HiBy R1 DAP Review – DAP instead of a Dongle DAC
HiBy presents the R1, an excellent compact player embedded with a high-end DAC chip from the Cirrus logic – CS43131 for high-resolution audio with accuracy. It is equipped with an upgraded X1600E master control chip for enhanced performance by the music player.
The R1 allows connectivity with various devices, wired or wireless. It is supported by many music platforms and an external storage of up to 2TB with continuous playback of 15 hours. Built with a polycarbonate translucent chassis and HD IPS touch screen for intuitive operation. HiBy R1 has been certified with Hi-Res and Wireless, delivering an immersive music listening experience.
HiBy R1 is equipped with a Hi-Fi DAC chip from the MasterHiFi series by the Cirrus logic, the CS43131. The decoding ability supports up to DSD256 and PCM 32bit/384kHz. It can deliver high-resolution audio with clean and accurate playback.
HiBy R1 features an upgraded X1600E master control chip, which offers efficient energy efficiency while operating the system with a stable Bluetooth connection. This boosts the device’s performance, resulting in smoother operation.
HiBy R1 supported by the Linux-based HiByOS comes with excellent software features. It supports high-resolution playback of all audio formats and includes new enhancements like adjustable font size and OTG firmware updates, offering a seamless music listening experience.
HiBy R1 features MSEB, their patented music mastering device, that allows you to manipulate the audio parameters for a customized experience. It supports TIDAL and Qobuz by one-touch sync and can receive music files through quick wireless transfers. R1 can store all your audio files with a storage of 2TB with a micro SD card slot. It can support MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, WMA, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIF, and wireless audio features Airplay, DLNA, and HiByLink.
HiBy R1 allows you to connect with various devices through a 3.5mm headphone output and connect to external audio devices through a USB DAC. It is equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 while supporting Hi-Res codecs like LDAC, aptX (transmit only), AAC, and SBC. This versatile connectivity allows you to have ample options to pair with.
HiBy R1 houses a high-quality battery that charges up to 100% in less than 2 hours. It offers a playtime of 15 hours and a standby time of 400 hours. The battery features a capacity of 1150mAh/3.8V and a charging power supply of 5V/1000mA and 5V/500mA.
HiBy R1 is meticulously designed with a polycarbonate translucent chassis and a glass back for impeccable aesthetics. It is available in 5 colors – black, white, blue, green and orange. The R1 features a high-definition IPS touch screen of 800×480 resolution for a clean UI and easy access to features with an all-new UI for intuitive operation.
Unboxing (Value Set – $99)
Specs
- DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43131
- Headphone Output: 3.5mm (Single-Ended)
- Max Output: Voltage: 1.8V Power: 101mW
- Nominal output: Voltage: 1.5V Power: 70mW
- Minimum Distortion: 0.001%
- Dynamic Range: 122dB
- Noise Floor: SNR 122.3dB(A)
- Channel Separation: 75dB(A)
- Frequency Response: 80kHz
- General: Model – HiBy R1
- Operating System: HiByOS (Linux-Based)
- Logic SoC: X1600E
- Audio Resolution: DSD256 & PCM384kHz/32bit
- Audio Formats Supported: mp3, wav,ape, flac, dsf, dff, iso,cue, wma, ogg, aac, opus, aiff
- Wireless: WiFi Support: 2.4G
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
- Hi-Res Bluetooth Codecs Supported: LDAC, aptX (Transmit Only) AAC, SBC
- Wireless Audio Features: Airplay, DLNA, HiByLink
- Touchscreen: Size – 3″ Resolution: 800*480
- Storage: USB Port – USB 2.0 Supported (With OTG Support)
- Micro SD: Supports Up To 2TB
- Exterior: Color Choices – Black, White, Blue, Green, Orange
- Chassis Materials: Polycarbonate Chassis With Glass Back
- Dimensions: 83.5*51.1*12.35mm
- Weight: 70g
- Power: Charging Power Supply: 5V/1000mA; 5V/500mA
- Battery Capacity: 1150mAh/3.8V
- Play Time: 15h
- Standby Time: 400h
- Charging Time: <2h (0%-100%)
- Misc: Firmware Updates – OTA Updates Supported, Font Size – Adjustable
- Price: $85 for Standard Set, $99 for Value Set
HiByOS
System Settings
Audio Settings
Sound
Let me start this paragraph by saying that HiBy R1 is a very competitive product. The portable USB DAC market is very saturated right now and new products are coming out every day. As the number of products increases, it becomes more difficult to distinguish good products from mediocre ones.
Fortunately, the product we are listening to today is very different in terms of appearance. The R1 is a tiny digital audio player (DAP) that you can buy for the price of a midrange dongle DAC. You pay the price of $85 and get Touchscreen and Bluetooth as a bonus compared to dongle DACs, saying most simply at least.
The HiBy R1 is a transparent, clean, and resolving DAP. It does a great job of conveying the sound signatures of the in-ear monitors or headphones you pair it with and does not saturate or color them. It offers a neutral signature.
The HiBy R1 is very energetic from top to bottom, especially present in the upper mids and treble regions. Also does well in the detail retrieval department, especially around the midrange section.
Lows
The bass region is fast, agile, and has a good texture. The quantity of the sub-bass is sufficient. Bass feels agile and recovers fast, which contributes to the sense of speed, hence, enhancing the technical capability of the HiBy R1. The control is very good here also, so there is no section overlap of any kind and the transition between bass and mids feels smooth.
Here we have a neutral bass tuning. The warm bass tonality tends to relax the bass and presents it in a tamed manner but with a good amount of body and low-end extension nonetheless. Bass is fast and it has a good pace and attack. Bass comes with a neutral amount of body, but it’s punchy and impactful. Bass never feels exaggerated in presence. Detail-wise it’s ok. Layering on the other hand is impressive.
Mids
The midrange takes front and center stage. The mids perfectly connect to the bass with the same presence, body, and impact.
The midrange is perhaps my favorite out of the three major regions. The low mids have a good body, are adequate, and do not feel too thick or too thin. The HiBy R1 is quite balanced in this regard. The timbre feels accurate, the presentation feels neutral and transparent.
It does not feel like it’s throwing details in your way, more like it presents them and you are welcome to pick them out. What I mean here is that the presentation does not feel forced or artificial, it is rather detailed, articulate, and transparent in a natural way.
The vocals are brilliant with great resolution. The transition between subregions is seamless, the mids feel coherent and they do a great job of carrying the emotion hidden in the tracks. The upper mids have impressive energy and extension and follow the steps of the impressive treble for this price range.
Highs
The high frequencies also seem to be controlled and slightly timid, somehow held back from crossing over into distortion levels. Perfectly connecting from the mids, the HiBy R1 is balanced in the overall presentation. The amount of body is the same as before and what is remarkable here is the liveliness and energy in the delivery.
The top-end spectrum is quite nice. The HiBy R1 has great treble energy. It is not particularly aggressive or bright, HiBy did a good job of fine-tuning the treble. The quantity feels accurate and the quality is impressive.
The definition and extension are great also, highs have good attack/decay and feel dynamic. Lots of space, good air, and spacious positioning on the stage. As I said before, HiBy R1 reflects quite accurately. Overall, the treble is impressive.
Technicalities
Moving on to technicalities, it’s exceptionally well-developed for a product of this size and price. The soundstage is surprisingly good even at the highest level of volume. Compared to many dongle DACs the mids don’t tend to fall behind the highs and lows, and everything sounds pretty even. All tones have plenty of room to breathe and are arranged in front of a very black background.
Pinpointing a source where the sound originated is easy, but in doing that HiBy R1 avoids ever becoming tiring in any way imaginable. HiBy R1 seems to have taken a step forward in imaging capabilities plus added placement accuracy from many of the dongle DACs that generally sounded somewhat narrow and lacked depth.
Sum-Up
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting such a sound quality from a device in this price range, one of the cheapest DAPs in the market and one of the smallest in the name of mobility. Ok, you don’t get the 4.4mm balanced-out port or lots of horsepower like you do get from some dongle DACs in this price range.
But in exchange for those features, you get Bluetooth with LDAC, SD-Card supports up to 2TB, and most importantly a color IPS touch screen. You get a DAP instead of a Dongle DAC.