[AnakChan]

 

 
@kkcc can you please help map the above to the below??

1. Original 901 stock AD8397 card
2. Balanced card
3. Minibox card
4. IEM card
5. Original Discrete card v3
6. 802 stock Classic Card
7. Angel card
8. New Discrete card

Yup didn't count wrongly... 8.

 
Also in terms of which is original Hifiman and which is 3rd party/DIY.
 
Thanks

 

[kkcc]

   
@kkcc can you please help map the above to the below??
 
Also in terms of which is original Hifiman and which is 3rd party/DIY.
 
Thanks

 
 
Sure Sean.
 
Top row from Left to Right:
#1 AD8394/original stock (H), #2 IEM (H), #3 MiniBox (H), #4 Balanced (H)
 
Bottom row from Left to Right:
#5 Classic/new stock (H), #6 Angel (3rd), #7 Discrete Original (3rd), #8 Discrete New (3rd)
 
For the Hifiman made cards, I am missing the revised Classic card that should be the default/stock card for both 802 and 901 (and the upcoming 650).
 
FYI there is another 3rd party maker Elfidelity that make one balanced and one single-ended amp boards.  But the maker didn't put out much useful info except price (RMB1899 / RMB1299):
 
Balanced:

 
Single-ended:

 
The pics are quite small and didn't show the components marking well.  I can only make out the OPAMP used are 4x OPA132UA + BUF634 (and probably 2x of each for the SE card).

 

[AnakChan]

Thank you. The old & new discrete aren't made by Hifiman, correct? Same with Angel?

 

[Mimouille]

Thank you. The old & new discrete aren't made by Hifiman, correct? Same with Angel?

 


Correct

 

[Mimouille]

Even if I do not always agree with him...he lays it out pretty well here. The 901 is the best and litteraly KICKS THE CRAP out of the AK120. I had some AK fanboys telling my ears were not refined enough to see AK120 was actually better...well lolz on that.

http://www.cnet.com/news/hifiman-ultimate-portable-music-player-will-make-your-ears-jump-for-joy/

 

[kkcc]

Even if I do not always agree with him...he lays it out pretty well here. The 901 is the best and litteraly KICKS THE CRAP out of the AK120. I had some AK fanboys telling my ears were not refined enough to see AK120 was actually better...well lolz on that.

http://www.cnet.com/news/hifiman-ultimate-portable-music-player-will-make-your-ears-jump-for-joy/

 
 
Lol!  I had that told to me in some local enthusiast group when I "deserted"  AK120 and switched camp to  HM901  (well in fact at that time I still own both and haven't sold my AK120 for the DX50....)
 
But I guess there are indeed folks who prefer a warmer and less transparent source like the AK120 over something that deliver "too much" resolution that make their music/headphone sound harsh/bad.   

 

[Kiats]

Lol!  I had that told to me in some local enthusiast group when I "deserted"  AK120 and switched camp to  HM901  (well in fact at that time I still own both and haven't sold my AK120 for the DX50....)

But I guess there are indeed folks who prefer a warmer and less transparent source like the AK120 over something that deliver "too much" resolution that make their music/headphone sound harsh/bad.   

+1!

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

Even if I do not always agree with him...he lays it out pretty well here. The 901 is the best and litteraly KICKS THE CRAP out of the AK120. I had some AK fanboys telling my ears were not refined enough to see AK120 was actually better...well lolz on that.

http://www.cnet.com/news/hifiman-ultimate-portable-music-player-will-make-your-ears-jump-for-joy/

cheers for a fun read...
 
many people in local forum knocked HM-901 and said it sounds bad...it is good to read some like minded comments... and remind myself that I dont listen with my eyes... LoL

 

[passionforroxk]

So which DAP can actually provide better sound than hm901?
 
Disregarding the UI, battery life and staffs, just sound

 

[passionforroxk]

Especially with full size headphones? maybe not hd800 or t1 in kind, but more sensitive and efficient ones? I've been searching for a while already, kinda wanna know

 

[Mimouille]

So which DAP can actually provide better sound than hm901?

Disregarding the UI, battery life and staffs, just sound

None that I tried. And I tried most except Calyx M and Cowon P1.

 

[fengwei007]

So which DAP can actually provide better sound than hm901?

Disregarding the UI, battery life and staffs, just sound

HM901 with a Minibox/Balanced or the new discrete amp card is really hard to beat for a portable DAP, especially with non-IEM headphones.

 

[jamato8]

HM901 with a Minibox/Balanced or the new discrete amp card is really hard to beat for a portable DAP, especially with non-IEM headphones.

Discrete done right is to my ear, normally very natural sounding. 

 

[OICWUTUDIDTHAR]

where do you buy the "new discrete amp" card

 

[fengwei007]

  Discrete done right is to my ear, normally very natural sounding. 

yes, I only use this card now, don't see I'd change to another one unless some better cards surface.
 
I think 901 has even more potential with better amp cards.