{"id":162926,"date":"2023-06-08T14:44:11","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T13:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=162926"},"modified":"2024-06-04T17:15:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T17:15:48","slug":"the-best-hi-res-players-2023-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/the-best-hi-res-players-2023-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Hi-Res Players you should concider"},"content":{"rendered":"

The most reliable way to get quality sound from a portable device is not to spend money trying to find the “right” smartphone, but to buy a specialized Hi-Res\u00a0player\u00a0.\u00a0It will provide incomparably higher sound quality not only with wired but also wireless connection.<\/p>\n

Our material contains the most interesting digital players that have entered the market recently.\u00a0The rating, as usual, is compiled as the price increases.<\/b><\/p>\n

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7. HiBy R2 GEN II<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $89<\/i><\/p>\n

This budget Hi-Res-player is running a proprietary operating system HiBy OS.\u00a0The DAC in the player is made on the ES9219C chip from ESS Saber, the Ingenic X1000E is used as the central processor.\u00a0The model can work with PCM 32 bit \/ 384 kHz digital signal and native DSD256 stream, the player is one of the smallest audio devices supporting MQA file decoding.\u00a0MSEB Sound Tuner’s proprietary remastering algorithm makes it possible to adjust a variety of sound processing parameters.\u00a0Wireless options include a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth adapter with UAT and LDAC support.\u00a0A full battery charge provides up to 15 hours of continuous playback and up to 20 days of standby time.\u00a0The model is produced in three colors – black, silver and red – and weighs 70.6 grams with dimensions of 71 x 63,\u00a01 x 12.4 mm.\u00a0The output power is 90 mW, a single 3.5 mm jack is provided for connecting headphones.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0compact case, proprietary OS, support for MQA and LDAC<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0low output power<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0Basic Hi-Res player for beginner audiophiles<\/p>\n

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6. Shanling M1S<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $189<\/i><\/p>\n

The new generation of compact digital player has received an improved processor, a new DAC and new operational amplifiers.\u00a0The processing of all signals and the operation of the MTouch 2.0 operating system are entrusted to the central three-core processor Ingenic X2000.\u00a0The digital-to-analog converter is based on the ES9038Q2M chip from ESS Technologies and is capable of working with 32-bit \/ 768 kHz PCM signals, as well as processing the native DSD512 stream.\u00a0Support for MQA files is also announced.\u00a0The built-in amplifier is based on two RT6863 opamps and provides output power up to 245 mW into 32 ohms.\u00a0The player has two headphone outputs – unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm, as well as a Wi-Fi module that provides AirPlay and DLNA and a Bluetooth adapter.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0high-quality op-amp and DAC chip, balanced connection<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0too compact?<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0A new version of the famous player with improved features<\/p>\n

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5. Aune M1P<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $369 ($399 for\u00a0<\/i>Bluetooth version\u00a0<\/i>)<\/i><\/p>\n

When creating this model, the developers paid special attention to proper nutrition – the player is equipped with a rechargeable battery, at the output of which low-noise stabilized buses are organized to power all the main elements of the signal circuit.\u00a0The central processor in the model is Freescale 600M.\u00a0There are 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm and 2.5 mm jacks for connecting headphones, the output power is 130 mW at 32 ohms unbalanced and 280 mW at 32 ohms balanced.\u00a0The Bluetooth version of the model supports aptX HD, AAC and SBC codecs.\u00a0The player is equipped with a 2.4-inch IPS display, there is also a slot for connecting microSD cards.\u00a0The model has two precision clock generators, the DAC unit is made on a chip from ESS Saber.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0balanced connection, two clock generators, original power supply<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0simple design<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0Nothing fancy – just good sound<\/p>\n

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4. HiBy R6 Pro II<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $749<\/i><\/p>\n

This model is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 CPU running Android 12 OS. The D\/A converter uses the top-end combination of AK4191EQ decoder and two AK4499EX converters.\u00a0The player supports decoding and conversion of 32bit\/1536kHz PCM stream and native DSD1024 stream.\u00a0The HiBy R6 Pro II has two precision clock generators operating with femtosecond precision.\u00a0The amplifier can operate in two modes – pure class A or class AB, the player is equipped with two pairs of 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm jacks.\u00a0The second pair is used for line signal output and operates independently of the headphone jacks.\u00a0The output power with an unbalanced connection is 125 mW, with a balanced connection – 385 mW.\u00a0Large display measuring 5.9 inches diagonally has a resolution of 1080p,<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0flagship chip from Asahi Kasei, two modes of operation of the amplifier, separate connectors for the line output<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0power could be higher<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0Original player with flagship DAC<\/p>\n

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3. FiiO M15S<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $999<\/i><\/p>\n

The improved version of the popular audio player with the S suffix features a new DAC, CPU and operating system.\u00a0The player uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, which is responsible for the fast operation of Android 10 with support for the Google Play app store.\u00a0The digital-to-analog converter is based on the flagship ES9038Pro chip from ESS Saber Technologies.\u00a0The front panel of the device is occupied by a 5.5-inch touch screen.\u00a0To connect wireless headphones, the model has a QCC5124 Bluetooth adapter that supports LDAC and aptX HD codecs.\u00a0The set of wired headphone jacks includes three jacks – 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm, the maximum output power in balanced mode is an impressive 1200 mW at 32 ohms.\u00a0The model works with Apple Music and is certified Roon Ready for integration into relevant systems.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0powerful amplifier, top-end DAC chip, Roon Ready support<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0not cheap<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0An excellent player that can work with any headphones<\/p>\n

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2. Astell & Kern A&futura SE300<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013\u00a0<\/i>$1,900<\/i><\/i><\/i><\/p>\n

The new player from the Korean company is distinguished by the use of a digital-to-analog conversion block on a resistive matrix (R-2R), which includes 96 precision resistors.\u00a0The power supply is made using the Teraton Alpha proprietary solution, which radically reduces the power supply noise level and provides the amplifier stages with clean voltage.\u00a0Headphone jacks are provided for 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm and 4.4 mm.\u00a0The amplifier works in class A \/ AB, the maximum voltage on an unbalanced 3.5 mm jack is 3 V, on a balanced 4.4 mm – 6 V. The case is made of aluminum and stainless steel, the color LCD touch screen has a size of 5.46 inches diagonally and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.\u00a0The model works with PCM signals 32 bit \/ 384 kHz and native DSD256 stream, and also supports all major music services.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0DAC on a resistive matrix, original low-noise power supply<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0only the price and lack of support for DSD512<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0A real player for those who understand<\/p>\n

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1. Cayin N7<\/h3>\n

Price \u2013 $1,999<\/i><\/p>\n

A top player focused primarily on working with a native DSD stream.\u00a0For its correct conversion, a discrete one-bit DAC on a resistive matrix, including 128 thin-film resistors, is used.\u00a032bit\/768kHz PCM signals are also supported, but are converted to 1-bit before being sent to the DAC.\u00a0The fully discrete amplifier can operate in both class A and class AB, switching between the two modes is done by pressing one key.\u00a0Low-noise JFET transistors are installed in the input differential stage, bipolar transistors provide voltage amplification and operation of the output stage.\u00a0The amplifier has a fully symmetrical circuit, headphone outputs are represented by 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm jacks, similar terminals are used to organize a line output.\u00a0The built-in battery has a capacity of 9,000 mAh, and its full charge is enough for 10 hours of operation.\u00a0The model is running Android 12.<\/p>\n

Pros –<\/b>\u00a0original DAC on a resistive matrix, fully balanced path, line output<\/p>\n

Cons –<\/b>\u00a0optimized for DSD<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/b>\u00a0The ultimate player for those who don’t compromise when working with DSD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The most reliable way to get quality sound from a portable device is not to spend money trying to find the “right” smartphone, but to buy a specialized Hi-Res\u00a0player\u00a0.\u00a0It will provide incomparably higher sound quality not only with wired but also wireless connection. Our material contains the most interesting digital players that have entered the […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":162927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[778],"class_list":["post-162926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hi-fi","tag-reviews"],"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162926\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}