AMP3 in-depth review (long)

[tstarn06]

Maybe that is what is coming with the Studio I, which is an amp first, player second (no screen, but HP out and 8GB of onboard space, plus a card slot). It's $349 and supposedly on another level SQ-wise from the Amp3. That remains to be seen, but just maybe that's what is the difference. No idea. But possible.

 

[Alex_Nsk]

Possible so. But for exact information one need to reassemble it and see what happened inside of it trully.
Stay tuned!

 

[shigzeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So the Amp3 is fine to scratch this particular niche, pardon the pun.

tstarn, I am so sorry to hand this one to you, but: your pun may only work if you are American where 'niche' rhymes with 'itch'. But, I will laugh anyway!

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatman /img/forum/go_quote.gif oh, That mean you still have no HIFIMAN? Then how do you know AMP3 is not the league of Hifiman? Did you imagine?

I heard both at CanJam. I have no real memory of the AMP3, which means very little at the end of the day. Just because something at a meet doesn't jump out at you, doesn't mean it's not worth investigating further. The HiFiMan, on the other hand, seriously impressed me. I put it a league above any portable player I've heard, and that incluces the two imods I've owned. I'm also not getting a HiFiMan at this time. I'm waiting until it supports Apple Lossless, which, per Fang, will happen down the line, though I've no idea when, nor do I know if that's actually in the works.

That said, the HiFiMan is quite large, which eliminates portable use for me, as I don't want to be carrying around a jumbo object (it's also much lighter than it looks), where the AMP3 is definitely a portable player. The problem I have with the AMP3 is that it doesn't hold enough music to make it a worthwhile purchase for me at this time.

 

[Chef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe that is what is coming with the Studio I, which is an amp first, player second (no screen, but HP out and 8GB of onboard space, plus a card slot). It's $349 and supposedly on another level SQ-wise from the Amp3. That remains to be seen, but just maybe that's what is the difference. No idea. But possible.

What?? That would be horrible, I hope you are wrong. I want to be able to select the album I want to listen to... 8 gig + card is WAY too much for a stupid shuffle player that's suddenly decided its primary function is portable AMP. No... I don't think this will happen, all hi-sound's goals seem to be oriented on creating a complete package an inexperienced consumer can buy and enjoy out of the box... Not another piece in an audio chain only a small number (with respect to the market) appreciate. Especially not with a portable player... Don't say such scary things.

 

[tstarn06]

The Studio I is the base upon which the Studio II will be built, the way I understand it, so no doubt the II will have a screen. But my early understanding, and I could be wrong, is the Studio I will have no screen, just an awesome DAP/amp that will offer even a higher level of SQ than the Amp3. But of course, it all remains to be seen/heard.

I agree, of course, I would rather have a screen, even a teeny one like the Amp3 has. But to be honest, I use the Amp3 mainly as a glorified shuffle for walks, etc., when on the move. At home, the screen is fine. But the screen is really secondary to the sound for me. This just isn't a PMP or ZuneHD or any other of those sleek, feature-rich machines.

Having said that, I am sure if the Studio I meets expectations SQ-wise, a small screen will be a major consideration in the II.

Also, consider Hisoundaudio is also going to release other Amp3-like players, including a cheaper one like the Shuffle from what I have read/understand.

Most of all, the Amp3 continues to improve. The new firmware has settled down for me, but the issues of long startups (when in random mode or a card is installed) persist.

I am just not sure the market is the inexperienced consumer, because once most people see the Amp3 screen, they are going to be disappointed if they are used to the Nano, Touch, etc.

We'll see.

I would not mind even an upgrade to the Clip screen, which is pretty easy to use, though I still mainly just hit play and listen randomly, which is just a personal preference for portable audio.

 

[Chef]

For my own interest, I'd like to see the sources of your impressions on the Studio I and what it will be like. Unless of course they're private messages or emails, but if they're on a website I'd be very interested in reading them myself.

Quote:

I am just not sure the market is the inexperienced consumer, because once most people see the Amp3 screen, they are going to be disappointed if they are used to the Nano, Touch, etc.

I agree. I don't really think their business model is the best for success, but they are definitely trying to be as different as possible from the most popular brands. Sometimes that has a value in itself, if they can muster up enough snob appeal that their device 'doesn't waste your money on worthless superficial features.'

I suppose we'll start getting more concrete ideas at the end of this week (or next week... Craig said "next week" on last Sunday morning, so it's a bit ambiguous).

 

[Anouk]

Hello, yes, I udnerstand sound quality should be first but functionality and usability are just as important and you cant ignore them and solely focus on sound quality.
I hope some brave soul will disassemble the studio 1 or studio 2 so we will know what is in there as well.
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[average_joe]

Hi Anouk, you can if you use it as an amp/backup DAP

For example, while traveling, you could listen to another DAP connected to the AMP3 via LOD and when the other DAP's battery dies (before the AMP3's), you can then use the DAP function.

The AMP3 is not unusable as a DAP, just not the most convenient with limited modes at this time.

And what does disassembling the Studio/AMP3 do unless someone is going to take that information and start to work on the firmware. But if rockbox was to work on the firmware, I am sure the programmer would be able work from a knowledge of the system as described by Hisound vs. looking at the hardware

 

[httmon]

If the studio canceled the screen, studio really worth looking forward to, because the screen will power part of the power amplifier circuits cause serious interference, especially in such a small enclosure inside part of the interference from the power supply will be fleeing into the digital chips, after the noise output from the chip, re-amplify the signal through the amplifier circuit to form a double pollution, which is SQ's deadly killer, hisoundaudio engineers must be very clear about this point in offending the market (need screen) and get the best selection of SQ , they obviously chose the latter, this option is too takes courage, but also proved that this product is a market not to compromise the pure SQ product, though I already have AMP3 and very satisfactory, but I also look forward to studio, I guess This is what I really want.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef /img/forum/go_quote.gif For my own interest, I'd like to see the sources of your impressions on the Studio I and what it will be like. Unless of course they're private messages or emails, but if they're on a website I'd be very interested in reading them myself. I agree. I don't really think their business model is the best for success, but they are definitely trying to be as different as possible from the most popular brands. Sometimes that has a value in itself, if they can muster up enough snob appeal that their device 'doesn't waste your money on worthless superficial features.' I suppose we'll start getting more concrete ideas at the end of this week (or next week... Craig said "next week" on last Sunday morning, so it's a bit ambiguous).

I wish I could remember where I saw/read about no screen, and of course I could be wrong. We should find out soon enough. I believe Craig listed the Studio I features on the Whiplash forum.

In fact, here they are. But no mention of screen or no screen. Maybe I am going crazy.

(From Whiplash post)

Now onto the next release; STUDIO I

This takes it to the next level. This is designed to be used as a portable amp versus a DAP, However it will carry some of the features like:

*16GB MicroSD
*8GB onboard memory
*MUCH higher SQ than the Amp3 line. This is design to complete with the many home rigs.

What is be unique approach with this product in the sense that we, headfi'ers, will participate in help designing the next released model. So we can actual take part in providing feedback on how to improve on the STUDIO I and in turn, launch the STUDIO II.

 

[Chef]

Oops... My intention was to get a replacement for my iPod, not an amp for it... Oh well.

You're probably thinking of the picture that didn't have a screen. I presumed that was an alpha model, not an actual product..

F my life lol.

This doesn't really make any sense to me... if it's not meant to be used as a DAP really, why not just build a dedicated amp? Why add extra cost in memory and and DAC if they are not going to be used? Ahhh...~

 

[tstarn06]

I think the idea is to build an audiophile amp with DAP features tossed in, since maybe they don't have any negative impact on the SQ of the amp. I am not sure, but maybe HTTmon is right, and the screen can have a negative impact on SQ. If the Studio I is even higher on the food chain SQ-wise than the Amp3, I am really looking forward to it. Screen or no screen. As I said, I am a random play person anyway. I can always use it with my Fuze/LOD/Flac setup for the amp only.

But you are right, not an iPod replacement.

 

[shigzeo]

they could incorporate a digital screen as seen in watches which has a backlight similar to that in watches, or the type used 20 years ago (yellow). that circuitry has absolutely no feedback into the system. that said, i doubt that anyone other than bats would notice the difference.

 

[tstarn06]

Agree, a screen would be nice to have. When the Studio II "building" commences (after Studio I is distributed), that would be request #1 from potential Studio II buyers is my guess.