HiBy R6 III (Gen 3) Android digital audio player, Dual ES9038Q2M, Class A / AB amplification switch, Snapdragon 665, Open Android 12 OS, DSD512 / PCM768

[gLer]

Nice! Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Hiby R6 Gen III! As you have a sample of this, do you have any info on the Hiby R6 Pro Gen 2? Just posted a thread on that, as can't find much other than confirmation that a new Pro edition is launching:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...can-find-is-coming-soon-for-pre-order.966836/

Hi, no info at this point. We should know more next month. I'll start an official thread for it as soon as I know more.

 

[Zeppo19]

I really should not pre-order one...

 

[L1nuss]

I really should not pre-order one...

I know, but I've already done it....

 

[Sven2015]

I hope Hiby ist better in writing better FW's in future, because my R6 II failed after FW installation.... I sent it back to Amazon last year!

 

[Signal2Noise]

I like Hiby stuff, especially their player UI.

I went to preorder the R6 iii along with their Crystal 6 IEMs for kicks but hesitated because I don’t see a step to choose the finish of the DAP itself. Supposedly gunmetal or black will be available.

 

[Aramaki]

Tough choices:
Fiio M11s
Shanling M3 Ultra
Hiby R6 Gen III

 

[VeightTripleDivision]

Are the ES9038Q2M chips used in voltage output mode?
EDIT: yes, found that in first page if this thread. On DIY audio forums I read that ES9038 has huge difference between current and voltage mode. (Tens of dBs). I really wanted to preorder this DAP, but now I am not so sure.

 

[nishan99]

Tough choices:
Fiio M11s
Shanling M3 Ultra
Hiby R6 Gen III

11>6>3
easy

Are the ES9038Q2M chips used in voltage output mode?
EDIT: yes, found that in first page if this thread. On DIY audio forums I read that ES9038 has huge difference between current and voltage mode. (Tens of dBs). I really wanted to preorder this DAP, but now I am not so sure.

Why because it measures worse?

 

[VeightTripleDivision]

11>6>3
easy

Why because it measures worse?

I believe so. Technically those are nonlinear distortions, and experienced dudes who also have designed commercial DACs say that with good design -90dB is possible (yet -70dB board was also measured and described as bad sounding). In current mode -120dB. I would preffer current mode. I cannot afford gambling with my pesos, so theory affects me. Maybe it is good, really good. But now I am scared. Hehe.

 

[Aramaki]

11>6>3
easy

Please elaborate.

 

[alwass89]

Tough choices:
Fiio M11s
Shanling M3 Ultra
Hiby R6 Gen III

for the same price as the M11s, and only $20 more than the Shanling M3 Ultra, you are getting the Snapdragon 665, Android 12, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of Internal Memory and dedicated Line out for both 3.5 and 4.4

 

[nishan99]

Please elaborate.

I was sarcastic.

 

[superuser1]

Please tell me they are sourcing the batteries from a different vendor

 

[Zaghamkarim]

Please elaborate.

OG was mentioning numbers, I.e. 11 is a bigger number than 6 and 6 is bigger number than 3. If you are comparing DAP's - there are a few factors worth looking into - reviews (would recommend waiting for these), android version (if planned use is for streaming), output (can it drive your equipment - higher the number in mw the stronger it is in driving high resistance items, especially with some headphones they need more power), Battery Life, DAC (this will give you some information on where it sits in audio performance, though other components can have effect performance and sound signature). Pretty much every company will bring something different to the table - be that different upsampling techniques unique modes or tech such as R2R, different amplification (Class A, Tube, Class D), different approach to EQ, different codecs support, different flavours be that in something like Sony Walkman's vinyl processors or their phase linearizer amongst other unique quirks or features.

 

[cleg]

I had an opportunity to play with HiBy R6-III before the release, and as pre-sales started, I can share my subjective opinion.



In short: good usability, typical HiBy firmware, but now with Android 12, balanced sound with good dynamics. But R6-III has MSEB so one can tweak it to one's liking.
What surprised me the most, it's that price is lower now, which makes this generation of R6 much more competitive