HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin
The HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is the latest portable DAC/Amp from Hidizs in a compact and stylish form factor. In this review we delve in S8s technical capabilities, explore the design and functionality, and analyzes its sound signature to help you determine if it's the perfect audio upgrade for you.
Unboxing the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a fuss-free affair. The compact box opens to reveal a sturdy plastic case that holds the tiny DAC itself.Inside the case, you'll find the S8 Pro Robin nestled snugly. Hidizs throws in all the cables you need, USB-C to Lightning for iPhones, a standard USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for older devices. A quick-start guide and warranty card round out the package.
Lifting the S8 Pro Robin out, we find a hidden compartment beneath it. This compartment holds the bundled accessories:
• A USB-C to Lightning adapter: Perfect for connecting the S8 Pro Robin to your iPhone or iPad for lossless audio enjoyment.
• A USB-C to USB-C cable: This is your main connection cable for Android devices, PCs, and Macs with USB-C ports.
• A USB-C to USB-A adapter: Don't worry if your device lacks a USB-C port. This adapter ensures broad compatibility with older laptops and devices.
• A user manual and warranty card are also tucked neatly within the box.
• As a bonus, Hidizs throws in a couple of "Hi-Res" stickers, allowing you to proudly proclaim your love for high-resolution audio
Dual CS43131 DAC Chips
At the heart of the S8 Pro Robin are its dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips. It supports high-resolution audio playback, reaching up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256. The S8 Pro Robin caters to a wide range of earphones and headphones with its dual outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended jack and a 4.4mm balanced output. The balanced output delivers significantly more power (160mW+160mW @ 32Ω) compared to the single-ended output (80mW+80mW @ 32Ω). This higher power output translates to better dynamics, tighter control.
Premium Build Meets Compact Convenience
The S8 Pro Robin design gives it a sense of luxury and elegance with its sleek and compact design. The CNC aluminum alloy shell feels incredibly sturdy and premium in your hand, accented by stylish glass panels. Its lightweight design makes it incredibly portable.
The S8 Pro Robin design gives it a sense of luxury and elegance with its sleek and compact design. The CNC aluminum alloy shell feels incredibly sturdy and premium in your hand, accented by stylish glass panels. Its lightweight design makes it incredibly portable.
One of the first things you'll notice is the eye-catching, oversized gold or copper play/pause button. While it might initially appear to be a volume wheel, it serves a singular function. The volume up/down or skip track buttons complement the aesthetic with their shape and color. These buttons offer more than just basic controls; pressing both volume buttons simultaneously cycles through different digital filters, allowing you to tailor the sound signature to your listening preferences.
A small LED Hidizs logo on the faceplate doubles as a sampling rate indicator, providing a quick and convenient way to see the resolution of the audio file you're currently playing. While the S8 Pro Robin offers all the basic and practical features of a dongle dac, one minor omission is a dedicated gain switch. This could be a drawback for users with particularly sensitive IEMs.
Functional Yet Flexible Controls
The S8 Pro Robin prioritizes user-friendliness with its set of multi-functional buttons. Play/pause, volume control, and track skipping are readily accessible, allowing for seamless music control without ever needing to take your device out of your pocket.
Clarity and Detail
The sound signature of the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is characterized by its clarity and detail retrieval. The device leans towards a bright sound profile, which means it emphasizes the higher frequencies and brings out the intricacies in your music. This is particularly beneficial for genres like classical, acoustic, and vocal-centric music, where precision and detail are paramount. Instruments are well-defined, and vocals are clear and prominent, making it easy to pick out individual elements in a recording.
Bass: Punchy and Refined
While the S8 Pro Robin focuses on clarity and detail, it does not neglect the lower frequencies. The bass is punchy and impactful, providing a solid foundation for your music without overwhelming the other frequencies. The sub-bass extension is impressive, adding weight and depth to the overall sound. The mid-bass is smooth and clean, ensuring that drums and basslines have a satisfying presence without muddying the soundscape. This balance between clarity and bass presence makes the S8 Pro Robin versatile enough to handle a variety of genres, from electronic and hip-hop to rock and pop.
Mids: Intimate and Forward
The mids on the S8 Pro Robin are forward and intimate, which means that instruments like guitars, pianos, and vocals are pushed to the forefront of the mix. This characteristic creates a sense of intimacy and allows listeners to appreciate the fine details in vocal performances and instrumental parts. The forward mids are particularly well-suited for genres that rely heavily on midrange frequencies, such as folk, jazz, and classical music. However, listeners who prefer a more bass-heavy sound signature might find the mids a little overpowering. The emphasis on midrange frequencies can sometimes overshadow the bass, making it less prominent in the overall mix.
Treble: Energetic and Smooth
The treble on the S8 Pro Robin is energetic, which complements its overall bright sound signature. High frequencies are well-extended, contributing to a sense of airiness and creating a wide and expansive soundstage. This spaciousness allows you to better appreciate the placement of instruments within the mix and enhances the overall listening experience. Despite its energy, the treble is smooth and avoids the common pitfalls of harshness or sibilance. This ensures that listening sessions remain enjoyable and fatigue-free, even during extended periods.
A small LED Hidizs logo on the faceplate doubles as a sampling rate indicator, providing a quick and convenient way to see the resolution of the audio file you're currently playing. While the S8 Pro Robin offers all the basic and practical features of a dongle dac, one minor omission is a dedicated gain switch. This could be a drawback for users with particularly sensitive IEMs.
Functional Yet Flexible Controls
The S8 Pro Robin prioritizes user-friendliness with its set of multi-functional buttons. Play/pause, volume control, and track skipping are readily accessible, allowing for seamless music control without ever needing to take your device out of your pocket.
Clarity and Detail
The sound signature of the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is characterized by its clarity and detail retrieval. The device leans towards a bright sound profile, which means it emphasizes the higher frequencies and brings out the intricacies in your music. This is particularly beneficial for genres like classical, acoustic, and vocal-centric music, where precision and detail are paramount. Instruments are well-defined, and vocals are clear and prominent, making it easy to pick out individual elements in a recording.
Bass: Punchy and Refined
While the S8 Pro Robin focuses on clarity and detail, it does not neglect the lower frequencies. The bass is punchy and impactful, providing a solid foundation for your music without overwhelming the other frequencies. The sub-bass extension is impressive, adding weight and depth to the overall sound. The mid-bass is smooth and clean, ensuring that drums and basslines have a satisfying presence without muddying the soundscape. This balance between clarity and bass presence makes the S8 Pro Robin versatile enough to handle a variety of genres, from electronic and hip-hop to rock and pop.
Mids: Intimate and Forward
The mids on the S8 Pro Robin are forward and intimate, which means that instruments like guitars, pianos, and vocals are pushed to the forefront of the mix. This characteristic creates a sense of intimacy and allows listeners to appreciate the fine details in vocal performances and instrumental parts. The forward mids are particularly well-suited for genres that rely heavily on midrange frequencies, such as folk, jazz, and classical music. However, listeners who prefer a more bass-heavy sound signature might find the mids a little overpowering. The emphasis on midrange frequencies can sometimes overshadow the bass, making it less prominent in the overall mix.
Treble: Energetic and Smooth
The treble on the S8 Pro Robin is energetic, which complements its overall bright sound signature. High frequencies are well-extended, contributing to a sense of airiness and creating a wide and expansive soundstage. This spaciousness allows you to better appreciate the placement of instruments within the mix and enhances the overall listening experience. Despite its energy, the treble is smooth and avoids the common pitfalls of harshness or sibilance. This ensures that listening sessions remain enjoyable and fatigue-free, even during extended periods.
Potential Drawbacks: Room for Improvement
While the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin offers a plethora of features and impressive performance, it is not without its minor drawbacks. One notable omission is a dedicated gain switch, which could be beneficial for users with particularly sensitive earphones or IEMs. A gain switch would allow for more precise control over the output level, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of headphones and earphones.
Additionally, while the forward mids and bright sound signature are appealing to many audiophiles, listeners who prefer a warmer or more bass-heavy sound might find the S8 Pro Robin's tuning less to their liking. However, the ability to customize the sound signature with digital filters helps mitigate this concern to some extent.
Conclusion:
In summary, the HIDIZS S8 Pro Robin is a remarkable device that combines advanced technical capabilities, a luxurious build design, and a meticulously detailed sound signature. if you are looking for high-fidelity audio on the go or simply looking for a high-quality DAC/Amp to enhance your listening experience, the S8 Pro Robin stands out as a stylish and versatile option.
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