I spent some time putting the Angel through its paces. It is a wonderful device that I feel gives a good sense of what a high-end neutral source sounds like, but without the high price tag attached. My review can be found here.
EarMen Angel
- Thread starter Miroslav EarMen
- Start date
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- earmen earmen angel
rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
I have spent some time with the Angel and I have to say I have enjoyed listening to music every day for the last several weeks. Specially my Grado Hemps and Etymotic EVO's really benefit from the Angel but really, all my headphones sound fantastic with the Angel.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/earmen-angel.25952/reviews#review-29580
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/earmen-angel.25952/reviews#review-29580
Great writing.I have spent some time with the Angel and I have to say I have enjoyed listening to music every day for the last several weeks. Specially my Grado Hemps and Etymotic EVO's really benefit from the Angel but really, all my headphones sound fantastic with the Angel.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/earmen-angel.25952/reviews#review-29580
I am in the process of burning this baby before start listening sessions for my review!
UPDATE: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earmen-angel.964116/page-4#post-17274932
Hey there,
I just received the Angel and have a question. Can I use the provided usb-c cable to charge the device? I'm using an Apple charger adapter 2A but when I plug it in the LED keeps flashing RED instead of BLUE indicating the battery is low. I also tried plugging it into my laptop's usb-c port, same thing - LED is flashing RED instead of BLUE.
The weather and device is quite cold. Should I keep it plugged in so that it charges more? Is this how it's supposed to be?
Hey there,
I just received the Angel and have a question. Can I use the provided usb-c cable to charge the device? I'm using an Apple charger adapter 2A but when I plug it in the LED keeps flashing RED instead of BLUE indicating the battery is low. I also tried plugging it into my laptop's usb-c port, same thing - LED is flashing RED instead of BLUE.
The weather and device is quite cold. Should I keep it plugged in so that it charges more? Is this how it's supposed to be?
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Great specifications. It'd be nice to own one.
EarMen Angel
Reference Portable DeviceUSB DAC - Preamp - Headphone Amp – Battery Powered
Reference Portable Device
EarMen Angel is Portable Fully Balanced Hi-Res DAC/ Headphone Amplifier with the Pre Out option. It is a very powerful audio device with which you will be able to listen to Hi-Res music on to go. You will be able to enjoy a plenty of power without worrying about consumption, since it is equipped with 2-cell battery. EarMen Angel will provide outstanding performance and we are sure you will enjoy it. Fly music with EarMen Angel!
DAC
EarMen Angel uses ESS DAC ES9038Q2M which has great SNR and THD + N characteristics compared to its competitors, along with the newest XMOS USB receiver which is capable of decoding up to 768kHz/32 bit PCM, DSD256 via DoP and MQA Studio.Everything you ever need!
Fully Balanced
EarMen Angle is a fully balanced device whose balanced signal goes intact from the DAC all the way to the headphone output. There are no changes in the audio signal itself except for amplification, so the sound from the DAC is original.
The device is designed so that in the path of audio signal sound, there are no additional capacitors and other components that would introduce distortion, so the sound itself is fascinating.
Incredibly Dynamic
The dynamic range of 120dB is amazing, so the music you listen to becomes realistic, as if you are listening live. The device has a linear power supply with ultra low noise which helps to deliver even clearer sound. Once you hear the sound, you will desire nothing but this device.
MQA Studio quality audio
Angel supports Tidal Masters (MQA)
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.
Powerful Battery
EarMen Angel has a two-cell battery 2x3000mAh which will give you the opportunity for many hours of listening to music. You do not have to worry about battery consumption, as the charging time is less than 3 hours. Separate DATA and USB charging ports allow the device to run continuously if it is on the charger, and so you can use it all day in your system.
Gain +
By switching to Gain + mode, you will get more power, volume and dynamics of sound. This option gives you the ability to adjust the volume to a more precise level, allowing Angel to be used with all types of sensitive and insensitive headphones.
Headphone jack options
Angel gives you a choice of headphone outputs to use the ones you love the most. You have the option of a 3.5mm single end output as well as a balanced 4.4m output. Whatever you choose, Angel will automatically recognize your selected output.
Line Out option
The line out option with outstanding features gives you the ability to use Angel as a Pre Amp for your home system. You can also choose whether to use Single End or Fully Balanced output. The choice is yours.
Specifications
Inputs
USB C DATA USB C Charging S/PDIF COAX/TOS
Outputs
Single End 3.5mm Balanced 4.4mm
Audio Formats
DSD DoP 256 / 128 / 64 Native DSD 512 / 256 / 128 / 64 DXD 768 / 705.6 / 384 / 352.8 kHz PCM 768 / 705.6 / 384 / 352.8 / 192 / 176.4 / 96 / 88.2 / 48 / 44.1kHz MQA Hardware Decoder MQB/MQA Core, MQA, MQA Studio, MQA Auth
Headphone Single-end output with Gain+
USB input S/PDIF input Output Level 7.2Vrms 0dBFS 7.2Vrms 0dBFS THD+N 0.004% 0.004% SNR >120dB >120dB A-Weighted A-Weighted Freq. Response ±0.2dB ±0.2dB DNR >120dB >120dB
Headphone Fully Balanced output with Gain+
USB input S/PDIF input Output Level 8.5Vrms 0dBFS 8.5Vrms 0dBFS THD+N 0.002% 0.002% SNR >119dB >119dB A-Weighted A-Weighted Freq. Response ±0.2dB ±0.2dB DNR >119dB >119dB
Line Single-end output
Direct Out Pre Out Output Level 1.5Vrms 0dBFS 7.2Vrms 0dBFS THD+N 0.005% 0.004% SNR >120dB >120dB A-Weighted A-Weighted Freq. Response ±0.2dB ±0.2dB DNR >120dB >120dB
Line Fully Balanced output
Direct Out Pre Out Output Level 3Vrms 0dBFS 8.5Vrms 0dBFS THD+N 0.003% 0.002% SNR >119dB >119dB A-Weighted A-Weighted Freq. Response ±0.2dB ±0.2dB DNR >119dB >119dB
Dimension
L x H x W 152 x 27 x 66mm / 6" x 1.05" x 2.6" Weight 340 gr / 0.75 lbs
Have you plugged it in the right port?
Charge and not Data?
UPDATE: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earmen-angel.964116/page-4#post-17274932
Yeah, CHRG port. I have decided to keep it plugged in (provided usb-c -> apple charger -> wall socket). I will come back after 3 hours. Hopefully I don't see the LED flash red by that time.
I tested it shortly on Windows, installed the driver. The sound is amazing. I didn't know the HD600 could sound this good. I plan to upgrade the firmware to v101 after 3 hours.
I also tried to use it with an iPhone (usb-c to lightning on the DATA port) and Apple Music but it did not recognize it for some reason so I'm updating my iPhone to the latest iOS now. Do I need to use an Apple Camera USB Adapter for this? I thought iOS would work straight out of the box.
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UPDATE: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earmen-angel.964116/page-4#post-17274932
Update 1.5 hours in...
The device LED keeps flashing RED indicating low battery once I power it on.
Upgraded to firmware v101 just in case and put it back to charging..
Updated to latest iOS (16.1.2) on my iPhone -- it still does not recognize it. Does anybody know how I can connect the Angel?
I will keep charging it. Are you guys sure the LED is not supposed to start flashing BLUE once I connect it to the wall (CHRG port)? It doesn't even feel warm to the touch
Update 1.5 hours in...
The device LED keeps flashing RED indicating low battery once I power it on.
Upgraded to firmware v101 just in case and put it back to charging..
Updated to latest iOS (16.1.2) on my iPhone -- it still does not recognize it. Does anybody know how I can connect the Angel?
I will keep charging it. Are you guys sure the LED is not supposed to start flashing BLUE once I connect it to the wall (CHRG port)? It doesn't even feel warm to the touch
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Well something is wrong.Update 1.5 hours in...
The device LED keeps flashing RED indicating low battery once I power it on.
Upgraded to firmware v101 just in case and put it back to charging..
Updated to latest iOS (16.1.2) on my iPhone -- it still does not recognize it. Does anybody know how I can connect the Angel?
I will keep charging it. Are you guys sure the LED is not supposed to start flashing BLUE once I connect it to the wall (CHRG port)? It doesn't even feel warm to the touch
It should have started charging by now.
It takes quite long to fully charge but it should be more than the red by now.
UPDATE: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earmen-angel.964116/page-4#post-17274932
Uh.. yeah.. I confirm -- I've received a defective unit. It's essentially an expensive brick right now because I can't even power it on anymore.
Switching between PCM and DSD on Windows also caused a weird frequency sweep/glitch noise over ASIO.I'll contact EarMen's support team tomorrow so that I can return it.
What a pity though because it truly sounds great. I had the chance to enjoy it with the HD600 and Meze Elites for a good 1 hour or so before it ran out of power.
Ngl I'm also a bit let down by the fact that it didn't work on iOS straight out of the box -- which IMO makes it more of a "desktop portable" than a "mobile portable" device. Could a firmware update possibly fix that? @Miroslav EarMen
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rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
In order to run it from iOS, you need the apple camera connection kit lightning to usb-a dongle. The the Angel works great with iOS.
UPDATE: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earmen-angel.964116/page-4#post-17274932
Which one?
Or would they both work?
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Sorry to hear that, I hope that your issue gets resolved.Uh.. yeah.. I confirm -- I've received a defective unit. It's essentially an expensive brick right now because I can't even power it on anymore.
I'll contact EarMen's support team tomorrow so that I can return it.
What a pity though because it truly sounds great. I had the chance to enjoy it with the HD600 and Meze Elites for a good 1 hour or so before it ran out of power.
Ngl I'm also a bit let down by the fact that it didn't work on iOS straight out of the box -- which IMO makes it more of a "desktop portable" than a "mobile portable" device. Could a firmware update possibly fix that? @Miroslav EarMen
rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
I use this one:
I also get MQA from Tidal with a Green LED from my iPhone this way. A very capable portable set!
rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
Some people mention a firmware-update to the Angel. I have only used the firmware that it had from when I got it.
https://earmen-eu.com/products/earmen-angel?_pos=2&_sid=62a6f9e17&_ss=r
I can see on this page that there is a dead link to downloading a new firmware.
Can anyone help me get the latest firmware-files?
EDIT: I found the files and link working on the US-earmen page:
https://earmen.com/index.php/products/earmen-angel
https://earmen-eu.com/products/earmen-angel?_pos=2&_sid=62a6f9e17&_ss=r
I can see on this page that there is a dead link to downloading a new firmware.
Can anyone help me get the latest firmware-files?
EDIT: I found the files and link working on the US-earmen page:
https://earmen.com/index.php/products/earmen-angel
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