[fengwei007]

  Hi fellow headfiers i have been interested in getting the HM-901 for sometime now, and reading through all the previous posts provided new information that HM-901s is about to be released. Can someone shed some light into this information? Also, could someone provide more information about the dock? Thanks

The 901s was announced a while ago w/ some cosmetic changes plus better power management. But later on Hifiman decided to give it a full refreshed design w/ probably some internal change/upgrade too. Don't think it's gonna be available anytime soon given our experiences w/ previous Hifiman DAPs. I'd just get a 901 first if I were you, and upgrade to the 901s if it's MUCH better than the 901. Hifiman will upgrade for us 901 owners w/ certain amount of cost only. 

 

[fengwei007]

  does anyone know why hifiman doesnt offer an dual 3 pin xlr lineout option for the 901? I mean, there are two 9018 chips in it (16 dac channels) surely it could support balanced out... "/

 
We've been wondering about the same, but I guess Hifiman have their own reasons about leaving out balanced output from the DAC. Even the balanced amp card is a pseudo balanced design with single ended input to the balanced amp card than converted to balanced output. It's gonna be a major change if they change the DAC output to balanced from the current single ended, they might just call it a HM910 instead of HM901s...  

 

[Levanter]

  The 901s was announced a while ago w/ some cosmetic changes plus better power management. But later on Hifiman decided to give it a full refreshed design w/ probably some internal change/upgrade too. Don't think it's gonna be available anytime soon given our experiences w/ previous Hifiman DAPs. I'd just get a 901 first if I were you, and upgrade to the 901s if it's MUCH better than the 901. Hifiman will upgrade for us 901 owners w/ certain amount of cost only. 

 
I hope they hired a Korean designer this time... 

 

[Mimouille]

   
I hope they hired a Korean designer this time... 

As long as they do not hire a Korean Marketing Manager to set the prices.

 

[Levanter]

  As long as they do not hire a Korean Marketing Manager to set the prices.

 
lol x1000000

 

[wlz12]

  Few people have the dock here and no one knows when the S will be out.

Thanks for the informaton. I'm at a crossroads whether to wait for the S or to pull the trigger. Can you help with a picture or some link to the dock? I saw the early versions but, not sure that it is correct

 

[KT66]

I'm just assuming the dock never comes out, then hopefully they will surprise me
I swear I saw it on here over a year ago! maybe I was dreaming.

Don't wait for the S - get the 901, it's an amazing machine!

 

[Mimouille]

+1. Sqwise, 901 beats every DAP I've tried or had.

 

[Valuephile]

+1. Sqwise, 901 beats every DAP I've tried or had.

So you're saying the 901 even beats the RWAK240 in sound quality? How about the synergy with your Roxanne CIEMs? Do you prefer the 901 over the RWAK240 with your Roxannes? If so, when do you decide to use your RWAK240 instead of your 901? Just curious if it's worth it to you to own both the 901 and RWAK240 at the same time...

 

[audionewbi]

+1. Sqwise, 901 beats every DAP I've tried or had.

I love to read your thought in hm901 discrete board vs paw gold.

I tried the minibox last night and I liked lotoo more but nothing wrong at all with minibox.

It's just lotoo UI while been as barebone as it gets it was much easier and faster. 3 second startup and scan.

Please try to test it.

 

[Mimouille]

So you're saying the 901 even beats the RWAK240 in sound quality? How about the synergy with your Roxanne CIEMs? Do you prefer the 901 over the RWAK240 with your Roxannes? If so, when do you decide to use your RWAK240 instead of your 901? Just curious if it's worth it to you to own both the 901 and RWAK240 at the same time...

Yes the 901 is overall better than the RWAK240 in SQ, and quite clearly IMO. With some iems, the differences is just a sidegrade, like with the SE5. I have not had time to test the Roxanne extensively with the RWAK240 as my RWAK is being repaired.
 

I love to read your thought in hm901 discrete board vs paw gold.

I tried the minibox last night and I liked lotoo more but nothing wrong at all with minibox.

It's just lotoo UI while been as barebone as it gets it was much easier and faster. 3 second startup and scan.

Please try to test it.

I will try to see if I find a shop in BJ. The discrete card has more clarity but less body than Minibox.

 

[warrior1975]

I really don't need to read this thread.

 

[lee730]

I really don't need to read this thread.

Lol . You just did....

 

[jelt2359]

I really don't need to read this thread.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the shure se846 sounds AMAZING run balanced out of the hm901. Greatly increased soundstage and better balanced sound, and very good smoothness without losing extension.

 

[warrior1975]

I'm erasing the previous comments about the hifiman whatever model being better than one of the AK devices...