[BenF]

New USB DAC from Hiby :

HiBy FC5 MQA​

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003427516837.html

Why would anybody pay 227$ for FC5, when R3 Pro Saber version is available for 201$ ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001828756819.html
On top of using it as a DAC it
1) Can be used it as a player
2) Supports streaming apps
3) Has Wi-Fi
4) Has bi-directional Bluetooth
5) Has a coaxial out
6) Has a Line Out
7) Supports DSD256
8) Has higher output power on the balanced - 280mW vs 125mW at 32Ohm
9) Powered by an internal battery - won't drain your battery.
10) Has a screen.
11) Has both Single and Balanced outputs (FC5 is only balanced)
12) FC5 has 114dB SNR, when R3 Pro Saber has 118 (SE) and 120 (Balanced).
13) FC5 has a fake "balanced" design - there is only one 2-channel DAC, when R3 Pro Saber has dual DACs.
etc...

 

[Atek2019]

Why would anybody pay 227$ for FC5, when R3 Pro Saber version is available for 201$ ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001828756819.html
On top of using it as a DAC it
1) Can be used it as a player
2) Supports streaming apps
3) Has Wi-Fi
4) Has bi-directional Bluetooth
5) Has a coaxial out
6) Has a Line Out
7) Supports DSD256
8) Has higher output power
9) Powered by an internal battery - won't drain your battery.
10) Has a screen.
11) Has both Single and Balanced outputs (FC5 is only balanced)
etc...

but with higher DAC chip

 

[BenF]

but with higher DAC chip

ES9281PRO (FC5) has 122dB DNR, ES9218 (R3 Pro Saber) has 121dB - no one will hear this difference.
https://www.esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ES9281A_80A_PRO-Product-Brief-v0.2.5.pdf
https://www.esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ES9218P_Datasheet_v1.8.pdf
And of course, the implementation affects these numbers too - FC5 has 114dB SNR, when R3 Pro Saber has 118 (SE) and 120 (Balanced).

Besides, what good does this higher DAC chip do, if the resulting features of the product are the same or worse (DSD128 vs DSD256)?

And most importantly - FC5 has a fake "balanced" design - there is only one 2-channel DAC, when R3 Pro Saber has dual DACs.

 

[Dsnuts]

B2, I almost forgot about them...I will be waiting to hear from you regarding that.

I was told to burn them in. Look for a special announcement regarding those by the way. I will have more to say once they are ready for the reveal.

 

[unifutomaki]

My first taste of a magnetostat hybrid. I’m liking the KZ ZEX more than I thought I would.

 

[dharmasteve]

I like the KZ Zex a lot too. I put on the KZ upgrade cable and some Spiral Dots. Crazy good tuning for such a low cost. My favourite KZ along with the DQ6. This is one everybody is going to like.

 

[Dobrescu George]

If you're having a good time, some awesome music, and want to enjoy some clean music, you can always rely on the Revolution DAC from Allo.com to provide that for you!!

Those guys are enthusiasts of both measurements and subjective data on sound, and their Revolution DAC surely punches above its weight class, but at the same time, it is quite neutral, so if your sound was too warm already, it can bring some good hearted balance to it.

I take the time to compare the Revolution DAC to other DACs, most of which are more pricey, and I also take the time to describe what I hear while using it, so I hope my notes are useful to you~

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2021/10/allo-audio-revolution-dac-warm-autumn-evening-code.html

 

[RoN1N47]

I like the KZ Zex a lot too. I put on the KZ upgrade cable and some Spiral Dots. Crazy good tuning for such a low cost. My favourite KZ along with the DQ6. This is one everybody is going to like.

If you had to choose Zex or DQ6, which one would it be? I heard good things about both and can't decide. I want very good bass, good mids, and a bit of treble sparkle. Which one would fit the bill? Thanks.

 

[jmwant]

https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/colorfly-cda-m1-high-performance-usb-type-c-dac-amp

Colorfly released it's first USB dac-amp!

 

[InvisibleInk]

Announcement of Thieaudio Monarch MKII

 

[jmwant]

Announcement of Thieaudio Monarch MKII

Any idea about the pricing?

 

[jmwant]

New USB DAC from Hiby :

HiBy FC5 MQA​

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003427516837.html

At this price, It's going to face a lot of competition with Lotoo Paw S2 and LP W1.

 

[Barndoor]

Hiby RS6 with R2R dac
https://hifigo.com/blogs/news/hiby-rs6-latest-hi-res-music-player-with-r-2r-dac-architecture

 

[jmwant]

C5 has a fake "balanced" design - there is only one 2-channel DAC,

I was under the impression that true balanced is possible one dac.

 

[InvisibleInk]

Any idea about the pricing?

On reddit I saw a post with this transcript from the Linsoul Discord:

According to Dèng in the Linsoul Discord channel

(https://discordapp.com/channels/565373664921649153/598758400670564363/900222806531407922)



FAQs on THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII

Q: How big is the Monarch MKII?

A: It's similar to the Original Monarch.



Q: Will there be custom options available?

A: No, it's highly unlikely.



Q: When will it be launched?

A: By the end of October, together with THIEAUDIO V16 Vinity, hopefully.



Q: What's the price of the Monarch MKII?

A: This information will be available during launch.



Q: Will the Monarch MKII be available for pre-order?

A: Like the V16 Divinity, we will be releasing limited in-stocks for Monarch MKII during launch.



Q: Will the Monarch MKII have switches?

A: Like the V16 Divinity, there are no switches.