HiBy R1 $85 CS43131 DAP Released!

[SapphicSweetheart]

Think maybe it's the way he worded it, -dongle dac? So it works as a USB dac, but not a dongle dac. I think lol. I mean it's a dap with a screen, battery etc, so? And you can do ldac if you want to stream from your phone. Otherwise dongles are a dime a dozen.

Hmm if it worked as a USB DAC like for a computer but not as one for a phone, that would seem like an odd limitation, if that is just a wording issue. I'm mainly looking for a DAP, but still want to be able to connect it to my phone in case I want to listen to a podcast or something. My phone seems to have absolutely awful bluetooth connectivity though (relatively new Samsung budget phone), so it would be much better for it to work with USB. I bought a Samsung dongle recently for that but had it break in just a couple weeks. Just would be very useful budget-wise if this could work both as a seperate DAP and as a USB DAC for a phone for the times I need it. Why I'm very interested to read reviews, tests, for it.

 

[abitdeef]

Hmm if it worked as a USB DAC like for a computer but not as one for a phone, that would seem like an odd limitation, if that is just a wording issue. I'm mainly looking for a DAP, but still want to be able to connect it to my phone in case I want to listen to a podcast or something. My phone seems to have absolutely awful bluetooth connectivity though (relatively new Samsung budget phone), so it would be much better for it to work with USB. I bought a Samsung dongle recently for that but had it break in just a couple weeks. Just would be very useful budget-wise if this could work both as a seperate DAP and as a USB DAC for a phone for the times I need it. Why I'm very interested to read reviews, tests, for it.

Yep, understand, I'm sure he'll clarify and maybe it's just a firmware thing that can be updated.

 

[bassct]

OP, thank you for such a detailed overview!
Smalls DAPs are cool but getting battery life right can be tricky. This one sure looks good. I have had Shanling M2x, M0, Hiby R2 R3 R3pro. Might give this a try.

 

[kesobie]

I'm really surprised to hear you say that it can't be used as a USB DAC, because that seems to go against the marketing material! Like in the pictures in the Audio Componentry section, under MSEB and Streaming Platforms Support is lists USB DAC. This might be good to ask HiBy about?

I'm currently looking for a cheap DAP and am choosing between the R1 and the R3 II.
Are there any major downsides to the R1 compared to the R3 II, besides the obvious that it doesn't have a Balanced output, and is made of plastic rather than metal? Is the audio quality on the 3.5mm output particularly worse than the R3 II, or are they about the same?

The audio componentry section was a little vague, but you cannot use this AS a USB DAC, but instead WITH an external DAC. I tried everything I could to use this AS an external DAC, to no avail in both bluetooth and wired.

The differences between the R1 and R3 aren't extensive, but I need to make sure to list down all their differences before I state anything cus I could miss one vital information for you. But the major thing you need to know along with your inquiry about the 3.5mm output is that the R3 II can be used AS an external DAC both wired and wireless.

Some specs are also better on the R3 II like battery life, screen size, etc.

However, the R1 has new features and also uses a newer processor which, at the current moment, feels just a tad bit snappier than the x1000e and loads the album art faster than the R3 II

As for sound, the R3 II sounds cleaner and fuller compared to the R1, but the R1 is crisper and more revealing. I'll share my full audio impressions in a few days

Hopefully, that clears things up!

 

[kesobie]

HIBY R1 ONLINE STREAMING TEST​

I just tested the streaming capability of the HiBy R1 with Tidal and here are my findings



As you might expect from such a basic device, you’re not getting the fancy suite and layout of the Tidal app. Instead, you get a more advanced version of the offline browsing layout.

In order to log in, you must scan the QR code with your phone or go to the website and allow the R1 to stream with your Tidal account.

Once you’re in, you’re shown new albums, tracks, playlists, and the log-out button. Very simple stuff.

You can also search for music on your own by going to the search icon and typing down the album, track, or artist you want to look for.

You can also add albums, tracks, and playlists to your favorites which will reflect on the icon on the top right of the main screen.

As for streaming quality, it only says FLAC and does not disclose other information. Additionally, the album cover does not load, probably due to bandwidth and processing limitations.

Unfortunately, I did not find any option to download these songs offline so you have to make sure you’re connected to the internet if you want to keep streaming.

It’s a very basic streaming service that does what you need and nothing else. No extras, no bells and whistles, and it doesn’t even deviate from the usual layout.

That’s it for streaming. Dongle testing and sound impressions are to come!

Follow me at OB ODIO on YouTube if you’d like to see my review on this once it comes out!

 

[SapphicSweetheart]

The audio componentry section was a little vague, but you cannot use this AS a USB DAC, but instead WITH an external DAC. I tried everything I could to use this AS an external DAC, to no avail in both bluetooth and wired.

The differences between the R1 and R3 aren't extensive, but I need to make sure to list down all their differences before I state anything cus I could miss one vital information for you. But the major thing you need to know along with your inquiry about the 3.5mm output is that the R3 II can be used AS an external DAC both wired and wireless.

Some specs are also better on the R3 II like battery life, screen size, etc.

However, the R1 has new features and also uses a newer processor which, at the current moment, feels just a tad bit snappier than the x1000e and loads the album art faster than the R3 II

As for sound, the R3 II sounds cleaner and fuller compared to the R1, but the R1 is crisper and more revealing. I'll share my full audio impressions in a few days

Hopefully, that clears things up!

I just sent an email asking, and they do say that it being used as a DAC for a PC/phone is supported! Over USB, too! So that's really odd :O Might need to contact support to figure that out? Mb it's a feature that's still in development? I know having the right cable and phone options setup can be important too for using OTG as an option.

And tysm for your answers and all this! Hmm I'd definitely still consider the R1 then with your audio descriptions, so long as the DAC ability that HiBy are saying it has is true. One of my fears would be wether it has any issues with hiss on more sensitive headphones, like my AKG K712s perhaps. My desktop setup would still probably be my way to listen at the most cleanest/highres when I want to, but I still very much want to have a DAP just so I can listen to music well much more easily and readily. Plus clear up over a hundred GB of Flacs off my phone, ahaha.

 

[kesobie]

I just sent an email asking, and they do say that it being used as a DAC for a PC/phone is supported! Over USB, too! So that's really odd :O Might need to contact support to figure that out? Mb it's a feature that's still in development? I know having the right cable and phone options setup can be important too for using OTG as an option.

And tysm for your answers and all this! Hmm I'd definitely still consider the R1 then with your audio descriptions, so long as the DAC ability that HiBy are saying it has is true. One of my fears would be wether it has any issues with hiss on more sensitive headphones, like my AKG K712s perhaps. My desktop setup would still probably be my way to listen at the most cleanest/highres when I want to, but I still very much want to have a DAP just so I can listen to music well much more easily and readily. Plus clear up over a hundred GB of Flacs off my phone, ahaha.

Apparently, whoever answered you in the email was wrong LOL I personally asked someone who is directly connected to the development of the R1, and said that it cannot be used as an external DAC as of the moment, but it's being discussed with the development team. So yeah, no bueno for use as an external DAC right now sadly

As for your worries with this having hiss with sensitive headphones, I never found it to hiss at all, at least so far in my testing. I'm still yet to test ALL my IEMs on the R1 since some of them are terminated to 4.4mm, but none of the IEMs I've tested have had any hiss whatsoever. But I'll make an immediate update once I find an iem that hisses

 

[abitdeef]

Hmm. Probably software problem

 

[abitdeef]

Also Ali express has r3 ii for 144 bucks, that's pretty cheap, and I've bought many audio products from them with no problem. I believe it was 209 dollars when I bought mine. I paid 95 for the r1 so that's just 49 bucks more, 85 for r1 and 10 for shipping. Not trying to hijack thread but this does work as usb dac.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006109095420.html

 

[SapphicSweetheart]

Also Ali express has r3 ii for 144 bucks, that's pretty cheap, and I've bought many audio products from them with no problem. I believe it was 209 dollars when I bought mine. I paid 95 for the r1 so that's just 49 bucks more, 85 for r1 and 10 for shipping. Not trying to hijack thread but this does work as usb dac.



https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006109095420.html

Agh where we're at with the pricing on aliexpress, taking into account taxes and things, the R1 is basically exactly half the price of the R3 II. Like 105 Eur vs 210 Eur. Just a bit hard to weigh up that price difference vs capabilities

 

[abitdeef]

Agh where we're at with the pricing on aliexpress, taking into account taxes and things, the R1 is basically exactly half the price of the R3 II. Like 105 Eur vs 210 Eur. Just a bit hard to weigh up that price difference vs capabilities

Ahh you're in UK, I usually don't have to pay tax on Ali here in the US, depending on what store. Yep with vat and such its not as good a deal.

 

[kesobie]

HIBY R1 SOUND IMPRESSIONS​

At last, we’ve reached my sound impressions on the HiBy R1. I won’t go too in depth as I plan to do that on my full review, but I would like to share a couple of my thoughts and observations.

Firstly, if you haven’t seen my post about the volume lock situation, you can read it here https://audionotions.com/hiby-r1-and-other-hiby-products-volume-lock-explained/

With that put into the context, the R1 is a surprisingly powerful little device with emphasis on clarity and details over musicality and warmth. In short, this is on the brighter spectrum of the CS43131 DACs out there.

This reminds me a lot of the HiBy Digital M300 with its emphasis on the top end over the bass, but the M300 is still a little bit more dynamic in the low end and a little bit more powerful.

Instrument separation is the most impressive thing about this thing as the leaner output emphasizes the smaller details in whatever headphones you listen to. However, this also has the tendency to make bright IEMs a tad bit too bright while balancing out the warmer IEMs to have a bit more treble. Keep that in mind when choosing your transducer

Speaking of which, I absolutely LOVED pairing the Kefine Delci and Klean on this. It almost sounds like it was made for the R1, or vise versa. The way that it controlled the bass was fantastic while bringing a tad bit more detail in the treble.

Not so good pairing would be brighter leaning IEMs like the EW200, KZ ZSN/ZS10 series of IEMs (trust me, all of them) and any of the brighter sets that can get a little edgy.

Ironically, I choose to pair probably the worst pairing to photograph with the bright and vibrant DK3001BD with the R1, but I thought it was aesthetically fitting.

 

[JimiMack]

HIBY R1 SOUND IMPRESSIONS​

At last, we’ve reached my sound impressions on the HiBy R1. I won’t go too in depth as I plan to do that on my full review, but I would like to share a couple of my thoughts and observations.

Firstly, if you haven’t seen my post about the volume lock situation, you can read it here https://audionotions.com/hiby-r1-and-other-hiby-products-volume-lock-explained/

With that put into the context, the R1 is a surprisingly powerful little device with emphasis on clarity and details over musicality and warmth. In short, this is on the brighter spectrum of the CS43131 DACs out there.

This reminds me a lot of the HiBy Digital M300 with its emphasis on the top end over the bass, but the M300 is still a little bit more dynamic in the low end and a little bit more powerful.

Instrument separation is the most impressive thing about this thing as the leaner output emphasizes the smaller details in whatever headphones you listen to. However, this also has the tendency to make bright IEMs a tad bit too bright while balancing out the warmer IEMs to have a bit more treble. Keep that in mind when choosing your transducer

Speaking of which, I absolutely LOVED pairing the Kefine Delci and Klean on this. It almost sounds like it was made for the R1, or vise versa. The way that it controlled the bass was fantastic while bringing a tad bit more detail in the treble.

Not so good pairing would be brighter leaning IEMs like the EW200, KZ ZSN/ZS10 series of IEMs (trust me, all of them) and any of the brighter sets that can get a little edgy.

Ironically, I choose to pair probably the worst pairing to photograph with the bright and vibrant DK3001BD with the R1, but I thought it was aesthetically fitting.

Thank you for your impressions. Two questions, 1 what files and quality did you use to describe what the unit sounds like to you and 2, what is that thing about the size of a Zippo lighter?

 

[abitdeef]

Iem is almost as big as the dap for old ears like mine I don't mind some brightness.

 

[kesobie]

HIBY R1 REVIEW: 1 WEEK OF INTENSIVE TESTS LATER​

Watch review here:​

PROS:​

• Very affordable price
• Small and pocketable
• Feature-rich for the price
• Functional design
• Superb battery life
• Decent power output (when volume unlocked)
• Improved processor
• Fresh looking UI with new QOL improvements
• Tidal and Qobuz streaming

CONS:​

• Cannot be used AS an external DAC
• No dark mode
• No balanced out
• No PEQ (as of 11/07/24)
• Book mode is basically useless

WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR:​

• People looking to get their first DAP
• People looking for a small and very pocketable DAP
• People looking for a simple and no-frills music player

WHO THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:​

• People looking for a lot of power output
• People looking for more than offline listening and online Tidal/Qobuz streaming
• People looking for a premium looking and feeling DAP

SHORT REVIEW:​

Being cheap doesn’t have to mean you have to sacrifice a lot because the R1 proves that you can get a functional, feature rich DAP for a low price with most of the features you need still in tact. Once you unlock that volume, the R1 shows its true potential as probably the best entry level DAP you can get under $100 with most of my issues being resolved by a simple firmware update in the future. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Thank you for watching my review on the HiBy R1! If you would like to buy one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r1

PHOTOS:​