HiFiMAN HM-801 Portable Player / DAC Review: Part One of Two

[rebski]

Quote:

Most likely Apple's ALAC codec is not open source and would require royalty fees to be paid for it's use in an audio player. I, for one, could care less about ALAC as I don't use a Mac or iTunes.

It is a simple fact of life, if you are willing to support proprietary codecs (or proprietary anything for that matter) then prepare to be restricted as a consequence. I never understand why people permit themselves to be so constrained but each to their own.

See this exchange on Winamp forum on this topic, to quote DJ Egg speaking on behalf of Winamp
“ALAC is a closed proprietary format. Apple would never allow us to include an ALAC Encoder, definitely not for free anyway,”

WINAMP.COM | Forums - Apple lossless codec

So if Winamp is not able to use ALAC then what hope HifiMAN?

Off Topic: psychotic’s post is very interesting, if a bit difficult to read.

 

[dfkt]

According to Hydrogenaudio decoding ALAC is open source, contrary to encoding: Lossless comparison - Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase

That list also shows pretty well why FLAC is the most widely accepted standard for lossless audio.

 

[ericj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebski /img/forum/go_quote.gif It is a simple fact of life, if you are willing to support proprietary codecs (or proprietary anything for that matter) then prepare to be restricted as a consequence. I never understand why people permit themselves to be so constrained but each to their own. See this exchange on Winamp forum on this topic, to quote DJ Egg speaking on behalf of Winamp "ALAC is a closed proprietary format. Apple would never allow us to include an ALAC Encoder, definitely not for free anyway," WINAMP.COM | Forums - Apple lossless codec So if Winamp is not able to use ALAC then what hope HifiMAN?

rockbox supports it - for free even.

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/SoundCodecs

also wav, aiff, flac, wavpack, shorten, and ape.

 

[Infoseeker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a Viliv S5 on it's way to me. Full Windows XP PC. But it would end up costing nearly twice as much as the HiFiMan alone if I factor in a high end portable DAC like the HeadAmp Pico. Paired with a D10, and it's getting ridiculously huge. -Ed

Pretty. I already wasted money on a pico so I'm good.

Does that take a standard 2.5" harddrive? or it makes use of a special sized hdd?

EDIT: found it uses a 1.8"
Anyone know an ultraportable that uses the standard 2.5" HDD?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Most likely Apple's ALAC codec is not open source and would require royalty fees to be paid for it's use in an audio player. I, for one, could care less about ALAC as I don't use a Mac or iTunes. -Ed

Open-source (totally free to use) Apple Lossless decoder here: crazney.net - ALAC
There are even an open-source encoder out there if needed (FFmpeg).

 

[rebski]

Quote:

According to Hydrogenaudio decoding ALAC is open source, contrary to encoding: Lossless comparison - Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase That list also shows pretty well why FLAC is the most widely accepted standard for lossless audio

dfkt, thanks for the link to a great resource. Sorry for staying off topic but do you know, offhand, of a similar lossy encoding comparison? Hydrogenaudio doesn't seem to do one.

 

[Jackbush]

More info and real pics would be nice,Also some comments on finish etc.

 

[mupy]

Ｉ expects it.

 

[nkoulban]

This player is a great concept. What I can't understand is that this unit is aimed at an audiophile audience, yet Apple Lossless is not supported... go figure. I'll wait until this player develops further before I lay down any money.

 

[tubafish]

Fang really should be commended on investing so much effort into developing the HM-801. He identified an under served market and is attempting to provide a product for that market, and he is supporting our beloved Head-Fi community.

Good job Fang!

As for bemoaning the lack of support for Apple Lossless, transcode your collection. Really, it's easy. Set up the program and give it time to convert the files. The lack of support for Apple Lossless is easily surmountable if someone seriously desires a product such as this.
(nkoulban, this is not directed at you on a personal level.).

The HM-801 is an interesting project. Personally, I'm concerned about the firmware and the plastic being used. I doubt we will see this player Rockboxed due to the small amount of units that will sell combined with its exorbitant price.

Judging from the photos we've seen, the black plastic and those gold buttons look eerily familiar to me. I forget what the device was, but I think I've touched a similarly constructed product before. I'm really concerned that this plastic is extremely brittle.

I hope I'm wrong, but I could almost swear I've touched that stuff before.

 

[Nankai]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubafish /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope I'm wrong, but I could almost swear I've touched that stuff before.

It is not plastic. It is black metal.

3D Drawing Generation Pics:

http://head-direct.com/upload/2009May232014321.jpg
http://head-direct.com/upload/2009May232015052.jpg
http://head-direct.com/upload/2009May232015383.jpg

 

[tubafish]

It is not plastic. It is black metal.

Thanks for the clarification. It might have been mentioned before. If so, I forgot.

It's an interesting concept.

Thanks for the effort.

 

[rebski]

I like the "Designed and made in China" displayed as a badge of pride.

So far, so exceptional.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Feng is incredibly proud to be chinese.

What you might also find out when you meet him is that the hates companies turning out poorly engineered or defective products from China. He said it disgraces them and honestly I would have to agree. Too many lemons make the lemonade puts a sour taste in your mouth.

 

[JPH3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebski /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like the "Designed and made in China" displayed as a badge of pride. So far, so exceptional.

Agree.

If a product is well designed and constructed then you should never be ashamed of its origins.