[supermannick]

could any one please give an impression on comparing the two? maybe the 901 with a balanced as well.
ak120 here is £1099 and hm 901 import from china £800 with balanced card... but i heard the built n software is not that fraet in 901..
 
cant decide which one to go for...  I have the grado 325, he 500 and w4r.
 Please help!
many thanks!

 

[musicday]

Get a Tera Player for the price of HM901,I really enjoy mine.

 

[kenz]

Sonically,
AK120 on firmware 1.32 is like an ibasso DX100 on 1.4.2, with less aggressive dynamics and more air and micro details.
HM901 (standard amp) on firmware 1.080 is like DX100 on 1.2.7, less warm, less agressive dynamics (more than AK120), more air and micro details.
 
Enjoying both, more so with HM901. Between the 2 players, AK120 can equal or better HM901 with a good amp (ALO MK3B or TubeAmp TA-1).
 
Can't go wrong with either but dependent on the earpiece you're using. Am using a JH 13Pro (old one).

 

[goodvibes]

Quote:

Get a Tera Player for the price of HM901,I really enjoy mine.

If someone would post about getting a AK120 in the Tera thread, you'd have a fit. Don't act hypocritical. It's not a religion. It also costs over twice the hm901.

 

[gzeminem]

Sonically,
AK120 on firmware 1.32 is like an ibasso DX100 on 1.4.2, with less aggressive dynamics and more air and micro details.
HM901 (standard amp) on firmware 1.080 is like DX100 on 1.2.7, less warm, less agressive dynamics (more than AK120), more air and micro details.
 
Enjoying both, more so with HM901. Between the 2 players, AK120 can equal or better HM901 with a good amp (ALO MK3B or TubeAmp TA-1).
 
Can't go wrong with either but dependent on the earpiece you're using. Am using a JH 13Pro (old one).

 
SQ aside, my only concern about 901 is its UI bugs, heat issue and low battery life. how did you find about these?

 

[kenz]

Quote:

 
SQ aside, my only concern about 901 is its UI bugs, heat issue and low battery life. how did you find about these?

 
UI bugs seems to be fixed fairly well with the new 1.080 firmware.
Now able to read the folders in alphabetical order.
 
Battery life is going around near 7 hours which is about same for ibasso DX100.
Lived with the 7 hours mark for the past year over with DX100, so i guess its fine.
More is always appreciated, and i do enjoy ease of mind on battery with the AK120.
 
The HM901 does warm up but nothing on the level of too hot to hold situations.
Tried charging while playing, and no heating issues as well.
 
The no sound issue when start to play on initial boot up is still present on occasions but nothing a restart won't help.
 
Given the sonic level of HM901, i can bear with the inconvenience it brings.
More so than the AK120 which works fine without any issues so far.

 

[musicday]

Get a Tera Player for the price of HM901,I really enjoy mine.

Good vibes relax,I never get upset and I gave the guy my honest opinion since I know how at least AK120 sounds. Tera can still be had for 980 euro sealed in the box never used if PM for info.
For me the Tera is just a better solution hen the other too and the battery life is truly impressive as the sound.
If someone would post about getting a AK120 in the Tera thread, you'd have a fit. Don't act hypocritical. It's not a religion. It also costs over twice the hm901.

 

[lin0003]

Nobody has mentioned the HDP-R10? It is basically an improved DX100 and it sounds great. Has over 10 hours of battery life and doesn't get hot. 

 

[goodvibes]

Quote:

Tera can still be had for 980 euro sealed in the box never used if PM for info.
 

 
LOL. It's the best, please buy my spare.
 
I'm sure the guy is aware of the Tera if he's here. He likely asked a very specific question due to the Tera not meeting some of his needs.

 

[supermannick]

i am sure the tera is very good in SQ, but the fact that it doesnt have a screen im not very sure how easy it is to use...

 

 

[supermannick]

hey kenz,
 
i have the westone 4R, grado 325 and HE-500, but im not sure if the ak120 would drive the he-500 efficiently, maybe the amp is needed there...
is there any other amp you recommend?
cheers

 

[kenz]

Quote:

hey kenz,
 
i have the westone 4R, grado 325 and HE-500, but im not sure if the ak120 would drive the he-500 efficiently, maybe the amp is needed there...
is there any other amp you recommend?
cheers

 
The AK120 can drive the Westone 4R, and the 325 and HE-500 somewhat adequately.
 
One amp i'm currently enjoying is the TubeAmp TA-1. It complements the AK120 splendidly and gives an interesting flavor between copper and silver ICs. Can check out the review in this link , Tubeamp TA-01 : The Solidstate Portable | Earmass
 
Some other amps to consider, Vorzuge Duo, Pico Power and definitely, rxMK3B+.

 

[supermannick]

thanks kenz!
do you know much about the RSA's?
 

 

[DrSheep]

AK120 + ReMK3-B+ + W4R + Balanced cable = Win.

 

[ribeye]

Quote:

 
Enjoying both, more so with HM901. Between the 2 players, AK120 can equal or better HM901 with a good amp (ALO MK3B or TubeAmp TA-1).
 
 

Hey, 
 
So I take it, out the of box, 901 is superior to AK120. And AK120 will only match the 901 if amp-ed? If that's the case, wouldn't it make sense to get the 901 as AK120+amp would be touching the 2000 USD mark, doubling the price of 901. And also, 901 would be much more compact and easier to carry around??
 
I'm asking is I currently have the AK100 and I would like jump up to AK120 as 901 is way too bulky for me. But perhaps, sonically, the 901 is better?