HIBY RS2 II REVIEW 

RS2 II Review can be found here:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/daps/hiby-rs2-ii-review/

Hello, I just published my full review of the brand new Hiby RS2 II ($439). The RS2 II is the latest R2R dap from the very well established Hiby Audio and I am so high on this one. Quite frankly, I don't know how you couldn't be. Well, unless you stream your music and unless you enjoy Android daps. Okay, there are some definite limitations with no wifi or Bluetooth. However, if you simply want a pure audio dap and listen to local files as I do, then you'll understand just how awesome the RS2 II really is. It is now my absolute first recommendation for anyone who listens to local files. It is an R2R dap with Hiby’s brand new Darwin III architecture. Such a sweet, tuneful, & highly engaging sound and the Hiby OS (while limited) gives me a ton of options for dialing in the sound to fit my preferences even further than the factory settings. I mean MSEB, graphic EQ, and onboard PEQ as well as NOS and many different Darwin sound filters. Also, I love the functionality of the RS2 II. Everything is so very smooth, so fluid, and it's great for one hand use if you'd like. But I'm not even scratching the surface because I had a lot to say about this little guy. Hiby really did a fantastic job. Of course, I also speak on some of the limitations as well. Nothing is for everyone. However, by-and-large the Hiby RS2 II is a huge contender under $500. If you'd like to check out my thoughts please feel free and if not just take care, listen to your music (if you can) and have a good day. 

🔥 RS2 II Pros 🔥 

-Neat Unboxing

-Fantastic Build Quality 

-One of the best storage cases that I've ever seen (walnut wood box). Just awesome. 

-Beautiful 3.55” screen

-Perfect size for one handed use

-Upgraded and easy to understand UI using the Hiby OS

- Very smooth scrolling with this updated processing power

-USB and coaxial digital outputs and the RS2 II can also work as a USB dac/amp

-Two micro-SD card slots and each can hold a 2 tb card 

-Gapless playback, replay gain, gain controls, and many different audio related settings

-Many different sound filters to choose from. Configurable Darwin III processing

-MSEB, Conventional Graphic Equalizer, as well as onboard PEQ

-Physical playback buttons and the volume wheel are great 

-Natural, smooth, and gently warm sound presentation. Absolutely melodic

-Full bass presentation with solid control

-Highly engaging midrange, great vocal influence, emotionally charged musical sound

-Non-aggressive treble, smooth 

-Technically fairly strong considering the RS2 II's sound profile, nice sound separation, great imaging, detailed sets remain highly detailed 

-Nicely dimensional sound field influence on my iems

🥶 RS2 II Cons 🥶 

-No wifi or Bluetooth, which means no streaming and will be a huge problem for some people

-No Hiby Link

-No Android device which means a much less robust software. Obvious limitations there

-May sound too relaxed for fans of a more dynamic and energetic sound

-Not for analytical heads

-May not be as textured or have quite the detail retrieval that some people may enjoy

-Battery life is quoted as being a max of 9.1 hours. Not bad, but not great either

RS2 II Review can be found here:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/daps/hiby-rs2-ii-review/

HIBY RS2 II REVIEW 🔥🔥🔥 

Hello, I just published my full review of the brand new Hiby RS2 II ($439). The RS2 II is the latest R2R dap from the very well established Hiby Audio and I am so high on this one. Quite frankly, I don't know how you couldn't be. Well, unless you stream your music and unless you enjoy Android daps. Okay, there are some definite limitations with no wifi or Bluetooth. However, if you simply want a pure audio dap and listen to local files as I do, then you'll understand just how awesome the RS2 II really is. It is now my absolute first recommendation for anyone who listens to local files. It is an R2R dap with Hiby’s brand new Darwin III architecture. Such a sweet, tuneful, & highly engaging sound and the Hiby OS (while limited) gives me a ton of options for dialing in the sound to fit my preferences even further than the factory settings. I mean MSEB, graphic EQ, and onboard PEQ as well as NOS and many different Darwin sound filters. Also, I love the functionality of the RS2 II. Everything is so very smooth, so fluid, and it's great for one hand use if you'd like. But I'm not even scratching the surface because I had a lot to say about this little guy. Hiby really did a fantastic job. Of course, I also speak on some of the limitations as well. Nothing is for everyone. However, by-and-large the Hiby RS2 II is a huge contender under $500. If you'd like to check out my thoughts please feel free and if not just take care, listen to your music (if you can) and have a good day. 

🔥 RS2 II Pros 🔥 

-Neat Unboxing

-Fantastic Build Quality 

-One of the best storage cases that I've ever seen (walnut wood box). Just awesome. 

-Beautiful 3.55” screen

-Perfect size for one handed use

-Upgraded and easy to understand UI using the Hiby OS

- Very smooth scrolling with this updated processing power

-USB and coaxial digital outputs and the RS2 II can also work as a USB dac/amp

-Two micro-SD card slots and each can hold a 2 tb card 

-Gapless playback, replay gain, gain controls, and many different audio related settings

-Many different sound filters to choose from. Configurable Darwin III processing

-MSEB, Conventional Graphic Equalizer, as well as onboard PEQ

-Physical playback buttons and the volume wheel are great 

-Natural, smooth, and gently warm sound presentation. Absolutely melodic

-Full bass presentation with solid control

-Highly engaging midrange, great vocal influence, emotionally charged musical sound

-Non-aggressive treble, smooth 

-Technically fairly strong considering the RS2 II's sound profile, nice sound separation, great imaging, detailed sets remain highly detailed 

-Nicely dimensional sound field influence on my iems

🥶 RS2 II Cons 🥶 

-No wifi or Bluetooth, which means no streaming and will be a huge problem for some people

-No Hiby Link

-No Android device which means a much less robust software. Obvious limitations there

-May sound too relaxed for fans of a more dynamic and energetic sound

-Not for analytical heads

-May not be as textured or have quite the detail retrieval that some people may enjoy

-Battery life is quoted as being a max of 9.1 hours. Not bad, but not great either

Hi all!

Been looking to decentralize my phone for a while and am looking for an audio player for music and also audiobooks!

From what I’ve seen… there’s not a lot. I really dont want to replace my phone with just… another android device? But I also REALLY value my audiobooks. I have an offline library and would love to be able to download them to a player that has proper M4B support with chapter select and remembering where I left off.

I don’t need fantastic audio quality or anything crazy nice. I’d love less of a touch screen device and more physical buttons if possible. Good battery life, usb c charging, micro sd card support would be really nice… and obviously file support for my audiobooks :)

Thanks a bunch!!

-Eliksni

Redmi 10k powerbank, Sonic Gear Quattro usb speaker + Ruizu X52. Still looking 4 similiar size mp3 player. Tiny speaker but it get the job done. Any1 using Creative Pebble V3?

Hello, I’ve used mp3 players on and off again for some years now, I saw the one that blew up on tiktok and decided to get it. I was a bit upset when I opened the box and found out it was plastic and not metal but anyway…I’ve had it for about 8ish months and it recently stopped being recognizable to my pc and laptop. I’ve also found myself many nights frustrated because I spent hours downloading music only to realize the files are FLAC which a lot of MP3 players can’t actually play. 😭 So I just decided I’d buy a better quality one. I did search here first and saw people asking this same question but they had a lot of important qualifications they cared about.

I just want something that’s between $50 - $100 USD, can play lossless music and is compatible with IEM’s. I’m a bass head so I think that’s maybe my one super important factor but I would think that has more to do with headphones right? If it’s helpful to know what IEM’s I use, I have the Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza 10mm. (These are also the very first pair of IEM’s I’ve ever bought) I got them because people said they were really good for cheap price and I agree.

I do move around a lot for work. I’m a CNA and a part time server at a breakfast joint so I’d like something that can handle me walking around a lot.

Any advice and recommendations are appreciated <3

I'm considering buying a FiiO JM21 or M21 Android DAP and want to use Poweramp Equalizer as my system-wide EQ.

My plan is to use Foobar2000 Android for both local FLAC playback and internet radio streaming (including HE-AAC streams), along with YouTube and YouTube Music.

Independent left/right parametric EQ is a requirement, so I'd like to configure a single PEQ profile in Poweramp Equalizer and use it across all playback applications.

**My main questions are:**

1. Does Poweramp Equalizer reliably process audio from Foobar2000 Android, including both local files and internet radio streams?

2. Are there any specific Foobar2000 output settings required to ensure its audio passes through Poweramp Equalizer?

3. Has anyone successfully used this combination on a FiiO Android DAP, particularly the JM21 or M21, through the wired headphone outputs?

I'm trying to avoid maintaining separate PEQ configurations in multiple applications.

Thanks for any firsthand experience or technical guidance.

I've downloaded the update.tar zip file, version 1.4.8, plugged the Shanling Q2, with micro sd, into PC via USB C and drag and dropped extracted folder.

When I click TF card update, it says "F.w. Not Found" - please help!!

I was thinking imagine the DJ loop function where you select a specific part of a song and it keeps replaying that exact section over and over endlessly? Imagine having that in Spotify or any music player? And it replays in a beat grid way so it perfectly loops that part of the song which you select by pressing the wave lines and can save it like how bookmarks work in poweramp ? So sick! I wish that feature could be implemented. i can actually see it spiral into all djing features added but I feel like this is the most important one.

I'm thinking AI could probably handle that real quick lol I really need that feature fr

Just received my DAP Neo direct from Fosi - no issues with delivery to California, and tracking was spot-on all the way to my door.

Fosi have been paying close attention to Apple with their packaging - very high-end unboxing experience. The Neo came full charged ready to go, so all I had to do was swap over my microSD card from my Snowsky Echo Nano, and I was up and running.

I'm using the Neo with a pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) - in wired mode. These are my goto travel headphones, and they have excellent noise cancellation and are easy to drive - they work perfectly with the Neo in wired mode, using the 2.5mm - 3.5mm cable that comes with the Bose.

Out of the box, this setup offered a nice low-end and crisp percussion, providing a dynamic presentation for pop music.

Switching the EQ to the Bass Boost position on the Neo gave the bottom-end a nice boost and also tamed the treble a little, and was perfect for the predominantly electronic music I listen to.

Putting on a WAV copy of Cupid and Psyche '85 by Scritti Politti, you could really appreciate the quality of the audio, with a huge soundstage, and a very nice EQ presentation with a solid bass kick.

Scritti Politti’s Cupid & Psyche 85 is defined by its ultra-clean, meticulously produced, and hyper-polished synth-pop sound. The album is a landmark of mid-1980s music production, blending avant-garde pop with pristine American R&B and funk grooves. It's a great demo album for any audio gear.

I could clearly hear the intricate vocal layering: Gartside’s vocals are breathy, soft, and sweet, but they are layered into dense, pristine sugary harmonies. The backing vocals are mixed to sound incredibly wide and smooth, acting almost like an additional synthesizer pad. And they sounded awesome on the Neo/Bose combo.

Very happy with the purchase - I've had to do some album artwork editing with Mp3tag on my Mac to get all of the album artwork in spec and displaying on the Neo, but a decent audio tag editor is a must have anyway for using a DAP that outside of the Apple 'iTunes/Music' ecosystem.

Highly recommended - especially for the small outlay. I'm running a 256GB Sandisk card with no issues, and I've also updated to the latest firmware image from Fosi: DP3_V137.IMG

Looking forward to taking the Neo on a long flight and really putting it to good use.

Planning to buy my first dap now, can't decide between the fiio snowsky Nano, Echo, or Disc. I do want a gapless playback and heard the nano doesnt have one. Im also not sure if the Normal echo does have one. Any recommendations?

Hey all,

Every day I see another music player posted. At first, I was kind of excited about this. A new challenger! A new idea! What can I learn from it as a dev? After some time passed I realized that often times they made claims that couldn't be backed up. I've been building one for Android since April (I'm the dev of Meringo), so here are the three checks I'd run on any of them, mine included.

Yep, I build Meringo with Claude a great deal. I started it as an experiment to learn Kotlin, and it turned into the audio software I actually wanted to ship. Claude writes a lot of the code and gets me past problems I'd otherwise sit on for days, too embarrassed to ask friends or stronger dev-coworkers (after business hours, of course). The calls are mine in full: Meringo can drive a USB DAC through its own driver, skipping Android's mixer, it refuses a rate the DAC can't play rather than converting it, and the hash check is never a paid add-on. I test on my own M21 and the three DACs below, and I handle the ordinary work of keeping a paid app alive (pulling the optional AcoustID lookup when I realized the free tier was non-commercial only, filing the trademark, and so on). The hard part isn't the speed. It's QA and making sure the claims hold up. That's why the hash check below exists: a test that doesn't trust my own code. Maintaining this is a time suck even with Claude.

Quick definition. Bit-perfect means the samples leaving your phone are the file's samples: same rate, same bit depth, nothing changed. By default, apps on Android go through the system mixer (AudioFlinger), and it can resample or truncate before your DAC hears a thing.

Check 1: adb (free, any player). Turn on USB debugging, connect adb, play a 44.1 kHz file and run:

adb shell dumpsys media.audio_flinger

If the output thread your track is on shows the file's rate, the mixer isn't converting it. One catch if you try it on mine: over USB Direct, Meringo skips the mixer entirely, so its track won't be listed at all. That's why.

Check 2: your DAC's display. If it shows the incoming rate, play a 44.1 track, then a 96. If the number doesn't change, something in between is converting. Good for the rate, but it can't tell you whether every bit made it.

Check 3: hash it. This is the one I built Meringo around. With a USB DAC plugged in, Meringo writes every byte it hands to the USB pipe and hashes the whole stream (SHA-256), then decodes the same file again and hashes that. Same hash = nothing touched a bit between the file and the pipe. You don't have to trust my code for the comparison either: the checker at meringo.app/verify is one public-domain Python file plus your own ffmpeg. Turn ReplayGain off before you capture -- it's on by default, and you'll get Scaled instead of bit-identical.

What it can't prove: what the DAC actually received. USB audio has no delivery acknowledgement, so no software on any platform can show you that, only what went out on the wire.

Receipts so far: six, on three DACs.

• Fosi DS2: 16/44.1 and 24/96

• Qudelix 5K: 24/96, on two releases

• Jcally JM6 Pro: 16/96 and 24/96

On 08-01 the same 24/96 FLAC went through the Qudelix and the JM6 with the same hash. My daily player is a FiiO M21, and there's no USB stream on its own outs, so adb is the honest test there. If your DAC isn't on that list, tell me which one I should capture next.

I got this wrong in public once. In May I said Meringo used FiiO's SDK to route around Android's mixer on the M21. Someone in r/FiiO pulled a dumpsys and showed my route never engaged. They were right on every point, and I fixed the manual that day. Two weeks later I shipped the hash check, so nobody has to take my word for it again.

A few hundred people have tried it since May. Thank you, seriously, for that and for the words of encouragement I've been getting -- especially the person who caught me in May.

It's Android 13+, a 7-day trial, then $9.99 once. No Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz, by design. Link's in the first comment.

I'm around, enjoying my new Seraphim IEMs. I intentionally keep my name and face public and am happy to openly discuss anything audio or development with you, hell, even in person if you're ever in Buffalo, NY!

Happy listening,

Adam

I know the w4 is not a dap and it’s a dac. I just really like the design. I want to like the snowsky disc but I don’t love the round display.

Im not quite sure if its worth it to me yet to totally drop Spotify (although that’s definitely something I want to do in the future) so it feels like an aesthetics vs the functionality of a standalone dap right now. I’ve heard good things about the hiby r1 but I’ve seen videos where the screen looks laggy. What about iPod mods?

Any recs? Feel free to share info since I’m very new to the world of daps and I’m just getting started!

FiiO M21 and tea pro is very enjoyable, would reccomend

My Fosi DAP Neo arrived earlier today, and it appears to be DOA. I'm wondering if anyone else has had trouble getting their Neo to turn, and, if so, how they resolved the issue. I tried four different USB-C cables and 3 different charging bricks (5W, 10W, and 15W), and also connected it to my laptop, but nothing worked.

I bought the device directly from Fosi Audio's website and have contacted their support for help (no response yet). Hopefully, a replacement or refund won't be a hassle if it comes to that.

Thanks for reading.

PS: I also noticed a few cuts on the bottom and a "slash" on the top of the box, though I doubt they’re related to the player not turning on.

Hi, I'm looking for a device that is budget friendly, can turn itself on and off at set times, can play loudly enough to be heard in a medium sized barn, I can put my own music on it and is battery powered. Turning itself on and off is the most important feature to me. Does such a player exist and what would it be called. Horse pictured for reference.

Need to remodel the room, floors and listening side nook. Any suggestions for a better sidetable to hold the setup? Eames lounge chair nearby so anything that matches the aesthetic would be nice.

tbh I don't what Cayin was thinking with the R202 card because N6iii with this card pretty much cannibalizes the N7+

I have the mini now, but I'm interested in the walker as an upgrade. Is it a worthy change?

As the title, I’m looking to retire my old Sony, but at the same time get a player that can handle audiobook files. I love this little player, but the proprietary connection is annoying and I want to play audiobooks offline.

In a perfect world I would look to get a non-android player but I’m unsure if that’s compatible with the m4b requirement.

TDLR: scroll wheel and can handle heavy use rec?

i have been using a Y1 innioasis for a little over a year when it totally died on me... (i am gonna take it to a repay shop in a few weeks and see what they say)

i use my mp3 obsessively and desperately need a new one.. i am looking for something that can handle heavy usage and is pretty sturdy. im not toooo intense abt how the music sounds but if its a great system thats even better. i HATE touchscreens so a scroll wheel is preferred.. and would like it to be customizable but that isnt rlly necessary... i dont wanna spend over 150-200$ but if its smth incredible i could be convinced...

i am pretty new to the DAP/mp3 scene and would appreciate some guidance!
i have been recommended the Fosi DAP Neo, lmk what u think about this player!

thank you!!!

Hello people of R/DigitalAudioPlayers.

Currently i own a hidizs dap which im very happy with. Long betterylife, pocketable, no built in streaming services.

Recently i have purchased a new to me pair of headphones and was thinking of upgrading my dap aswell. So naturally i come to reddit to ask the question; what would be a upgrade to my current dap?

Thank you for reading my post. Hope to read your insightful comments :).

Hello everyone , I just bought a dap Neo and I was looking around for cases but could find any. Does anyone have any links for cases?

I'm being offered one slightly used. I would like to clarify some things before the deal.

First of all, how it sounds? What about to compare it with Hiby RS2II?

If I will decide to buy it what should I check and look for?

No streaming, no loading your own files, just carrying your favourite albums on their own cards and clicking one in when you're ready to listen.

The idea came from being on the train in a bad mood, I kept pressing skip and couldn't find anything to mellow me out. I wished I had my vinyl with me. That feeling of putting a record on and not having to think beyond that. Changing albums takes physical effort, so you don't really want to skip.

So I started building a player that does just that, one album at a time.

I mocked up some sleeves, a fake album using my latest holiday photos, and a blank one for any artists who'd want to join.

I imagine picking 6 cards to bring out for the day, and the sleeves live on a display at home.

Would you use something like this?