Once in the company of Hidizs ‘ decided to make a portable DAC, according to tradition combined with a headphone amplifier. Accidentally speeding in the creative process, they managed to produce a device which is superior in sound, even their flagship AP200, and today we will talk about it. Meet DH1000.
During testing of this gadget I have periodically raised the idea that in this processor, the developers decided to skate technology for their future players. Judge for yourself: a pair of K2M-tion 9018, one per channel, 9601-e in the basis of the balanced amplifier, upscale specifying generators — full audio meat. This is all complemented by a very good design of glass and aluminum and relatively reasonable price of $ 300 in the official store. However, sometimes DH1000 you can find decent discounts.
Specifications
- DAC: 2 X ES9018K2M
- OH: ES9601K
- Maximum resolution: 192kHz/24-bit DSD128
- Frequency range: 0 Hz – 50 kHz
- Hours: ~10 h
- Total harmonic distortion+noise: 117 dB
- Channel separation: 120 dB
- The ratio signal-to-noise ratio: 122 dB
- Power: normal output — 120 mW @ 32Ω, balanced output — 150MW @ 32Ω
- Dimensions: 121 mm × 68 mm × 13 mm
Packing and delivery
At this time, no mind blowing ideas in the package is not waiting for us, ordinary ekstrudirovannyy black cardboard, I had seen many times before. In the box there are DAC itself, the instruction manual, long USB A cable, a short but stylish MicroUSB cable for MicroUSB and the cable MicroUSB to USB-C.
In General, the developers tried to expand the connectivity of their offspring.
Design and management
The appearance of the gadget Hidizs ‘ is very successful, it seems that it was collected on the same Assembly line that Hiby and R6, are common design elements. Housing made of aluminium with glass panels on the front and rear panels. A little not practical, but looks very impressive, hope Hidizs ‘ in the future will make the same design player. The developers clearly understood that one of the main criteria for the portable DAC is the size, so I made it thin enough that the positive impact on the possibility of “butterbrodt” it with the source of the figures. Size DH1000 generally very comfortable, so ergonomics does not cause problems.
On the bottom side of the device placed the inputs and outputs. A MicroUSB is for charging, one for connecting smartphones. I note that the idea of separate entrances and good from the point of view of filtering of interference, and isolates the telephone from the rapid discharge if the DAC decides to charge. There is also a full-sized USB-A, it enables iOS devices, you can connect and Android phone, but since in this case the source will be the DAC, much sense in this.
On the top side are the power button, the led indicator and both outputs: the balanced and normal. The volume control buttons placed on the side, they have a good click and so pleasant to touch.
Work time is not prohibitive, with the usual output of a little less than 9 hours, with balanced — just slightly less than 8, but overall, this compares with other devices similar price categories.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT04, 99 Meze Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Andromeda Audio, Unique Melody Mason V3, HUM Pristine and others.
If we talk about the sound “in General”, Hidizs ‘ chose a slightly milder flow, which is often described as “musical”, but without undue softness, not concealing the details.
Low frequencies are slightly shifted in the direction of the weight, but very sparingly, resolution, and textures does not suffer. Of course, it’s not super fast technical bass neutral DACs, but not muddy blur, for some reason, often masquerading as “MultiBay sound.” Bass depth is also good, though not extraordinary. The bass provides the rumble, rumble, and shock.
In the same vein, served and MIDs. The DAC is not trying to pull Malaysia details and focus on the micro-contrast, but almost all the nuances of the recording, from the emotional to the characteristics of the room are transmitted reliably. Imaginary scene a little more medium in depth and width with a great division of plans and tools. Despite the small bias in midrange warmth, the nature of the instruments and vocals are transmitted reliably.
But here is what DAC I fell in love with himself, it vernacularly range. Don’t know what’s the merit of developers or engineers Hidizs ‘ ESS, but HF then sound not only qualitatively, but also “expensive,” with overtones, attenuation, separation and everything that usually distinguishes the top sources. Of course, I’m not even going to talk about purely technical characteristics like speed and resolution — for him everything is just fine.
And, of course, few comparisons. I still don’t like to compare different types of devices to each other, so the comparison will involve only the other DACs.
FiiO Q5 Throwing’t sound difference, the FiiO DAC is better on resolution, but it sounds colder and more neutral. With some headphones and records it can be both a plus and a minus.
iFi xDSD Comparing pure sound, xDSD gets the win for LF and MF, as it plays the same music, but slightly more realistic, but the RF clearly remain Hidizs’.
Centrance BlueDAC the situation is about the same as the Q5, but with even better control of all frequencies, largely due to increased capacity.
Compatibility
On the one hand, 150 milliwatts of power is not super much. On the other — this is more than enough for most portable headphone and not the tight Panoramio, so the lack of power is not here. The DAC has a low noise level, so the background won’t be a problem, except, perhaps, hypersensitive models.
Stylistically, the processor is universal, but best of all his strengths are revealed in genres that require naturalness: classical, jazz, vocal, instrumental and chamber music. The recording quality of the device is quite tolerant, somewhere in the 6 points out of 10.
According to tradition, a few tracks as example
Marcus Miller — Someone To Love soon will come up trumps. Excellent, very realistic, recording piano, guitar, light percussion, dramatic vocals — is what allows to reveal the strengths of the hero of today’s review.
Hurts — Wonderful Life And another example of when the combination of softness with a bold treble are felt in full. Despite the overall “pop” record, background the typography is quite versatile, and the DH1000 is very nice its stresses.
The Cure — Friday I’m In Love a little bit of the classics of the genre, perfectly suitable for our DAC. The creation of Hidizs ‘ a little light brightens up the shortcomings of the recording, highlights strengths and overall effect on The Cure as a professional makeup.
Insights
As usual, allows a portable DAC to sound better than the same price of the players, sacrificing convenience. DH1000 in this respect no exception, but all this Hidizs ‘ added stylish appearance and convenient operation.
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Pavel Dmitriev