[Azzazzi]

Hi. Just received my Hifiman combo package of HE1000V2, EF400 & HM800. Been contemplating R2R for a while now & finally decided to take the plunge.
Been using it with my R3 Saber Pro, LG V30 & iPad Pro as sources with Roon/MicroSD on my Tia Fourté Noir.
Although both are advertised to be using the Hymalaya DAC it’s quite obvious that the tiny HM800 is using a smaller FPGA R2R module with limited/lower resolution capabilities.
First impressions:
On initial USB C connection to the R3 Pro (as USB dock) all I could hear was static masking very faint music.
Thinking it was a 0.78 pin polarity issue tried reversing the supplied (extremely thin) cable connection with no apparent effect (unsure if this has to do with fact that the connection to the tiny device is MMCX).
Varying pin polarity - HM800 & 64 Audio IEMs
Then I tried increasing the volume and hey Presto the music surged into the IEM and the static died down, although it still persisted.
Similarly on the V30 & the iPad (although static was most pronounced on the latter). Dead silent/minimal static when no music playing.
Still trying out various file formats. Does not do DSF, DSD or generally 192 KHz or greater rez files - just puts out white noise. Also static levels seem to vary with different file resolutions.
Not entirely convinced it’s due to the sensitivity of my Noirs. Awaiting the arrival of the SONY MUC-M12BL2 3.5mm to MMCX plug cable I ordered to try out my Elex & other Focals as I don’t have any other IEMs on hand. Also trying out different USB C cables other than the supplied long but quite thin one.

 

[jaydoc1]

Thanks for the impressions so far !
I’ve been contemplating the HM800’s myself for that on the go small / form factor convenience.
I’ll be interested to hear how you go & how they sound, volumes it can drive, etc. although the background noise & limited file formats is a bit of a bummer’
Wonder if that’s common to R2R technology ? I’ll have a look at the Cayin RU6 feedback threads…
Cheers !

 

[Azzazzi]

Thanks for the impressions so far !
I’ve been contemplating the HM800’s myself for that on the go small / form factor convenience.
I’ll be interested to hear how you go & how they sound, volumes it can drive, etc. although the background noise & limited file formats is a bit of a bummer’
Wonder if that’s common to R2R technology ? I’ll have a look at the Cayin RU6 feedback threads…
Cheers !

The EF400 & HE1000V2 are a pairing made in heaven - almost Susvara/LCD5 level. Powerful, clear with solid bass & absolutely no noise.
So def not R2R related.

 

[Azzazzi]

Just got my new Sony MMCX to 3.5 cable. Tried them on my Elex after a few hurdles:
- Realized that the Sony cable was meant to be used in reverse but soon sorted with two 3.5mm extenders as the Y junction is too short after connection (although the connector is perfect fit for the Elex)
- Original USB C not upto the job. Settled on the USB C to C cable bundled with the iPad Pro which allows 192KHz files playback with 0.5-1 sec of static at the beginning of file.
- Below 192KHz no issues. Bitch black with no static.
- Still feel my Noirs likely too sensitive for the HM800. Will try out other IEMs (any suggestions for low sensitivity?)
- Certain (stiffer) USB cables can cause disconnection of the device on slightest wiggle as the C connector doesn’t fully insert.
- Doesn’t play nice at lower volumes. I found 50% volume adequate for comfortable listening
With all the above caveats overcome it sounds quite analog with great clarity & bass impact. Basically original cables not up to the task IMHO

 

[Halimj7]

Anyone know if you can use a usb c to 3.5mm out adapter for connecting to the headphone out of standard daps and bypassing the Hm800 as an amp and DAC?

 

[Azzazzi]

Anyone know if you can use a usb c to 3.5mm out adapter for connecting to the headphone out of standard daps and bypassing the Hm800 as an amp and DAC?

Didn’t quite get your query. The HM800 has USB-C in & MMCX out connections.

 

[Halimj7]

Didn’t quite get your query. The HM800 has USB-C in & MMCX out connections.

The hm800 does have a 3.5 headphone cable input correct only a usb-c? But if I got an input adapter - for usb c to 3.5mm will it work with a dap (bypassing the HM800 DAC and functioning only as a cable) I want to be able to quickly switch between using the HM800 Dac and another Dac without changing out the cables on my iem. Thanks.

 

[Azzazzi]

The hm800 does have a 3.5 headphone cable input correct only a usb-c? But if I got an input adapter - for usb c to 3.5mm will it work with a dap (bypassing the HM800 DAC and functioning only as a cable) I want to be able to quickly switch between using the HM800 Dac and another Dac without changing out the cables on my iem. Thanks.

No the HM800 does not have 3.5mm out. It’s meant to be used with a USB-C source to use with IEMs using the included MMCX to MMCX/2pin IEM cables. What you’re suggesting is not possible with this device as the USB-C connection is source/input only. You can only use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter on a USB-C output device.

 

[Azzazzi]

No the HM800 does not have 3.5mm out. It’s meant to be used with a USB-C source to use with IEMs using the included MMCX to MMCX/2pin IEM cables. What you’re suggesting is not possible with this device as the USB-C connection is source/input only. You can only use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter on a USB-C output device.

Unless you use an MMCX to 3.5 mm cable (like I did) along with a mono to stereo adapter. Or else try any MMCX to 3.5mm IEM cable (in reverse) connection and see if that works (should work in theory)

 

[Azzazzi]

After liasing with Hifiman customer service regarding my playback issues I got these replies (which more or less confirm my deductions):

Hi there,

Just an update. We are informed by the technicians that DSD files can only support 64 khz, some even may not suppport 64 khz, it is not recommended to play files of this format.

192khz is the limit of support, it is normal to have issues.

Our technicians are still testing the issues with the music provided.

…

Here comes the update. Our technicians listened to the music you sent with HM800 and the problem did not occur again. Could you please try with another pair of earbuds?

Please kindly note that the noise will be more noticeable in the dynamic earphones.