R5, a new Android DAP by Hiby

[abitdeef]

Ok it's back again. At least I know it has something to do with the SD card. If I unmount it, blue light off!

A possible short? We need Joe Bloggs.

 

[Tential]

Pretty sure you can optimize software to work fine with the limited cores. These devices are using smartphone processors, but not doing nearly as much with them.

If you are relying solely on the hardware to fix all issues then you did something wrong.

Yes you can optimize software.

Relying on hardware is actually what Microsoft did. They didn't optimize windows to be super fast. They let Intel make dumb fast processors to brute force it, and ssds to fix access times.
Do you even follow graphics processing? How much gpu power do we throw at things for incremental improvements? It takes insane amounts of gpu power. People don't optimize aa much as you think. Hardware catches up to software is usually how it goes. I've got too many examples to list I am a hardware nerd.

Also, this is os level optimization that would need to happen first. Then you need to optimize apps to work on a processor that TODAY, is used solely for background tasks. It's important to know how these socs work. They're made in big/little combos. Big processor works on what you're working on, little works on background. The snapdragon 425 is all little.... It's old on top of that, and only has 4 little. So it has only what your smartphone uses to do background tasks. The little processors in my s9+ would be faster than the snapdragon 425. You can't optimize software that much.
I mean come on man, how many devices came out with the this processor? It's the bottom of the line from snapdragon.

That's why I'm again saying people need to know how socs work. Otherwise, you have odd expectations that don't line up with reality.
You can't expect a cortex arm 53 processor, made on the 28nm process(God awful old for smartphones) that's only used for background tasks, to be optimized to run android at great speeds. It's just not going to happen.

It's just not how software and hardware work together.

If you're expecting the little background task cores to run android as fast as the big cores then you just don't understand the big/little construction of the SoC, and that's just the most basic part of the SoC before we get into crazy specifics

 

[HiFlight]

Still having drain issues, even with play services disabled. I updated it, deleted every app and it's still there. Just did a factory reset to see if they will change anything.

Don't disable...just turn on all of the permissions on Play Store and Google Services. Battery drain fixed! (Credit to Joe Bloggs)

 

[jsmiller58]

Tidal lags no doubt. BUT the lag does resolve in offline mode, so it seems to be the 425 SOC can't handle the streaming + wifi aspect. As a stand alone offline player, the R5 does not lag

Well... that’s a broad generalization... I have an R6 Pro and extensively use Tidal online (WiFi) and offline. Not a bit of lag in either mode.

Not sure why we have different experiences, but there you have it - we do.

 

[jsmiller58]

Yes you can optimize software.

Relying on hardware is actually what Microsoft did. They didn't optimize windows to be super fast. They let Intel make dumb fast processors to brute force it, and ssds to fix access times.
Do you even follow graphics processing? How much gpu power do we throw at things for incremental improvements? It takes insane amounts of gpu power. People don't optimize aa much as you think. Hardware catches up to software is usually how it goes. I've got too many examples to list I am a hardware nerd.

Also, this is os level optimization that would need to happen first. Then you need to optimize apps to work on a processor that TODAY, is used solely for background tasks. It's important to know how these socs work. They're made in big/little combos. Big processor works on what you're working on, little works on background. The snapdragon 425 is all little.... It's old on top of that, and only has 4 little. So it has only what your smartphone uses to do background tasks. The little processors in my s9+ would be faster than the snapdragon 425. You can't optimize software that much.
I mean come on man, how many devices came out with the this processor? It's the bottom of the line from snapdragon.

That's why I'm again saying people need to know how socs work. Otherwise, you have odd expectations that don't line up with reality.
You can't expect a cortex arm 53 processor, made on the 28nm process(God awful old for smartphones) that's only used for background tasks, to be optimized to run android at great speeds. It's just not going to happen.

It's just not how software and hardware work together.

If you're expecting the little background task cores to run android as fast as the big cores then you just don't understand the big/little construction of the SoC, and that's just the most basic part of the SoC before we get into crazy specifics

All true. If you use your DAP as you would your phone (lots of apps open, browsing while streaming, etc) then your DAP better have phone class hardware. On the other hand if you use your DAP to play music, and that’s basically it, well, your phone’s class of hardware is overkill.

One needs to understand their hardware AND what the software and usage will be. In my case on my R6 Pro I listen to Tidal or Qobuz. That’s it. Full stop. QCOM 425 is perfectly fine for me. More would just cost me more for no benefit to me. Of course, this is MY use case, and your mileage will vary based on your use case.

 

[Mouseman]

My R5 finally got here today after Amazon got their sh!t together. So far I've listened to Apple Music and my music off the SD card through HiBy. All I can say is "holy crap". Definitely made the right choice dropping the coin on this. My Jubilees, AKGs and DMGs sound amazing. I have to dial in the MSEB a bit since it has some different sliders than the R3. I also love how I can queue songs without building a playlist. The sound isn't just wide, it stretches in all directions and like others have said, it's holographic. I can't wait to work through my IEM collection.

Besides Poweramp, does anyone have any app suggestions in terms of music player apps or EQs, or anything I need to get? I'm not an Android person.

 

[abitdeef]

Here is another vid with Tidal on R5, I have a month to mess around with it so This time I used my dominant hand, but I used my phone so I had to look at my phone and around it at the r5 and try to keep it in frame- so there are some mis hits but in use it's very fast and smooth. Much smoother than ak sr15.

 

[abitdeef]

My R5 finally got here today after Amazon got their sh!t together. So far I've listened to Apple Music and my music off the SD card through HiBy. All I can say is "holy crap". Definitely made the right choice dropping the coin on this. My Jubilees, AKGs and DMGs sound amazing. I have to dial in the MSEB a bit since it has some different sliders than the R3. I also love how I can queue songs without building a playlist. The sound isn't just wide, it stretches in all directions and like others have said, it's holographic. I can't wait to work through my IEM collection.

Besides Poweramp, does anyone have any app suggestions in terms of music player apps or EQs, or anything I need to get? I'm not an Android person.

Neutron is fun to mess with- good peq, but I like the sound of the hiby app. Definitely not a need with r5, but there is a trail version.

 

[Zachik]

My R5 finally got here today after Amazon got their sh!t together. So far I've listened to Apple Music and my music off the SD card through HiBy. All I can say is "holy crap". Definitely made the right choice dropping the coin on this. My Jubilees, AKGs and DMGs sound amazing. I have to dial in the MSEB a bit since it has some different sliders than the R3. I also love how I can queue songs without building a playlist. The sound isn't just wide, it stretches in all directions and like others have said, it's holographic. I can't wait to work through my IEM collection.

Besides Poweramp, does anyone have any app suggestions in terms of music player apps or EQs, or anything I need to get? I'm not an Android person.

Did you ever try or own the R6 (non-Pro)?
I own the R6, and have no issue with the high-impedance out... so wonder if the R5 would be an upgrade, downgrade, or just the same...

 

[abitdeef]

Watch this vid on your r5 One of my favorite DS songs. Mark is so good. Sounds great on the little beast.

 

[Medikill]

Well... that’s a broad generalization... I have an R6 Pro and extensively use Tidal online (WiFi) and offline. Not a bit of lag in either mode.

Not sure why we have different experiences, but there you have it - we do.

2gb vs 3gb ram?

 

[Malevolint]

Don't disable...just turn on all of the permissions on Play Store and Google Services. Battery drain fixed! (Credit to Joe Bloggs)

Man what the schiit.. I tried that yesterday to no avail. Just tried it now again at your suggestion and it worked. Maybe I only gave all permissions to one of them. Either way, thanks. I feel stupid but happy lol.

 

[Tential]

All true. If you use your DAP as you would your phone (lots of apps open, browsing while streaming, etc) then your DAP better have phone class hardware. On the other hand if you use your DAP to play music, and that’s basically it, well, your phone’s class of hardware is overkill.

One needs to understand their hardware AND what the software and usage will be. In my case on my R6 Pro I listen to Tidal or Qobuz. That’s it. Full stop. QCOM 425 is perfectly fine for me. More would just cost me more for no benefit to me. Of course, this is MY use case, and your mileage will vary based on your use case.

The bold is spot on. I don't think people are aware, so I'm hoping to temper expectations as this is a great device, just don't expect top tier smartphone performance.

On the cost front, the m11 is the same price as this with a vastly superior soc. So no, I don't think a better processor costs vastly more, mainly because these chips as small and cheap to manufacture. I just have seen a lot of tech products come out of China and generally, it's just what they can actually source. For their current laptops/tablets for example, they aren't getting new Intel processors, where they used to before and sometimes they only get pentium and can't get the m3 line. And besides, I don't think consumers should ever take this stance. You should be framing in the best way for you. You pay the same price and make them do more. Either make them do more with the same, or make them eat their margin. Just don't do that to whatever company I'm at. I like fat bonuses from consumers overpaying and not arguing or advocating for themselves.

But hiby is clearly trying. Fiio is too, I just don't understand their hatred of fixing the android src and the play store. How do you pair a strong soc, with locked android? It makes no sense.....

Did you ever try or own the R6 (non-Pro)?
I own the R6, and have no issue with the high-impedance out... so wonder if the R5 would be an upgrade, downgrade, or just the same...

You'll run yourself crazy wondering if other daps will sound better than what you have. And your mind will tell you something new sounds better many times anyway. Better to buy on an actual need. You want a slightly smaller dap? You have issues with oi? Your iems don't play nice with the r6 and you get hiss?
Otherwise, hiby could release an airplane dap and you'd wonder if you need it, when no one needs an airplane sized dap.

I want an ipod touch sized dap. This is the best open src android device you can get currently. If you're using this device or a device in hibys android line up, or their partners cayin/Shanling? I think you're as close to end game as you'll get with very marginal. 0.01% benefits.

And the release of the r8, which I had continually asked hiby about putting a sim card in a dap, makes the lineup very enticing.

Wait a year or a couple, see if they can impress you. Otherwise, you've already got a good dap...

 

[scotvl]

Besides Poweramp, does anyone have any app suggestions in terms of music player apps or EQs, or anything I need to get? I'm not an Android person.

Usb Audio Player Pro

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro

 

[Zachik]

You'll run yourself crazy wondering if other daps will sound better than what you have. And your mind will tell you something new sounds better many times anyway. Better to buy on an actual need. You want a slightly smaller dap? You have issues with oi? Your iems don't play nice with the r6 and you get hiss?

I know all-too-well how that works...
I was just wondering if anyone that A/B'd R5 vs. R6 (non-Pro) can share some insights.
I do not have an issue with R6 size or OI, so I was NOT leaning towards getting the R5, but wanted to hear more opinions. That's all