Reviews of portable Hi-Fi players. Hi-Fi players - what is it, why and why? best cheap hi-fi player

They will make even a mediocre MP3 track sound different. And together with FLAC or APE you will get sound without distortions, overloads and unnecessary embellishments. Surprise even the most sophisticated listener.

If you live music, waking up to the gentle sound of a rattling tweeter, turning the knob of a home receiver before a light breakfast, and a futuristic speaker system has long been replaced by 5-dollar speakers in the office, there is only one step left to complete harmony and the status of a quality sound admirer. It's time to pick up a portable Hi-Fi player.

1.Colorfly C10

Specifications:

Memory: 32 GB (support microSD cards up to 64 GB);
Display: 2,35”;
Supported formats: DSD, APE, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, AAC, CUE;
Harmonic distortion: 0,003%;
32 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 112 dB;
Battery: 3400 mAh

This year, a well-known manufacturer of computer components and video cards, the company colorful(China), celebrates its 20th anniversary. In 2010, in order to expand the range of products, the administration decided to create a separate division, whose task was to produce Hi-Fi players. Output in the middle of the current model year Colorfly C10 It was built, as they say, on a reliable basis. His predecessors were the legendary Colorfly C4 Pro And Colorfly C3.

Who is suitable for: With support for nine popular sound formats, great sound and studio-quality music playback, the Colorfly C10 is ideal for people who value design. The rugged aluminum body is complemented by a prim sandalwood finish. Style and technology in one bottle.

2. COWON Plenue 1

Specifications:

Memory: 128 GB (support microSD cards);
Display: 3.7” (touch);
Supported formats: DXD, DSD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, MP3, WMA, OGG;
Harmonic distortion: 0,0006%;
Sampling Rate (Max): 24 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 120 dB;
Battery: 3000 mAh (up to 8.5 hours of playback).

The arsenal of digital players of the South Korean manufacturer includes over three dozen models. Behind the company a number of awards, the first portable mp3 player iAUDIO CW100, which opened real freedom to fans of an active lifestyle, and dozens of patents in the field of multimedia gadgets. Line of players COWON divided into several price categories: from inexpensive and practical models "for every day" and up to portable players with individual sound character. Released in 2014 Cowon pleasure 1 became the company's first-born in the world of Hi-Fi players.

Encased in an anodized aluminum case, the player is covered with a Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass. The strict appearance is justified by the Cowon Plenue 1 filling: Burr Brown PCM1792A used in expensive DACs and external sound cards, the price tag of which goes beyond a few thousand dollars. The player sounds as expensive as it looks: the presence of built-in presets allows you to adjust the sound for almost any headphones.

Who is suitable for: If you like to experiment with genres, alternating classic Italian opera with brain-crushing power metal, Cowon Plenue 1 will meet your expectations. It easily adapts to any conditions. In a word, flagship.

3. COWON Plenue M

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (support microSD cards - up to 128 GB);
Display: 3.7” (touch);
Supported formats: DXD, DFF, DSF, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, MP3, WMA, OGG, WV, TTA, DCF;
Harmonic distortion: 0,0007%;
Sampling Rate (Max): 24 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 120 dB;
Battery: 3000 mAh (up to 10 hours of playback).

The basis of the model Cowon Plenue M last year's flagship Cowon Plenue 1 was laid down. The engineers were tasked with making a more affordable Hi-Fi player, but at the same time not depriving it of its individual sound and clarity of reproduction. Chip Burr-Brown PCM 1795 provides a minimum level of harmonic distortion in the region of 0.0007%, which expensive models of competing brands cannot always boast of.

Who is suitable for: Cowon Plenue M is a kind of universal soldier capable of playing almost any audio format. For lovers of an active lifestyle, this particular model can become an excellent companion for any training or jogging: seamless diamond processing of edges and anodizing of the case will help to avoid scratches, and intuitive control provides the possibility of blind control.

4. COWON IAUDIO X9 M

Specifications:

Memory: 8, 16, 32 GB (support for microSD cards - up to 32 GB);
Display: 4.3” (touch);
Supported formats: MP3/2, WMA, FLAC, OGG, APE, WAV;
Supported video formats: AVI, WMV, ASF;
Harmonic distortion: 0,0007%;
Sampling Rate (Max): 24 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 95 dB;
Battery: up to 110 hours of music playback; up to 13 - video.

Wishing to reduce the need to use the multimedia component of the smartphone to a minimum, COWON thought about releasing a player capable of playing not only music, but also video. No sooner said than done. And as a nice addition to such a multimedia combine, engineers installed a long-playing battery that can please its owner with music for a whole week (110 hours).

Who is suitable for: Do you need a "long-playing horse" with an impressive number of features? COWON IAUDO X9- your choice. If you put audiophile-level sound at the head of the choice, get ready to thoroughly study the settings and software ecosystem of the device.

5. HIFIMAN HM-603 4Gb

Specifications:

Memory: 4 GB (support microSD cards - up to 32 GB);
Supported formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, FLAC, APE, WAV, PCM, ADPCM;
Harmonic distortion: 0,09%;
Sampling frequency: 20 Hz - 20 kHz;
Crosstalk: 92 dB;
Battery: 10 hours of playback.

Young American company HIFIMAN was founded just eight years ago. The brand name was not chosen by chance: the production of portable Hi-Fi players became a priority for production. In 2009, the market was blown up by a novelty HIFIMAN HM-801, which in just a few months received the title of the best player in the Hi-End class. The company's product line includes only a few devices, including players and planar magnetic headphones. But to talk about any of the models presented by HIFIMAN, you first need to press the PLAY button.

HIFIMAN HM-603 appeared on the market not by chance. There was a certain price gap between the entire industry of portable players, and the buyer had to choose: either to purchase an expensive Hi-Fi representative that justifies the investment, or to opt for an inexpensive model with a very mediocre sound quality. HIFIMAN HM-603 4Gb has become a definite conductor of two worlds: philistine and high-quality sound. Multibit DAC Philips TDA1543, enclosed in a heavy 200-gram box, provides a neutral sound without characteristic rises in certain frequency ranges.

Who is suitable for: The HIFIMAN HM-603 4Gb model can be called the choice of a person who respects the old school. Rejecting the design, bulkiness and insignificant amount of built-in memory, the buyer will receive a rare bird - the number of players, which are based on multi-bit DAC, in today's market is negligible.

6. HIFIMAN HM-802

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (support for SDXC cards - up to 128 GB);
Display: 3,7”;
Supported formats: MP3, FLAC, APE, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF;
Harmonic distortion: 0,0031%;
Sampling Rate (Max): 24 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 110 dB;
Battery: up to 12 hours of playback.

The individual character of the sound is not the only thing that the buyer will receive HIFIMAN HM-802. The unique design, vaguely reminiscent of Nokia's bulky smartphone series of the mid-2000s, and the ability to change amplifier modules - that's what awaits the audiophile, who is used to changing amplification stages depending on the mood. By default, the HIFIMAN HM-802 has a dual Wolfson WM8740 DAC.

Who is suitable for: HIFIMAN HM-802 is a confident golden mean in the company's lineup. With the ability to change amplifiers, you get a modular device that can change the character of the sound depending on your preferences. A good level of autonomy and the presence of a separate amplifier for each channel will help to reveal the sound of your favorite music.

7. HIFIMAN HM-901s

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (support microSD cards - up to 256 GB);
Display: 3.7” (touch);
Supported formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, APE, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC (M4A), DSD;
Harmonic distortion: 0,008%;
Sampling Rate (Max): 24 bit, 192 kHz;
Crosstalk: 106 dB;
Battery: up to 9 hours of playback.

The HIFIMAN company does not even think of abandoning the seemingly obsolete design. Instead, engineers are working on the stuffing of the player and the flagship HIFIMAN HM-901s received the most advanced "insides", capable of surprising even an experienced audiophile in terms of sound level. Detail, attack, balanced frequency range and the minimum level of harmonic distortion - two DACs are responsible for this entire list of advantages ESS9018.

Who is suitable for: If you feel that an old Hi-Fi player is gradually becoming obsolete, and your ears flatly refuse cheap sound, it's time to listen to HIFIMAN HM-901s.

8. Astell&Kern AK380

Specifications:

Memory: 256 GB (support microSD cards);
Display: 4” (touch);
Supported formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF;
Sampling Rate (Max): 32 bit, 384 kHz;
Harmonic distortion: 0,0007%;
Crosstalk: 117 dB.

Company players Astell&Kern can be compared with luxury cars. No, this is not just a weighty gadget with a unique design and a stunning price tag. Astell&Kern AK380 is the flagship of the company, setting a qualitatively new level of sound with a sampling rate that not all leading sound recording companies can boast of: 32 bit, 384 kHz. Minimal harmonic distortion, support for a range of audio formats, two high-end DACs AKM AK4490, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless communications, as well as the ability to connect additional accessories: an external amplifier, docking station or CD drive.

Even the most expensive smartphone is inferior in sound quality to a budget Hi-Fi player. Manufacturers offer different models: from casually made Chinese-made gadgets to exclusive products made of wood and metal. Devices that are almost identical in appearance can vary greatly in cost, so before purchasing a player, you should fully understand its capabilities and characteristics.

Why you need a Hi-Fi player

A modern Hi-Fi player with high-quality headphones and downloaded music in lossless formats is able to reproduce the subtlest shades of sound in the voice of the soloist and backing vocalists, the quietest sigh and a light touch on the cymbals. If you are not interested in this and need a device for playing music of the same quality as in your phone, then buy a regular inexpensive MP3 player.

Hi-Fi player device

Not a single audio recording can convey the variety of musical shades that is perceived by the human ear when listening to live sound. Not everyone can afford to enjoy their favorite compositions “live”. It is for this purpose that sound waves are digitized, recorded on electronic media and replicated. When playing audio files, the reverse process occurs: from an electronic format, the sound is converted to analog. For such a transformation, 2 devices are needed: a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and an audio amplifier.

Smartphones and miniature MP3 players are equipped with small budget DACs and amplifiers, the task of which is to transform the sound, not to show its depth. Because of this, the playback quality of songs loses much to the same parameter of Hi-Fi players. Only powerful DACs and amplifiers can transmit all shades of sound, which consume a lot of energy and require large batteries.

Hi-Fi player selection

You can feel all the nuances of the sound only in practice, however, the first impression of the sound quality can be made by examining the technical characteristics: DAC models, amplifier type, frequency range. It is also worth paying attention to such parameters as supported audio file formats, types of audio connectors, control method, built-in memory size, operating time and availability of additional functions.

Specifications

DAC and amplifier.

The quality of playback of audio files and the price of the device itself directly depend on which DAC and amplifier are installed in the player.

Each manufacturer has its own specifics: some companies produce players that transmit bass better, while others provide perfect reproduction of mids and high tones.

Different types of amplifiers can be installed in the Hi-Fi player: 2хAD8032+2хAD8534 , ISL28291 , OP275+OPA2604 , OPA1642 , OPA426 , OPA2322+ISL28291 etc.

You can determine which DAC and amplifier suits you personally only by listening to your favorite songs on a particular device. And here it's not so much about the quality of the player, but about your preferences. There are devices that reproduce any type of sound equally well and the quality in them can be adjusted to your needs, but such models are very expensive. If you are planning to buy a Hi-Fi player for enjoying a certain type of music, then you can find a cheaper device.

In some models, 2 DACs and an amplifier are installed, although this design is expensive, it allows you to achieve maximum sound quality.

Minimum and maximum reproducible frequencies. The wider this range is, the better sound quality the device will be able to provide.

The minimum frequency fluctuates within -20 Hz.

The range of maximum frequencies is much wider: in different models they can range from to Hz. There are few devices on the market that reach the highest threshold.

Most of both budget and expensive players are designed to reproduce sound within 20-20000 Hz.

The amount of built-in memory.

High quality audio files take up a lot of space, so the player should have as many gigabytes of internal memory as possible. Music playback devices can have up to 256 GB.

If this is not enough, you should choose a model with slots for memory cards. Some Hi-Fi players have 2 microSD card slots.

Audio file formats.

Live audio can be converted to digital format with or without compression. In the latter case, the quality of the music recording will be an order of magnitude higher, but the file size will also be impressive. To save disk space, audio recordings are compressed using special programs. In this case, the quality may be lost or remain at its best: in this case, the sound will be comparable to the compositions recorded on the original CD.

Lossless compressed files have extensions APE , FLAC , ALAC , PCM , ADPCM .

Songs in AAC , MP2 , MP3 , WMA and OGG formats take up less space, but their quality is worse.

But files with WAV and AIFF extensions have the maximum size and excellent quality, since the sound is not compressed at all during recording.

Music in DSD, DSF, DFF, ISO and DXD formats even surpasses the sound of tracks on CDs in quality. Such compositions convey the slightest shades of sound and are intended for true music lovers. Budget models usually do not play such files: this is the prerogative of expensive devices. In any case, if you're buying a Hi-Fi sound device, don't let yourself chase the price and choose a model without the ability to play lossless formats (FLAC, ALAC, etc.).

Audio connectors.

The Hi-Fi player can be connected to other devices using a variety of connectors and cables. So, the line input is used to transmit an analog acoustic signal without additional processing. The balanced connector is a more advanced design, it suppresses interference and provides clear sound. The coaxial output allows you to transmit a digital signal, connecting the player to a home theater, stationary audio system and other modern devices. Using the optical input, you can control a digital signal, while completely eliminating electrical interference. Modern Hi-Fi players are connected to a computer, as a rule, using USB or microUSB connectors. This connection ensures fast transfer of even large audio files.

Control method.

Controlling the sound with only buttons or a sensor is quite inconvenient. Quick and high-quality adjustment is possible with a mixed control method, when one part of the functions is controlled by sensors or buttons, and the second is configured using mechanical switches (wheels, sliders, etc.).

As a rule, budget devices are controlled by buttons, and expensive products have a mixed control method.

Working hours.

For most models, battery life does not exceed a day. There are devices on sale that play music for 100 hours or more, but they cannot provide high sound quality due to low-performance DACs and amplifiers.

Different models of players can vary greatly in weight: from compact 40 g to devices weighing 200 g or more. A robust steel case, a large battery, and DACs with separate amplifiers for each channel will weigh quite a lot, so models that provide exceptional sound quality are often massive.

Additional features

Hi-Fi player is a highly specialized device, and it does not need universality. However, some manufacturers equip their devices with additional features. The most useful of them are:

Digital equalizer - the user adjusts the sound by changing the amplitude of the waves;

Waterproof case - allows you to use the device even in extreme situations, and also extends its service life;

Wi-Fi - designed for downloading firmware, music and video from the Internet;

Bluetooth - used to synchronize the player with wireless headphones and computers.

A clip for attaching the player to clothing can also be a useful accessory. As for the presence of an FM tuner, a digital camera, a voice recorder and the ability to view video, these functions increase the cost of the device, but are unlikely to be in demand.

Music lovers would not think of using the player as an e-book, camera or device for watching movies, besides, all these functions are successfully implemented in modern smartphones. Connoisseurs of high-quality sound perceive the ability to view video and text rather as an annoying source of interference. Therefore, expensive devices that provide high quality playback are not equipped with such functions.

The cost of Hi-Fi players

A budget Hi-Fi player today can be bought for 2-3 thousand rubles. Such devices are equipped with simple DACs and amplifiers, only slightly superior to the elements that are installed in smartphones. They have a small weight and a small amount of internal memory, but the operating time can be long due to the low power consumption of DACs. At the same time, cheap devices are often equipped with support for playing graphic, text and video files, but their sound quality is unlikely to satisfy even the most demanding music lover.

For 4-10 thousand rubles. devices with higher quality digital audio file converters are sold. As a rule, they weigh up to 100 g, have an internal memory of about 16 GB, and their battery life does not exceed 12 hours.

Prices for well-known brands with high-performance DACs and amplifiers start at 20,000 rubles. Their built-in memory is 32-64 GB expandable, support most audio formats. Designs with two DACs cost at least 35 thousand rubles.

Models for 50-300 thousand rubles. are equipped with premium transducers and amplifiers that add weight to the build but deliver amazingly clear sound. Almost all expensive Hi-Fi players, along with touch screens, are equipped with mechanical wheels for adjusting the sound, and some devices support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. At the same time, they may not have built-in memory and work offline for up to 10 hours.

Even when I ordered the Aigo 108 player, I already knew for sure that I would prefer this particular model for myself. And there are quite objective reasons for that: an all-metal case, a serious bunch of DAC + amplifier and, of course, just a kosher wheel for volume control. In this review, we will take a closer look at the player Aigo 108 and find out its strengths and weaknesses.

CHARACTERISTICS

• TFT color display, diagonal 2.3", 320x240
• One microSD slot up to 64 GB.
• Digital 7 band equalizer
• Dedicated AUX line output
• Battery: 1500 mAh
• Operating time on a single charge: >10 h
• Charging time:
• Dimensions: 92x58x15.5 mm.
• Weight: 180 g.
• Case material: metal
• Lossless format support: APE: 48/24, FLAC: 48/24, WAV: 48/24
• Lossy format support: MP3, ACC, WMA, OGG
• DAC: Wolfson WM8740
• Amplifier: Texas Instruments OPA2131 + TPA6530A2
• SNR: More than 105 dB.
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Output power: 70 + 70 mW.
• Internal memory size: 8GB.

UNPACKING AND PACKAGING

On the reverse side we learn about 8 gigabytes of internal memory.


In the kit, a fairly rich set of documentation (in Chinese) and a USB-MicroUSB cable.

DESIGN/ERGONOMICS

INTERFACE

DISPLAY

SETTINGS

BATTERY

IRON

SOUND

VIDEO

CONCLUSIONS

Summing up, Aigo 108 turned out to be a very interesting player with chic tactile sensations. Among the shortcomings, I note a low overall volume, lack of CUE support and a very mediocre sound for a Hi-Fi device at the headphone output. Speaking about the sound quality from the line-out, here, in its price category, the Aigo 108 has absolutely no competitors. In terms of sound quality, it easily beats not only smartphones with a top-end DAC from ESS, but also the very authoritative FiiO X3 II. And the most incredible thing is that using the line output on the Aigo 108 is just as comfortable as using the headphone output. The player has an incredible sound for its price, and I can fully recommend it to all lovers of super detailed high-quality music.

Portable Hi-Fi players have confidently taken their place as a full-fledged gadget for listening to high-resolution music. And if recently many looked at them with distrust, today they are not inferior in quality to full-size audio system components, and some even surpass them. In the previous article, we considered "", but now the turn has come to specific models. The devices presented below belong to the most interesting mid-price segment, which already boasts impressive sound, but still does not cost too much.

Astell&Kern AK 70

One of the most promising options in this category, which appeared on the market only at the end of last month. In general, Astell & Kern products need no introduction among lovers of high-quality sound, but, of course, not everyone can afford to pay 250,000 rubles for their flagship AK 380. AK 70 is another attempt by the company to enter the budget segment for its level, in which the main competition unfolds. The previous AK Jr is also quite good, but the 70 definitely outperforms it in terms of sound and features.

What can this aluminum beauty of light mint color offer us? Or maybe it is almost everything that portable players are capable of, and even a little more. With the premium Cirrus Logic CS438 DAC found in all second generation A&K products, you can listen to music in bit-mode resolution up to 24bit/192kHz or DSD 64/128, which however is converted to PCM 24bit 176kHz. A 4-pin balanced 2.5 mm jack and a 3-pin unbalanced 3.5 mm jack are provided for connecting headphones. In addition, there is a USB port that allows you to use the AK 70 as a DAC paired with a laptop or PC, and the player was one of the first devices in the world with the ability to output sound through the same USB port, which allows direct connection to various portable amplifiers, and the signal can be broadcast both in PCM and in native DSD, but only if the receiver supports Do P technology.

The player can play music from various sources. First of all, these are the classic 64 GB of internal memory or microSD cards up to 128 GB. But that is not all. The presence of a Wi-Fi module and DLNA support will allow you to play content received from a NAS and a PC or the Groovers online service. All this is complemented by the ability to directly connect to the AK CD-Ripper to digitize songs directly to the internal memory of the device, and another Bluetooth wireless module, of course, with the aptX codec, with which you can transmit a signal to wireless headphones or acoustics.

For ease of operation, a 3.3-inch touch screen, three side physical buttons and an analog volume control are provided. The sound of the player is distinguished by high detail and a very natural presentation with a certain bias towards analytics. The cost of AK 70 in the domestic market today is 47,000 rubles.

FiiO X7

Another novelty that came out at the end of last year, but this time not from Korea, but from China. Unlike A&K, FiiO decided not to lower, but to raise the bar, moving from the budget segment to the mainstream segment, which they did perfectly well. The main feature of the X7 is the interchangeable amplifier modules, allowing you to achieve perfect matching with each specific headphone model. To be fair, HiFiMAN was the first to implement this idea in their HM-801 and HM-901, but FiiO took a different path, offering third-party developers to make their own modules, providing them with all the specifications, the opportunity to purchase a ready-made chassis, and even assistance in selling through its dealer network. To date, there is a regular medium-power AM2 module based on the MUSES02 chip and BUF634U buffers, a high-power AM5 based on the same components, and a balanced AM3 based on six OPA1622 op-amps manufactured by Texas Instruments.

The player supports PCM playback at resolutions up to 64 bits and 384 kHz, as well as DSD64/128. One of the best DACs on the market today, the ESS9018, is responsible for the conversion. A distinctive feature of the device is also running Android OS, which allows not only to use a standard player, but also to install any other applications. Management is carried out using a touch screen with a diagonal of 3.97 inches, complemented by a set of buttons symmetrically located on the sides of the case with the ability to assign various commands to them, which makes it convenient to work with one hand for both right-handed and left-handed people. Volume control is performed by an analog microcircuit with digital control.

Files can be played from the built-in 32 GB memory and microSD cards, as well as online streaming services and NAS servers with Wi-Fi connectivity. There is also Bluetooth for wireless headphones.

The device is made in a neat aluminum case with a linear / coaxial 3.5 mm output on the top and a headphone jack on the bottom. There is also a microUSB port for connecting to a charger, docking station or PC. Use as a DAC or digital transport is available. The built-in battery is enough for 9 hours of operation. The sound reproduction of the FiiO is also at a very high level with excellent dynamics and excellent stage elaboration, but like the AK 70, it tends more towards maximum neutrality, without any coloration of its own. The price for the player varies from 46 to 50,000 rubles.

ColorFly C4 Pro

The next in our review is a very outrageous device manufactured by the Chinese company ColorFly. Its appearance is strongly knocked out of the generally accepted canons and in style it looks more like tube amplifiers than portable players. Judge for yourself, a massive solid walnut body with an artificially aged brass front panel with rather extravagantly located controls, which you do not immediately get used to. The device was released more than 5 years ago, but it has not lost its relevance today. Yes, it does not have wireless modules, the ability to work with streaming services and DSD support. But with sound reproduction, he copes just fine, leaving many competitors far behind.

For connection, connectors no less exotic for their class are provided here, represented by a pair of RCA line outputs, which are combined with a digital coaxial input and output, as well as two headphone outputs: standard 3.5 mm and non-standard 6.3 mm. The latter is designed for the use of high-resistance models and has a more powerful signal. There is a USB port, but only for data exchange with a PC and recharging. As a DAC, the gadget can only work via S / PDIF. The display is extremely simple and informative. Volume control is carried out, again, by the uncharacteristic ALPS slider. The internal memory is 32 GB, expandable by microSD cards for another 64 GB.

The Cirrus Logic CS4398 chip is responsible for converting sound from digital to analog, and the ADI AD823 is responsible for amplification. The final path is built on expensive Elna capacitors, there is a high-precision clock generator and jitter suppressor, as well as a Cirrus Logic CS8422 SRC converter that performs preliminary upsampling before being fed to the DAC. Moreover, its bit depth and sampling rate can be adjusted independently. The maximum supported input resolution is 32 bits and 192 kHz.

Of the minuses, it should be noted a short battery life, limited to 4 - 6 hours, impressive dimensions of 72 x 124 mm with a thickness of as much as 20 mm and a weight of 259 grams. A significant plus is a very high sound quality with a fairly assertive presentation, volumetric scene construction and excellent elaboration of all parts of the spectrum. The cost of C4 Pro in Russia starts from 46,000 rubles.

HiFiMAN HM-901

Another weighty "brick" created by one of the founders of portable Hi-Fi - HiFiMAN. The appearance of the device resembles gadgets from the 80s, which adds a certain charm to it. At the same time, in technical terms, the player is very advanced, and along with the use of a pair of first-class ESS ES9018 DACs (one for each channel, which completely eliminates their influence on each other), the output stage is built on OPA2107 and OPA627 audiophile op-amps, the volume is not controlled by a potentiometer , and a multi-position switch with fixed resistors and, finally, separate power supply for the digital and analog parts is provided, which prevents interference from interference into the path.

All this is complemented by the ability to change amplifying modules, of which more than five have already been released: MINIBOX and MINIBOX Gold for working with full-size studio models, Balance, respectively, with balanced ones, IEM with in-ear ones, Musical, which imitates the sound of tube amplifiers, and others. There is also a sensitivity switch in the design that allows you to coordinate work with high-impedance and low-impedance headphones, and an entertaining filter that slightly muffles the high-frequency part of the spectrum in Vintage mode, and leaves it unchanged when HD is selected.

To connect headphones, there is a balanced output on a 3.5 mm jack, equipped with an appropriate selector, as well as a non-standard port to which you can connect an adapter for recharging, a USB cable or a combo cable with analog line output and digital coaxial input / output (all on RCA) . The idea of ​​using one multifunctional port may be interesting, but if you lose the standard cord, replenishing the battery will become a serious problem, so its practicality is very debatable.

The player is capable of working with resolutions up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, as well as DSD in the .diff extension with conversion to PCM. There is no internal memory, but there is a slot for SD cards up to 128 GB. Use as a DAC is available both when a signal is supplied through the USB port, and a digital S / PDIF input. The device is equipped with a color display, five buttons for playback control and data entry wheel. Battery life is 7 - 9 hours. The sound of the HM-901 turned out to be very dynamic, with a wide stage and impressive bass development. In addition, when using different amplifying modules, its character can change significantly. True, you will have to pay for the player in the basic configuration from 42,000 rubles, and the cost of additional cards starts from 7,000 rubles.

Conclusion

If we compare the devices with each other, then there will be no clear leader here, because each of the contenders has its own individual character, which, moreover, is revealed differently depending on the model of headphones and the musical material being listened to. Astell & Kern AK 70 and FiiO X7 have more accurate and analytical sound transmission, ColorFly C4 Pro is more voluminous and emotional, and HiFiMAN HM-901 is ideal for dynamic compositions. Of course, the chosen price segment is not limited to these four models, and there are also quite worthy Cayin N6 and Cowon Plenue P1, not to mention more expensive models, but each of them is interesting in its own way. Someone with convenience and versatility, someone with originality of execution, but someone with extensive possibilities.

To explain to a beginner what a Hi-Fi player is and why it is needed at all, it is best to draw an analogy with the evolution of image quality. Today, few people are satisfied with a screen resolution lower than Full HD - even when it comes to smartphones. We watch movies whose files sometimes take up to a hundred gigabytes - and all for the sake of the cherished clarity of the picture.

The situation is similar with sound, although talk about it is still in the shadow of the display "mainstream". Five years ago, most users were satisfied with the quality of compressed mp3 files; Today, more and more people are interested in: how to get high-quality sound? Will a smartphone unlock the potential of my headphones? Is it even possible to get decent sound with a portable gadget? We answer the last question right away: it is possible. And just for this, Hi-Fi players are needed.

So this article is conceived - as a small introductory course for beginners. More knowledgeable readers may find useful information in the section on player models.

Why the smartphone is not suitable for Hi-Fi audio

Hi-Fi players allow you to listen to music tracks recorded in high quality. It is a mistake to think that music players do not differ from each other, and the same iPhone can replace a high-quality player. Physics is to blame - high-quality amplifiers and DACs (chips that convert a digital audio file into an analog signal) simply do not fit in compact-sized phones and players. Plus, good audio chips cost a lot of money, and it is simply unprofitable for smartphone manufacturers to equip their products with them. Like, and so it will do - and for many this is really enough.

The “insides” of the FiiO X5 III player

What exactly are these expensive elements for? Amplifier chips are responsible for the power of the output signal and, as a result, for the maximum volume level of the device. But the volume is not the most important thing here. The higher the impedance of your headphones, the more powerful the audio signal they need, so many expensive headphones, when connected to a cheap sound source, work at the minimum of their capabilities.

The DAC is an equally important detail. A simple chip built into a smartphone's motherboard is only able to encode low-frequency-sampled compressed audio. In the meantime, the final sound quality directly depends on this parameter: the higher the sampling rate, the closer the audio stream is to the original audio file recorded in the studio. An mp3 file is at best 24bit/48kHz. And in order to play a file in a lossless format, you just need a good DAC.

Sound card integrated into smartphone motherboard

By the way, there is an opinion that the quality of music listened to at home has been constantly improving, which is not entirely true. Analog sound sources (for example, gramophone records) produced a continuous audio stream, and the concept of sampling was completely absent there. The problem appeared just after the final victory of digital sound over analog. What can I say? Few people are willing to give up the convenience of digital technology, especially when it comes to a portable player. That is why the ability to play music with a high bitrate is so relevant.

The described components are the most important difference between Hi-Fi players and smartphones, in which the simplest DACs are simply soldered into the motherboard. However, there are other points as well. For example, while listening to music, the phone's operating system performs a huge number of simultaneous operations: it receives push notifications, listens to the radio frequency, and does not unload running applications from memory.

But the less busy the processor, the better for music - again, in order to avoid additional discreteness of playback. Of course, the players do not have this drawback - the whole system works to make it comfortable for you to listen to music. And players that have the Android operating system “on board” support a special mode when all third-party processes are suspended during playback.

Criterias of choice

Based on the foregoing, the first criterion for choosing a portable player should be two interdependent parameters: the DAC installed in the player and support for lossless formats. The latter include the following:

• Alac is a format developed by Apple;
• FLAC;
• Ape (Monkey's Audio);
• wavpack;
• TTA (True Audio);
• LA (Lossless Audio).

The first three on the list are the most popular - and having them is usually more than enough.

However, remember that format support alone is not enough! The device can read the file, but encode the audio stream into a signal with a lower sample rate and bit rate. For this reason, you also need to look at the characteristics of the DAC: support for a frequency of 96 kHz has already become the norm for a high-quality chip.

Some DACs, however, can handle as much as 192 kilohertz! In most cases, we are talking about support for a special one-bit DSD format, the sound of which is closer to analog sound. You can also pay attention to this parameter.

Sound wave description in DSD format close to analog signal

As for DACs, some top Hi-Fi players are equipped with two chips at once - one for each of the stereo channels. Why is this needed? The bottom line is that any converter has some error at the output when building a sound wave. Therefore, the more DACs, the more useful signal and the better the sound quality.

As for amplifiers: here you need to look at the output power of the signal. The higher it is, the louder the sound will be and the more “serious” headphones your player will be able to “shake”.

Hi-Fi players are often equipped with additional audio outputs: balanced or optical. A balanced connection produces more detailed sound with less "digital noise". The optical connector allows you to transmit a digital signal to devices without converting to analog.

A useful feature for the Hi-Fi player is the ability to use it as an external audio interface. In this case, when purchasing a portable player, you also get a high-quality external audio card that can be connected to a computer or smartphone.

As for the more familiar selection criteria, familiar to users from other classes of devices, everyone will figure it out for themselves. Hi-Fi players can have greater or lesser autonomy, be controlled by hardware buttons or a touch screen, be equipped with pleasant little things such as a screen rotation sensor, etc. There are many options, but you still have to choose - so we’ll tell you further from what exactly. Let's make a reservation right away - we write about those brands that we listened to and checked personally, so the list came out subjective. And even if, by the will of fate, neither Sony, nor Onkyo, nor other well-known companies turned out to be in it, the four mentioned manufacturers are recognized market leaders, and therefore our review is still indicative.

Astell & Kern

The players of this manufacturer, formerly known as iRiver, are considered to be among the best on the market. It was A&K who first released the Hi-Fi turntable, thereby opening the door to the Hi-Fi portable era. Astell & Kern continue to be a pioneer even now: all the company's innovations are immediately picked up by other manufacturers. You can read more about the history and lines of A&K in our recent article.

The assortment of Astell & Kern is quite wide, but at the same time, even the company's budget players cannot be called affordable. One of the most functional players you can find on the market today is the Astell&Kern AK380. This monster is capable of playing music in 32bit/384kHz without conversion! A separate device processor controls the parametric equalizer with an accuracy of 0.1 dB. True, the price of the device is biting - 150,000 rubles.

Cheaper option (49,990 rubles) - Astell&Kern AK70 MKII. This premium model is equipped with two DACs and powerful amplifiers capable of unleashing the potential of almost any headphone. The player is equipped with a balanced output and can be used as a USB interface.

FiiO

In terms of the cost of gadgets, FiiO is the exact opposite of Astell & Kern, but in terms of functionality and quality, the manufacturers have a similar philosophy. If Astell & Kern can be compared to Apple, then FiiO is Xiaomi. The Chinese company quickly gained thousands of fans of its products by producing inexpensive but very high-quality models of Hi-Fi players. Today FiiO is one of the main competitors of the South Korean Astell & Kern.

The second-generation X7 premium player is equipped with an eight-channel DAC, supports DSD playback and 384 kHz audio streaming. In addition, the player has an interesting feature - the ability to install replaceable amplifier modules. Not only do you get excellent sound quality, but you can still improve it! The player costs 50,790 rubles.

FiiO X5 III is not too far behind its top brother: its two DACs are capable of decoding sound with a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz. The powerful amplifier delivers 300 mW output (into 32 ohms) and Android OS allows you to connect to audio streaming services. The cost of the player is 30,990 rubles, and you can read a detailed review of it on our blog.

FiiO X3 III for only 15,790 rubles. supports all popular lossless formats and allows you to listen to your favorite tracks in 32-bit/192 kHz quality. The player is equipped with a balanced output and has a built-in Bluetooth module for wireless listening to music.

Cowon

Another South Korean manufacturer that stood at the origins of the production of Hi-Fi players. In addition to a wealth of experience in hardware, Cowon is a recognized master of music software development: the JetAudio player is probably known to many of our readers. We have already written about the Cowon lineup, but we will still tell about two representatives of the Plenue line in a nutshell.

The company's top model, the Cowon Plenue S, is capable of playing music at up to 384 kHz sampling rate, is equipped with a balanced output and supports a huge number of formats. The player has a touch screen and is even equipped with a position sensor, which is rare for portable players. The cost of the device is 122,090 rubles.

Cowon Plenue 1 plays music in 24-bit/192 kHz quality, supports DXD and DSD studio formats, and is equipped with an optical digital output. The player, like its older brother, is assembled in an all-metal case and has touch controls.

HiFiMAN

Like FiiO, HiFiMAN has not been around for as long as its South Korean competitors, but it has already proved its worth. HiFiMAN players are not inferior to the described devices in terms of sophistication of design, build quality and functionality.

An example is the HiFiMan SuperMini model - for all its compactness, this player retained the ability to play high-resolution audio (up to 24 bit / 192 kHz). The device supports all popular formats, and also boasts impressive autonomy - up to 22 hours without recharging.

Our verdict

Recently, some smartphone manufacturers have begun to equip their devices with more or less intelligible audio chips. This state of affairs cannot but rejoice, however, alas, these solutions are still significantly behind Hi-Fi players, and only a few enthusiastic companies act as trendsetters. Perhaps the pursuit of the ubiquitous versatility of smartphones is not a panacea? At least music is something that deserves special attention and a separate device. Unless, of course, you love music the way we love it.

Apparently, there are many such music lovers, as the market for Hi-Fi players is growing and variegated - and perhaps now is the time to join the magic of high-quality sound. Not every technological fashion deserves attention and respect, but this certainly does not apply to the demand for Hi-Fi players.

If you are interested in details about some of the models mentioned in the article, write to us in the comments or call us - we will tell you everything that we know ourselves. Articles about new players will be included in our blog, and it is most convenient to read them in the Inspector Gadgets Telegram channel. We send collections of articles and products, as well as the best offers and discounts in letters, you can subscribe to the newsletter here. We continue to follow the news from the world of technology, stay in touch!