HiBy R5 Gen 2 - Class A headamp, Dual ES9219C, 35h playtime, MQA 16x, open Android

[rlw6534]

Its going to be interesting comparing the R5GII to the 1AM2 when they both come!

Those are two really different devices. But I am indeed curious as to what you find out. Please let us know.

 

[Dizm0]

What do you guys think about buying this strictly for use with IEMs? I don't listen to headphones, and I don't really see myself buying any again.
If I'm at home I have speakers.

@gLer you mentioned that you had a review coming, when's it going live? I'm not keen to order one of these without seeing a review, and I'm much less likely to order one if the early bird sale is over.

 

[mr_grump5]

Wavelet requires android 9 and up, I believe. Which currently is only on Hiby R6 2020 and a bunch of more expensive DAPs.

It's funny because I was on the fence about buying a R5 Saber and the announcement of the R5 gen2 is what's making me take the plunge: I think it's going to be a great stopgap device while Hiby and Shanling get their game together for mid-fi DAPs in terms of android version..

argh..this DAP was almost perfect, will probably buy Qudelix-5K as stopgap till Hiby/Shanling upgrade their mid tier DAPs to Android 9 and above

 

[psikey]

What do you guys think about buying this strictly for use with IEMs? I don't listen to headphones, and I don't really see myself buying any again.
If I'm at home I have speakers.

@gLer you mentioned that you had a review coming, when's it going live? I'm not keen to order one of these without seeing a review, and I'm much less likely to order one if the early bird sale is over.

I only use IEM's and the R3 and R5 were great, so expect this one will be too. Only original R6 had too much background noise I think for low impedance IEM's (my 8 ohm SE846 are sensitive to background noise).

 

[gLer]

What do you guys think about buying this strictly for use with IEMs? I don't listen to headphones, and I don't really see myself buying any again.
If I'm at home I have speakers.

@gLer you mentioned that you had a review coming, when's it going live? I'm not keen to order one of these without seeing a review, and I'm much less likely to order one if the early bird sale is over.

Should be done towards the end of the week, or early next at the latest. But I'll chime in with some early impressions this week for sure.

 

[psikey]

Should be done towards the end of the week, or early next at the latest. But I'll chime in with some early impressions this week for sure.

Today would be good

 

[gLer]

Today would be good

I would if I had it. Currently sitting with DHL, who won't deliver until after the public holiday tomorrow. So pencil in Wed/Thu for unboxing and early impressions.

 

[psikey]

I would if I had it. Currently sitting with DHL, who won't deliver until after the public holiday tomorrow. So pencil in Wed/Thu for unboxing and early impressions.

Is yours a demo unit for reviewing then?

I've ordered one on Friday but got impression not shipping until a week later?

 

[gLer]

Is yours a demo unit for reviewing then?

I've ordered one on Friday but got impression not shipping until a week later?

Yes

 

[KutuzovGambit]

Yes

Will you be able to test the OI in all four modes perchance? Or get those specs from Hiby?

 

[Dizm0]

I only use IEM's and the R3 and R5 were great, so expect this one will be too. Only original R6 had too much background noise I think for low impedance IEM's (my 8 ohm SE846 are sensitive to background noise).

I hope so. I had the R3 for a bit, but never got around to setting it up before I sold it. Saw the R3 Pro with the better battery life and instantly wanted that one more. However, after selling it I looked into other offerings and ended up with an AP80 Pro and a Cowon Plenue D3. I actually prefer the AP80p, but the D3 destroys it battery life wise. It just has an absolutely horrid screen. The R5 gen 2 seems like a nice middle ground, and I'd like to add an Android DAP to my lineup. It checks virtually all my boxes.

Should be done towards the end of the week, or early next at the latest. But I'll chime in with some early impressions this week for sure.

Amazing! Thank you. I've never looked into running headphones off of a DAP but I'm going to be getting a pair for when I relocate for a practicum.
Do you think these can run harder to run cans? I've been tempted to try a pair of planars.

 

[gLer]

Amazing! Thank you. I've never looked into running headphones off of a DAP but I'm going to be getting a pair for when I relocate for a practicum.
Do you think these can run harder to run cans? I've been tempted to try a pair of planars.

I personally wouldn't recommend running hard to drive planars from a DAP, not even DAPs with 2-3x the power of the R52. I'd consider adding a small desktop amp to the chain if you want to drive bigger headphones. For easy to drive headphones it should be fine.

 

[Deleeh]

Had the Ap 80 pro x there briefly and ran a bit borderline with the Aeon R/T.
It worked but was a bit borderline.
I returned the Ap 80 Pro X because it only supports Apple devices in Bluetooth mode but not via Lightning.
Now I have an ifi Hip 2 Dac and its 280 mw is enough to run the Aeon R/T and also loud enough.
I think it will be doable but it needs enough power and it will affect the battery life.
There are also daps that do a better job with planar headphones as an amp I've read.
I would go for balanced minimum on the R5 gen 2 unbalanced seems a bit undersized.

 

[psikey]

Didn't realise it was using same DAC's as the LG V60.

I assume in economy mode its using the integrated amp in the DAC's (2Vrms output) for low power and for demanding headphones (or just because you can) using the separate class A AMP.

 

[psikey]

The problem with Android 8 is that it doesn't include the DynamicsProcessing effect which is what (I believe) allows Wavelet and Poweramp Equalizer to function. I'm a big believer in modest to moderate EQ to fine tune my equipment. If Hiby could improve the convolver plugin or add system-wide PEQ we might still be able to get there.

Fortunate for me I never use EQ on any DAP other than the initial play around when new. So long as Tidal (4.4), AmazonHD (5.0), Spotify (5.0) support 8.1 for a few years it will be fine.

* Current minimum Android needed shown in brackets