HM 901 vs Ak 120

[fengwei007]

Between these two, I'd go w/ HM901 definitely. I bought the HM901 5 months back, loved the sound, but didn't like its UI (size isn't a big deal to me since I only use them at home) and short battery life (w/ balanced amp card, the charging time is longer than the playing time!). So I sold it for an AK120, thought I'd benefit more w/ its sleek UI and longer lasting battery. But ended up I didn't enjoy using it as much as I hoped, and I always missed the sound from the sold HM901. 
 
5 months later, I'm a happy HM901 user again, and the AK120 is gone, w/o any regret . 

 

[Goldlion973]

Again, its inaccurate to compare devices and have to add an amp to one to measure against the other, fact is the AK120 doesn't stand to the HM-901 on a like for like or even cost comparison no one has even mentioned what amp they would pair the AK to. [for such comparison & considering the slew of amps available].. still, had been saving for a 901 but the deal breaker for me is that it doesn't have a customizable EQ setting, or an EQ setting full stop, so the sound will always be the 901 sound tinted by the headphones you've paired it with... that takes away a level of personalization for me, stuck with a sound I may or may not like from album to album, genre to genre. That's WACK. Major flaw in my opinion so I'm considering an AK120 and the cost is a painful one... like the terra its perhaps the form factor, it being so small it gives doubt as to its real cost Vs RRP. Buyers remorse can kick like a mule when you've got bills to pay.

 

[Goldlion973]

Sorry, am still battling with this one... the 901 is built like a Russian tank that's just got off the battlefield and still wants more and I respect that, do think it will outlast the AK120 which, taking into account its form factor probably wouldn't survive a single 1m drop onto a hard surface on its own.
 
Hearing people talking about the apparently poor battery life on the 901, some are denying it claiming seven hours but the issue is with the battery life using the balanced card.
 
Decided to spring for the AK120, will have to buy an ALO B+ later... if I keep drooling at the 901 I'll sell it and use the funds to buy one as it'd amount to the same. The UI and lack of EQ functionality was a real clincher for me, prepared to spend the extra £XXX for it... might change my mind when people start making cards for the 901 .lol. Can imagine genre cards being bought out by people, a card tuned to Jazz, one for Electronica and another for Classical music... think having a diverse musical taste is what has done it, following a sweet vocal track with dubstep to then move on to some Charlie Parker... you really can't listen to a recording of a Skip James Mono LP and not mess with the EQ to get it right as a vinyl junkie recording various levels and qualities its a real assistance to be able to tune in and acclimatise to a track.
 
Noticing plenty of secondhand AK120s floating around though... is a concern :/

 

[Mimouille]

To me the ak120 does not touch the 901 balanced card soundwise. But the ak120 is better in almost all other aspects.

 

[spitfire777]

Thanks for your view on AK120 with Redwine audio.  I have the AK120 with RSA Blackbird amp and its amazing.  Would there be an even better sound quality with redwine audio.  I am in two minds about going ahead with this.  Do you think the Hifiman 901 is a more superior player than the AK120.   I was going to get the Hifiman 901 originally but it took too long to come out.   

 

[purk]

I'm not for either player but sounds like  the 901 is a better deal given that the AK120 will need additional amp to give the same level of performance.  It is also cheaper to boot. 

 

[hkppl]

If your HM901 would function normally, then yes it's SQ is better than the AK120....

 

[brunk]

  If your HM901 would function normally, then yes it's SQ is better than the AK120....

 

[microbiologycor]

Again, its inaccurate to compare devices and have to add an amp to one to measure against the other, fact is the AK120 doesn't stand to the HM-901 on a like for like or even cost comparison no one has even mentioned what amp they would pair the AK to. [for such comparison & considering the slew of amps available].. still, had been saving for a 901 but the deal breaker for me is that it doesn't have a customizable EQ setting, or an EQ setting full stop, so the sound will always be the 901 sound tinted by the headphones you've paired it with... that takes away a level of personalization for me, stuck with a sound I may or may not like f

Between these two, I'd go w/ HM901 definitely. I bought the HM901 5 months back, loved the sound, but didn't like its UI (size isn't a big deal to me since I only use them at home) and short battery life (w/ balanced amp card, the charging time is longer than the playing time!). So I sold it for an AK120, thought I'd benefit more w/ its sleek UI and longer lasting battery. But ended up I didn't enjoy using it as much as I hoped, and I always missed the sound from the sold HM901. 

5 months later, I'm a happy HM901 user again, and the AK120 is gone, w/o any regret . 

rom album to album, genre to genre. That's WACK. Major flaw in my opinion so I'm considering an AK120 and the cost is a painful one... like the terra its perhaps the form factor, it being so small it gives doubt as to its real cost Vs RRP. Buyers remorse can kick like a mule when you've got bills to pay.

This is probably the only comparison that matters, had one, bought the other, the. Went back to the first...no regrets. Now, anyone know if the 901 can be run off a batt power source? I just picked one up off Monoprice that will recharge my my iPad maybe 3 times.

 

[ClieOS]

This is probably the only comparison that matters, had one, bought the other, the. Went back to the first...no regrets. Now, anyone know if the 901 can be run off a batt power source? I just picked one up off Monoprice that will recharge my my iPad maybe 3 times.

 
HM901 runs on dual power rail, so unless you custom make a special power pack for it, the answer is no. It will probably be much easier to pick up a second battery and a battery charging dock.