so light, small and portable while retaining great SQ and having lots of additional UI and usability features (price issues aside). Even the AK240 being the current largest sibling iteration from AK, is only slightly heavier than Calyx-M and DX50/90, has a footprint in-between the M and the DX50/90 and boast of having one of the smoothest UI (with Sony NWZ-ZX1) as well as both native DSD64/128 playback and balanced TRRS 2.5mm out.

 

[Mython]

DELETE

 

[jamato8]

So where do you check to see the final arrangement of the M? Input, output, type of input and cards etc. I was following all this for a while but then I read a of the back and forth on what it would offer and not offer. No wifi, fine with me. No digital out? or Line out? Trying find all the finalized options of the M.

 

[Retrias]

   
I agree with that, although its not being released so soon, so why not get something for the interim.

1k dollar interim?

 

[Bluebear]

   
Yes, and it's priced at 2.5 - 3 times as much as the Calyx-M, does not sound significantly superior to DX100/HM-901, and may not sound significantly superior to the Calyx-M, either.
 
So why spend 2.5 - 3 times as much on it?

 
I guess for the ultimate portable audio consumption experience? The holy grail of portable audio is to have a one-stop solution and a no-fuss user's experience with TOTL SQ. I mean why are we talking about portable audio when it gives us issues here and there with problems such as heat, bulkiness, battery life, requiring an additional amp, etc. Sure we can all accommodate for such secondary problems, but it just gets to you why we have to deal with them in the first place if the product is perfectly well-made and targeted for portable consumption. We pay and pay to upgrade our devices each time better DAPs/Amps are launched with better quality and form factor simply because we want a better experience while enjoying equal or better SQ on-the-go. Ultimately, all we want is to enjoy the music and not let other issues interfere with our experience. Otherwise, we should be all sitting at home listening and enjoying our full-sized desktop rigs and cans instead if SQ is all we ever care for (portable audio can never match full-sized rigs with cans no matter how it improves due to physical limitations).

 

[Mimouille]

Hum ok...pros and cons on this preorder decision.
 
Pros:

1. Looks nice, portable
2. Should sound nice (but not guarantee it will compete with 901)
3. Huge capacity
4. Great UI
5. There is a preorder price
6. It the latest thing and I always need the latest thing
7. I like Korean food

 
Cons:

1. No line out for my Hugo
2. Volume control that can be taken out and stuck in your nose making you choke to death
3. The preorder price does not make it a no brainer like kkcc said. At 650$ I would have grabbed one just to try

 
I will only get one later on if everybody agrees that SQ is exceptional, at 901 level, which I doubt. Indeed, beyond the DAC, what makes the 901 sound great is the power, the fat amp section. So skinny DAPs will not have that IMO.

 

[Ivabign]

 (while AK120 failed big time). 

Can I ask you in what way did the 120 fail big time?
 
(Thinking of making a large purchase, as they have come down to $999)

 

[pekingduck]

  So where do you check to see the final arrangement of the M? Input, output, type of input and cards etc. I was following all this for a while but then I read a of the back and forth on what it would offer and not offer. No wifi, fine with me. No digital out? or Line out? Trying find all the finalized options of the M.

Check this out: http://pxdshop.co.kr/product/detail.html?product_no=21&cate_no=1&display_group=2