[marekm]

Had the guys from Lenbrook been reading this forum, they would not have bought MQA.

How stupid of them

 

[BS5711]

MQA and its fell author made more frAudiophile claims about their Codec than I care to mention not the least of which are the all too common one about listening "as the artist intended". I am rarely if ever make boo-boos. I write in a somewhat descriptive manner, ergo I used the word "flaccid" to describe you view on my thoughts, i.e., ineffective at the least to me. I never "chill". I am too old to do so.

In essense, I find/found MQA to be junque and quite useless for its intended purporse. I found that it did nothing to the music while its originator(s) made rather grandiose claims for it. I do not wish to pay a fee for that which I find useless and in effective. Simple. I also pointed out in the following post (because I hit post reply prior to finishing!) that I bought the FiiO KA5 because I said I would buy something from them that was affordable for me and did not have MQA attached to it.

My son uses it at his workplace now. I tend to give things to those I know and love if at all possible and also if it fits their line of thining. The FiiO fits him.

ORT

I get your manner of writing, I can see that so I do read between the lines a bit, no problem.

However, I really don’t follow your logic at all. You said the MQA tracks were no different to presumably PCM in your test situation. MQA was intended to sound good with reduced file size due to the “folding” used.

If it was indistinguishable from PCM all while being smaller file size how is it junk and useless for its intended purpose ? That literally makes no sense, you literally state it performed its intended purpose.

Look, I am not an MQA fanboy, I just don’t jump on the hate train either. If you want to that is fine but why try and use the idea that a device costs heaps more and a performance related argument that your other words then disagree with. If you hate it because of the politics and advertising etc why not just stick to that, seems to me that is argument enough.

Anyway, all good I really don’t care, just an academic discussion.

Take care.

 

[OldRoadToad]

I get your manner of writing, I can see that so I do read between the lines a bit, no problem.

However, I really don’t follow your logic at all. You said the MQA tracks were no different to presumably PCM in your test situation. MQA was intended to sound good with reduced file size due to the “folding” used.

If it was indistinguishable from PCM all while being smaller file size how is it junk and useless for its intended purpose ? That literally makes no sense, you literally state it performed its intended purpose.

Look, I am not an MQA fanboy, I just don’t jump on the hate train either. If you want to that is fine but why try and use the idea that a device costs heaps more and a performance related argument that your other words then disagree with. If you hate it because of the politics and advertising etc why not just stick to that, seems to me that is argument enough.

Anyway, all good I really don’t care, just an academic discussion.

Take care.

I just refuse to pay money for something that does absolutely nothing. Be it green marker pens that you smear around the edge of CDs to prevent homeless (i.e., transient) light from escaping or MQA. What reasonable person would do so?

Only frAudiophiles would go for weird stuff that they can claim to hear because they've got golden ears...Pass. If and when iFi puts out a Hip Dac3 without MQA and if I still have my Echobox players (so far they work just fine!) I will get one if I can afford one. Cheers!

ORT

 

[NightBeast]

So…any more thoughts about the hip-dac-3?

 

[OldRoadToad]

So…any more thoughts about the hip-dac-3?

It looks very nice and matches my taste in equipment perfectly. It is portable but not something I would walk around with strapped to a player with rubber bands as that just screams audio-adolescence to the world.

ORT

 

[Rattle]

My unit works great, the volume pot is a Surprise good channel matching down low. Be warned if you buy the hip case it is tight as hell trying to get hip dac in it. I use it when I don't feel like sitting in my basement with all my gear. So I have a portable system I can bring around the house without moving dacs and amps and wires. UAPP from s20 5g phone playing lossless files on the micro SD card. Was super surprised how good HD600 was, I did just buy it to power an IEM purchase, S12PRO and it's great with those. I don't use the iem match or gain and it's perfect with those 16ohm planar IEM.

 

[OldRoadToad]

I have two of these players each with a MicroSD filled with music and I also have Pandora, Amazon Music and SiriusXM on them. They work fine and it is my desire to pair them (one at a time) with a iFi hip dac 4(?). Looks are important to me and I think the Echobox Explorer will loot great with the iFi.

Yes. I am shallow but those who say looks do not matter are not fooling anyone. What is the FIRST thing we notice about anything or anyone when we are first introduced to a product or person?

How it looks. And to my eyes the iFi hip dac looks like it belongs with the Explorer.

ORT

 

[iFi audio]

I have two of these players each with a MicroSD filled with music and I also have Pandora, Amazon Music and SiriusXM on them. They work fine and it is my desire to pair them (one at a time) with a iFi hip dac 4(?). Looks are important to me and I think the Echobox Explorer will loot great with the iFi.

Yes. I am shallow but those who say looks do not matter are not fooling anyone. What is the FIRST thing we notice about anything or anyone when we are first introduced to a product or person?

How it looks. And to my eyes the iFi hip dac looks like it belongs with the Explorer.

ORT

You Sir are very consistent, I applaud this!

My only thought is I don't see how we can be completely free of MQA ability for a while yet, with folks having bought music and CDs in this format I wonder how long it will be.

Even SMSL just recently released a CD player with this ability, so I am not sure how long this goes on, time will tell.

Cheers!!

 

[OldRoadToad]

You Sir are very consistent, I applaud this!

My only thought is I don't see how we can be completely free of MQA ability for a while yet, with folks having bought music and CDs in this format I wonder how long it will be.

Even SMSL just recently released a CD player with this ability, so I am not sure how long this goes on, time will tell.

Cheers!!

I waited and FiiO (finally!) came out with the KA5 without Master Qusiling frAudio and if FiiO can do it, so can iFi. Until then I've got my fingers and eyes crossed! On top of that historical (versus hysterical) truth, MQA has been sold and I doubt manufacturers are required to continue their ASsociation with it. o

At least I hope they are not.

HUZZAH!

ORT

 

[iFi audio]

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Thank you from iFi for all the support! We have had a great year and appreciate this community's support! Stay tuned folks, new products are right around the bend, and our goal of making great audio products for every budget and need continues to grow! Keep your ears open!

Cheers, and Thank you for a great 2023!

 

[Strayngs]

I didnt even realize there was a v. 3. I had the OG and thought it was excellent for its price. I gifted my brother in law a JM Audio XTC and gave to him as he had nothing to power it….so it is still be loved and used every day. ….. I will have to give the V3 a try.

 

[iFi audio]

I didnt even realize there was a v. 3. I had the OG and thought it was excellent for its price. I gifted my brother in law a JM Audio XTC and gave to him as he had nothing to power it….so it is still be loved and used every day. ….. I will have to give the V3 a try.

We appreciate it very much! If you do be sure to let us know how you make out!

Cheers!!

 

[VishnuKare]

Deleted

 

[OldRoadToad]

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Thank you from iFi for all the support! We have had a great year and appreciate this community's support! Stay tuned folks, new products are right around the bend, and our goal of making great audio products for every budget and need continues to grow! Keep your ears open!

Cheers, and Thank you for a great 2023!

HUZZAH!

ORT

 

[NightBeast]

I found an iFi manual online for the hip-dac-3: https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/hip-dac3-User-Manual_Ver0.15_ok.pdf. It says that to charge the device, 5V must be used. And it suggests to use the USB C to USB A cable. Can the hip-dac-3 be charged by USB C to USB C? I’d love to plug it in to my MacBook Air USB C port.

For the 5V thing, can anyone recommend a wall adapter? I have multiple Apple iPhone and iPad (20W?) wall adapters. But I don’t know if they are 5V. Do the amps (?) matter, or is it important just to make sure it’s plugged into a 5V adapter?