Hifiman DEVA - Official Thread

[htbyron]

Yes, they removed that feature, unfortunately. Here's what Hifiman customer service said in response to my question:



I don't have another android device that will run UAPP. My old phone is a Pixel 4a but the app is not supported on that device. Davy from UAPP devs got in touch and has some ideas about connecting the Deva. I'll post what we figure out after he and I go through some testing.

Just updating my earlier post. I now have a Fiio M11, which also runs android & UAPP. I have the same problem connecting the Deva bluemini by USB to the M11 that I had with my Pixel phone. Davy from UAPP dev support said he would contact HifiMan to try to find a solution but I haven't heard back from him. I have found that I can use the USB cable to connect to the M11 (as with the Pixel) without using UAPP, and it seems to work playing Hi-Res files directly from Qobuz or FLAC files I have in my library. I just can't tell if I'm getting bit-perfect output in this configuration.

I will say that I've been running the Bluemini connected by USB to my desktop, and the sound is amazing (using wasapi exclusive output from Qobuz desktop app). It's really quite striking how much better the soundstage and detail is using the bluemini than running a cabled connection from my pretty good mid-fi setup: Topping D10s DAC and HeadAmp Gilmore Lite amp. The small DAC/amp setup in the bluemini is really very well paired with the Deva. And it shines in BT mode as well, even making phone calls easy and clear. Bottom line for me is that the bluetooth solution here is really very good, even though I keep trying to find ways to make a wired connection better.

 

[Philliesfan]

I realize I'm reviving an old post but I'm looking to try my Devas (which I LOVE) with a balanced input so I was searching for cable recommendations. The link below is to a cable that terminates with a mini-XLR plug. I'd like to avoid the interconnect solution, so I'm looking for a balanced cable with the DEVA 3.5 TRRS plug that terminates with a 2.5 or 4.4mm plug for my Fiio M11. Any suggestions? I saw the aliexpress (Earmax) cable linked earlier in the thread -- is that the only one available?

The Hart interconnect is really not a big issue, it’s really tiny. I use a Hart cable for my Mr Speakers Aeon Flow Opens. And it’s nice to be able to swap out terminations. It came with a 2.5 balanced end and I ordered a 4.4mm end.

I use a very cheap trrs to trrs 1/8 inch extension cable I had hanging around the house for my Diva into a Geekera 3.5 balanced to 4.4 mm pentacon adaptor plug to connect it to my iFi hip DAC If I want to go balanced without the bluemini. It sounds really good, but so does the single ended output of the hip DAC and the bluemini on Bluetooth and as a wired DAC using the otc adaptor I described above. There are cables out there that go from 3.5 trrs to 4.4 pentaco or 2.5 mm trrs, but I haven’t tried them, and the pin alignment varies across those terminations. I bought one off Amazon but it was designed for something other than audio amps and didn’t work.

 

[htbyron]

Thanks -- that's good to know. The interconnect looked bulky but if it's tiny, that might be a good solution. I ordered the earmax cable from aliexpress. We'll see how it performs.

 

[htbyron]

Unfortunately the left channel driver is no longer working on my Deva. It's silent whether connected by cable or bluemini. I contacted customer service at Hifiman, and I'm crossing my fingers that they can find a solution or replace them. I love these cans, and I miss using them already! I'm kind of disappointed with the quality issue after only a few months.

 

[meccup]

Hello guys, I'm fairly noob-ish at hifi stuff. I hope a pro could explain something for me.

I'm getting lots of distortion when using Deva with Hidizs s9 pro via balanced TRRS cable at 50% and higher volume levels. What I hear is a lot of cracks and hum when music is played (no distortion without music).

I'm also getting some, but not that much distortion (for some reason only on the right channel) when using stock unbalanced cable at 65% and higher volume level. Under 65% level, it is clear and crisp.

I'm not getting any distortion when using just normal audio output (from macbook) whatsoever at any volume level.

I'm also not getting any distortion when using my old m50x and Hidizs s9 pro at any volume level.

Dunno what is that... Deva has lower impedance rating than m50x (18 ohms vs 38 ohms). Could that be that s9 just overloads Deva?

Cheers

 

[Philliesfan]

Hello guys, I'm fairly noob-ish at hifi stuff. I hope a pro could explain something for me.

I'm getting lots of distortion when using Deva with Hidizs s9 pro via balanced TRRS cable at 50% and higher volume levels. What I hear is a lot of cracks and hum when music is played (no distortion without music).

I'm also getting some, but not that much distortion (for some reason only on the right channel) when using stock unbalanced cable at 65% and higher volume level. Under 65% level, it is clear and crisp.

I'm not getting any distortion when using just normal audio output (from macbook) whatsoever at any volume level.

I'm also not getting any distortion when using my old m50x and Hidizs s9 pro at any volume level.

Dunno what is that... Deva has lower impedance rating than m50x (18 ohms vs 38 ohms). Could that be that s9 just overloads Deva?

Cheers

I don’t have an S9 Pro, but a lot of these new dongles have an adaptive power system in their DAC chips, sending more power when dealing with high impedance cans. Deva is low impedance, so it won’t trigger the high output ranges, but it requires lots of current, like most planars, so you wind up pushing it hard. Although it’s pretty efficient compared to other planar cans, it may just be more than your dongle can handle. There are some methods for tricking the device into thinking high impedance cans are connected, but you’ll have to look them up, and it might not be healthy for the S9. Sort of like connecting 2 ohm speakers to an amp that isn’t designed for low impedance output. It will work until it all melts down. My ES100 Bluetooth unit, which is also a balanced dongle, warns against using its high power output for low impedance cans. You can use the bluemini as a direct connect interface and it won’t have those problems. Don’t know why only one channel is distorting on single ended cable.

 

[Mouseman]

I realize I'm reviving an old post but I'm looking to try my Devas (which I LOVE) with a balanced input so I was searching for cable recommendations. The link below is to a cable that terminates with a mini-XLR plug. I'd like to avoid the interconnect solution, so I'm looking for a balanced cable with the DEVA 3.5 TRRS plug that terminates with a 2.5 or 4.4mm plug for my Fiio M11. Any suggestions? I saw the aliexpress (Earmax) cable linked earlier in the thread -- is that the only one available?

Hart can also make a cable without the interconnect. But honestly, they're really small. About as big as a 4.4mm plug, even a little smaller.

 

[meccup]

Don't you guys notice that bass significantly improves if you partially detach (from the bottom for ex) headphones paddings (just to let airflow)?

Like that:

 

[MisterMudd]

Don't you guys notice that bass significantly improves if you partially detach (from the bottom for ex) headphones paddings (just to let airflow)?

Like that:

No. But I will try it for kicks.

 

[C_Lindbergh]

Hifiman just launched the Deva Pro... Looks like decent improvment over the OG Deva, hopefully we'll see reviews coming out soon.

https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/deva-pro.html

Looks like there's still just a single button on the BT-adapter tho? :/

 

[Birdland]

I love the black! Will be interesting to hear if this is a worthy upgrade.

 

[Mouseman]

The R2R version of the Bluemini is interesting, for sure. I'm not sure what the stealth magnets do or their impact, other than what their site says.

 

[Ichos]

The R2R version of the Bluemini is interesting, for sure. I'm not sure what the stealth magnets do or their impact, other than what their site says.

If the treble is a little more controlled like on the stealth HE400SE then we should be talking about the best HiFiMan tuning ever!

Regarding the Himalaya I am dying to test it, very interesting concept

 

[htbyron]

Very tempting. My Deva is still in the shop awaiting replacement (hopefully next week!). This is not much more expensive than the original model. I do like the black, and I'm intrigued by the combo R2R DAC and stealth magnets.

 

[C_Lindbergh]

Would love to hear any impressions from the CanJam event, apparently the Deva Pro will be on display there .

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