Don't have a Tera Player but my P1 screenless DAP does sound great; still the best sounding portable in my collection.
Removing the screen and wireless radios reduces noise, jitter, etc. Think of it like a race car compared to road going version of the same car. The race car is stripped down, inconvenient, and much less practical but also performs much better.
If all out sound quality is the target, displays are less important and who cares what format the audio is in. Come to think of it: has anyone ever seen a turntable with a screen....?
Don't have a Tera Player but my P1 screenless DAP does sound great; still the best sounding portable in my collection.
Removing the screen and wireless radios reduces noise, jitter, etc. Think of it like a race car compared to road going version of the same car. The race car is stripped down, inconvenient, and much less practical but also performs much better.
If all out sound quality is the target, displays are less important and who cares what format the audio is in. Come to think of it: has anyone ever seen a turntable with a screen....
TP sounds very impressive, the sound is brighter than R2R2000, background feels more black, voices are clearer (i.e. you can hear more details and nuances in tones) and generally the impression of not having a digital veil is equal if not stronger than on R2R2K of which i am already a big fan. On certain songs, TP provides me with the best sound I have heard but not on all. The main caveat is that it produces a very low level of bass (that's also maybe why everything else seems clearer). Perhaps it's also a matter of synergy with the right headphones or IEM but while I love the combo TP and U18t I am sure some would consider it too bright. I would say for Jazz, Classical, Pop TP does a great job but for Rock it is sometimes lacking especially on the bass which goes with drums or bass guitar. R2R2K does not have this issue but then again if you compare on certain genre especially female vocals, TP is more impressive. The UI is actually extremely easy to use although simplistic and it's much snappier than R2RK. The fact that it does not have a screen is not great but I think it is mainly good to put your favorite albums on it and listen on the go or at the office, not really to discover new sounds for which you should better use Sony players in my view. The main thing which is annoying for the UI is that there is no pause button.
The above is based on my impressions comparing it with R2R2K red but I should receive back my R2R2K black next week so perhaps I will need to update then.
TP sounds very impressive, the sound is brighter than R2R2000, background feels more black, voices are clearer (i.e. you can hear more details and nuances in tones) and generally the impression of not having a digital veil is equal if not stronger than on R2R2K of which i am already a big fan. On certain songs, TP provides me with the best sound I have heard but not on all. The main caveat is that it produces a very low level of bass (that's also maybe why everything else seems clearer). Perhaps it's also a matter of synergy with the right headphones or IEM but while I love the combo TP and U18t I am sure some would consider it too bright. I would say for Jazz, Classical, Pop TP does a great job but for Rock it is sometimes lacking especially on the bass which goes with drums or bass guitar. R2R2K does not have this issue but then again if you compare on certain genre especially female vocals, TP is more impressive. The UI is actually extremely easy to use although simplistic and it's much snappier than R2RK. The fact that it does not have a screen is not great but I think it is mainly good to put your favorite albums on it and listen on the go or at the office, not really to discover new sounds for which you should better use Sony players in my view. The main thing which is annoying for the UI is that there is no pause button.
The above is based on my impressions comparing it with R2R2K red but I should receive back my R2R2K black next week so perhaps I will need to update then.
The output impedance on TP should affect u18t/solaris.
Is there a change in FR as compared to WM1Z/WM1A? (EDIT: LPGT/WM1Z/WM1A)
I am thinking of getting A18T/U18T but I fear that the output impendance on red may screw its FR. HFN have not mentioned any OI spec though.
The output impedance on TP should affect u18t/solaris.
Is there a change in FR as compared to N8?
I am thinking of getting A18T/U18T but I fear that the output impendance on red may screw its FR. HFN have not mentioned any OI spec though.
I don't remember I tried U18 with N8 and since I have U18 I very seldom use Solaris (i should probably sell them). I am not sure how it is possible to compare TP and R2R2K from output impedance perspective but I enjoy U18 on both. I know others considering it as too piercing. I think for R2R2K it benefits from using Ifi Iematch but by contrast TP is not very powerful compared to R2R2K. At least that's what I notice comparing various iems and headphones on both devices.
The output impedance on TP should affect u18t/solaris.
Is there a change in FR as compared to WM1Z/WM1A? (EDIT: LPGT/WM1Z/WM1A)
I am thinking of getting A18T/U18T but I fear that the output impendance on red may screw its FR. HFN have not mentioned any OI spec though.
It is considered as a great osunding DAP. Functionality wise crippled, but great sounding nonetheless. And as far as we can tell, years back it was far more affordable. Can someone confirm?
Thanks, I ll make further tests with Iematch and u18. the first one where not too conclusive not because of the sound but more the volume left available. As there is no volume indicator on TP i may have missed something. will report after! [EDIT : I tried again and confirm the sound volume is too low with Iematch on TP, besides unlike with R2R2K for which IEmatch allows to remove the hiss, there is no noticeable hiss with my TP from the beginning. I just believe the sound signatures of the two players are not identical and TP is less "bassy" than R2R2K which I can also check by using IEMs with generally stronger bass presence such as IER-Z1R. Indeed with U18, I found that what helps most is to swap the modules and take those with more isolation on TP. ]
The output impedance on TP should affect u18t/solaris.
Is there a change in FR as compared to WM1Z/WM1A? (EDIT: LPGT/WM1Z/WM1A)
I am thinking of getting A18T/U18T but I fear that the output impendance on red may screw its FR. HFN have not mentioned any OI spec though.
Sorry I am not a specialist of frequency response and my main criteria to assess IEMs and DAPs are whether I enjoy the music and does it makes me feel I am hearing more than or in a better way than what I heard previously. I know it's highly subjective and not based on technical analysis but at the end of the day there are not two ears which are identical in any event and I am more in this hobby for the sake of enjoying music. So based on my very subjective criteria I would say that using the same IEMs (and it is not specific to U18) the sound signature from all the devices which you mentioned is great but quite different (to the point, yes I do believe -perhaps I am wrong - that I could identify each one in a blind test relatively easily) . I would suggest that the best way to answer your question is to try the device and hear it by yourself if you enjoy how it is sounding and try it for several hours so that your brain gets used to the presentation. I was also quite skeptical when I saw how TP is built ( ) and I know perhaps on the paper a device like LPGT is vastly superior to it or even to R2R2K but it does not mean that I am enjoying more its sound because it also comes down to personal preference and how we perceive it. I only have TP for about a week or more so I may change my mind but now if I were to choose only one or two devices among all those I have, I would probably go for 1Z and R2R2K for their sound and functionalities. Then again I also need to spend more time on R2R2K black when it comes back from servicing because my previous device was it seems defective so I am not totally sure how much it could have had an impact on the sound but as HFM told me they are sending a new device there will be room for further comparison.
Sorry I am not a specialist of frequency response and my main criteria to assess IEMs and DAPs are whether I enjoy the music and does it makes me feel I am hearing more than or in a better way than what I heard previously. I know it's highly subjective and not based on technical analysis but at the end of the day there are not two ears which are identical in any event and I am more in this hobby for the sake of enjoying music. So based on my very subjective criteria I would say that using the same IEMs (and it is not specific to U18) the sound signature from all the devices which you mentioned is great but quite different (to the point, yes I do believe -perhaps I am wrong - that I could identify each one in a blind test relatively easily) . I would suggest that the best way to answer your question is to try the device and hear it by yourself if you enjoy how it is sounding and try it for several hours so that your brain gets used to the presentation. I was also quite skeptical when I saw how TP is built ( ) and I know perhaps on the paper a device like LPGT is vastly superior to it or R2R2K but it does not mean that I enjoy more its sound.
Thanks for your message, if you can it is may be worth checking if HFM has a return policy so that if you dont like it or it does not work with your IEMs you can return it and perhaps better checking that before selling the more versatile DAP. Also for OI IEmatch works great with R2R2K red but if only Ifi could do a 4.4. version that would be so much better. I still have a few old cables terminated in 3.5 Trrs which I had made for HM901s before but I will not buy new one in this config.
Thanks for your message, if you can it is may be worth checking if HFM has a return policy so that if you dont like it or it does not work with your IEMs you can return it and perhaps better checking that before selling the more versatile DAP. Also for OI IEmatch works great with R2R2K red but if only Ifi could do a 4.4. version that would be so much better. I still have a few old cables terminated in 3.5 Trrs which I had made for HM901s before but I will not buy new one in this config.
3.5mm version of iematch supports both TRRS and TRS wirings, there is a switch for it at the male side of the adapter connector. So, you can use 3.5mm bal output of R2R2k. Then, you will only need 2.5mm to 3.5mm bal adapter or 4.4mm to 3.5mm bal adapter. Of course, having 4.4mm iematch would make a lot more sense considering majority of manufacturers adapting 4.4mm bal and people switch their cables as well. But at least it's cleaner to have iematch (3.5mm bal) connected directly to the dap.
Sorry I am not a specialist of frequency response and my main criteria to assess IEMs and DAPs are whether I enjoy the music and does it makes me feel I am hearing more than or in a better way than what I heard previously. I know it's highly subjective and not based on technical analysis but at the end of the day there are not two ears which are identical in any event and I am more in this hobby for the sake of enjoying music. So based on my very subjective criteria I would say that using the same IEMs (and it is not specific to U18) the sound signature from all the devices which you mentioned is great but quite different (to the point, yes I do believe -perhaps I am wrong - that I could identify each one in a blind test relatively easily) . I would suggest that the best way to answer your question is to try the device and hear it by yourself if you enjoy how it is sounding and try it for several hours so that your brain gets used to the presentation. I was also quite skeptical when I saw how TP is built ( ) and I know perhaps on the paper a device like LPGT is vastly superior to it or even to R2R2K but it does not mean that I am enjoying more its sound because it also comes down to personal preference and how we perceive it. I only have TP for about a week or more so I may change my mind but now if I were to choose only one or two devices among all those I have, I would probably go for 1Z and R2R2K for their sound and functionalities. Then again I also need to spend more time on R2R2K black when it comes back from servicing because my previous device was it seems defective so I am not totally sure how much it could have had an impact on the sound but as HFM told me they are sending a new device there will be room for further comparison.
Unfortunately, seems like I am going to have to wait a couple of weeks more to get back my black R2R2K as the new model Hifiman sent me back also had an issue and I had to return it on the next day...
Not related but I just noticed that Hifiman advertises the Ananda Bluetooth as compatible LDAC. If Hifiman can do that on a pair of headphone they could certainly do it on their flagship DAP as unless I am mistaken it is just a matter of supporting the relevant Codec?@TeamHiFiMAN Can you please confirm whether you will add the support of LDAC in the next FW of R2R2000? A number of us already have Sony Daps or would be happy to get one to pair up with R2R2000 . That would make a tremendous difference. Thanks in advance for your answer.
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