SOUNDAWARE M1(PRO) Portable Player with Proprietary FPGA Architecture

[soundaware]

@soundaware Mary

Can you advise if there is any update planned for M1 Pro firmware?

New firmware will need several months, maybe. Will advance notice it

 

[nmatheis]

When will RMAF be? Or has it be finished?

It was earlier this month, Mary. I had a lot of fun meeting people I've chatted with online and hope to go to more shows in the future. Hopefully you and the Soundaware team can visit the US and make it to one of our shows sometime.

 

[Bansaku]

Well, my time is up with the Esther M1 Analogue and Pro. I am very sad to have had to ship them off, right after a new firmware was sent to me no less. Poo... ah well, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks I had with them! Guess I should start formulating my review.
 

 
 

 

[Currawong]

Tonight's comparative listening stack: M1 Pro vs. Mojo. With multiple pairs of IEMs and headphones it was a tough call. 
 

 

[alffla]

Hello everyone
First off, thank you to Soundaware for letting us participate in the Review Tour.
I've posted a review of it here, and will also be uploading a review to Head Fi as well soon!

Here are some images
 

 

 

 

 

[specKtre]

Hello everyone!
I'm looking for the next DAP for my Pinnacle P1 and M1 seems like an option and a good one. But i have two questions regarding its fw. First, was the issue with the incorrect work of charge indicator solved or is it still there? The second question is about the "fade" function. Does M1 still "eat" the beginning of the track?
Thanks for the answers
Also, i couldn't but notice the vast majority of reviews here are of analog version. Is there anything about m1 vitality that i shoul know as it is the version i'm interested in?

 

[Riley Beale]

I emailed Soundaware about the upcoming MR1 dap.  They just got back to me late last night California time.  They told me it will retail in the U.S.  for $1,798 and will not support M3U8 at first but will likely add support fairly soon after with a firmware update.  They are looking for both U.S. distributors and dealers so if anybody knows of any good companies please let them know.  It looks like a really neat dap.  Way out of my price range, but it is still something i one day hope to own.  The scroll wheel is NOT a scroll wheel you press the wheel on the left, right, top or bottom for different functions.  I cannot remember what does what right now.  Very interesting new product for sure.

 

[Fabi]

$1798,it has to sound very good.

 

[GU1DO]

  I emailed Soundaware about the upcoming MR1 dap.  They just got back to me late last night California time.  They told me it will retail in the U.S.  for $1,798 and will not support M3U8 at first but will likely add support fairly soon after with a firmware update.  They are looking for both U.S. distributors and dealers so if anybody knows of any good companies please let them know.  It looks like a really neat dap.  Way out of my price range, but it is still something i one day hope to own.  The scroll wheel is NOT a scroll wheel you press the wheel on the left, right, top or bottom for different functions.  I cannot remember what does what right now.  Very interesting new product for sure.

Any News regarding EQ  ?

 

[Riley Beale]

  Any News regarding EQ  ?

Just emailed Soundaware  about this.  I will post back when they respond.  Fingers crossed this device will be a wonderful dream.

 

[lotech]

My review of the M1(PRO) is up http://www.head-fi.org/products/soundaware-esther/reviews/17336
It's my first review for Head-Fi, critiques appreciated.
Photo's looked really bad so I eliminated them.

 

[Riley Beale]

Soundaware never got back to me about M1R eq support.  Unsubbing because I have decided to not buy a dap until something comes along that suits my needs and won't cause frustration.  I don't handle it well.

 

[Riley Beale]

Here is the response I got from Soundaware regard the upcoming M1R dap  Just got this email less than an hour ago.
 
Enjoy
 
Dear Riley,
MR1 is much better than Esther (M1 or M1Pro). It is positioned as our new flagship item. 
You may have learnt that MR1 has abundant jacks and functions, based on variable jacks and functions, MR1 can be used in numerous scenarios.
① Only as one simple portable player, MR1 can playback music by blindly operating the buttons or be controlled through WIFI or blue-tooth.
② Used as the source in home HIFI systems: its 3.5mm single-end line out or full balanced XLR out is available for connecting with amplifier; or 3.5mm COAX out and IIS out can make it acting as a good digital transformer, connected with outside DAC.
③ Desktop HIFI system: MR1 can just be a USB DAC & Balanced Headphone. Besides, it’s fine to be used with desktop hi-end phone system, or with HI- speaker box systems, rendered by PC.
④ Acted as an automotive player: single-end line out (fixed power voltage) and phone out (adjustable power voltage) are for automotive audio playback system.
You should remember that above playing scenarios all can be controlled through WIFI, and the music can be transferred by WIFI and blue-tooth.
 
And MR1 has no EQ. All SOUNDAWARE players don't have it. We prefer to playback the original, natural sound, approach to the real live. With EQ, the sound will be changed.

 

[GU1DO]

  Here is the response I got from Soundaware regard the upcoming M1R dap  Just got this email less than an hour ago.
 
Enjoy
 
Dear Riley,
MR1 is much better than Esther (M1 or M1Pro). It is positioned as our new flagship item. 
You may have learnt that MR1 has abundant jacks and functions, based on variable jacks and functions, MR1 can be used in numerous scenarios.
① Only as one simple portable player, MR1 can playback music by blindly operating the buttons or be controlled through WIFI or blue-tooth.
② Used as the source in home HIFI systems: its 3.5mm single-end line out or full balanced XLR out is available for connecting with amplifier; or 3.5mm COAX out and IIS out can make it acting as a good digital transformer, connected with outside DAC.
③ Desktop HIFI system: MR1 can just be a USB DAC & Balanced Headphone. Besides, it’s fine to be used with desktop hi-end phone system, or with HI- speaker box systems, rendered by PC.
④ Acted as an automotive player: single-end line out (fixed power voltage) and phone out (adjustable power voltage) are for automotive audio playback system.
You should remember that above playing scenarios all can be controlled through WIFI, and the music can be transferred by WIFI and blue-tooth.
 
And MR1 has no EQ. All SOUNDAWARE players don't have it. We prefer to playback the original, natural sound, approach to the real live. With EQ, the sound will be changed.

Thanks ,,
i think i will pass ,, cant use dap without EQ

 

[Riley Beale]

I only have a Fiio X5 and I do not use eg at all.  Too afraid of damaging what are to me very expensive iems and headphones.  i have read on some websites eq could damage them.  I don't know if that is true, but I don't want to risk it.  I have tried it with cheaper headphones once or twice and have only found it adds unnatural distortion.