Thank you Lachlan, great review as always 🙂

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

So glad you liked it!

Fantastic review, thanks

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Glad you liked it 🙂

The DH80s ended up being my preferred dongle, even to the Sparrow. I felt it had more weight and better dynamics than the Sparrow. I'm definitely not as focused a listener when it comes to soundstage width or depth, so I definitely couldn't say whether the DH80s is wider than the Sparrow. I went with the Sparrow whenever I wanted "clean" and "snappy". To me the Sparrow made a JDS Atom+ stack irrelevant. But the DH80s to my ear had a better sense of impact and weight to notes. My phone struggles with USB data connections, so the slightest jostle of the OTG cable and it drops the connection. For that reason I've had to give up on USB connection dongles but as a travel DAC/Amp solution for the laptop or MacBook it's still my go to. Appreciate the videos as always!

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

That's interesting that you found the DH80S preferable, but it makes sense from the perspective of note weight. I have trouble with the USB connections being a bit finicky too and it seems the cable is the key as I've just bought some new ones from Amazon and they fit super snugly (for now) and never come loose. These cables are way too long for portable use though so not recommending in that sense

Thanks Much !

Great insights as always . Answers a lot of questions.. when would you be posting a dedicated review for the Fiio btr7😁

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

The BTR7 is coming up on 16th October in "Fondle of the Uber Dongles"

Yep, need both though can't afford either. Great review as always!

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Nah, you don't need both. The AP80 Pro-X has almost the same power output and sounds better

@rahullamba9318

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Haha... was a way of saying I need everything but can't afford any :)

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I know how that feels - so many great options!

Can't wait for your Uber Dongle Fondle content, Lachlan!

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Not long to wait 😁

You can turn up the gain to high on the ap80 using the touch screen.

P.S. Brother Where You Bound.. WOW! Thanks!

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Supertramp are great! 🙂

Hey PFS, I impulse bought this combo (AP80PX/DH80S). I was looking at refurbished iPods when I came across these guys. Haven't come across a vid yet that talks about anything other than headphone use, which I wouldn't use it for. I need something for car stereo/home/office stereo/desktop speakers. Will these units work as a plug in anywhere like an iPod? Do they work with apple music/youtube/similar platforms? Trying to figure if this will suit my needs vs getting an iPod. Great channel btw. Thanks.

@PassionforSound

22 күн бұрын

The AP80 is all you would need if you're just connecting to your car. I don't think the DH80 adds any value in that setup. As for the services like KZread, the AP80 has no WiFi capability so you'd have to stream from your phone to the AP80 via Bluetooth if that's what you want to be doing.

Ding Dong 🎉

Was the comparison with the Sparrow based on balanced or single-ended output?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Balanced vs balanced. The Sparrow SE output is a bit average

Hi there, the AP 80 Pro can drive planar IEM such as the Timeless?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. No problems at all

@victormedrano2316

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Great, gracias Lachlan

Can you please test the sound differences when using both as dacs from phones. Which one sounds better and in which way?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Everything I spoke about here was comparing them both as DACs 🙂 The AP80 is clearly better IMO

@h1a8

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Thanks. I was assuming there is a sonic difference between the source being the ap80 pro vs an actual phone via USB c (or lightning cable). Also, can you plan to test the fiio btr7 against the ap80 pro-x. I believe they are similarly priced and have similar functionality

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

That exact comparison is coming very soon 😁

Which is better, Hidizs AP80 Pro-X or Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 ?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I haven't tried both so I can't say - sorry

Does AP80pro drive S12 and P1 max well? Or does fit it a bit short?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

It will handle both easily in low gain. Rumours of the power requirements of those IEMs (or any IEM) are vastly overstated

@heyking8583

9 ай бұрын

​@@PassionforSoundhow about kz pr2?

@PassionforSound

9 ай бұрын

It's definitely a harder IEM to drive than most given its 94dB sensitivity, but that still means that you're beyond dangerous listening levels with about 2mW so it still holds true.

Hi. How does a dap like AP80 sound in comparison to something like a desktop dac like Topping E30. I mean how does a portable dap like AP80 compare with a desktop dac like Topping E30 only in their DAC capabilities.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

The desktop DACs consistently perform better than portables because they aren't trying to be as power efficient (not conserving battery life) and also don't need to be as miniaturized.

@Vega1900

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Thank you

@Vega1900

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound You had reviewed both Topping E30 and now the ap80 so it seems then perhaps as u say that E30 sounds better than ap80 or ap80prox as pure dac

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

That's correct. As a pure DAC, I'd go for the E30 with a phone charger or similar power supply (i.e. not just power from a computer USB socket)

@Vega1900

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Thanks. There is almost an academic and an intelligent quality to your reviews. They bring a certain level of seriousness to the idea of sonic equipments. It's a great time on KZread. There has been a lot of literature on visuals and imagery. Through movies, photography, camera, TV's, etc. But I feel the idea of sound as an autonomous dimension was a bit marginalized and it's now finding its space that it deserves. Sound is intrinsic not just to music but even to cinema and to understand cinema and also intrinsic to even the greatest cinematic moments in films such as The Godfather, Scarface or of films of Christopher Nolan and many more. And obviously how we listen to music is totally driven by how we perceive sound. Reviews such as these have in a way uplifted the idea of having sonic equipments rather than just looking at them as 'toys'

It's noteworthy you didn't like the DH80S because another reviewer had high praise for it and suggested he'd be happy using it with the Verum 1 for a $500 budget if you already had a phone. The tricky thing about audio is how subjective it is and the large number of variables. I still can't figure out if I should go with a battery powered dac/amp or get a DAP with WiFi instead. But the $109 new price of the DH80S makes it tempting.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Don't do it! There are such better options out there! The DH80S isn't bad, and if I didn't compare it to anything in my review, I'd probably also have been impressed, but when you can get the Shanling UP4 2022 for a similar price or the AP80 Pro-X and use it the same way as the DH80S, the saving doesn't seem worth it. That's not to mention the Hidizs XO which I would choose every time over the DH80S. I hope I'm not making you feel bad about considering the DH80S - not my intention - I just want to see you having the best value for money you can get.

@spamcan9208

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound I know you aren't the kind of person that craps on other people's opinions, beliefs etc. Part of the consideration process is to gather information before winnowing down the list. I appreciate the honesty and trust your judgement. The RU6 is also something I'm seriously considering saving up for because everything I've heard about it so far seems to be the sound/experience I've been chasing after. I'll probably rewatch all your comparisons again. Thanks for the help so far.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure. The RU6 is fantastic - that's one I will gladly recommend! If you're spending in that realm, the Questyle M15 is also worth a look.

Does it read dsd files

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I believe so (according to the specs - I don't use DSD)

Sold my AP80 Pro as it was a little too bright and harsh for me to tolerate. I imagine the AP80 Pro-X is similar.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

That's interesting. I don't know if the Pro-X is different internally beyond something like MQA perhaps (I haven't checked). I definitely didn't find it too bright, but we all hear a little differently

@Reeeepicheep

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Of course it also depends on what IEM or headphone you’re using. Meze Elite will make anything sound good and warm up any harshness from a source I imagine :)

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I was using the DCA Stealth, IE900 and IE600 IIRC, but what you say is still true 🙂

I work out with the ap80 x. I git a leather case. Made a hole. Place a neck tag lace. And then place my wired iems. And thank god. When people in gym ask.me what's that and why a dap instead of a Bluetooth. And they laugh when I tell them. Because they think air pods is the way to go. I laugh and then I place in their ears for them to listen the diffence. And yep. They want to get one and throw away their air pods. And it's funny that they all have their phones close by when I dobt even bring my phone to gym. They listen to 1 hour a loud volumes until their battery is gone. And mine last for 3 days. And then the volume and quality . So yep. I hear my music better than most people. I sold my daps because was a waste of space for me to use my ultra phone ans then a dac dongle. Made no sense when I can have something small in my neck with my wired iems. I wish more companies build small daps with a strong clip for t.shirt . Most of small daps are sold out. I need to buy 3 more just in case they stop making . And I use the sony nw a55 . Because I hate android daps because of battery and lagging . The sony has a smaller volume. So I take the more sensitive iems with the sony. And I love the eq from sony. Does not affect the volume like the ap80 does and does not colour the sound . And because I collect iems. Then I should collect daps too.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you've got a great workout setup!

@paulosilva8200

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound yep

I'll buy it when it has built-in 4.4mm - not until then.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Maybe look at the Shanling M1S instead

I won't buy another Hidizs product after my recent purchase experience. :(

@PassionforSound

8 ай бұрын

Oh no! What happened?

@TheVeganVicar

8 ай бұрын

@@PassionforSound, the filter thread on one of the earpieces was stripped, and the instruction manual for the DAC dongle I bought with the earphones was missing an absolutely VITAL piece of information.

@PassionforSound

8 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear ☹️

Don't say about DAC's that AKK sounds better then ESS (Sabre).. We all tried them and ESS is the winner no doubts here.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

You're assuming that the DAC chips define the sound of a device, but they don't. I've heard AKM devices outperform ESS and vice versa.

@f7p1764

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound would be interested to try more AKM's.

This will not work on iPhone as a dac as it draws too much power. Works on iPad.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for letting us know!

I don’t trust these cheap dongles. Most of them are made in the same OEM in Shenzhen for about 100 yuan (~14 usd) each.

@davidcoons89

Жыл бұрын

Don’t trust them meaning what? You’re concerned about risking having your hearing or your IEMs damaged or?

@allansh828

Жыл бұрын

@@davidcoons89 they sound really meh and fatiguing

@Hetsu..

Жыл бұрын

@@allansh828 hidizs is amazing lol

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I think you're making too much of a generalisation there, Allan. There are plenty of manufacturers around the world who make products for multiple brands and use all different parts, specifications, quality levels, etc. The place a product is made isn't necessarily an accurate indication of its quality.

@allansh828

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Well, that’s why reviewers are needed. General consumers don’t have the time and money to find hidden gems. I just want to present you with this information. Most dongle DACs made in Shenzhen are the same.

The 8 ball makes no sense. Vocals more and you loose the mid bass. You encrease the thickness and you loose again the mids foe the voice. Is like playing with my wife when she says no and means yes. Lol

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Lol. I don't use those features much so beyond checking out the options, I haven't experienced that. Sounds like a real magic 8 ball - give it a shake and see what comes back 🤣

@paulosilva8200

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound hiby and hidizs. Same eq 8 ball

dh80s beats chord mojo, its actually insane

@stanmah5721

Жыл бұрын

You've done the comparison yourself?

@Hetsu..

Жыл бұрын

@@stanmah5721 yes

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

As someone who owns both and has used both extensively, I'm not sure how you've reached this conclusion. I'm not saying that to be argumentative, but would love to hear your thoughts on which specific areas you think the DH80S is preferable.

@Hetsu..

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Of course! Everyone will have different opinions. Ive used the dh80s as my main dac/amp at home for a while and ive tried to look for an upgrade to it. Tried the ifi diablo and chord mojo 2 etc. I prefered the full bodied sound of the dh80s far more, the other dacs sounded lean and lifeless in comparasion to me. The combanation of the cold sabre dac and lush amp of the dh80s is amazing imo

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for clarifying. If you like a smoother, richer sound then I can definitely understand the preference. Glad you've found something you're so happy with. Have you tried the original Mojo? It might be exactly what you're looking for - quite a bit warmer than the Mojo 2