In the video, I made a mistake and said it's priced at $129 but it actually costs $119. Not that this changes much, but here you go - an even greater bang for the buck. 😃
Tone 2 pro is a bit cleaner sounding and with deeper soundstage when used in a speaker setup. For home use I would rather go with Tone 2 pro. But this is a great pocket friendly alternative.
Right now, it's $95 from the Hidizs official Aliexpress store. But anyway...damn, take my money. I'm not sure, but I think you sort of like this thing. 😁 Question- how does this compare to the better desktop dacs in the same price range when used as a pure dac connected to a headphone power amp?
Thank you for the informative review. It's astonishing that budget-priced DAC/amp dongles are approaching the audio quality of desktop stacks at half the price and a fraction of the size.
Great review. You are my man to go when I upgrade my equipment. I just got this dac. I had already seen it and was doubting to buy it, but after seeing your review I could not resist any longer.
I ordered one based on this review. Just amazingly good for the size and price. My 15 year old top AKG headphones roared into life again. Thanks for your great advice and many of the best reviews on you-tube
I really love your review of this DAC. Many others will stick to reviewing the established brands like the Dragonfly and no one will ever find out about a new product at a decent price point. I'm glad that you are always searching for new and emerging technologies that benefits everyone. I always go to your channel when i want to learn about things from an emotional point of view from someone i trust, and not always about measurements, because that can't tell us about the most important thing. How does it sound. Thank you very much for your research.
I own the S9 which is the previous version but with an AKM DAC. It's amazing too, it's just the only thing it will empty is not your pockets but your phone battery...
If you want to bring an M1/M1 Pro Mac to mortal battery efficiency status, this S9 Pro is the one. You can *watch* the battery drain... Unfortunately, I have some stuttering issues with this DAC too on the Mac (not so much on Windows, iOS and Android).
Great review. I need to re-evaluate my desktop Amp/Dac. I never listen loud and have no unusually insensitive headphones, this might make my life simpler and my desk less cluttered with no loss in fidelity. The Hidizs S9 Pro is clearly an exceptional product as both you and Amir/ASReview love it, since you come from such different perspectives.
I'm not s headphones person at all I'm so going to buy this little gem and a pair of decent headphones after watching this informative review. Thank you.
I like your reviewing style. You keep it real. Can't wait for the time when Chinese companies take over the audiophile loudspeaker industry. Theoretically they could build speakers in the price range of 200-400€ that would outmatch the concurrence that cost around 1000€.
So, I do have a few issues with my S9 Pro, not dealbreakers, but something people should know before buying. When I pair it with my iPhone (using Hidizs’ Lightning to USB-C cable), I’ve had multiple pairs of headphones begin to clip when I’m trying to listen at high volumes over the 2.5mm port. Maybe not an issue in a quiet environment, but you can’t really push them too hard in a noisy one. I’ve had much better luck over the 3.5mm port, you can drive everything much louder, although they will clip at maximum volume or just below. No issues with listening via either port on my MacBook, probably something to do with how power is handled via the USB-A adapter to USB-C connection. Regardless, when it’s not clipping, the sound of this dongle is great, probably better than my larger FiiO Q5s (although the Q5s outperforms in terms of power & battery life).
@@francisteardrop May be this issue is specific to Iphones and not Android phones? We interacted before in that Portafi channel. BTW, I ordered these today along with a 16 core 2.5 balanced cable, arriving tomorrow. I only use Android so hopefully everything will be fine
@@francisteardrop I just received S9 Pro and tested it. On my android phone, it has no sound while playing RU-vid, Prime music or power amp even at 100% volume level but there is volume while playing UAPP and Hiby Music app but the volume is behaving erratically. At just 10% volume increase, it plays very loud, upon increase to 20%, 30% the sound completely cuts out but comes back again at around 50% but with very low volume compared to 10% level. Not sure what is happening On My Windows 10 PC, no sound till 45% volume out of 100 and upon increasing it to 100% the volume is still very low. May be have received a defective unit
I use this with my Sundara and iPhone SE. I only made it to work using Apples own lightning to usb-a female. Also needed to connect to a powerbank or charger to be able to drive sundara. yes, it’s a dongle tangle. With iPhone 12 pro max and iPad pro, charger is not necessary. With my apple out of the box headphone, charger is no longer required even on iPhone SE.
Thanks for the great video. It looks it's comparable in price and sound quality to the IFI Hip Dac. This one is more portable and there is no battery to remember to charge, while the IFI has a few more features and possibly more power.
After purchasing the dragonfly black I was unimpressed with the sound. I will try this DAC out because you seem to have an ear for quality sound. Thanks for the review, well done.
I’ve been using the Hidis S8 for about two years and always considered them something of a hidden gem. I might upgrade to the S9 although I’m not a huge fan of the double output.
Hello, Love your channel and did a bit of research . I am going with the S9 pro. For the price its like we are getting half off for what it offers. Cant wait to hear this dac chip.cheers
Does it need power to perform? If yes how much power it will take from source device for any certain period? Does it amplify the signals received from source? If yes how many times it enhance the it's input? You didn't cover these type of important technicals in your very large review.
Thanks for another awesome review! Is there a split android dongle (USB c male to two USB c female) that allows charging the phone while listening to the s9 pro.?
I just received mine and I’m using it with HD800s balanced and it’s very good for the price! Compared to my Jot2/Bifrost2 combo it’s maybe 60-65% of the performance. Less slam, slightly less soundstage, sound is harsh like a cheaper chip dac, not as resolving, not as emotionally connected to the music. But still good enough to enjoy music when not critically listening. All that said for about 120usd this is a great value. I’m going to keep mine to use as a portable DAC when I can’t plug into my desktop set up.
Nice review. I perfectly understand it's impossible to compare all dongles out there, so this is just to share that I've heard about the same enthusiasm on the THX Onyx... and it is sold out... go figure...
Hi, can please tell me which has better audio output when used in usb connection alone Qudelix 5k or Hidizis S9 pro or ibasso DC05? And can u rank them accordingly? And does qudelix get hot when used as Usb dac or in bluetooth mode with LDAC☺️
Hello brother. Your videos are nice. I've followed it all the way from the Cobalt to now and please check out the Shanling UA2. It's supposed to be a cheaper alternative to the Hidizs at the same performance.
Great review, so apart from its a little smaller why this rather than fiio btr5 or quiladix, both with bluetooth support, their own power etc., so my btr5 in balanced mode drives my 6xx's at 300 ohms very enjoyably without maxing out
Well, I haven't had a chance to hear the ones you're mentioning. They might as well be great devices... Opinion on this one is based on the fact that is able to easily compete with some very good and pricier DACs such as Cobalt and Sparrow.
@@iiWiReviews it may well be the sound of a major step up as I haven’t tried the cobalt or the other one. The new thx dongle although 200 looks amazing in quality and power so if this competes for just over half the price then that would be super impressive. Do u know what voltage it outputs se and balanced?
Do you think I’ll hear noise floor with my highly sensitive campfire IEM’s? If not. I’ll purchase right away, just cause of its form factor. Great review 👍
I don't know how sensitive are those IEMs but since I didn't hear any noise floor with any IEMs I've tried (ranging all the way to 116 dB sensitivity) I believe you should be OK
FYI, your amazon link appears to be wrong - at least from the UK. It sends me to a lightning to USB cable. P.S. great review as always - keep up the good work!
Thanks, I'll do my best! BTW, the link still works from my side but leads to the US store (since there is no dedicated Amazon site for Serbia). It seems that Amazon is trying to redirect you to the UK store but somehow gets lost in the process. I hope a good old manual search will find it on the UK store too. Cheers!
Yeah the UA2 is currently listed at $85 across the board, but the S9 Pro isn't far behind at $99 (BrightAudio Store). Definitely gonna be interesting to see which one becomes a better deal during the various AliExpress holiday sales (11.11, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and New Years)
Hi. I actually brought one of these last year. Unfortunately it won't play anything from my Galaxy Tab A8, which I bought it for. Just doesn't send a signal out of the usbC, though it does light up! And yes it does work, because I have used it on an old LG phone ( the B&O version ) I didn't have any luck with Hidezs so it has barely been used at all. Maybe 3hs. Do you or anyone reading have a fix ? 🤔🙏
@2.38 you slide the DAC into the clip-on case. I bought the DAC because I was very excited for this clip feature, unfortunately, I believe you ended up sliding in the DAC the wrong way; this meant the clip doesn't properly hold on the headphone jack side. It does hold well enough and it's the only way I can use the clip, but it is the wrong way. Fantastic review overall, I just wanted to point this out for others :)
Hello, I really like this review. The detail, you sorted everything in categories and your accent be calm and pleasant. Thank you, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna buy one of these. One question: Is it worth it to buy the Hidizs S9 Pro or the Dragonfly Cobalt for the Beyerdynamics DT Pro 770 32-Ohm version? What will the difference be in comparison to the 250-Ohm version, will it be better quality or just louder? Also, is their a Non-Dangle DAC / Amplifier in the same price range as the cobalt which will be better then the hidizs and the cobalt?
Cobalt is overpriced and overhyped by mainstream media in my opinion, I sold it very quickly after buying it. S9 pro offers equal sound quality at lower price. But for 200 USD you can now get Moondrop Moonriver 2 which smokes both of these... An awesome sounding dongle that I'm using myself. As for the desktop units, they offer more power and drive, sound better with 250 ohm and higher... But don't sound much better with sensitive low impedance headphones. I don't know any desktop device around 200 that beats Moonriver 2 for sound fidelity. Finally, I haven't heard DT770 in both variants, only the 250 ohm one. But from experience, 32 ohm should be an easier load. If using a dongle, it should be a better choice.
Great review, very detailed, genuine, comprehensive and balanced opinion.... Do you think S9pro is still a good buy in mid 2022? How is it compared to newer and more expensive lotoo paw s1 or cayin RU6? Thank you.
I do think it's still a good buy at 100USD...at least I haven't heard anything better at that price. Cayin RU6 is better slightly but at significantly higher price. At that price you should see my reviews for great Moondrop Moonriver 2 and Shanling UA5.
Love the review.. right after watching this review I have ordered this Dac. I just wanted to know if I can drive the Hifiman Sundara with this little Dac?
Hi another really great review. Seems like another great USB DAC I have the Audioquest Black and Red I prefer the red to Cobalt. Just wondering about the S9Pro I was thinking could it be connected to a HIFI pre amp with a pair of balanced XLR's and a Stereo 3.5 mm with a 2.5mm converter jack to the balanced out of the S9 Pro.
Cant find a solution for getting this to be recognized when plugged into the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - every other device i plug it into works immediately, every other USB C cable is recognized just not the S9 Pro DAC......and yes ive tried enabling developer mode, USB debugging etc. Contacted Hidizs ....still no help!
3 года назад
Wow that good? I had my suspicious but never expect this. I wonder if you have listened to the Hildac Audirect Beam 2. Cuz i think those are the better over all around that price... Until now I guess. Also you didn't mention if they offer full decode of an MQA file cuz their page is not clear on that. I use Tidal to listen my music so that's important to me. If they do then it would also completely outperform the beam 2 just with a little less power
Hi iiWi, and what is ur opinion about the s9pro dynamics? In comparison with the Sparrow for example? Because from my experience it is not as dynamic as for example nextdrive spectra but everything else is a big step up.
My phone is redmi note 9 pro it has no otg settings but it has usb debugging I enabled that option and connected to hidiz s9 pro dac but not working , no light working but I connected to pc it working.please help
Hey! I have been experiencing popping and sometimes crackling noise when I pause or play music. I am afraid of damaging the headphones (Audeze LCD-2C). Any help is much appreciated.
Hi there, what about Fiio ka3 , is it comparable to S9 Pro as Both are using the same Chip ? I am looking for options under $100 before zeroing in, towards any purchase, Thanks
Thank you for another great review :) how does this compare against zorloo ztella? Can you recommend one over the other and why? This will help me decide my to buy my first every dongle dac :)