[Nankai]

I feel shy to say this before. Now I think it is fine because HM-801 was discontinued (PCM1704U-K DAC is not available any more). 
 
When we were designing HM-801 in 2008, the reference CD player was Meridian 508. We adjust HM-801's sound signature very close to 508. The little difference between HM-801 and 508 is that 508 has more and better bass, and HM-801 is slightly more neutral. I bought a 588 in 2009. I was surprised that can not find the difference from HM-801 and a 588. 
 
If any of you have a meridian 588 or 508, please do a A/B test.

 

[holidaynova]

Nothing comes close to the audio quality I get from my HM-801. I feel sorry for everyone that missed out! 

 

[MarkTwain]

Agree! Tried many other DAPs and amps including Imod, Iriver, Sony X1000, fostex HP-P1 with ipod and lately the latest DX100, nothing comes close to the audio quality i get from my HM-801 too.

Sold My First batch of HM-801 as was focusing more on desktop setup and regretted later on after trying all other DAP. Luckily managed to buy the last batch of the HM-801 recently with the balanced amp module and could not be happier!

Newer DAP produces digital sounds which are nowhere close to the smooth sounding yet super detailed HM-801!

Nothing comes close to the audio quality I get from my HM-801. I feel sorry for everyone that missed out! 

 

[Benjamin6264]

I'm glad to know that I have a discontinued DAP that sounds like a $3500 CD transport.
 
I just got it as a replacement too, so I'll baby it even more in case its value rises with time.

 

[nc8000]

The 801 with balanced amp is the best portable sound I have heard and very versatile as well being also a usb dac. I just happend to fall in love with the C4 look and feel that suits my use better

 

[KT66]

why didn't you keep making them until the HM-901 is ready?

 

[Benjamin6264]

Quote:

why didn't you keep making them until the HM-901 is ready?

The DAC chip is discontinued.
 
Woo hoo, 300 posts.

 

[flargosa]

Very close to my Marantz SACD in SQ, but fits the pocket .  Balance module ups the sound a notch too, more dynamic and striking in presentation compared to the more delicate and mellower sounding game amp, yet on par in clarity. 

 

[axl1]

So when can we pre-order the HM-802 or HM-901?

 

[MarkTwain]

With the PCM1704U-K Dac which is not available anymore, the new HM-901 will likely be using another DAC which may sound different than the ridiculously good HM-801.
 
You probably may want to do an audition before making a reservation. My guess is that it will probably use the same DAC as the DX100, which is a more modern designed chip than the most acclaimed PCM1704U-K. This happened to Audio-gd when they could not get PCM1704U-K too.
 
Don't really favour the SQ of DX100, which could be due to the Sabre chip. Hope HM-901 will be alot better than DX100, and at least as good as HM-801.
 
Quote:

So when can we pre-order the HM-802 or HM-901?

 

 

[ivanrocks321]

2x

 

[skypop]

Does anyone know how to get the 801to work with a Mac? I'm using iTunes, I have a great deal of music and don't want to re-download everything. THANKS

 

[nc8000]

As I remember it the 801 does not play aac nor alac. The best format is flac and you just drag the files on to a sd memory card that you put into the 801 so no iTunes support

 

[ianmedium]

Would Wav work? All my files in iTunes are Wav ripped from CD into iTunes. In the past I have dragged albums from iTunes on to SD cards would that work, I seem to remember seeing the 801 supports wav?

 

[skypop]

Thanks for the replies,I'll try that WAV format next, if that doesn't work I'm selling this thing.