efftee
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2014
- Posts
- 1,382
- Likes
- 3,000
The 428 is a good amp. I did not like it with my HM1K and got the Aroma A100TB+PSU, which I think is a better match. Coincidentally, it's almost the same footprint so whilst portability is an issue (though I do not listen on the move), it is at least neatly stacked. I know someone on here who uses the same Aroma power stack with his P6 Pro and thinks that is a good match too. I recently picked up an Origa, like @RPKwan; it's still burning in but already sounds pretty good with interchangeable tubes and op amps.Yah, I have a p6p and have played with external amps extensively. Desktop wise it's totaly doable to surpass the internal amp on a technical level (though I'm yet to find anything with a similar sound). Portable it's a hut harder to pass it technicaly with only the masskobo 428 doing it for me so far. Portable amps I have more so used for synergy matching rather than outright increased technicalities.
Tbh the only real reason I'm too interested in the hmk is because the usb input of the p6p is pretty rough imo being several tiers below the sq level of internal storage. Having a device that's maybe slightly worse in best case but doesn't take that hit for usb input would be pretty nice imo
When you say USB, do you mean OTG? Hmm. I don't use that with the HM1K as it is finicky with a single Lightning/USB-C to USB-C interconnect. Instead Hifiman suggests using the Apply USB-C to USB-A into an Apple adapter with USB-A female to Lightning. So I just use BT from iPod to HM1K to play off the SD card through the app.
For the amount of money you will spend on doing the mod, why not consider selling the dual and getting the quad? IMO, 2 more PCM1704K will make more difference than the caps (good caps are just too big for the HM1K chassis) and batteries, and op amps could still be added. I did not know op amps are interchangeable, I wouldn't mind doing that if someone could do it reliably. Would be a shame if the HM1K is damaged in the process!dual pcm1704k, but can be standalone dap
and yes i don't think so too, but caps, cables op amps and batteries can make a difference in overall enjoyment
Oh I know the HM-801; I almost bought one way back then! But instead, I got on the AK train and bought the 100 and after that, the 120 Titan after that too. It was all AK for me in those days; the 802 and 901 had more features but Chifi wasn't as well... appealing then.Perhaps you don't know that Hifiman start to develop "world's first audiophile music player" HM-801 in 2008, just year later after firm was established. For many of mobile audio enthusiasts they are associated more with their DAPs, than headphones. They also had a large selection of models from very basic to complex. They looks like a evolving products, rather than experiments. You can neglect of design if you making something hand build on demand like Altmann Tera Player, but it's definitely not Hifiman story.
I didn't mean that Hifiman dabbled on DAPs as experiments, but in the case of the HM1K, it does seem (to me) a bit like an experiment (why didn't they just make more R2R2K with the rest of their PCM1704K stash?) or else, worse, an abandoned project. Either way, I am glad they make the HM1K, it is now my favorite DAC/DAP. And I have the Tera Player too; good fun, but even more pain to use!