So, really the only difference is that the H7 doesn't have an internal memory? But if you use an SD card, then the H7 doesnt need to be connected to any other device? And otherwise it operates just like a typical DAP (such as my M3X)? If so, then I get it, thanks.
I understand that you don't need an USB cable to play from SD card but you need a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone and an app for remote control.
Oh, no play button on the device? Or controls on the player... like the M2X and M3X? Need to be controlled by another device? As I dont use a smartphone this wont be for me then, thanks.
There is a play/pause and skip forward/ back controls on the device but you have no way to navigate the contents of the sd card other than using the app. If you select sd card mode without it being connected to a phone it will just start playing the first song on the card and keep going from there. If you pair it with a phone then you have a music player app and can browse artists/songs/albums etc.
Exactly the same I think too. It doesn't help if someone like us owns the M8. And to be honest, I don't really believe that the sound is that much better. What's more, it's pretty much identical in size and weight. So I've already decided that I won't order the H7 blind. I've just made too many losses in the last 2 years with the iBassos, the amp cards, modifications, etc. Then IEMs and headphonesI think i will pass. Not 100% sure yet but it seems like it isn't as practical as a dap. You always need 2 devices with you and the USB cable for the streaming or alternatively lossy via BT.
It's just too remote dependent.
On the other hand, you can just put it in a little bag and forget, operating from your smartphone.
I need to hear about the sound more to decide tho. If it sounds on the M8 level, what's the point. If it sounds just slightly better? Still what's the point
It really needs to sound significantly better to make more sense.
Yeah, get you, same with me. Too many IBasso daps, amps and mods and actually everything sounded almost the same. The M8 has at least it's characteristic sound sig. I don't believe any other source can sound so much better, i think you need to go fully high end desktop to feel more difference.Exactly the same I think too. It doesn't help if someone like us owns the M8. And to be honest, I don't really believe that the sound is that much better. What's more, it's pretty much identical in size and weight. So I've already decided that I won't order the H7 blind. I've just made too many losses in the last 2 years with the iBassos, the amp cards, modifications, etc. Then IEMs and headphones
At some point there has to be an end to burning the money. However, if I were in Germany I would test it. Not here in Vietnam. I can't send it back within 2 weeks.
Same here. I was excited about the prospect of playing files directly from an SD card, but the Eddict app is pretty rough. @Shanling Is there a way to use playlists with the H7? I tried storing an M3U playlist on the SD card, but it doesn't seem to be scanned or recognized.Received my unit this morning. Put it through its paces till battery died and is currently on charge.
Initial thoughts and impressions are somewhat mixed. As a portable DAC/AMP it does what one would expect and sounds really good while doing it.
Avoiding "audiophile terminology", I'm going to describe it as a nice laidback 'old skool' smooth listen. Got that AKM velvety goodness, with surprisingly good detail and stage.
As a Roon user, I mainly stream my own library and some TIDAL content. Hooked up via Raspberry Pi > Ropieee > Roon remote or simply smartphone and Roon ARC is my main use case and here I have no complaints, however what really intrigued me about the H7 was\is the ability to play direct off MicroSD card during (our frequent) power outages, as a standalone unit..., and oof..., well, while Shanlings' Eddict Player app is manageable, it is certainly nowhere near as polished as UAPP or the Roon apps. Honestly, it needs work.
Currently my main nit-pick is that the app retrieves album art from the web. It is a laughable attempt, where 60-70% of the time it retrieves the wrong album cover (with my library). Current workaround is to simply switch off mobile data/WiFi so that it only displays the stock Eddict Played background.
@Shanling if there is no way of retrieving album art from folder on SD, is there atleast a possibility of adding a toggle switch in app to disable web retrieval?
I'd honestly rather look at that nice stock vinyl player background than have the wrong album cover displayed.
Having just sold my Gryphon, I can say that:
A bit off-topic but I‘ve just recently tried an Ifi Diablo.
I've had the Diablo twice and the lack of control with IEM is its only flaw. Love it otherwise. Audio memory is fickle, but I would say if I was only running full size planars, the Diablo would be my choice. As a Swiss army knife though, the H7 is tough to beat.A bit off-topic but I‘ve just recently tried an Ifi Diablo.
That device was really amazing in terms of dyncamics and engaging presentation with Planars like my Meze Elite and SolitaireP.
For more sensitive cans and IEMs it‘s hardly usable though and I have let it go as it got a tad too fatigueing for bed time listening, something I‘ve never encountered with Shanling DAPs
