[Vartan]

hey, hey come down it's just a pic from the internet 

 

[pfloyd]

Isn't there a giveaway pending? Or did someone win already?

 

[jk47]

  hey, hey come down it's just a pic from the internet 

sorry, i thought it was your own photo.  i think a lot of people here are really interested in learning more about the esther and the qp1 and 1r.  
 
there's a burgeoning market in $500-1000 daps - add in cayin, sony, the lower end of the ak line, likely the forthcoming fiio x7, and heaven knows maybe ibasso is cooking something up.  [the x5ii apparently will be priced like its predecessor, and so be below this range.]
 
above $2000 we have lotoo and ak240, 380 and god knows what next.
 
and it looks like the hm-901s at $1500 will be sitting alone between roughly $1000 and $2000.
 
people who might be looking to upgrade from their x5's and dx90's but are budget constrained will look hard at that $500-1000 market, and are eager for information. 

 

[mochill]

No problem my friend, I thought it was yours

 

[Vartan]

 Guys it's totally fine!!!

 

[mochill]

But definitely interested in the comparo to the cayin n6 which I had

 

[Happytalk]

If someone can make a slick looking dap at $300 with the right sound, power, storage, UI, and battery it won't be a niche market anymore.

I really respect the brilliance of these attempts and I can only assume how good they sound. Somehow I've managed to not buy any more daps than my trusty ipod.

Just doesn't feel right yet. Same goes for this one. (Useless post alert).

However, I am very excited to see how this one unfolds and wish them the best.

 

[Shawn71]

I'm saving up for FLC8 and a nice DAP.....let's see.

 

[jk47]

  I'm saving up for FLC8 and a nice DAP.....let's see.

the flc8 sounds great, and the ability to adjust signature is amazing.  recommend you get comply 400-series tips if you want any isolation at all.

 

[Vartan]

Using professional high-fidelity audio architecture, she has the low-distortion desktop high power T-AMP circuit. In the normal hearing period,the amplifier driving power and the control effect of Esther are similar with desktops. Ultra low THD+N is her another outstanding feature. For the appearance, she has excellent hand feeling. We design two different sound edition for user's option.

 

[zenpunk]

Is that the new Fiio X7??

 .
Looks great!

 

[Mython]

  Is that the new Fiio X7??

 .
Looks great!

 
You are joking, I take it?
 
Thanks for the pics of the Soundaware Esther, Vartan.
 
Hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of quickly editing them a bit, just to obscure the confusing Fiio signs

:
 




(also re-adding the following 2 pics, without editing, because Vartan deleted them from his/her post)

 

 
 
 
It is confusing that they were taken directly in front of a Fiio sign, but it's nice to see the DAP more clearly, anyway, so thanks for posting the pics.
 
Actually, it's ironic that Soundaware have made exactly the same silly mistake of placing the power button directly adjacent to the volume buttons, as Fiio have with the X5ii. The only small consolation is that at least the Esthers power and volume buttons are different shapes/sizes, whereas the Fiio X5ii power and volume buttons are absolutely identical shapes/sizes.
 
Incredible how these DAP companies can spend thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours designing and developing intricate electronic circuits, and then make such obvious and silly ergonomic mistakes with something as simple and basic as button placement.
 
I'm still keen to hear this DAP, at some point, however.
 
.

 

[Shawn71]

  the flc8 sounds great, and the ability to adjust signature is amazing.  recommend you get comply 400-series tips if you want any isolation at all.

Nice, noted!....

 

[soundaware]

On 31th May, we held a audition event in Beijing. The participants are very active.

Many audiophile and muisic connoisseur who are curious about difference between different versions of Esther are there. 
 
 

 

 

[philk34]

If someone can make a slick looking dap at $300 with the right sound, power, storage, UI, and battery it won't be a niche market anymore.

I don't know what right means but if you mean "above standard" then price will be above standard, too (above 300$ that seems average in today standards)
If you have a major advantage over your competitors (above standard on every criteria is one, I think), you owe to take optimum margin for your company. Sure, a lower price would help taking market shares but competitors will soon or later mimic your advantage. A higher margin will help you develop more advantages (real or percieved) and keep running ahead.