[recondude]

I was hoping you guys could give your thoughts and opinions to assist me in making a decision in relation to the R6. All my knowledge is based purely on reading the forums/net etc as opposed to any direct technical experience. I currently have the Fiio X7 1st gen as my main dap which I love but its streaming performance (Tidal) is less than stellar (wifi range, strength, interference). If I could get a DAP that streams as good as my phone but has the audio performance of the X7 then I would be a very happy bunny. So I've been looking at possible alternatives and R6 looks on paper to be ideal - modern processor 3gb RAM with online reviews saying it performs as fast as a phone, excellent build quality. Great, then I see the comments about the 10 ohm output impedance which just puts that seed of doubt in my mind. My understanding of this is that lower impedance IEMS/headphones may exhibit different frequency response from their intended design i.e. bass may become loose/bloomy and that to provide adequate dampening the 1/8 rule should be applied. I would be looking to use the following with the R6 - Cosmic Ear CE6P CIEMS, Custom Art Fibae 2 (not really relevant because of the flat impedance technology), Oppo PM3, Bowers & Wilkins P7, Grado SR325e, Philips Fidelio L2. All the headphones are 32 ohm or less. If, for want of a better phrase 'they are going to be all over the place' then the R6 isn't going to be for me.

Hiby have obviously made the design choice for a reason and I would really welcome to hear what they have to say about this and of course any one else. I realise this post may cause many to 'roll their eyes and groan' but I suspect that I am far from being alone on this point especially amongst those that 'lurk' but don't post on Head Fi.

I look forward to what you have to say.

 

[Adventure]

Hi my first post, I am Adventure and living in Amsterdam.
Hifi enthusiast, and more then interested in the HiBy R6, I want to use this with my Audeze LCD i4 and while traveling in the plane with the RHA T20.
My question is.. does the HiBy allow to play Tidal while being in the Offline mode?
Can I download a 400 track playlist and play this via Tidal on the plane?

If so I will order the Stainless Steel version.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

@twister6 and @Currawong (and whoever else might have a review unit):
Any impressions of the black aluminum build quality / scratch-resistance / etc.? I suspect no one can really compare SS to aluminum (other than @Joe Bloggs himself...).

I am leaning towards the black aluminum (due to weight and me liking black vs. silver in general). Saving $50 is obviously nice, too.
Any thoughts? If the SS is way better (build quality and/or being resistant to scratches, feeling much better in the hand, etc.) - I will splurge the extra $50 for it... I am NOT going to put it in a case (I almost never do for DAPs...).

Thanks!

Thanks @twister6 - very helpful. I agree that DAPs that look great (X5III and R6) should be displayed, rather than hidden by a case

I will wait for @Currawong to provide his take on this subject, and hopefully @Joe Bloggs would chime in, too. After all - he's the only person that can comment on comparing the 2 (Aluminum vs. SS)... and hopefully, Joe would reply before the end of the campaign (I know he's busy in Sin City).

I wouldn't think there's any problem with the durability of the aluminium alloy version. It is, after all, what 99% of DAP chassis are made of The aluminium chassis has a powdered finish while the stainless steel is brushed, either provides adequate masking of minor scratches. In any event, I consider the glass back of the player more prone to scratches if you set it naked on countertops. Keep those protector films on!

Hi guys with R6 on hand. I wonder if you have same opinion about lacking air, openness, extension and definition of highs as same as the review? The review in the end compares against Sony ZX2 that reveals more highs in this regard. I don't think R6's EQ will help much, I guess it's by design, or limitation of its DAC chip?? Can this characteristic of R6 be improved by Hiby, eg. kernel tuning, driver tuning?

hi Joe, I'd love to hear your opinion on this as well. BTW, i'm on the fence to back the project. Leather case ran out, is it possible to add more?

Hello pumin,

The ESS series of DACs (including our dual ES9028Q2M) are known for high resolution, tending toward treble "glare" and overeager "sizzle" even. You could even say we'd "EQed" the highs down on the R6 to tame the ESS DACs. As such the DAC is certainly capable of as much treble extension and "shine" as you want should you desire to push it up via EQ, or via the "Air" slider on the MageSound 8-ball

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Hi my first post, I am Adventure and living in Amsterdam.
Hifi enthusiast, and more then interested in the HiBy R6, I want to use this with my Audeze LCD i4 and while traveling in the plane with the RHA T20.
My question is.. does the HiBy allow to play Tidal while being in the Offline mode?
Can I download a 400 track playlist and play this via Tidal on the plane?

If so I will order the Stainless Steel version.

Yes

 

[Adventure]

Thanks, I did order the Stainless Steel bundle version !!

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I was hoping you guys could give your thoughts and opinions to assist me in making a decision in relation to the R6. All my knowledge is based purely on reading the forums/net etc as opposed to any direct technical experience. I currently have the Fiio X7 1st gen as my main dap which I love but its streaming performance (Tidal) is less than stellar (wifi range, strength, interference). If I could get a DAP that streams as good as my phone but has the audio performance of the X7 then I would be a very happy bunny. So I've been looking at possible alternatives and R6 looks on paper to be ideal - modern processor 3gb RAM with online reviews saying it performs as fast as a phone, excellent build quality. Great, then I see the comments about the 10 ohm output impedance which just puts that seed of doubt in my mind. My understanding of this is that lower impedance IEMS/headphones may exhibit different frequency response from their intended design i.e. bass may become loose/bloomy and that to provide adequate dampening the 1/8 rule should be applied. I would be looking to use the following with the R6 - Cosmic Ear CE6P CIEMS, Custom Art Fibae 2 (not really relevant because of the flat impedance technology), Oppo PM3, Bowers & Wilkins P7, Grado SR325e, Philips Fidelio L2. All the headphones are 32 ohm or less. If, for want of a better phrase 'they are going to be all over the place' then the R6 isn't going to be for me.

Hiby have obviously made the design choice for a reason and I would really welcome to hear what they have to say about this and of course any one else. I realise this post may cause many to 'roll their eyes and groan' but I suspect that I am far from being alone on this point especially amongst those that 'lurk' but don't post on Head Fi.

I look forward to what you have to say.

Hello recondude,

This is a good opportunity for me to put together a compilation of my replies on the impedance issue
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-17#post-13896466 Original statement
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-39#post-13927909 https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...unded-indiegogo.852042/page-40#post-13928086A discussion considering whether a 0 ohm output impedance source should be considered the default "reference" source for all low-impedance earphones
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-39#post-13927793 The general principle in looking for matching between low-Z earphones and non-zero-ohm sources

Of course the above are just my opinion as the manufacturer representative...

 

[Zachik]

I wouldn't think there's any problem with the durability of the aluminium alloy version. It is, after all, what 99% of DAP chassis are made of The aluminium chassis has a powdered finish while the stainless steel is brushed, either provides adequate masking of minor scratches. In any event, I consider the glass back of the player more prone to scratches if you set it naked on countertops. Keep those protector films on!

Thanks Joe! And I do intend to keep the protector films on

 

[Zachik]

I wouldn't think there's any problem with the durability of the aluminium alloy version. It is, after all, what 99% of DAP chassis are made of The aluminium chassis has a powdered finish while the stainless steel is brushed, either provides adequate masking of minor scratches. In any event, I consider the glass back of the player more prone to scratches if you set it naked on countertops. Keep those protector films on!

@Joe Bloggs - you got me reconsider... I might go for the leather case after all, to protect the glass back.
Can you please confirm that the leather case completely covers the glass back to protect it?
Also, what color is the leather case? (I apologize if I am missing it on Indie GoGo campaign)

 

[wirefriend]

The 3.5 TRRS output shared a common ground with both channels (...)

Not true.
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/survey-digital-audio-players-part-3-sony-nw-zx2
"The 3.5mm headphone out is a bit "different" in what I'll call a classic Sony move. They use separate wiring to carry left and right ground signals from the S-Master circuitry to the headphone jack, which is a 4-pole TRRS design. "

 

[Lobbster]

I don't know if it fits the R6 but am pretty sure it doesn't allow access to screen and buttons

I just purchased the SS version, big thanks! You're only $50 away from $150,000. Congrats!

That case wouldn't work for playback it would overheat the DAP. It's for safe transport, kinda like the case for your expensive IEM's. You wouldn't want them tossing around lose in your carry on bag, briefcase etc.

LH Labs gave away a similar case for their GOV2+ campaign, however it's butt ugly compared with yours. But I use it all the time.

 

[maor26]

Looks like an awesome player!
@Joe Bloggs Will it get a newer android version?

 

[Mezzi]

How hot does the R6 get? And I don't mean sexiness (we all know that) but as in temperature.

 

[JaviAl]

Sennheiser Unveils the HD 820 and CX 6.00BT at CES 2018:

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/high-end-headphones-audiophiles-hd-820
https://www.soundguys.com/sennheiser-unveils-hd-820-cx-6-00bt-ces-2018-15541

 

[recondude]

Hello recondude,

This is a good opportunity for me to put together a compilation of my replies on the impedance issue
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-17#post-13896466 Original statement
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-39#post-13927909 https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...unded-indiegogo.852042/page-40#post-13928086A discussion considering whether a 0 ohm output impedance source should be considered the default "reference" source for all low-impedance earphones
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...funded-indiegogo.852042/page-39#post-13927793 The general principle in looking for matching between low-Z earphones and non-zero-ohm sources

Of course the above are just my opinion as the manufacturer representative...

Thanks for such a quick reply. Your opinion is very valued which is why I asked for it. Any chance of adding some more of the leather cases to the Indiegogo site as currently they are all gone?

 

[Roscoeiii]

Thanks for such a quick reply. Your opinion is very valued which is why I asked for it. Any chance of adding some more of the leather cases to the Indiegogo site as currently they are all gone?

Also see Twister6's impressions of the R6 paired with iFi's IEMatch and the very picky/sensitive low impedance Andromeda. Sorry don't have the time to find it, but think the post was within the last week.