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 screen resolutions lower than Full HD - even when it comes to smartphones. We watch films, the files of which sometimes occupy up to a hundred gigabytes - and all for the sake of the coveted clarity of the picture.

The situation is similar with sound, although talk about it is still in the shadow of the display “mainstream”. Just five years ago, most users were satisfied with the quality of compressed mp3 files; that's all today more people wondering: 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 immediately: it is possible. And this is exactly what Hi-Fi players are for.

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

Why a 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. Blame it on physics - compact phones and players simply don’t fit quality amplifiers and DACs (chips that convert a digital audio file into an analog signal). Plus, good audio chips cost a lot of money, and it’s simply not profitable for smartphone manufacturers to equip their products with them. Like, this will do - and for many this is really enough.

"Insides" of the FiiO X5 III player

What exactly are these expensive items 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 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 operate at the minimum of their capabilities when connected to a cheap sound source.

The DAC is an equally important detail. A simple chip built into motherboard smartphone, can only encode compressed sound with low frequency sampling. Meanwhile, the final sound quality directly depends on this parameter: the higher the sampling frequency, the closer the audio stream is to the original audio file recorded in the studio. An MP3 file at best has 24 bit/48 kHz parameters. And in order to play a file in a lossless format, you just need a good DAC.

Sound card integrated into the smartphone's motherboard

By the way, there is an opinion that the quality of music listened to at home has constantly improved, which is not entirely true. Analog sound sources (for example, gramophone records) produced a continuous audio stream, and there was no concept of sampling there at all. The problem appeared just after the final victory digital audio over analog. What can I say? From convenience digital technologies few people are willing to give up, especially when it comes to a portable player. This 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. For example, operating system while listening to music, the phone performs a huge number of simultaneous operations: receives push notifications, listens to radio frequencies, and does not unload running applications from memory.

But the less busy the processor is, the better for music - again, to avoid additional discreteness of playback. It is clear that players do not have this drawback - the entire system works to make you feel comfortable listening to music. And players that have an operating system “on board” Android system, support a special mode when everyone third party processes pause during playback.

Criterias of choice

Based on the above, 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 their availability is usually more than enough.

However, remember that format support alone is not enough! The device may read the file, but encode the audio stream into a signal with a lower sample rate and bitrate. 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 analogue sound. You can also pay attention to this parameter.

DSD sound wave description is close to analog signal

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

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

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 a 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 an external high-quality 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 more or less battery life, 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 what exactly to choose from. Let’s make a reservation right away – we are writing about those brands that we listened to and tested personally, so the list was subjective. And even though, by the will of fate, neither Sony, nor Onkyo, nor other well-known companies were included in it, the four mentioned manufacturers are recognized market leaders, and therefore our review is still indicative.

Astell & Kern

Players from this manufacturer, formerly known as iRiver, are rightfully considered one of the best on the market. It was A&K who were the first to release the Hi-Fi player, thereby opening the doors to the era of the Hi-Fi portable. Astell & Kern continues to be a pioneer today: 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.

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

A cheaper option (RUB 49,990) is Astell&Kern AK70 MKII. This premium model is equipped with two DACs and powerful amplifiers that can unleash the potential of almost any headphones. 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 complete 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 won thousands of fans of its products, producing inexpensive, but very quality models Hi-Fi players. Today FiiO is one of the main competitors of South Korean Astell & Kern.

The second generation X7 premium player is equipped with an eight-channel DAC, supports DSD playback and 384 kHz audio stream. In addition, the player has interesting feature– possibility of installing replaceable amplifier modules. Not only do you get excellent quality sound, but it can also be improved! The player costs 50,790 rubles.

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

FiiO X3 III for only 15,790 rubles. supports all popular lossless formats and makes it possible 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 music listening.

Cowon

Another South Korean manufacturer that was at the forefront of the production of Hi-Fi players. In addition to extensive experience in the "iron business", Cowon is a recognized master in the development of musical software: JetAudio player is probably known to many of our readers. We have already written about the lineup Cowon, but we’ll still talk about two representatives of the Plenue line in a nutshell.

The company's top model, Cowon Plenue S, is capable of playing music with sampling rates up to 384 kHz, 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 as long as its South Korean competitors, but has already managed to prove its worth. HiFiMAN players are not inferior to the described devices in sophistication of design, build quality and functionality.

An example is the HiFiMan SuperMini model - despite its compactness, this player retains the ability to play audio high resolution(up to 24 bit/192 kHz). The device supports all popular formats and also boasts impressive battery life - 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 still lag 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 the very least, music is something that deserves special attention and a separate device. If, of course, you love music as much as we love it.

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

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

Tatyana Kotova

Modern smartphones They often replace users with a camera, a tablet, a navigator, and even a player. But music lovers have their own attitude and certain requirements for sound. This is why true music lovers prefer to carry separate portable audio players with them. Our rating includes players that have collected a large number of positive feedback from experts and ordinary buyers.

Which MP3 player is better to buy?

What parameters should you use to choose a portable player? Let's define the criteria. Firstly, digital players are associated with the mp3 format simply by inertia. In fact, the vast majority of them have long been able to reproduce losslessly compressed music. Another thing is that all devices have different abilities for this matter. To simplify extremely, let's say this: there is the mp3 (lossy) level, followed by devices that can play lossless recordings with the quality of an audio CD and formats close to it, and then there are High Resolution Audio players. The latter are distinguished by high frequencies and quantization bit depth, due to which the output signal more closely matches the analog source.

As for the variety of formats, even frankly budget digital players are capable of reproducing the most common of them, at least in low resolution. The bigger problem here is the following. Entry-level models cannot provide decoding of lossless tracks with high bitrates and, at best, will skip them. At worst, just stop.

The quality of the music recordings themselves is a separate issue. We only note that their shortcomings are more pronounced in high-end players.

Other important characteristics worth mentioning:

• amount of built-in memory (if any);
• number of slots for memory cards;
• display type;
• availability of wireless interfaces;
• the ability to use the player as an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

Don't forget that the headphones must match the player. At a minimum, with its class and internal resistance. Decide what is important to you in a media device, and then start making your choice. The best, reliable and high-quality mp3 players, popular at the end of 2018 - beginning of 2019, are in our rating.

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 this: an all-metal case, a serious DAC + amplifier combination and, of course, just a kosher wheel for controlling the volume. In this review, we will take a closer look at the player Aigo 108 and find out its weaknesses and strengths.

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 one charge: >10 h
• Charging time:
• Dimensions: 92x58x15.5 mm.
• Weight: 180 g.
• Case material: metal
• Lossless formats supported: APE: 48/24, FLAC:48/24, WAV:48/24
• Lossy formats 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.
• Size internal memory: 8GB.

UNPACKING AND EQUIPMENT

The device arrived in a small (relative to version 105) white cardboard box.

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


The kit includes a fairly rich set of documentation (in Chinese) and a USB-MicroUSB cable.

DESIGN/ERGONOMICS

When you take Aigo 108 in your hand, you feel the pleasant coolness of the all-metal body and good weight.


On the front of the player there is a round metal four-position switch with rewind and menu navigation buttons, an OK button in the center, and three plastic keys on the right: play/pause, menu and return.


The stylish blue glow can be disabled from the menu if desired.


The buttons are very comfortable and the player can be easily controlled from your pocket.


On the back of the device there is service information, from which we learn that the device is charged with a current of 5 volts 1 ampere.


The left side of Aigo 108 is empty.


On the right is a slot for a MicroSD memory card up to 64 gigabytes, a sliding lock/power switch and a mechanical wheel for volume control.


When you move the sliding mechanism down and hold it, the player turns on and off.


When moving up, all device buttons are locked.


The volume control wheel is simply gorgeous, located right under the thumb and rotates with pleasant mechanical clicks.


The top edge of the device is also empty.


The MicroUSB connector, linear output and headphone output are located at the bottom end.


This imposes some restrictions - it is comfortable to place the player in a pocket only with the screen down.


I’ll answer the question that interests many right away - yes, the player can play and charge at the same time.


There is no USB-DAC support.

INTERFACE

The Aigo 108 interface is an example of simplicity and grace. The main screen offers you to choose the type of music navigation; personally, I prefer exclusively folder navigation.


The playback screen displays album art, track position, equalizer status, battery charge, and current volume. The overall volume of the device is not high; for me, a comfortable level is 67 points out of 100, so owners of high-impedance headphones will have to connect an external amplifier.


The player plays all lossy and lossless formats, up to 24 bits 48 kilohertz. But what is really missing is CUE support.

DISPLAY

The device is equipped with a 2.3" diagonal TFT color display with a resolution of 320x240. From nice features, in the settings you can find the screen brightness adjustment.

SETTINGS

All Aigo 108 settings are divided into 2 parts: system and playback settings. IN system settings You can choose the Russian interface language, but personally I prefer brutal English.


The line output level, by default, can be adjusted with the volume wheel, and I recommend leaving this setting unchanged.


There are also items: volume adjustment, track memorization mode, playlist creation function, backlight time, auto shutdown time, setting the brightness value and formatting the device.


The sweetest settings are called up from playback mode.


Here you can set a shuffle and select a repeat mode, including automatic transition from folder to folder.


The equalizer in Aigo 108 is 7 bands, which is very strange for me, since the 105 version had 10 bands. Any use of the equalizer lowers the overall volume by several points and has an effect not only on the headphone output, but also on the line output.


There is also a not obvious, but welcomed by many, function of adjusting the playback speed, from which you can speed up or slow down the songs played by the player.

BATTERY

Installed in Aigo 108 non-removable battery 1500 mAh, which is enough for about 15 hours of MP3 playback and about 10 hours of high-quality music.

IRON

Aigo 108 runs on an ATJ2129 processor and has a top-end dedicated Wolfson WM8740 DAC. Two OPA2131 modules work as low-pass filters and operational amplifiers, one for each channel. The headphone output is powered by an additional TI TPA6530A2 amplifier.

SOUND

Initially, I decided to compare the sound quality on the Aigo 105 and Aigo 108. Having connected the headphones, I was completely confused. I heard a muddy, poorly detailed sound, with slow bass and dull mids. If we compare Aigo 105 and 108, then 105 gives a much cleaner musical picture. The result did not suit me at all and I was already preparing to write a devastating review. But I was stopped by a post on a specialized forum, where there was a recommendation to listen to this player on the linear output. The idea, it would seem, is inappropriate, but since in Aigo 108 the level of the linear output is adjusted by the master volume wheel and equalizer settings are worked out on both outputs, the difference, as it turned out, is minimal. In Aigo 108, listening to music from the line output is just as comfortable as from the headphone output, while the volume of the line output is only 10 points behind the main one. That is, if from the headphone output I listened at 67 points out of 100, then on the linear output, we get a similar volume at 77 points.


From the line output, the bass of the Aigo 108 is fast, the mids are bright, high frequencies- correct. If you compare the Aigo 108 at the line output and the Meizu MX4 Pro, then it is the Meizu that has a muddier sound. For the first time, I can say that Meizu MX4 Pro plays poorly, but in contrast to Aigo 108 it really is! Comparing from memory, I can well assume that on the linear 108 it will play at least no worse than the FiiO X3 II and Xuelin 770C, and with high probability- better. Based on high detail, the player is absolutely omnivorous in style and will adequately play even the most acoustically complex compositions.

VIDEO

A full video review of the Aigo 108 audio player can be viewed below:

CONCLUSIONS

To summarize, Aigo 108 turned out to be a very interesting player with excellent tactile sensations. Among the shortcomings, I note the low overall volume, lack of CUE support and very mediocre sound for a Hi-Fi device at the headphone output. Speaking about the sound quality from the line output, here, in its price category, Aigo 108 has absolutely no competitors. In terms of sound quality, it easily beats not only smartphones with a top 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 simply incredible sound for its price, and I can fully recommend it to all fans of high-quality, detailed music.

They will make even a mediocre MP3 track sound different. And together with FLAC or APE you will get sound without distortion, overload and unnecessary embellishments. They will surprise even the most experienced listener.

If you live for music, waking up to the gentle sound of a rattling Twitter, turning the knob of your home receiver before a light breakfast, and 5-dollar speakers in the office have long been replaced by futuristic acoustic system, there is only one step left to complete harmony and the status of an admirer of high-quality sound. 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 famous manufacturer computer components and video cards, 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. Coming mid-current model year Colorfly C10 was built, as they say, on a reliable basis. His predecessors were the legendary Colorfly C4 Pro And Colorfly C3.

Who is it suitable for: In addition to supporting nine popular audio formats, excellent sound quality and the ability to play music in studio quality, the Colorfly C10 is ideal for people for whom design is a determining factor. The durable aluminum body is complemented by a prim sandalwood finish. Style and technology in one bottle.

2. COWON Plenue 1

Specifications:

Memory: 128 GB (microSD card support);
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 playback).

The South Korean manufacturer's arsenal of digital players includes over three dozen models. The company has a number of awards behind it, 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 2014 Cowon Plenue 1 became the company's first child in the world of Hi-Fi players.

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

Who is it 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 - a flagship.

3. COWON Plenue M

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (microSD card support – 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 playback).

The basis of the model Cowon Plenue M last year's flagship of the company, Cowon Plenue 1, was laid down. The engineers were given the task: to make a more affordable Hi-Fi player, but at the same time not deprive it of individual sound and clarity of playback. Chip Burr-Brown PCM 1795 provides a minimum level of harmonic distortion of around 0.0007%, which expensive models from competing brands cannot always boast of.

Who is it suitable for: Cowon Plenue M is something of a universal soldier, capable of playing almost any audio format. For lovers of an active lifestyle, this particular model can be an excellent companion for any training or jogging: seamless diamond processing of the edges and anodizing of the body will help avoid scratches, and intuitive controls provide the ability to operate blindly.

4. COWON IAUDIO X9 M

Specifications:

Memory: 8, 16, 32 GB (microSD card support – 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; until 13 – video.

Wanting to reduce the need to use the multimedia component of a 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, the engineers installed a long-lasting battery that can delight its owner with music for a whole week (110 hours).

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

5. HIFIMAN HM-603 4Gb

Specifications:

Memory: 4 GB (microSD card support – 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 priority direction of production was the production of portable Hi-Fi players. In 2009, the market exploded with a new product 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 magnetic planar headphones. But to talk about any of the presented HIFIMAN models, 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 portable player industry and the buyer was forced to choose: either purchase an expensive Hi-Fi representative that would justify the investment, or opt for inexpensive model with 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 weighty 200-gram box, provides neutral sound without characteristic rises in certain frequency ranges.

Who is it suitable for: The HIFIMAN HM-603 4Gb model can be called the choice of a person who reveres the old school. Discarding the design, bulkiness and insignificant amount of built-in memory, the buyer will receive a rare bird - the number of players based on multibit DAC, in the modern market there is negligible.

6. HIFIMAN HM-802

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (SDXC card support – 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.

Individual sound character is not the only thing the buyer will get HIFIMAN HM-802. A unique design, vaguely reminiscent of the bulky series of Nokia smartphones from the mid-2000s, and the ability to change amplifier modules - this is what awaits an audiophile who is accustomed to changing amplification stages depending on his mood. By default, HIFIMAN HM-802 has dual DAC Wolfson WM8740.

Who is it suitable for: HIFIMAN HM-802 is a confident middle ground in the company’s line. Given 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 reveal the sound of your favorite music.

7. HIFIMAN HM-901s

Specifications:

Memory: 64 GB (microSD card support – 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.

HIFIMAN is not even thinking about abandoning the seemingly obsolete design. Instead, engineers are working on filling the player and the flagship HIFIMAN HM-901s received the most advanced “internals”, capable of surprising even an experienced audiophile in terms of sound level. Detail, attack, balanced frequency range and minimal level of harmonic distortion - two DACs are responsible for this entire list of advantages ESS9018.

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

8. Astell&Kern AK380

Specifications:

Memory: 256 GB (microSD card support);
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 an eye-popping price tag. Astell&Kern AK380 is the company’s flagship, setting quality standards new level sounds with a sampling frequency that not all leading record companies can boast of: 32 bit, 384 kHz. Minimal harmonic distortion, support for a range of audio formats, two high-quality DACs AKM AK4490, wireless communications Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as the ability to connect additional accessories: an external amplifier, a docking station or a CD drive.

(4.00 out of 5, rated: 1 )

website They will make even a mediocre MP3 track sound different. And together with FLAC or APE you will get sound without distortion, overload and unnecessary embellishments. They will surprise even the most experienced listener. If you live for music, waking up to the gentle sound of rattling Twitter, turning the knob of your home receiver before a light breakfast, and the 5-dollar speakers in the office have long been replaced by a futuristic speaker system, to the fullest...

And by the way, X-Stream X-01 will completely replace some expensive Sony models.

Tip 2. Pay attention to Takstar headphones.
The Takstar company has been producing excellent professional solutions for working with sound. Their headphones were no exception. Models such as Hi2050, Pro80 and the same 6xx line are quite comparable in all respects, from sound to design, to the well-known models of Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser. The only significant difference is the price.

Tip 3. Pay attention to the Ritmix RH-555, and especially the RH-508.
These two models deserve close attention, since at a good price they have good sound. 555 are more expensive, but they are solidly built and look good. 508 look very simple, but with their price of 450 rubles and very high sound quality, they are simply unbeatable if you are looking for headphones for portable use.


Tip 4. If you have a Koss Porta Pro, Sporta Pro or KSC-75 - mod it.
A very simple modification significantly improves the sound quality of these popular models and allows them to compete on equal terms with famous headphones with price tags of hundreds of dollars.

Tip 5. Look on the aftermarket for the AKG K702.
AKG recently updated its line with the K712 and K812 headphones, so fans of the brand's sound are now actively selling the K702 for an upgrade, and they can be found for about $200 on eBay (you can also look at the K701 and Q701, they are similar). K702 have a very detailed and smooth sound that will appeal to fans of complex music that is not aimed at filling the ears with bass and will delight the owner with the width of the virtual stage and the accuracy of the material. It is very advisable for them to acquire a DAC and an amplifier (you can take a two-in-one combine), below I will tell you how to do this without much damage to the budget.

Tip 6. The modified Fostex R50RP headphones are worthy of the attention of sophisticated audio connoisseurs.
I wrote about the ZMF project, I will briefly repeat its conclusions. Modified Foxtex T50RP are unrivaled in detail, clarity and smoothness. You will need an amplifier, but if you are willing to invest in one, they will give you back in spades.


Tip 9. Get a DAC and amplifier.
If you want to get really high-quality sound, then the built-in sound card won't help you at all. Fortunately, for less than $100, you can purchase the Fiio E07K, a versatile portable headphone amp that combines a portable headphone amplifier with an external USB DAC. Also worthy of consideration are products such as the Audinst HUD-MX2, U2 DAC from HiFiMeDIY, Electric Avenues PA2V2 and many others.

Tip 10. Sandisk Sansa Clip is a very good player.
With their Sansa series, Sandisk has revolutionized the idea of ​​what an inexpensive player can sound like. After the Rockbox operating system was ported to the players of this family, they can be considered a good choice for “music lovers on a limited budget.”


Tip 11. Look at inexpensive hi-fi players.
If you want truly high-quality sound in a portable device, pay attention to players Chinese manufacturers in the price range from 200 to 300 dollars: iBasso DX50, iHIFI 760, HiFiMan 601. At a reasonable price, in terms of sound quality they confidently outperform all phones and smartphones usually used for listening to music.

Tip 12. Consider all the components of your “bundle”.
There is no point in listening to a Hi-Fi player with crooked, albeit expensive, headphones. Likewise, there is no point in overpaying for expensive headphones if you are going to listen to them with an iPhone or a cheap Chinese player. Read forums and look for reviews on the Internet to understand how certain components will be combined. But at the same time, remember that the only criterion for the correct sound is your own taste, and the argument “I like it” is decisive in any dispute on audio topics.