Obscure Chinese DAPs

[jithu215]

Really interesting DAP Saomai sm5 with ak4495seq dac
SaoMai Audio SM5 16GB 2.4 Inches High Resolution Lossless Music MP3 Player With Bluetooth Dac AK4495SEQ AMP IC 2 PCS OPA1642
http://s.aliexpress.com/BbeUzUfa?fromSns=Copy to Clipboard
Only 120usd.anyone tried these?

Anyone have this.now 134usd

 

[AndySocial]

I recently bought the xDuoo X3II and for me it improves the FAudio S1 and the QNGEE X2, both in sound and handling. The user interface is not the best, nor is the distribution of the keys. But I have not had a single error with firmware version 1.0. It is gapless and it is fast. Use the same DAC as the N3 and it is cheaper. You should consider it too.

The X3II moved from Xduoo's proprietary OS to a Hiby-based one, didn't it?

 

[Alex3221]

Anyone have this.now 134usd

It has very good opinions on taobao but, I'm between this one, Zishan dsd 4497 upgraded version or Saomai Ha8. They have very good specs, specially the Saomai ha8 (es9038q2m, Bluetooth 5.0 and a output power of 1000mW @ 32Ω) and is only $82.

 

[Alex3221]

.

 

[tamburlane]

From what I can gather from aliexpress, I understand the SaoMai HA8 to be a bluetooth dac/amp not a dap. In other words, it won't play music independently. It requires a separate source.

 

[voxdub]

I just got an H2 a couple of weeks ago and I'm very impressed so far. I've found its UI to be far and away the best UI of any ChiFi DAP I've tried. Rock solid stability and flawless gapless playback. Just curious, what do you find "silly" about it?

It's the fact that the album art is tiny on most firmware versions, including the only version which supports Hiby Link. Also as it clearly can read the tags from albums why does it then decide to display this on a single line rather than multiple lines for artist, song, album, file info etc. Also don't understand the wallpaper function at all... That all being said I think the H2/eros Q is a very good player for the money, as you say stability and gapless wise it's spot on and very much a step up from the Nintaus X10s which was my previous daily device.

 

[jithu215]

It has very good opinions on taobao but, I'm between this one, Zishan dsd 4497 upgraded version or Saomai Ha8. They have very good specs, specially the Saomai ha8 (es9038q2m, Bluetooth 5.0 and a output power of 1000mW @ 32Ω) and is only $82.

Can you post the link of saomai sm5 reviews on taobao.HA8 is a usb dac and amplifier not a dap.sm5 looks stunning for that money and its ak4495seq dac tempting.Also considered Zishan dsd 4497 but zishans industrial look is ugly compared to Saomai sm5.

 

[jj69]

It's the fact that the album art is tiny on most firmware versions, including the only version which supports Hiby Link. Also as it clearly can read the tags from albums why does it then decide to display this on a single line rather than multiple lines for artist, song, album, file info etc. Also don't understand the wallpaper function at all... That all being said I think the H2/eros Q is a very good player for the money, as you say stability and gapless wise it's spot on and very much a step up from the Nintaus X10s which was my previous daily device.

I didn realize there were other firmwares out there. Where can I get them and what are the advantages of switching?

 

[voxdub]

I didn realize there were other firmwares out there. Where can I get them and what are the advantages of switching?

The only advantage of switching that I've found is Hiby Link is supported on v1.7 of Aigo's original firmware, they deleted support in 1.8, not sure why as works great. You can find them here, just put the upt file on the root of your sd card and update from system settings, you can switch back to v1.2 of the Hifi Walker firmware if preferred after trying. http://www.eroshifi.com/download/firmware/22.html

Hiby Link is a huge advantage to me as I use the device when plugged into speakers so controlling it from a phone is massive, and actually use Hiby Link most of the time to use the device other than quick switch of tracks in pocket, it's only on Android though AFAIK so if you have an iPhone stick with the Hifi Walker firmware I guess.

 

[Nimweth]

It's the fact that the album art is tiny on most firmware versions, including the only version which supports Hiby Link. Also as it clearly can read the tags from albums why does it then decide to display this on a single line rather than multiple lines for artist, song, album, file info etc. Also don't understand the wallpaper function at all... That all being said I think the H2/eros Q is a very good player for the money, as you say stability and gapless wise it's spot on and very much a step up from the Nintaus X10s which was my previous daily device.

I have the H2 and think it is excellent, especially with the version 1.2 of the Hifiwalker firmware which does address the tiny artwork which now fills the screen. I didn't realise you could use other firmware from other manufacturers.

 

[voxdub]

I have the H2 and think it is excellent, especially with the version 1.2 of the Hifiwalker firmware which does address the tiny artwork which now fills the screen. I didn't realise you could use other firmware from other manufacturers.

Aigo is the original manufacturer, the device is the Eros Q which is part of Aigo's 'premium' Eros range, the h2 is just rebranded by Hifi Walker for international sale, same as their other DAP which is also by Aigo, Agptek also sell a rebranded version of the Aigo Eros K. I had the K before the Q but its firmware sucks and they did something to prevent you putting the original Aigo firmware on it.

 

[jj69]

The only advantage of switching that I've found is Hiby Link is supported on v1.7 of Aigo's original firmware, they deleted support in 1.8, not sure why as works great. You can find them here, just put the upt file on the root of your sd card and update from system settings, you can switch back to v1.2 of the Hifi Walker firmware if preferred after trying. http://www.eroshifi.com/download/firmware/22.html

Hiby Link is a huge advantage to me as I use the device when plugged into speakers so controlling it from a phone is massive, and actually use Hiby Link most of the time to use the device other than quick switch of tracks in pocket, it's only on Android though AFAIK so if you have an iPhone stick with the Hifi Walker firmware I guess.

Does the 1.7 firmware have gapless playback? Any other disadvantages to it?

My guess is the Hibylink feature requires a license fee and Aigo didn't want to pay for it.

 

[voxdub]

Does the 1.7 firmware have gapless playback? Any other disadvantages to it?

My guess is the Hibylink feature requires a license fee and Aigo didn't want to pay for it.

Still got gapless playback and works perfectly, haven't noticed any issues, only disadvantage is small album art that I can tell

 

[Alex3221]

From what I can gather from aliexpress, I understand the SaoMai HA8 to be a bluetooth dac/amp not a dap. In other words, it won't play music independently. It requires a separate source.

Can you post the link of saomai sm5 reviews on taobao.HA8 is a usb dac and amplifier not a dap.sm5 looks stunning for that money and its ak4495seq dac tempting.Also considered Zishan dsd 4497 but zishans industrial look is ugly compared to Saomai sm5.

I know HA8 is a dac/amp but, you can stream audio from your smartphone with the Bluetooth.

SM5: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=536874026720&_u=t2dmg8j26111

HA8-II: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=566323093853&_u=t2dmg8j26111

 

[cqtek]

The X3II moved from Xduoo's proprietary OS to a Hiby-based one, didn't it?

I'm sorry, I do not know the answer.