New Hidizs AP200 double DAC Android-based smart music player

[JaeYoon]

Finally watched Breakin Bad's finale

Soooo,
Totally rocking Badfinger's "Baby Blue"

http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/why-breaking-bad-chose-badfingers-baby-blue-20131001

Omg I love that song too.

Im gonna get SS AP200 and hope to get it whenever it arrives

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

SPOILER ALERT

Do not watch vid if you have never seen series.


Lyrics are perfect.


"I guess I got...what I deserved...


Totally pleased and impressed with this thing. When a music device can impart emotion it has done it's job, which so few things do.
Nice work @Hidizs Hk

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

Joy

 

[oliv928]

Hello,
I am excited too. Looking this thread daily to catch the news. I am owning and using now a Xuelin 770c which is nice sounding but firmware too basic. I would like to get a newer DAP with more in software and this one looks great. I will continue to get information of sound signature comparison with competitors such a Fiio, Pioneer, Cayin ...

Concerning Android side of it, I have basic questions :
- Is it possible to Watch videos ? Does it work well ? Streaming and local avi ?
- Can we install & play with little android games ? App ? like any Android Tab ?
- Is it possible to 100% manage files on internal memory and SD card ? Delete, Download, Move in folders ...?
- Is it possible to update Tag Ids : Manage genre, Update favorite rating ?

I am very close to order it. Just hesitating between AP200 and a pure DAP such as Shanling M2s. I Wonder which one sounds better ...

 

[Dobrescu George]

Hello,
I am excited too. Looking this thread daily to catch the news. I am owning and using now a Xuelin 770c which is nice sounding but firmware too basic. I would like to get a newer DAP with more in software and this one looks great. I will continue to get information of sound signature comparison with competitors such a Fiio, Pioneer, Cayin ...

Concerning Android side of it, I have basic questions :
- Is it possible to Watch videos ? Does it work well ? Streaming and local avi ?
- Can we install & play with little android games ? App ? like any Android Tab ?
- Is it possible to 100% manage files on internal memory and SD card ? Delete, Download, Move in folders ...?
- Is it possible to update Tag Ids : Manage genre, Update favorite rating ?

I am very close to order it. Just hesitating between AP200 and a pure DAP such as Shanling M2s. I Wonder which one sounds better ...

- Videos not really... Neutron can play their audio just fine, but audio watching isn't the strongest point nor the intended usage, especially with that pretty small display.

- Yes, but you have to test what works as you want.

- Yes.

- If you know an Android app that can do that, yes.

About the sound, M2s and AP200 are somewhat close, but with slightly different signatures. The largest difference between them is not in the sound, but in the device itself. M2s has a very strong and reliable software part as well, AP200 has a lot of potential, but the firmware is still in beta - as a reviewer I cannot promise what will happen in the future. both rely on Hiby, which is extremely strong though, so I have very high trust in both.

 

[glassmonkey]

Hello,
I am excited too. Looking this thread daily to catch the news. I am owning and using now a Xuelin 770c which is nice sounding but firmware too basic. I would like to get a newer DAP with more in software and this one looks great. I will continue to get information of sound signature comparison with competitors such a Fiio, Pioneer, Cayin ...

Concerning Android side of it, I have basic questions :
- Is it possible to Watch videos ? Does it work well ? Streaming and local avi ?
Yes, but screen is not large and battery life would be adversely affected, I'd suggest that your phone, which you'll probably be carrying, is better for this. I'm not getting spectacular battery life right now (not terrible, but not impressive). I'm withholding judgment on battery life as the firmware is still in development. I'd save the juice for the device's purpose.

- Can we install & play with little android games ? App ? like any Android Tab ?
Yep, but why you would want to when you have a phone...

- Is it possible to 100% manage files on internal memory and SD card ? Delete, Download, Move in folders ...?
The player has full access to the Google Play store, so you can have apps to manage stuff. I can't recall if it came with ES File Explorer, but I have it.

- Is it possible to update Tag Ids : Manage genre, Update favorite rating ?
That depends on which player you use.

I am very close to order it. Just hesitating between AP200 and a pure DAP such as Shanling M2s. I Wonder which one sounds better ...
I have both on me right now, but nothing to volume match, so I can say that both sound good. I think that the AP200 does more for me. I have found myself reaching for it as my daily driver, and I have a few DAPs on hand. It has exceptional soundstage height and really good clarity. Bass has lots of grip and rumble. I really like this AP200. The Shanling has a better screen, but isn't touch screen and doesn't have any Android goodness. Your mileage may vary. (

Concerning Android side of it, I have basic questions :
- Is it possible to Watch videos ? Does it work well ? Streaming and local avi ?
Yes, but screen is not large and battery life would be adversely affected, I'd suggest that your phone, which you'll probably be carrying, is better for this. I'm not getting spectacular battery life right now (not terrible, but not impressive). I'm withholding judgment on battery life as the firmware is still in development. I'd save the juice for the device's purpose. In this current beta firmware environment, I'm having some WiFi issues, too. Hopefully those will be fixed by release.

- Can we install & play with little android games ? App ? like any Android Tab ?
Yep, but why you would want to when you have a phone...

- Is it possible to 100% manage files on internal memory and SD card ? Delete, Download, Move in folders ...?
The player has full access to the Google Play store, so you can have apps to manage stuff. I can't recall if it came with ES File Explorer, but I have it.

- Is it possible to update Tag Ids : Manage genre, Update favorite rating ?
That depends on which player you use.

I am very close to order it. Just hesitating between AP200 and a pure DAP such as Shanling M2s. I Wonder which one sounds better ...
I have both on me right now, but nothing to volume match, so I can say that both sound good. I think that the AP200 does more for me. I have found myself reaching for it as my daily driver, and I have a few DAPs on hand. It has exceptional soundstage height and really good clarity. Bass has lots of grip and rumble. I really like this AP200. The Shanling has a better screen, but isn't touch screen and doesn't have any Android goodness. HiBy Link (on the Shanling currently) makes it so WiFi access isn't really important for your player, which is awesome, and allows you to have some of that Androidy goodness without having Android. Your mileage may vary.

This player is hands down better than the Cayin N3, and the FiiO X5iii. If those are in your consideration, this is way better sounding, and is in between the two on price. I firmly dislike the OS on the Cayin N3, and the X5iii has a great bag of features and mediocre sound. If you are thinking of the X5iii because it has balanced output, stop yourself thinking that way, the only number that is improved is crosstalk on the balanced, everything else is worse, including power output (which makes no damn sense). I think that FiiO threw in balanced at the end of development, not as a planned all the way feature.

My advice, if you can wait for the inevitable release delays associated with crowdfunding, go for the AP200. If you need your fix soon, get the M2s. You'll be happy, most likely.

 

[oliv928]

Hmm. Thank you for your very interesting feedback.

As I understand, but may be this is wrong, can you confirm that :
AP200 can work in 2 modes :
- 1 : Pure HiFi DAP music mode : Just to play internal (external? also) files with max sound quality level
- 2 : Android mode : Wifi connected, Stream/Play music available on network, internet ... + Android Apps

I understand your suggestion to Watch videos, play apps... on my phone or tab. The reason why I am investigating this is :
I don't have Smartphone nor Android Tab. (don't like that stufs). So what I am looking in AP200 is : 1 Play music, 2 be my travel multimedia companion.
Of course I understand now that screen and processor are not build for that. But I think shanling M1 is very capable with videos.

Glassmonkey : thank you very much for your in detail review !
I currently don't understand this in your post, but it seems very interesting as regards M2s :
"The Shanling has a better screen, but isn't touch screen and doesn't have any Android goodness. HiBy Link (on the Shanling currently) makes it so WiFi access isn't really important for your player, which is awesome, and allows you to have some of that Androidy goodness without having Android."
> Does this mean I can Stream network/internet music with Shanling M2s even no Wifi(!?!?) nor Android Apps ? If this is true, this is a very good point for M2s. I will investigate more in deep M2s. I am not familiar at all with Hiby Link. Actually I am using a litle bit Plex, with a 50Gb Seedbox cloud + My HDD music files.

So, today I balance between M2s and AP200 (50/50).

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

Videos small but play fine and about as sharp as will come on a DAP

 

[glassmonkey]

Hmm. Thank you for your very interesting feedback.

As I understand, but may be this is wrong, can you confirm that :
AP200 can work in 2 modes :
- 1 : Pure HiFi DAP music mode : Just to play internal (external? also) files with max sound quality level
- 2 : Android mode : Wifi connected, Stream/Play music available on network, internet ... + Android Apps

I understand your suggestion to Watch videos, play apps... on my phone or tab. The reason why I am investigating this is :
I don't have Smartphone nor Android Tab. (don't like that stufs). So what I am looking in AP200 is : 1 Play music, 2 be my travel multimedia companion.
Of course I understand now that screen and processor are not build for that. But I think shanling M1 is very capable with videos.

Glassmonkey : thank you very much for your in detail review !
I currently don't understand this in your post, but it seems very interesting as regards M2s :
"The Shanling has a better screen, but isn't touch screen and doesn't have any Android goodness. HiBy Link (on the Shanling currently) makes it so WiFi access isn't really important for your player, which is awesome, and allows you to have some of that Androidy goodness without having Android."
> Does this mean I can Stream network/internet music with Shanling M2s even no Wifi(!?!?) nor Android Apps ? If this is true, this is a very good point for M2s. I will investigate more in deep M2s. I am not familiar at all with Hiby Link. Actually I am using a litle bit Plex, with a 50Gb Seedbox cloud + My HDD music files.

So, today I balance between M2s and AP200 (50/50).

AP200 can work in 2 modes :
- 1 : Pure HiFi DAP music mode : Just to play internal (external? also) files with max sound quality level
- 2 : Android mode : Wifi connected, Stream/Play music available on network, internet ... + Android Apps

In Pure Music Mode you can only use the HiBy app, so no Android streaming services. I think it sounds better, but I haven't done structured assessment, so take with a grain of salt.

"The Shanling has a better screen, but isn't touch screen and doesn't have any Android goodness. HiBy Link (on the Shanling currently) makes it so WiFi access isn't really important for your player, which is awesome, and allows you to have some of that Androidy goodness without having Android."
> Does this mean I can Stream network/internet music with Shanling M2s even no Wifi(!?!?) nor Android Apps ? If this is true, this is a very good point for M2s. I will investigate more in deep M2s. I am not familiar at all with Hiby Link. Actually I am using a litle bit Plex, with a 50Gb Seedbox cloud + My HDD music files.

The M2s can do streaming by receiving Bluetooth signal. In this way you can use your phone to send Bluetooth to your DAP and get some of the better sound quality of the DAP compared to your phone.

Personally, for what you want to do, I think you are better having two devices. You can get a pretty darn good smart phone for under $150, even under $100 is possible. My phone is an Asus Zenfone 3, and is good for under $200. Join the modern world, so you can understand all the memes.

 

[oliv928]

"In Pure Music Mode you can only use the HiBy app, so no Android streaming services." : What is the HiBy app ? As I understand it is the software used to browse and read music content of SD card and internal Memory. Correct ? > OK, why not. No Android streaming services : OK. I suppose in this mode I cannot access my domestic network music either ?

"The M2s can do streaming by receiving Bluetooth signal. In this way you can use your phone to send Bluetooth to your DAP and get some of the better sound quality of the DAP compared to your phone."

>OK, I understand now. I have visited this subject "https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hib...-m1-m2s-wireless-control-for-your-dap.852725/" and have better understanding. I would say I don't like this so much because :
- Two devices. I like simplicity, I don't have smartphone...
- Also, more important, I am not sure that sound quality will be better than just : Smartphone or Labtop + Earphone because audio is vehiculed through Bluetooth (conversion, compression...). If I want to do that, today I can : I take my labtop + Bluetooth Earphone, that's it.

So, for my choice the Fight is with more benefice for AP200 : AP200(60) M2S(40)
AP200 pro : Android mode, streaming, network... : WiFi connection, Fun perspective with maybe future possibilities and everything ALL IN ONE BOX
M2S pro : software maturity, Better screen, video reader(?), USB typeC, smaller, lighter, cheaper

Another question :
With AP200 on, would it be recognized by windows10 as a network device through WiFi domestic network, so that :
> I can send files to it without cable ?
> i can read music files that are on my PC HDD : all the Library in fact
> I can delete/move ... music files that are on my PC
That would be very very nice ! It means I can access, organize, read my music Library from my couch

Again thank you very much for the exchange

 

[RojasTKD]

The M2s can do streaming by receiving Bluetooth signal. In this way you can use your phone to send Bluetooth to your DAP and get some of the better sound quality of the DAP compared to your phone.

As has been discussed before, streaming BT to the M2s is not a very good option as the DAP can only receive in SBC not aptX and will likely sounds worse than straight from the device your streaming from.

Though I'm not sure why the OP would even mention streaming to the M2s as he stated he didn't have a smartphone.

If he wants some extra multimedia functionality the AP200 seems to be the only real options between the two.

 

[IryxBRO]

Hello again!

Also got the latest FW and gone through all functions. This FW brought some improvements in overall UI speed and cleared some flaws... Not all of them but now AP200 is working almost as expected. I hope that the next FW would eliminate the rest. No USB soound interface yet.
Sound didn't change but working with EQ became predictble with no sudden jumps in gain.

For those who has asked - this device isn't capable of Youtube videos - too slow to play it smoothly. But the rest of streaming apps like Tunein are working ok. Although, it is not my style - I prefer the main purpose of this device - pure music mode.

 

[twister6]

As has been discussed before, streaming BT to the M2s is not a very good option as the DAP can only receive in SBC not aptX and will likely sounds worse than straight from the device your streaming from.

Though I'm not sure why the OP would even mention streaming to the M2s as he stated he didn't have a smartphone.

If he wants some extra multimedia functionality the AP200 seems to be the only real options between the two.

I have done these comparisons in the past, both with N3 and M2s. It's hard to do a true a/b because in one case you have a smartphone source connected to wireless headphones supporting aptX codec and even though digital stream has less compression, your sound quality depends on lo-fi BT decoder/dac built into your headphones. Versus, having N3/M2s paired wireless with your smartphone source, and even with a slightly inferior wireless digital stream, you have a higher quality decoding of audio signal and your headphone connected wired can sound even better. And, you have to use wireless headphones that allow wired connection for a true a/b comparison. Too many variables for an accurate comparison.

 

[emthered]

I've pre-ordered both the AP200 and the upcoming Shanling M3S. I'll be eager to make a sound comparison between the two. I know it's not exactly apples-to-apples. But they're both similarly priced and most likely will get a lot of attention from the budget crowd. One of the big selling points for me and the AP200 was Android and the ability to load and use Tidal and Spotify. It's nice to be able to listen to my sd card library AND have the ability to do streaming services in one device. And my attraction to the M3S was the availability of a balanced headphone output and wifi capabilities in this price range. Both will sport dual DACs with the AP200 - ES9118C (x2) and the M3S - AK4490EN (x2). So now I wait..... and wait..... and wait.... (I'm thinking neither of these DAPs will ship before the end of October).

 

[se7en7]

where do you get latest firmware from please?