[KutuzovGambit]

The Android 8 issue is disappointing. However everything else looks extremely promising if the price point is similar to Gen 1. Especially the battery life which has always been one of the biggest issues with DAPs for me personally.

 

[jalexis]

Hi!

Because of the Android 8 disappointment, do you guys rather recommend getting the LG V60 phone which have an ESS ES9219 Quad DAC? It is right now on Android 11 and only one 3.5mm output. I know LG is no longer making cell phones, but just asking.

Thanks.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Hi!

Because of the Android 8 disappointment, do you guys rather recommend getting the LG V60 phone which have an ESS ES9219 Quad DAC? It is right now on Android 11 and only one 3.5mm output. I know LG is no longer making cell phones, but just asking.

Thanks.

It does not have a "quad DAC" any more than any ES9219 chip has four DACs inside. And this DAP actually has two of these chips to the LG's one. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...ver-500-funded-indiegogo.852042/post-14488296

 

[jalexis]

It does not have a "quad DAC" any more than any ES9219 chip has four DACs inside. And this DAP actually has two of these chips to the LG's one. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...ver-500-funded-indiegogo.852042/post-14488296

Hi!

Thanks for the reply.

Yes. In other words, it is a technical description ESS used to describe their ESS ES9219 chip functionality. ESS called it Quad DAC+ technology. However, the new Hiby R5 Gen 2 is getting two of these chips which means the device is adopting the same technology (2x). I called the LG V60 cell phone because the device has an amazing performance, it is on Android 11, and has the ESS ES9219 aboard, and I think it is comparable at some point. LG will continue supporting some LG cell phone models until Summer 2025.

It is certainly sad and disappointing releasing the new Hiby R5 Gen 2 device with Android 8 OREO (8.1 latest release was December 2017) and is no longer supported by Google. Android 9 (PIE) is no longer supported by Google as well with the latest release in Aug 2018. In my opinion, the persons who are seeking Android DAPs is because of its customization and supported apps. Developers normally stop supporting apps for older releases as the operating system becomes obsolete.

Don't get me wrong. The Hiby R5 Gen 2 device looks gorgeous and have good specifications and features.

I don't know if the device can be modified to flash a modern firmware and keep it updated, but that is another topic.

References:
https://www.lifewire.com/android-versions-4173277
https://endoflife.date/android
https://www.esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ES9219-Datasheet-v1.1.pdf
https://www.gsmarena.com/three_lg_phones_will_get_android_12_in_q2_2022-news-53828.php

 

[Barndoor]

I have an old pioneer android dap from 2016 running on 5.1.
All apps I have installed still work on this device, including streaming services such as tidal.

For this reason I am not too concerned about the life of the Hiby being on Android 8. Worst case is it would become a non-streaming DAP, which fits most of my usage anyway.

 

[jsmiller58]

.

I have an old pioneer android dap from 2016 running on 5.1.
All apps I have installed still work on this device, including streaming services such as tidal.

For this reason I am not too concerned about the life of the Hiby being on Android 8. Worst case is it would become a non-streaming DAP, which fits most of my usage anyway.

It could just be an isolated example, but I cannot get Wavelet on my HiBy R6 Pro. I should stress that while I believe it is not available on the R6 Pro is because of Android 8, I cannot be certain. Nonetheless, all other things being equal (and they never really are!) I would prefer a more modern version of Android.

 

[gLer]

Hi!

Because of the Android 8 disappointment, do you guys rather recommend getting the LG V60 phone which have an ESS ES9219 Quad DAC? It is right now on Android 11 and only one 3.5mm output. I know LG is no longer making cell phones, but just asking.

Thanks.

I agree with @Joe Bloggs here. The DAC itself is also just one part of the chain. A DAP is far more optimised for audio performance than a phone. For example, the shielding that goes into a DAP, and the optimisation of the amping circuit and battery, are what ultimately contribute to the cleaner and more powerful output vs a phone. I have the V60 and love it, but it can't compare sonically to any dedicated DAPs that I've used. Of course if you're mainly focused on streaming, or using wireless IEMs, then a phone is more than enough. A DAP is first and foremost a wired audio-optimised device.

 

[rlw6534]

I have an old pioneer android dap from 2016 running on 5.1.
All apps I have installed still work on this device, including streaming services such as tidal.

For this reason I am not too concerned about the life of the Hiby being on Android 8. Worst case is it would become a non-streaming DAP, which fits most of my usage anyway.

FYI, recent versions of both Tidal and Qobuz now require Android 6 or later. I guess the older versions still work, for now?

 

[Barndoor]

Yes, tidal still works. Can't comment on qobuz.

 

[gLer]

I think we're still several years off before app makers require Android 8+ for compatibility.

 

[rlw6534]

I think we're still several years off before app makers require Android 8+ for compatibility.

Yes, I agree. It's the added audio processing features in Android 9+ that's more significant to me. It's getting to the point that the lack of PEQ is a deal-breaker for future purchases. That means either built-in PEQ or Android 9+, preferably Android 10 (for Wavelet or Poweramp EQ).

 

[rinaldi1412]

Anyone tried this at SG CanJam and could makes little impression of it? Thank you

 

[mikp]

I think we're still several years off before app makers require Android 8+ for compatibility.

well, last year the sennheiser app became 8+ only. So stuck using old version on fiio m6. The m6 is android 7 so no eq there either.

 

[Photoman]

The key is also the ram. No one knows

 

[Dizm0]

Fingers crossed it's not a chonky boy and the price is right...though I have a feeling neither of those are going to ring true. So, that said...R3 Gen 2 when?