Introducing The Cozoy Astrapi: Hi-Res Lineout audio from your iOS/Android device!

[7v4wfQZKvV]

  As suggested by Currawong, I think we should take impressions to a separate impressions thread. It will give the product a fresh start.
 
Do you guys agree?

 
Someone in this thread already did that:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/760264/cozoy-astrapi-made-for-apple-portable-dac-amp-impressions-discussion-thread

 

[DJScope]

   
Someone in this thread already did that:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/760264/cozoy-astrapi-made-for-apple-portable-dac-amp-impressions-discussion-thread

 
 
Ahhh! Great! Thanks mate!

 

[EmpJ]

  As suggested by Currawong, I think we should take impressions to a separate impressions thread. It will give the product a fresh start.
 
Do you guys agree?

 
That's fine by me! Ya...that impression thread isn't getting much love. Astrapi owners shift over!

 

[Peter West]

I'm writing a review this morning (April 16) and there is a minimal amount of hiss (barely perceptible in a quiet room) when using Shure 535s. Nothing heard on anything else including the T-Peos D-202Ns which at $36 I would have thought would have issues. 

 

[EmpJ]

  I'm writing a review this morning (April 16) and there is a minimal amount of hiss (barely perceptible in a quiet room) when using Shure 535s. Nothing heard on anything else including the T-Peos D-202Ns which at $36 I would have thought would have issues. 

 
Hey Peter, looking forward to the impressions! Actually, since the SE535s are much more sensitive than the D202Ns, it actually makes sense that you hear hiss with the Shures. 
 
Most high end, sensitive IEMs hiss to some degree. What some people do is use an impedance adapter with these IEMs, but there are pros and cons of course. 
 
And actually, if you could start posting in the other Astrapi thread set up by miceblue, that would be great. Trying to shift attention to that thread that focuses more on the product and impressions. Thanks!

 

[Peter West]

I understand the sensitivity issue but was pleasantly surprised that the D202Ns weren't affected and yet provide such an entertaining and lively sound. And thanks for the advice re the other thread. I'm new to this site and it's a bit overwhelming. 

 

[edyeded]

Hi guys considering this to  pair with my iphone 6 and JH16s. the only thing is that I use spotify for my music. Anyone have any experience with it and spotify and would you recommend?
 
Thanks

 

[money4me247]

Hi guys considering this to  pair with my iphone 6 and JH16s. the only thing is that I use spotify for my music. Anyone have any experience with it and spotify and would you recommend?

Thanks

I primarily use it with spotify as sell when on the go. works well. better if you have spotify premium for higher quality source files

 

[edyeded]

Hi,
 
I do use spotify premium. Does it actually make the audio experience a lot better or just an increase in volume?
 
Thanks

 

[money4me247]

  Hi, I do use spotify premium. Does it actually make the audio experience a lot better or just an increase in volume? Thanks

I don't think Spotify Premium increases the volume. Basically, on regular spotify on some tracks you can hear subtle noise and distortion that you cannot hear with Premium. There are other sound quality differences as well, but the more noticeable thing that I would recommend looking for is a brighter more metallic edge to females vocals if you are trying to test yourself to see if you can hear the difference. Hope this helps.

 

[BruceBanner]

Hi guys, thought I might post my question here and provide a little background info to shed some light.
 
I am a Shozy owner and love it, prolly my best sounding DAP to date. It does well for me at work (i'm a cleaner) so blind screenless operation is fine. But i want something like the Shozy sound but with a screen that can display tagged lyrics and allow for song rating (for times commuting on a train etc)
My smartphone is a Galaxy K Zoom, and poweramp can do both these things (lyrics and song rating), however my HO on the K Zoom is dodgy, it seems a tad too tight, every jack I insert gets pushed out by half a mm etc (after a time), even a slight jolt or twist and the connection is lost

So here I stumbled upon this fella and thought it might do the trick seeing as I can use the usb micro to hear sound and avoid the HO out altogether.

But there is one last problem...

Android is too quiet for me, on all devices I have tested (Nexus 7 2012, Xperia E1, K Zoom, Note 2) etc etc. I had to root the Xperia E1 and change the mixer_path file data to lift off the volume limiters that seem globally applied to all android devices... it really sucks to do this but once done the device sings much better.

The K Zoom doesn't seem to have a great safe root process, or at least I'm not willing to risk it (especially if it may compromise the camera quality), so I'm hoping that the Cozoy will allow for greater volume than what the HO is able to do...

I understand I could amp also (to the Cozoy), and this maybe something I have to consider, but now the K Zoom is becoming quite a big bundle of wires and devices to carry around...
 
Please understand, I am not after crazy volume levels, DAPs like Sansa and Cowon are able to reach adequate volumes, and once u lift off the volume limitation values on Androids mixer_paths, it doesn't mean it goes dangerously crazy loud, it just meets similar volume levels to what Sansa, Cowon, Shozy etc are able to.
Besides, I prefer to replaygain my music to 89-90db thereby when shuffling I don't have to play with the volume control as much (but this act can lower newer recordings by a good 7db etc).

I'm just trying to ascertain if the Cozoy is the right thing for me, or whether other things like this exist but will provide a better volume than what the Cozoy can output. It makes little sense to spend $199AUD on this, and have to get an amp as well if there is one device that is perhaps slightly larger but will do the task better for me and keeps everything less messy (cable and device wise).

Cheers for any advice

Bruce

 

[money4me247]

@BruceBanner, will test for you when I get home. send me a PM to remind me. I have the Samsung Galaxy S5. will report on relative volume scaling. cheers

 

[BruceBanner]

Thanks mang, i will PM u if u forget

 

[money4me247]

  Thanks mang, i will PM u if u forget

if you are asking whether maxed volume S5 on the Astrapi sounds louder than maxed volume on the S5 via the headphone jack using the same pair of headphones, the answer is yes. Hard for me to estimate exactly how much louder, but noticeable difference. I would guess somewhere between 3-6dB louder volume difference after adding the Astrapi using audiochecker.net level testing for an easy to drive pair of IEMs. Hard for me to say exactly how much of a difference because of the large delay I have switching between set-ups.
 
Hope this is helpful!

 

[EmpJ]

The Astrapi will definitely be louder than the HO on your androids. However, this will still depend on the output of each device through its micro USB. 
 
For high end phones such as the S5 or even Zoom, you should have no problems with volume with the Astrapi.
 
What earphones/headphones are you planning to pair with the Astrapi? @BruceBanner