Disclaimer: The Hiby Music R3 was sent to us and Headfonics.com free of charge in exchange for this review. Hiby is not related to Headfonia in any other way. We were selected to do the pre-market tests for this DAP using engineering samples on Beta firmware. It’s important to know that our unit and the beta firmware on it will most likely be different from the ones that you will receive after ordering.
Hiby Music
Hiby Music already was pretty famous when it came to building software to playback music on your phone and on dedicated portable audio players. And then a few months back, they released their own R6 portable player and it hit the market big, with excellent comments all over the web.
In case you completely missed that, I’ll repeat what Berkhan had to say about Hiby when he reviewed the R6 DAP:
HiBy music specializes in research, development and sales of high quality portable audio products. They have professional R&D staff and they also have quite a good history in the portable audio field. They have partnerships with brands like Cayin, Shanling and Questyle. As far as I know they make the software of those devices or at least give software support to them.
HiBy Music’s mottos are “Make Music More Musical” & “Ease of Use is not Optional”
Also, their HiBy Music application for smartphones has more than 500K users around. I’ve never used it since I don’t listen to music from my phone, but it’s not hard to see they have a good reputation and know-how about audio processing and software integration.
Hiby R3
The Hiby R6
The Hiby R6 was launched late last year but as said, it received only positive comments and to many people it was the DAP of the year 2017. Our own Berkhan also loved it:
All I can do in the end, is simply congratulate the guys at HiBy Music for creating such a great Android player. It has tremendous build quality, a fantastic and eye catching design with a great screen. A very fast processor, a clean OS for efficiency and stable software are other crucial factors, especially with the DTA Architecture, which is maybe the most important thing.
The sound from the balanced output is wonderful to listen to. The single ended output, while still being very nice, is not an option for me after experiencing the balanced sound from the R6. I don’t think I’ll ever return to single ended mode.
I think it’s one of the best Android players you can buy in terms of pure sound, and it’s maybe the best in terms of speed and UI.
Now Hiby is back with the R3, the R6’s little brother, and because of the R6’s excellent performance we and everyone in to portable players, expect a lot from it.
Hiby R3
Hiby R3
The Hiby R3 was only announced a few weeks ago, and it was launched on the Kickstarter platform (27 March!). Right now the R3 is available from the Hiby shop here: https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r3 for $183USD. The sample that we received is an engineering sample. That means our R3 (Headfonics and Headfonia) is not fully working just yet and it still shows some minor issues. These of course will be ironed out before the production version is sent out. Marcus and myself have been testing the R3 for a few weeks already and we have been giving the Hiby team feedback about the things to address. I also want to take the opportunity to thank Joe for the support he gave during this process. Right now you find the info on the R3 on the Hiby website and there’s this thread on Head-fi: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-hiby-r3-is-coming-soon-a-new-little-brother-to-the-r6.872288/ .
Hiby R3
You might be surprised about this but we actually don’t have all the R3’s specs yet. At this stage we do know that the DAC-chip used in the Hiby R3 is the ESS Sabre ES9028Q2M, this is the exact same chip that was used in a double configuration in their R6 DAP. You can find out all about this chip right here: http://www.esstech.com/index.php/en/products/sabre-digital-analog-converters/sabre-hifi-mobile-dacs/sabre-hifi-stereo-dacs/es9028q2m/ The DAC-chip does up to 64bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 native decoding and you don’t need to install a driver in Windows to get it to work. The R3 uses dual crystal oscillators at 45.1584MHz, 49.152MHz.
The small R3 measures 82x61x13mm and weighs only 95gr. It has a 3.2″ screen with a resolution of 480x360px. It of course is a full touchscreen but it does have physical transport and volume buttons as well. The R3 has the usual features such as Wifi, DLNA, Airplay and Bluetooth (APTX) and it is equipped with a USB-C port. This port is used for charging, DAC-connection and serves as the coaxial digital output as well. To use this feature you need an OTG USB-C to Micro USB cable or a USB-C to 3.5mm Coax cable. You can use a Micro-USB OTG cable as well, but then you need to be sure your Micro to USB-C adapter is OTG as well. In all honesty, I didn’t get it to work as my usual cables and adapters don’t seem to work on the R3. Marcus however did find a cable it works with just fine.
Hiby R3
The Line-Out function is available via the 3.5mm output, but it’s no real LO. The R3 according to Hiby is ideal for head- and earphones between 8 & 150Ohm. The power output of the 3.5mm output is: 56+56mW @32Ω and the balanced 2.5mm output is rated at 112mW+112mW @32Ω. The R3 will have less than 1 Ohm output impedance.
Price & Accessories
The official retail price was only confirmed last week and it is set at $229 USD (EDIT December 12: $183USD). The engineering sample of the R3 came in a basic box but I do think this is the final retail box. The Hiby R3 comes with a white USB/USB-C data/charging cable, a user guide, warranty card, QC certificate and 3 screen protectors (one pre-applied on the screen).
Hiby R3
The engineering sample didn’t have a screen protector, so if the R3 in the pics looks a bit beat up, it’s because of that. For the price is a nice and complete package, the only thing that’s missing is a pouch or (leather) case to protect the DAP.
The review continues on Page two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below
Loganaden Balakrishna VEERAPEN
Big thanks Lieven for the review (reviews which I always very much enjou btw). In terms of sound quality alone how would rate the R3 against the iBasso DX50?
Lieven
Oh the good old DX50. It’s been so long since I listened to that one, I still have it somewhere but I always preferred the DX90
The R3 is thicker and warmer sounding for sure, the DX’s were more precise
Loganaden Balakrishna VEERAPEN
The DX50’s sq did get much better with fw iterations (especially the last one). The sqwise the R3 seems more of a sidegrade – however considering usability and sexyness its on another level. Might seriously consider it due to budget constraint but there are other interesting ultraportables on the horizon – like the Shanling M0 and Xuelin IHIFI790.
Bots
The glossy finish and smaller form factor reminds me of iRiver’s new ACTIVO CT10 player.
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/iriver-announces-mqa-support
Lieven
MQA: I don’t know how to feel about that 🙂
dale thorn
I’ve been investigating this for awhile, and trying to side-step the misinformation to get to the (mostly hidden) details. Here’s what I found so far – all subject to change.
NOTE: I don’t have anything to say on the design or philosophy of MQA, I’m just trying to find the details to know what the effects are.
The MQA firmware in some DACs are not going to be switchable. Meaning if you have an MQA stream coming in to a DAP, it will probably be decoded and rendered transparently. The differences in sound from non-MQA streams (or albums) seems to be mostly the normal differences in different masterings. That could change of course.
When using a component system where the DAC is independent from the music player, to get the correct MQA decoding the music player and DAC have to cooperate with each other. In some cases, the DAC would just be a “renderer” and it would require the music player to decode the MQA before sending it to the DAC. If the DAC is a full decoder and renderer, then the music player would have to be set to “pass through” to let the DAC do everything.
When a non-MQA album or stream is in the same playlist as MQA albums and streams, the music player should not attempt any MQA processing, because it would not “see” the MQA signature in the data. In that case the music player should send the data unaltered to the DAC, and what the DAC does then nobody seems to know for sure. The MQA guys say it just plays as normal. Firmware updates to most DACs would be optional of course.
In cases where DSPs (equalizers etc.) are being applied to digital data by music players before sending the data to the DAC, I don’t yet know whether they could conflict with any MQA processing being done by the same music player.
Dmitri
Can you confirm that the coaxial SPDIF output is realized through 3.5 mm?
In another review I read, Coax SPDIF was described as being received via usb.
Lieven
As far as I know: Coax is 3.5mm, USB output is just the normal OTG one
ALBERTO MARTINEZ
Hi Lieven,
Which cable (brand/model if possible) do I need to get COAX from R3 either 3.5mm or USB-C to pair with Mojo? Thanks
g_t_j
Hi Lieven.
From your description of the R3 sound, it seems more in line with the X5iii? Is that the case?
Lieven
it is but its not as noisy
g_t_j
Great feedback. That was what I wanted to hear!
Ken
How does a user access WIFI at hotel or fitness center where server requires log in screen in a browser? Tidal only at home?
Lieven
That’s the tough part indeed. I think Marcus wrote about it in his review…
Smoke
Have you tested with difficult to drive headphones? There really is no mention that this has an amp built-in? I believe the ones you compare too all can..
HAWKEYE
Planning to get LZ A4 for this – can you suggest alternative with same budget range as I’m little bit worried about LZ warranty process
Lieven
I don’t know the LZA4 price, but maybe something like the ibasso IT01
Hans
Hi Lieven, thanks for the review.
I was wondering if you can share your thoughts on 2 questions:
1) Are there gain settings to deal with the slightly lower output power? My V20 drives Pinnacle PX (same as P1) fine as well as HD600 but I’m wondering if the R3 will work out.
2) For sound, are there any other DAPs to consider at this price range? I’m looking for an all rounder that I can still come back to, even when I upgrade later on. My V20 drives anything easily, but the SABRE implementation while detailed and resolving is a little cold. Also, both separation and soundstage aren’t the greatest. For example, would going with a X3 III or Shanling M3S work out better? Interface and wireless aren’t important to me as I usually listen on the commute using shuffle, so 3.5 unbalanced is what matters for me.
I listen to anything from classical orchestral works (timbre matters), jazz (bass matters), EDM and Rock (details and congestion), and vocals (separation matters), so I unfortunately need to find a jack of all trades.
Thanks and cheers!
Lieven
1. You have low and high gain. Never had to turn gain on high. That being said, this is an IEM DAP
2. The ones I compared it to in this review, the Shanling’s DAPs. But in this price range you will never get the best possible DAP for separation and sound stage. I would go N3 or this or Shanling
Hans
Hi Lieven,
Thanks for your reply! My daily listen is the 50ohm/96db sensitivity Mee Pinnacle PX (Massdrop version of P1) so if low gain is generally sufficient that’s great 🙂
I’ve read your comparisons again and I think this is a good balance of characteristics – I may be moving towards more neutral IEMs in the future so the slight colouration may help me transition better from my V-shaped IEMs. Do you find the MSEB EQ effective or you prefer conventional EQ adjustments?
There seem to be more entry-mid level DAPs coming with SABRE chips after the LG Vx0 series and premium DAPs. Look forward to your review of the Shanling M0 and how its implementation stacks up against the V30 😉
Cheers!
Lieven
I never do any EQ or MSEB. I don’t know if Berkhan will be doing the M0 though, we’ll see
Hans
Thanks Lieven!
Did you pick up any differences between the 2 digital filters?
Hans
Hi Lieven,
I just stumbled upon similarly-priced (for now) Onkyo DP-S1 and Cowon Plenue D. Do you have any advice on choosing between them?
I listen to only FLAC through unbalanced 3.5mm Pinnacle PX (50ohms 96db/mW), so connectivity, UI, DSD support etc is not important, just sound 🙂
Thanks!
Dilpal
Hi..Nice review. I have very peculiar need. I want to stream Spotify or other Indian music streaming services on my smartphone through LDAC to hiby R3 for my wired earphones. Can hiby R3 do it?
Lieven
I don’t think so no. Not 100% though. It will be possible in the future to stream Spotify directly on the R3 though
Jayce Ooi
Nice little DAP. 🙂
Nat
Hi, Lieven
How would you compare the R3 to the Plenue D in terms of sound quality?
Marco Tesla
The production unit with the newest firmware sounds much more neutral, with better soundstage and more detailed refined highs than the pre production units . A little gremlin told me that 😉
Tim
Hi there,
Thanks for this great review. Would you say that gapless playback is implemented perfectly? I use FLAC/ALAC and APE – and listen mainly to classical and concert recordings – so gapless which is not seamless would be a dealbreaker for me.
Tim
Hi – any info about whether the gapless on this DAP is correctly implemented and actually seamless would be really greatly appreciated – can anyone let me know?
Allen Feinberg
I have been comparing the R3 to the Shanling M0 for Bluetooth aptX sound on home hi-fi and aptX (Avantree) headphones. I like the R3 for its mass, its build, its operating system, the screen, and the sound. I like the M0 a little more overall. The M0 has better overall sound. Its screen is more responsive. I do find the R3 better than the M0 in its sound when listening to the Avantree Bluetooth headphones. It is a marked difference too.
The M0 is a Standard Ruby Micronic for 2018. It is a real gem and I can hardly believe that in many applications, it sounds better than the R3. But the R3 shines as well, and the custom EQ is both fun to play with and helpfully responsive. I keep it in the plastic case it came with and found that helps to control the buttons better by keeping them recessed when being held. I like these two players so much, I have decided to expand my digital library. The R3 is a great, excellent player.
Wim Cumps
Hi, is it compatible with the With Android auto or Mirrorlink ?
KiRAH
Hi I would to know your thoughts if I was to upgrade my HibY R3 to a better dap what do you guys suggest? I do only use iem’s
Hiep Le
How can i add WAV files’s cover like the second picture of this review? The cover appear when i play the file on pc but its gone when i play it with my Walkman A55
Ronald
The usb-c can be used for coaxial out to external dac
Can it also output usb using usbc cable to external dac?
If so which cable should be used?
Thanks