Hidizs S8 Pro Robin Review

 

 

Introduction:

Hidizs Technology Co. Ltd. was founded in 2009 and offers a wide variety of portable audiophile equipment’s such like Digital Audio Players (DAP), Digital to Analogue Converters (DAC), Amplifiers and In-Ear Monitors.

The S8 Pro (aka Robin) is the latest USB DAC/Amplifier of the company with a sleek CNC machined Aluminum Alloy frame featuring a dual 32-bit high-performance DAC Balanced architecture powered by 2x CS43131 DAC chips, that offers PCM support up to 32bit/384kHz and Native DSD playback at 64/128/256 levels.

With both 4.4mm Balanced and 3.5mm Single-ended outputs, the S8 Pro offers versatility to cater to different audio setups. Practical function buttons for volume control and filter switching, along with a sampling rate indicator, enhance user experience by providing convenient control and feedback.

The 4.4mm Balanced output offers up to 160Mw @ 32Ω per channel and is compatible with all major platforms including Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS, and Harmony OS, the Hidizs S8 Pro is a versatile solution for audiophiles on various devices.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Hidizs for providing the S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/ Amplifier Dongle as review sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Hidizs beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered, opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The actual price for the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/Amplifier Dongle is US$69.00. While the first 100 units were available for a discounted price of US$69.00. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/Amplifier Dongle

 

Package & Accessories:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/Amplifier dongle came inside a very small box made from plastic material in black color that has the Hidizs branding on the top. This box was located inside a cardboard with the illustration of the device and some product related brandings on the top and some information’s at the bottom.

Inside the box of the are the following items;

• 1x Hidizs S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/Amplifier Dongle
• 1x USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
• 1x Type-C to USB-A Adapter
• 1x Type-C to Lightning Adapter
• 1x User manual
• 1x Warranty card

  

 

Design & Build Quality:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a pretty futuristic looking portable USB DAC/Amplifier in form of a dongle that has a rectangular shape, which share some similarities with previous Hidizs products. The top and bottom features glass panels while the middle frame is made of a single piece of aviation aluminum alloy with a anodize finish, which reflects the main design philosophy of the S8 Pro Robin a wing-shaped structures.

The device has dimension of about 58×23×11mm and weights around 18 grams without the low profile cable included inside the package.

The device is available in silver and black color option, while the buttons do have a rose gold finish.

On the front, near the bottom, is the Hidizs branding and logo. This logo doubles as a status indicator with an LED light behind it. The LED light color corresponds to the current sampling format:

• Yellow: DSD 64/128
• Purple: DSD 256
• Blue: PCM 176.4/192(kHz)
• Red: PCM 352.8/384(kHz)
• White: PCM 705.6/768(kHz)
• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96(kHz)

At the bottom of the device is the USB Type-C digital interface.

The right side features three multifunctional hardware buttons with a stylish rose gold finish. The middle button resembles a volume knob, but it’s actually a play/pause button. Be careful not to try to adjust the volume by turning it. Pressing both buttons simultaneously cycles through the six filter effects.

By simultaneously pressing both buttons, you can cycle through the 6 filter effects.

On the top surface of the are the 3.5mm Single-Ended and 4.4mm Balanced analog outputs.

At the rear side are some product related brandings and Cirrus Logic logo.

The S8 Pro Robin maintains its solid build quality despite its very attractive pricing, consistent with other Hidizs products I’ve reviewed.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model                          : S8 Pro Robin
• DAC                            : 2x CS43131
• PCM                           : Support up to 32Bit/384kHz
• DSD                            : Native DSD64/128/256
• Output Option             : 3.5mm Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced
• Frequency Response : 20Hz-45kHz
• Distortion                    : PO (3.5): 0.0005%, BAL (4.4): 0.0006%
• Signal-to-noise ratio   : PO (3.5): 125dB, BAL (4.4): 128dB
• Separation                  : PO (3.5): -74dB, BAL (4.4): -110dB
• Output power              : Up to 80mW+80mW SE 3.5mm / Up to 160mW+160mW BAL 4.4mm
• Supported Platforms  : Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS，iOS
• Net Weight                  : 17g
• Dimensions                 : 58×23×11mm

 

Hardware Features:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a compact USB DAC/amplifier designed for portable use. It takes the form of a dongle, offering a convenient solution for improving audio quality on smartphones and laptops. This part will explore the features and hardware of the S8 Pro Robin, providing a detailed look at its capabilities.

 

DAC (Digital to Analog Converter):

The Hidizs S8 Pro is equipped with a Dual DAC architecture that features 2x CS43131 DAC Chips (Digital to Analog Converter) of the company Cirrus Logic. The CS43131 is able to decode Hi-Res audio signals supporting 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256.

The S8 Pro Robin has 6 digital filters that can be switched by simultaneously pressing both volume buttons. The LED light behind the Hidizs Logo will blink for about 2 seconds in the specific color of the Digital filter selected. Here is a full list of the filter options.

• High pass filter: Red
• NOS (Non-oversampling) filter: Green
• Deem phasis filter: Blue
• Fast and slow filter: Yellow
• Low-latency and phase-compensated filter: Purple
• Wide band flatness mode: White

Amplifier Section / Driving Power / Hissing:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a compact DAC/Amp housed in a convenient dongle form factor. It offers two choices for connecting headphones: a standard 3.5mm single-ended output with a maximum power of 80mW per channel at 32 ohms, and a more powerful 4.4mm balanced output reaching 160mW per channel at 32 ohms.

Both outputs do show a minimal background noise that was only audible with the HiBy Project ACE IEM, which is a real noise picker. Additionally, the S8 Pro Robin boasts a signal-to-noise ratio of -128dB and a total harmonic distortion of 0.0006% on the balanced output, suggesting potentially clear and accurate audio reproduction.

Connectivity:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin utilizes a chipset compatible with most iOS and Android devices through a direct connection. For Windows PCs and Macs, the included USB Type-C to USB-A converter enables plug-and-play functionality, allowing it to function as an external USB sound card.

Equipments used for this review:

• DAC’s            : Hidizs S8 Pro Robin
• USB Source  : Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
• IEM’s              : Hidizs MP145, HiBy Project ACE, ddHiFi Janus 3

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
• Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Sonya Yoncheva – (Giuseppe Verdi) II Trovatore, ActI (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk (feat. Panda Bear) – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Photek – The Hidden Camera (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Abel Korzeniowski – Dance For Me Wallis (Deezer HiFi)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Alboran Trio – Cinque Lunghissimi Minuti (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Otto Liebert & Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Master of Puppets (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Rush – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

The Sound:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin delivers a well-balanced sound experience. Powerful, controlled bass creates a solid foundation without sacrificing midrange clarity. Vocals and instruments take center stage with remarkable detail, thanks to a rich lower midrange that adds depth and a detailed, airy treble that expands the soundstage.

This review was written after a burn-in period of around 55-60 hours. The source devices used for this review were the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Tab S8 Ultra. My sound impressions below are primarily based on IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) like the Hidizs MP145, HiBy Project ACE and ddHiFi Janus 3.

 

Bass / Midrange / Treble / Soundstage:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin shows a pretty robust bass response. Subbass region has a strong presence without bleeding into the midrange, offering a solid foundation for the sound signature when paired with IEM’s like the Hidizs MP145, which has a great synergy with the device. This is evident in tracks like Massive Attack’s “Angel” where the bassline remains impactful without overpowering other elements. The midbass area is full-bodied, creating a good sense of warmth and a satisfying body into the rhythm section. Instruments like bass guitars and drums maintain clarity thanks to the controlled nature of the bass response.

The S8 Pro Robin excels in its midrange presentation. Vocals and instruments are delivered with remarkable clarity, occupying distinct spaces within the mix. The lower midrange displays richness, adding depth to male vocals and lower-pitched instruments. Conversely, the upper midrange remains clear and articulate, ensuring female vocals and higher-pitched instruments retain vibrancy and resolution that was especially audible when paired with the Hidizs MP145 and the HiBy Project ACE.

The treble area of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin demonstrates a fairly detailed and airy character for a DAC/AMP dongle in this price category. The lower treble avoids harshness while preserving the necessary detail for a clear and open soundscape. This clarity extends into the upper treble, audible with the MP145 contributing to the overall sense of spaciousness. High-frequency elements like hi-hats and cymbals are rendered crisp and well-defined.

When it comes to the soundstage performance of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin, I can say that shows a relative wide and deep presentation with all IEM’s including the Hidizs MP145, ddHiFi Janus 3 and HiBy Project ACE. The sense of air and space, allowing a fairly precise placement of vocals and instruments within the stereo image.

 

Conclusion:

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin strikes a balance between portability and audio fidelity. Its dual DAC architecture and high-resolution audio decoding capabilities cater to listeners seeking an above average sound experience on a budget, while the balanced and single-ended outputs offer versatility for various headphones. User-friendly controls and broad platform compatibility solidify the S8 Pro Robin as a well-rounded option for those who want a portable solution to enhance their audio experience.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Decent Sonic Performance for a budget-oriented device
• + Above average resolution
• + Clean background with very low hissing
• + Sleek & Lightweight Design
• + Comes with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm Outputs
• + Good Value for the Price

• – No Gain Settings
• – No dedicated APP for further controls (PEQ, Software Update, etc.)
• – Be careful the center button isn’t a volume knob (wish it were!)

 

Thank you for the read!