Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha Balanced & Single-ended Dac/Amp Review – Metal Machine Music, Vol 2

Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha Balanced & Single-ended Dac/Amp Review – Metal Machine Music, Vol 2

Hidizs despatched me the S9 Pro Plus similtaneously its SD2 (evaluate right here), which like Hidizs’s prior S9 and S3 dongles hews near Hidizs’s “home sound”—an brisk, vivid, tonality with lean, chiseled notes and a large soundstage. The, nevertheless, S9 Pro Plus is a very totally different beast In phrases of each sound signature and have set.

Unlike the stubby, cable-less SD2, the bespoke aluminum-and-glass S9 Pro Plus makes use of the identical conventional cabled design as its S9 forbearers, however provides quantity buttons which permit for a lot finer changes than most supply’s quantity management and which double as selectors for six totally different digital filters (quick roll-off, linear section sluggish roll-off and so forth.).

Both sampling fee and filter results are indicated by coloured lighting, which is a pleasant aesthetic bonus. As with most such gimmicks, the filters on the S9 Pro Plus have a really small (however audible) impact on the presentation, with the “sluggish” settings exhibiting much less ringing and extra rounded treble. Ultra hirez PCM and DSD assist is supplied, although curiously no MQA, which appears to be a dying breed.

Prior opinions of the S9 Pro Plus have careworn its appreciable driving energy and inclusion of a balanced (4.4m) out, and it actually is a lusty beast—even by way of the single-ended out IEMs of common sensitivity sounded loud at 33% of my Pixel 6’s quantity, whereas (aside from shedding just a little subbass depth and  tightness) the 300 ohm/97dB Senn HD 600 didn’t break a sweat when performed by way of the balanced out.

For all that, cautious pairing is suggested—in contrast to the S3, the S9 Pro Plus didn’t match effectively with very delicate IEMs just like the BGVP DM8 or the KZ ZS10 Pro, which sounded edgy/strident on the excessive finish, particularly at larger volumes. In basic, the S9 Pro Plus appeared to play higher with larger impedance (>50 ohm) telephones. Note, too, that if battery life is a precedence, the Plus could be very power-hungry and can get heat with use. 

The Plus makes use of an ESS DAC chip which imparts a really totally different signature to the Plus—in distinction to the brightness, forwardness and lean be aware texture of the its progeny, the S9 is much less adrenalized (although not precisely laid-back), with a neutral-to-slightly heat timbre and a thick, however still-crisp be aware texture. Bass has appreciable depth and emphasis, primarily within the subbass area, however stays tight.

Where the SD2, which picture very effectively and current loads of area between performers, imparted a “bigness” to the music, the S9 Pro Plus sounds merely large—upright bass has a resonance and physique you received’t hear with lesser items, whereas snare drums have a booming-but-realistic snap. Unlike, say, the Moondrop Dawn, general coloration isn’t wholly absent, however is significantly much less on the Plus and there’s little of the digital sheen you’ll hear on the S9 or SD2.

Resolution and transparency are very, superb—little nuances just like the quiet guitar echoes and cymbal faucets on INXS’s “Need You Tonight” are revealed in a approach I’ve by no means heard earlier than, whereas the unadorned piano on Keith Jarrett’s “Koln Concert” sounds eerily lifelike. Other than some hiss on very delicate telephones, background noise is wholly absent.

Yet in contrast to the equally revealing SD2, the S9 Pro Plus avoids sounding scientific or excessively detailed, and coherence is sort of flawless, and you’ll select totally different performers with out shedding deal with the musical entire. Which is to not say they’re significantly clean or mellow—they nonetheless retain a touch of Hidizs’s attribute sharpness/metallic edge on the highest frequencies, and treble-averse listeners would possibly discover it barely sizzling, however for many of us it’s an interesting, very detailed presentation.

Nominally $139, the S9 Pro Plus is promoting for $89 on the Hidizs web site, which is just a few sou greater than Hidizs’ much less highly effective fashions and really cheaper than the (non-Plus) S9. Especially contemplating its construct high quality, flashing lights and fancy tech specs, this looks as if good worth. Again, it doesn’t obtain the purist’s audiophile-neutral superb, and also you’ll have to be cautious with impedance matching, however the S9 Pro Plus performs at a considerably larger degree than its cheaper friends and will get my gushing reward.

Disclaimer—one more freebie from Hidizs—get one right here: https://www.hidizs.internet/

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March 4, 2024 at 04:35AM