R5, a new Android DAP by Hiby

[originalsnuffy]

I think impedance matching (fixing) devices are around $50. I suppose I would start there.

It must be easy to get a good cheap MMCX cables for these.

My sense is that you current units are pretty good and I bet you can get them going with the R5 to your satisfaction.

The only other thing that does happen from time to time is that your IEMs actually have a problem. Yes, I have had that kind of thing happen when I am really tracking down the wrong problem. But then again, you have stated that they sound fine with the other cables; so this is a low likelihood scenario. Now that I think of it; your balanced cables could also possibly have a defect. But I would look into impedance first.

 

[JerryHead]

I think impedance matching (fixing) devices are around $50. I suppose I would start there.

It must be easy to get a good cheap MMCX cables for these.

My sense is that you current units are pretty good and I bet you can get them going with the R5 to your satisfaction.

The only other thing that does happen from time to time is that your IEMs actually have a problem. Yes, I have had that kind of thing happen when I am really tracking down the wrong problem. But then again, you have stated that they sound fine with the other cables; so this is a low likelihood scenario. Now that I think of it; your balanced cables could also possibly have a defect. But I would look into impedance first.

What exactly is an “impedance fixing device”? And do you have a link to one as an example?

 

[Q Mass]

I thought the output impedance of the R5 is <1Ohm?
I read that some very sensitive iems can have high noise-floors on the original R6 due to it having a high output impedance, but in my (admittedly very limited) understanding it seems unlikely that the R5 itself would be the source of any issues arising from impedance mis-match.
FWIW all my hybrids (Shuoer Tape, IMR EDP, custom TF10s with added DD) seem to sound slightly better from the 4.4 than the 3.5, but none so much that I'd be comfortable completely discounting placebo/confirmation bias. The 'best' single dynamics that I own (bl03) enjoy around the same boost in quality as the hybrids (as do the other single DD sets I own). Please note that I'm not disagreeing with the earlier speculation that single DD iems enjoy more of a SQ boost than hybrids, just saying that this isn't the case with the iems I own.
I lusted after the 846 HARD when they were released, but they were beyond the reach of my wallet, so I've never heard them . Good luck achieving satisfaction from the R5 /846 combo, hopefully it's just a cable issue!

BTW, what sort of money do 846s fetch on the used market nowadays?

 

[originalsnuffy]

What exactly is an “impedance fixing device”? And do you have a link to one as an example?

I would poke around the R6 thread for info on the impedance matching devices. Never needed one myself. For that matter I would poke around the threads on your IEM to see what comes up for cables, impedance, matches with DAP units, etc.

It just seems a shame to consider new IEMs when the problem you are experiencing should be fixable.

 

[CrystalGipsy]

I'm going back and forth with this, but an often thinking now that you're right about the impedance issue with the SE846 and the R5. So which iems are people finding work real well with the R5? I'm thinking with a price range of around $500. How about the FiiO FA9?

I'm using Meze Rai Solos

 

[dharmasteve]

I'm going back and forth with this, but an often thinking now that you're right about the impedance issue with the SE846 and the R5. So which iems are people finding work real well with the R5? I'm thinking with a price range of around $500. How about the FiiO FA9?

TRi i3 with DD, Planar & BA using Balanced 4.4. Sounds something else for $150.

 

[davidcotton]

I thought the output impedance of the R5 is <1Ohm?
I read that some very sensitive iems can have high noise-floors on the original R6 due to it having a high output impedance, but in my (admittedly very limited) understanding it seems unlikely that the R5 itself would be the source of any issues arising from impedance mis-match.
FWIW all my hybrids (Shuoer Tape, IMR EDP, custom TF10s with added DD) seem to sound slightly better from the 4.4 than the 3.5, but none so much that I'd be comfortable completely discounting placebo/confirmation bias. The 'best' single dynamics that I own (bl03) enjoy around the same boost in quality as the hybrids (as do the other single DD sets I own). Please note that I'm not disagreeing with the earlier speculation that single DD iems enjoy more of a SQ boost than hybrids, just saying that this isn't the case with the iems I own.
I lusted after the 846 HARD when they were released, but they were beyond the reach of my wallet, so I've never heard them . Good luck achieving satisfaction from the R5 /846 combo, hopefully it's just a cable issue!

BTW, what sort of money do 846s fetch on the used market nowadays?

Seen them on the fs boards here for around 4-500 euro give or take.

 

[davidcotton]

What exactly is an “impedance fixing device”? And do you have a link to one as an example?

Do a search for ifi match. It's basically a dongle that plugs into the dap and negates the impedence issues in theory. Too high a number and it skews the sound. Also the Fibae range from Custom Art does the same sort of thing.

I've basically gone into a bit of a dead end. There's nothing wrong with my r6 apart from the high impedence output. Now I could go and get another dap (r5 springs to mind obviously)or I could just put that money towards higher up the custom art range. Good job I like them, but there are times I'm curious about other models.

 

[jwbrent]

Do a search for ifi match. It's basically a dongle that plugs into the dap and negates the impedence issues in theory. Too high a number and it skews the sound. Also the Fibae range from Custom Art does the same sort of thing.

I've basically gone into a bit of a dead end. There's nothing wrong with my r6 apart from the high impedence output. Now I could go and get another dap (r5 springs to mind obviously)or I could just put that money towards higher up the custom art range. Good job I like them, but there are times I'm curious about other models.

Curiosity is what leads to an expensive collection.

 

[Interceptor69]

You should just need to connect everything in hardware (no order I'm aware of) then pull down the notification shade on the R5 and tap on "Connected to USB for charging, tap for other options" and change to the USB DAC option. The screen should change to a blue screensaver with "USB DAC" prominently displayed and sample rate info shown.

Cheers,
Joe

Joe, is it the same when using a Samsung S10+? OTG cables between the two devices and follow the above instructions?

 

[iFi audio]

Do a search for ifi match. It's basically a dongle that plugs into the dap and negates the impedence issues in theory.

In practice it expands headroom and beats hiss to a pulp

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Joe, is it the same when using a Samsung S10+? OTG cables between the two devices and follow the above instructions?

That is correct

 

[Interceptor69]

That is correct

Thank you!

 

[JerryHead]

I would poke around the R6 thread for info on the impedance matching devices. Never needed one myself. For that matter I would poke around the threads on your IEM to see what comes up for cables, impedance, matches with DAP units, etc.

It just seems a shame to consider new IEMs when the problem you are experiencing should be fixable.

I switched out the Sony balanced cable for a FiiO silver stranded Litz balanced cable and the sound is much more to my liking. Not a 100% better, but I’d say 85% better which is good enough. Thanks for everyone’s ideas. I do really like the SE846, just can’t expect them to sound as good as higher priced iems like the Sony ier-z1r with the R5..

 

[JerryHead]

I'm using Meze Rai Solos

And how do these sound with the R5?