[tony31]

Hello
After investigations, here are the difference between the 601 and 602
http://www.twctokyo.co.jp/hifiman/HiFiMAN-board.html
It really shows , that in contradiciton with what is said here and there, essential internal components are truly audiophile ones on this 602 and not basic components as the 601. And this op and opa used must do something with the sound quality , superior on this 602.
These op and opa are used in high-end sedentary configs. Here is the downgrade from the 602 to the 601:
OPA-2107 → JRC-5532
OPA-2604 → JRC-4560
OPA-275G → LM-833
these are the differences added to the  alu capacitors on the downside(same capacitance but different references) and naturally the dac input.
I don't understand why ''self entitled" audiophiles

 don't hear the sound quality difference !!!

       
Anyway i sent back this 601 and ordered this 602.
 
Regards
Tony

 

[ClieOS]

I was told a few weeks ago on another forum that the first batch (and maybe also the 2nd batch) of 601 has indeed the same chips as 602. The change came after some user feedback of lacking bass punch and extension. There was said to have an announcement on the other forum, but I haven't seen it personally.

 

[tony31]

definitely it was a downgrade in components ..............

 

[cardozo]

Dear ClieOS,
 
This may be the explanation for the differences in sound that I found between my two HM-601 that I had.
 
Original post: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/524315/hifiman-hm-601-appreciation-discussion-and-review-thread/75#post_7448471

Thanks for the information
 
PS: Ah! I really liked most of the first unit...

PS2: Im not crazy at all... )
 
Cheers,
 
Peter
 
Quote:

I was told a few weeks ago on another forum that the first batch (and maybe also the 2nd batch) of 601 has indeed the same chips as 602. The change came after some user feedback of lacking bass punch and extension. There was said to have an announcement on the other forum, but I haven't seen it personally.

 

 

[Anaxilus]

Makes perfect sense.  Early 601 adopters then seem to have received 602's w/o the DAC and new 601 buyers got the revised 601.  No wonder people had a hard time telling the difference early on.

 

[cardozo]

Dumb change. This caused me to sell my second HM-601, just because I did not like the sound signature.

I loved the sound of the first unit, however, I do not buy this DAP anymore.
 
Interestingly, the second unit had a similar sound signature to the HM-801, which also did not like and was one of my greatest "audiophile" frustrations.
 
Cheers,
 
Peter

 

[Jupiterknight]

So just to make this clear,  the first batch of 601 the 2GB version had/have the same chip as the 602, but the 601 8GB version that many received in exchange because of issue's with the "first version 2GB" had a different chip installed that could even considered to be a downgrade?  

 

[MayaTlab]

I'd like to see that issue clarified as well. I seriously doubt Head-direct has made any modifocation to the design but who knows.

 

[tony31]

Quote:

Hello
After investigations, here are the difference between the 601 and 602
http://www.twctokyo.co.jp/hifiman/HiFiMAN-board.html
It really shows , that in contradiciton with what is said here and there, essential internal components are truly audiophile ones on this 602 and not basic components as the 601. And this op and opa used must do something with the sound quality , superior on this 602.
These op and opa are used in high-end sedentary configs. Here is the downgrade from the 602 to the 601:
OPA-2107 → JRC-5532
OPA-2604 → JRC-4560
OPA-275G → LM-833
these are the differences added to the  alu capacitors on the downside(same capacitance but different references) and naturally the dac input.
I don't understand why ''self entitled" audiophiles

 don't hear the sound quality difference !!!

       
Anyway i sent back this 601 and ordered this 602.
 
Regards
Tony

As I told here are the difference between 602 and 601. And for me it is clear now,  the firsts 601 where 602 without dac and by now, the new 601 are downgraded 602 with less audiophile component.
Maybe revised to have a clear commercial strategy : 601 entry level , 602 mid level with audiophile compents (old 601 in fact) and 801 top level instead having 601 and 602 exactly the sames just with in-dac option , because otherwise a lot of people would just buy the 601. Now it is better to buy the 602. But it should be clarified by head-direct. On their site it is written ''same comlponents bewteen 601 and 602'', definitely they are not the same anymore since the new version of the 601.
Cardiozo you where right.
 
I orderd the 602.
 

 

[Nankai]

Hi all,
 
All HM-601 are identical in sound quality. We never use 602's opamp in 601. If anyone can find 2107/2604/275 opamps in HM-601, we will give him a free HE-6. 
 
Fang

 

[Nankai]

Quote:

So just to make this clear,  the first batch of 601 the 2GB version had/have the same chip as the 602, but the 601 8GB version that many received in exchange because of issue's with the "first version 2GB" had a different chip installed that could even considered to be a downgrade?  

We gave free RE-ZERO earphones when 601 is 2GB. We stopped providing earphones when we increase 601's flash size to 8GB. 

 

[ClieOS]

Guess my source of information isn't particularly correct, sorry

 

[tony31]

s

 
Quote:

Hi all,
 
All HM-601 are identical in sound quality. We never use 602's opamp in 601. If anyone can find 2107/2604/275 opamps in HM-601, we will give him a free HE-6. 
 
Fang

Thank you Fang
 
So it explains the sweeter and smoother sound on the HM-602.
But how explain that people having had a 601 , who sold it and bought a new one have different sound, it is still a mistery lol
 
 

 

[cardozo]

Hello Fang! Good to see you here.

I do not know what the difference between the devices, however, is fact that the sound of the two is different. Moreover, the second unit has a buzzing in headphones with high sensitivity that I was not "seen" in the first unit. Also noticed that the first unit was gradually improving the sound after a while, until they stabilize and remain outstanding until turned off.

Should I send the unit to you take a look? I'd be extremely happy if it had a HM-601 with the same sound of the first unit. The synergy with my Ety ER4S was simply fantastic.
 
I feel that there is still hope... )
 
Thank you, my friend.
 
Cheers,
 
Peter
 
Quote:

Hi all,
 
All HM-601 are identical in sound quality. We never use 602's opamp in 601. If anyone can find 2107/2604/275 opamps in HM-601, we will give him a free HE-6. 
 
Fang

 

 

[immtbiker]

There's no way to really tell, unless you have the 2 models side by side.