Selling the Meizu Pro DAC if anyone is interested
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/meizu-hifi-dac-pro.923097/
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/meizu-hifi-dac-pro.923097/
USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (DAC) - Let's find the best
It's $40 shipped from Ali, just fyi.
You are the second person to point that out to me. I do offer 2 day shipping to NA vs 20 days on Ali.
Anyways, I'll drop by $5
They are identical as are the other Hidizs/Tempotec dongles.
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Nice. Yet another baseless assumption.
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Baseless in what regard? Tempotec is the OFC manufacturer of Hidizs products, not all, but certainly the dongles.
Meizu are not identical at least. Different amp in it.
Baseless as in "not based on any evidence".
Duh.
Focux
1000+ Head-Fier
Is the Cobalt an upgrade over Mojo?
scorpion70
New Head-Fier
Differences between meizu pro and ibasso dc02(from porta.fi) :
to be honest, they are about the same in terms of level, the difference isn't big and mainly related to a general signature. Meizu is a bit more detailed and more neutral, but don't expect a huge difference between them. the main question is if you like a neutral sound, then get Meizu, if you want a bit of "fun" signature, then DC02 is a better choice
to be honest, they are about the same in terms of level, the difference isn't big and mainly related to a general signature. Meizu is a bit more detailed and more neutral, but don't expect a huge difference between them. the main question is if you like a neutral sound, then get Meizu, if you want a bit of "fun" signature, then DC02 is a better choice
scorpion70
New Head-Fier
i'm sooo confused about which one to choose : )) Some reviews say meizu is better and some say dc02 is better!! :|
I haven't tried dc02 but I have the meizu pro and ztella. And ztella is quite a bit better. I recommend ztella with UAPP app. I pair mine with Noble Encore.
visanj
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
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I now have 3 adapters with me Google Adapter (the one came with Pixel), Apple USB C to 3.5mm and ibasso DC01
After listening extensively using Brainwavz B400, I really like using Apple adapter. iBasso though good, for some reason I don't like (may be my personal preference)
But the problem with Apple adapter is that, output is weak with other apps. When I use USB Audio Player Pro and dedicate the adapter to the app (by selecting OK in popup message), output volume is very good but if I do that I cannot use it for phone calls or other apps
Overall I feel Apple adapter gives similar sound quality as ipod touch/iphone and from audiosciencereview I can see that output impedance is very low and other measurements are also good
Google adapter, nothing to write home about
After listening extensively using Brainwavz B400, I really like using Apple adapter. iBasso though good, for some reason I don't like (may be my personal preference)
But the problem with Apple adapter is that, output is weak with other apps. When I use USB Audio Player Pro and dedicate the adapter to the app (by selecting OK in popup message), output volume is very good but if I do that I cannot use it for phone calls or other apps
Overall I feel Apple adapter gives similar sound quality as ipod touch/iphone and from audiosciencereview I can see that output impedance is very low and other measurements are also good
Google adapter, nothing to write home about
Hisma
100+ Head-Fier
just acquired a couple little-known dongles & figured I would post my first impressions.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
It's been getting some hype lately based on some crazy good measurements it got on audioscience review (well the hidizs S8 or whatever), so being based in China I figured I'd scoop it up. Listened for only about 15 minutes today and I am sorry to say that it fell flat on its face. Compared to the meizu dac pro, which is roughly the same price (~$40), I prefer the meizu hands down. Meizu sounds "cleaner" (lower THD when loaded?), more body, especially in the mids, and neutral. The Sonata HD Pro, on a positive note, has a wider stage than the meizu (which is notoriously narrow), and has noticeably strong subbass extension. To the point where it almost feels like it's been boosted. Where the Sonata HD Pro falls apart is the thin mids. Lacks body. And the highs sound sloppy in comparison to the razor sharp presentation of the meizu. I seriously think they tried to give it some sort of v-shaped signature or something. I don't know. I just know I found it to be a very poor pairing with my Shouer EJ07 (which has a very thick and prominent mid-bass). The Sonata seemed to suck the soul out of the midbass, and for that reason, I couldn't stand to listen to it for more than a few minutes. Since it couldn't even beat the meizu dac pro, I didn't even bother comparing it to the 9038S, the current dongle champ in my eyes. Another thing worth noting is that it doesn't get very loud. It can handle a typical IEM I guess, but don't expect it to drive cans. The meizu pro is actually more powerful.
Yinlumei S2
This thing is something else. Very pricey for one. Roughly $180 USD new. I managed to scoop up a like-new one for about $120. Still overpriced when devices like the 9038S (which I also own) are almost half the price and deliver HUGE price/performance. But still, I get the pricing. It has an AK4497 DAC (same dac in as the fiio m11 pro), it's built like a tank (cnc'ed aluminum), and comes with way more cables than I'd ever need. I'd prefer to have less accessories to cut down the cost, but whatever, you're covered for just about any situation at least.
It has an impressive spec sheet. Here's a link, use google to translate -
http://www.yinlumei.com/product/product-18-985.html
The sound though. That's what matters. It's definitely a massive improvement over the sonata HD pro, and even noticeably better than the meizu. Where meizu falls short is sound stage & low end. This device however delivers in both of those areas. I also find the sound to be neutral, and a tad cold. This is identical presentation to the 9038S, so for that reason, I find it hard to tell the two apart. But that's with very little time A/Bing. This is a "first impressions", not a detailed review. So some other things worth noting - the S2 has some pretty serious driving power. 180mW @ 32 ohms I believe. Not earth shattering, but by dongle standards it's very powerful. 9038S of course destroys it in this area, but since I listen almost exclusively with IEMs, the power is more than enough for me. It has a hardware button on the side to adjust gain, with 3 settings. I find at low gain, the bass is thin. But at mid or high gain, bass opens up, and yet everything remains controlled. Not sure what gain setting I'm going to settle on, but it will likely be either mid or high gain. I don't hear a lick of noise floor at either setting. THD is very very low (.0008% according to specs). It also has another hardware button on the side, to adjust filter settings, with 4 modes. No idea what each mode does. I can't find any material that explains, and I haven't gone and tried to listen for the differences yet. I'll do that later.
So unlike the Sonata HD Pro, where I knew within minutes it was a dud, this product is definitely getting a closer look. If it can just equal the 9038S in SQ, it's a huge win. Even though the 9038S is cheaper (much cheaper), it has annoying quirks that prevent it from me treating it as a daily driver. EMI the biggest one. But lack of HW volume control is the other major ding. The Yinlumei S2 seems to handle both of those areas no problem.
As someone based in China that can find good deals on used audio stuff, the S2 definitely appears to be a good buy. In fact, I think it might have a chance to be my end-game dongle, which is big for me, since I'm just not interested in buying a DAP. And with my usage needs, a bulky dac/amp with a huge battery is too cumbersome. And I'm also not ready to compromise on BT, so products like the BTR5 don't interest me much either. I'm all about dongles man. And as of now, I own the DC-01, Meizu pro, 9038S, Sonata HD pro, and the yinlumei S2. Based on how I feel right now, after only giving these 2 new dongles a very quick listen, I'd say yinlumei S2 >= 9038S (verdict still pending - but it's very close based on SQ alone) > meizu pro > DC-01 > sonata HD Pro.
Biggest ding on the yinlumei is definitely the price. Very expensive, even with the specs. The existence of the 9038S really makes it a tough sell. The other tough sell is how unknown it is (I think I'm the first westerner ever to buy one???). But I have to mention that it's been very popular in China. Taobao sales are proof. No idea why it didn't get any attention here yet. Last, it's single-ended only. Not a big deal to me, it's got plenty of power, but it means it's going to be less efficient, and I'm worried how much battery life it will suck. I'll learn that soon when I get a full day of usage with it. But battery life testing aside, I think it's worth taking a plunge if you aren't scared off by the price tag. BGGAR just recently reviewed their larger dac/amp, the m400, and said it's the best sounding mobile dac/amp he's ever heard. So this company isn't a fly-by-night chi-fi sweatshop. Yinlumei legitimately know what they're doing.
Anyway, these all are of course my opinions. We all have different listening preferences, and what sounds good on one IEM may sound not-so-good on another IEM. So take everything I say here with a grain of salt. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to break in the S2. If I find anything show-stopping I'll be sure to mention it here.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
It's been getting some hype lately based on some crazy good measurements it got on audioscience review (well the hidizs S8 or whatever), so being based in China I figured I'd scoop it up. Listened for only about 15 minutes today and I am sorry to say that it fell flat on its face. Compared to the meizu dac pro, which is roughly the same price (~$40), I prefer the meizu hands down. Meizu sounds "cleaner" (lower THD when loaded?), more body, especially in the mids, and neutral. The Sonata HD Pro, on a positive note, has a wider stage than the meizu (which is notoriously narrow), and has noticeably strong subbass extension. To the point where it almost feels like it's been boosted. Where the Sonata HD Pro falls apart is the thin mids. Lacks body. And the highs sound sloppy in comparison to the razor sharp presentation of the meizu. I seriously think they tried to give it some sort of v-shaped signature or something. I don't know. I just know I found it to be a very poor pairing with my Shouer EJ07 (which has a very thick and prominent mid-bass). The Sonata seemed to suck the soul out of the midbass, and for that reason, I couldn't stand to listen to it for more than a few minutes. Since it couldn't even beat the meizu dac pro, I didn't even bother comparing it to the 9038S, the current dongle champ in my eyes. Another thing worth noting is that it doesn't get very loud. It can handle a typical IEM I guess, but don't expect it to drive cans. The meizu pro is actually more powerful.
Yinlumei S2
This thing is something else. Very pricey for one. Roughly $180 USD new. I managed to scoop up a like-new one for about $120. Still overpriced when devices like the 9038S (which I also own) are almost half the price and deliver HUGE price/performance. But still, I get the pricing. It has an AK4497 DAC (same dac in as the fiio m11 pro), it's built like a tank (cnc'ed aluminum), and comes with way more cables than I'd ever need. I'd prefer to have less accessories to cut down the cost, but whatever, you're covered for just about any situation at least.
It has an impressive spec sheet. Here's a link, use google to translate -
http://www.yinlumei.com/product/product-18-985.html
The sound though. That's what matters. It's definitely a massive improvement over the sonata HD pro, and even noticeably better than the meizu. Where meizu falls short is sound stage & low end. This device however delivers in both of those areas. I also find the sound to be neutral, and a tad cold. This is identical presentation to the 9038S, so for that reason, I find it hard to tell the two apart. But that's with very little time A/Bing. This is a "first impressions", not a detailed review. So some other things worth noting - the S2 has some pretty serious driving power. 180mW @ 32 ohms I believe. Not earth shattering, but by dongle standards it's very powerful. 9038S of course destroys it in this area, but since I listen almost exclusively with IEMs, the power is more than enough for me. It has a hardware button on the side to adjust gain, with 3 settings. I find at low gain, the bass is thin. But at mid or high gain, bass opens up, and yet everything remains controlled. Not sure what gain setting I'm going to settle on, but it will likely be either mid or high gain. I don't hear a lick of noise floor at either setting. THD is very very low (.0008% according to specs). It also has another hardware button on the side, to adjust filter settings, with 4 modes. No idea what each mode does. I can't find any material that explains, and I haven't gone and tried to listen for the differences yet. I'll do that later.
So unlike the Sonata HD Pro, where I knew within minutes it was a dud, this product is definitely getting a closer look. If it can just equal the 9038S in SQ, it's a huge win. Even though the 9038S is cheaper (much cheaper), it has annoying quirks that prevent it from me treating it as a daily driver. EMI the biggest one. But lack of HW volume control is the other major ding. The Yinlumei S2 seems to handle both of those areas no problem.
As someone based in China that can find good deals on used audio stuff, the S2 definitely appears to be a good buy. In fact, I think it might have a chance to be my end-game dongle, which is big for me, since I'm just not interested in buying a DAP. And with my usage needs, a bulky dac/amp with a huge battery is too cumbersome. And I'm also not ready to compromise on BT, so products like the BTR5 don't interest me much either. I'm all about dongles man. And as of now, I own the DC-01, Meizu pro, 9038S, Sonata HD pro, and the yinlumei S2. Based on how I feel right now, after only giving these 2 new dongles a very quick listen, I'd say yinlumei S2 >= 9038S (verdict still pending - but it's very close based on SQ alone) > meizu pro > DC-01 > sonata HD Pro.
Biggest ding on the yinlumei is definitely the price. Very expensive, even with the specs. The existence of the 9038S really makes it a tough sell. The other tough sell is how unknown it is (I think I'm the first westerner ever to buy one???). But I have to mention that it's been very popular in China. Taobao sales are proof. No idea why it didn't get any attention here yet. Last, it's single-ended only. Not a big deal to me, it's got plenty of power, but it means it's going to be less efficient, and I'm worried how much battery life it will suck. I'll learn that soon when I get a full day of usage with it. But battery life testing aside, I think it's worth taking a plunge if you aren't scared off by the price tag. BGGAR just recently reviewed their larger dac/amp, the m400, and said it's the best sounding mobile dac/amp he's ever heard. So this company isn't a fly-by-night chi-fi sweatshop. Yinlumei legitimately know what they're doing.
Anyway, these all are of course my opinions. We all have different listening preferences, and what sounds good on one IEM may sound not-so-good on another IEM. So take everything I say here with a grain of salt. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to break in the S2. If I find anything show-stopping I'll be sure to mention it here.
Baten
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Sep 13, 2012
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Does anyone know which 4 DAC filters can be chosen? in the Yinlumei S2just acquired a couple little-known dongles & figured I would post my first impressions.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
It's been getting some hype lately based on some crazy good measurements it got on audioscience review (well the hidizs S8 or whatever), so being based in China I figured I'd scoop it up. Listened for only about 15 minutes today and I am sorry to say that it fell flat on its face. Compared to the meizu dac pro, which is roughly the same price (~$40), I prefer the meizu hands down. Meizu sounds "cleaner" (lower THD when loaded?), more body, especially in the mids, and neutral. The Sonata HD Pro, on a positive note, has a wider stage than the meizu (which is notoriously narrow), and has noticeably strong subbass extension. To the point where it almost feels like it's been boosted. Where the Sonata HD Pro falls apart is the thin mids. Lacks body. And the highs sound sloppy in comparison to the razor sharp presentation of the meizu. I seriously think they tried to give it some sort of v-shaped signature or something. I don't know. I just know I found it to be a very poor pairing with my Shouer EJ07 (which has a very thick and prominent mid-bass). The Sonata seemed to suck the soul out of the midbass, and for that reason, I couldn't stand to listen to it for more than a few minutes. Since it couldn't even beat the meizu dac pro, I didn't even bother comparing it to the 9038S, the current dongle champ in my eyes. Another thing worth noting is that it doesn't get very loud. It can handle a typical IEM I guess, but don't expect it to drive cans. The meizu pro is actually more powerful.
Yinlumei S2
This thing is something else. Very pricey for one. Roughly $180 USD new. I managed to scoop up a like-new one for about $120. Still overpriced when devices like the 9038S (which I also own) are almost half the price and deliver HUGE price/performance. But still, I get the pricing. It has an AK4497 DAC (same dac in as the fiio m11 pro), it's built like a tank (cnc'ed aluminum), and comes with way more cables than I'd ever need. I'd prefer to have less accessories to cut down the cost, but whatever, you're covered for just about any situation at least.
It has an impressive spec sheet. Here's a link, use google to translate -
http://www.yinlumei.com/product/product-18-985.html
The sound though. That's what matters. It's definitely a massive improvement over the sonata HD pro, and even noticeably better than the meizu. Where meizu falls short is sound stage & low end. This device however delivers in both of those areas. I also find the sound to be neutral, and a tad cold. This is identical presentation to the 9038S, so for that reason, I find it hard to tell the two apart. But that's with very little time A/Bing. This is a "first impressions", not a detailed review. So some other things worth noting - the S2 has some pretty serious driving power. 180mW @ 32 ohms I believe. Not earth shattering, but by dongle standards it's very powerful. 9038S of course destroys it in this area, but since I listen almost exclusively with IEMs, the power is more than enough for me. It has a hardware button on the side to adjust gain, with 3 settings. I find at low gain, the bass is thin. But at mid or high gain, bass opens up, and yet everything remains controlled. Not sure what gain setting I'm going to settle on, but it will likely be either mid or high gain. I don't hear a lick of noise floor at either setting. THD is very very low (.0008% according to specs). It also has another hardware button on the side, to adjust filter settings, with 4 modes. No idea what each mode does. I can't find any material that explains, and I haven't gone and tried to listen for the differences yet. I'll do that later.
So unlike the Sonata HD Pro, where I knew within minutes it was a dud, this product is definitely getting a closer look. If it can just equal the 9038S in SQ, it's a huge win. Even though the 9038S is cheaper (much cheaper), it has annoying quirks that prevent it from me treating it as a daily driver. EMI the biggest one. But lack of HW volume control is the other major ding. The Yinlumei S2 seems to handle both of those areas no problem.
As someone based in China that can find good deals on used audio stuff, the S2 definitely appears to be a good buy. In fact, I think it might have a chance to be my end-game dongle, which is big for me, since I'm just not interested in buying a DAP. And with my usage needs, a bulky dac/amp with a huge battery is too cumbersome. And I'm also not ready to compromise on BT, so products like the BTR5 don't interest me much either. I'm all about dongles man. And as of now, I own the DC-01, Meizu pro, 9038S, Sonata HD pro, and the yinlumei S2. Based on how I feel right now, after only giving these 2 new dongles a very quick listen, I'd say yinlumei S2 >= 9038S (verdict still pending - but it's very close based on SQ alone) > meizu pro > DC-01 > sonata HD Pro.
Biggest ding on the yinlumei is definitely the price. Very expensive, even with the specs. The existence of the 9038S really makes it a tough sell. The other tough sell is how unknown it is (I think I'm the first westerner ever to buy one???). But I have to mention that it's been very popular in China. Taobao sales are proof. No idea why it didn't get any attention here yet. Last, it's single-ended only. Not a big deal to me, it's got plenty of power, but it means it's going to be less efficient, and I'm worried how much battery life it will suck. I'll learn that soon when I get a full day of usage with it. But battery life testing aside, I think it's worth taking a plunge if you aren't scared off by the price tag. BGGAR just recently reviewed their larger dac/amp, the m400, and said it's the best sounding mobile dac/amp he's ever heard. So this company isn't a fly-by-night chi-fi sweatshop. Yinlumei legitimately know what they're doing.
Anyway, these all are of course my opinions. We all have different listening preferences, and what sounds good on one IEM may sound not-so-good on another IEM. So take everything I say here with a grain of salt. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to break in the S2. If I find anything show-stopping I'll be sure to mention it here.
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