HiBy RS8 - Hi-Res Flagship Darwin-based R2R Digital Audio Player DAP

Pure titanium chassis

Monocoque titanium chassis formed of 6-stage CNC, 17 advanced processes, 19 hours of labour and polishing, yielding a high-quality, tough-wearing exterior with beautiful texture that’s both comfortable and satisfying to hold, befitting a new flagship!

Rotary encoder 

For smooth volume adjustments

Darwin vs Darwin II

The Darwin architecture is HiBy’s in-house developed all new hi-res digital signal processing architecture. In a breakthrough evolution of traditional R2R architecture, the system for the first time includes advanced functions such as linear FIR filter, nonlinear harmonics control, switchable oversampling / NOS, and DSD bypass on portable equipment. The end-to-end flexible architecture is fully configurable, creating endless possibilities for future upgrades and endless evolution.

Evolutionary Darwin audio architecture II

The R2R resistor ladder consists of 12 high speed switches and 184 high precision resistors, double the amount of the last generation, effectively increasing dynamic performance and fidelity at low signal levels. Further addition of a DC offset correction circuit allows for use of a fully DC coupled output stage, further improving impulse response. Sample rates up to 1024x DSD and 1536kHz PCM are supported, surpassing the specifications of many full-size systems in a portable device!

R2R technology

The R2R resistor ladder DAC architecture’s core is the high-precision resistor ladder, consisting of 12 high-speed switches and 184 high-precision resistors. The digital signal is drives, via the high speed electronic switches, the drive voltage to be modulated by the resistor network to obtain an analog voltage waveform corresponding directly to the digital signal, avoiding the high frequency modulation of D-S DACs for a more natural, transparent and emotional presentation.

Resistor ladder linearity compensation

Effectively reduces nonlinearity caused by resistor resistance mismatch in the R2R network; in tandem with the unique harmonics control system of the Darwin architecture, produces a more relaxing, natural listening experience.

NOS/OS mode switch

NOS mode is non-oversampling, responding more immediately and directly to signals, converting the digital signals to analog output directly, bringing a more analog sound signature. It is more suitable for music files / streams of 192kHz sample rate or above.

Oversampling mode easily removes aliasing artifacts via the tried and true combination of oversampling and ultrasonic lowpass filter, yielding superior measured performance; enables all functions of the Darwin architecture, realizes personalized adjustments of sound signature, adapting to different earphones.

Audio dedicated femtosecond crystal oscillators

2x femtosecond precision crystal oscillators, clocked at 45.158MHz and 49.152MHz respectively, dedicated to 44.1x (including DSD) and 48x (including MQA) kHz family of audio format sampling rates, with phase noise as low as 159dBc/Hz @1KHz offset, ensure precision playback of all music formats with zero audible jitter effect.

A new height in parts costs

Handpicked gold-tantalum capacitors utilized to ensure clean power output, higher power supply ripple rejection, lower THD of resulting system; Loaded with 4 Elna SILMIC II silk fibre capacitors for silky highs comparable to tube amplifications! Complete with 47 high capacity tantalum capacitors, 10 Panasonic thin-film POSCAPs, you are getting your money’s worth just in audiophile grade capacitors inside the player!

Class A headphone amplification

Comprised of 2x OPA1652+8x NXP dual bipolar transistors, the class-A amplifier features “zero” zero-crossover distortion and instantaneous transient response; 

Maintaining peak output at all times, the class-A amplifier maintains ideal drive and control characteristics over full-size headphones, high and low impedance IEMs and all sorts of difficult loads and driving easier loads is a snap. The RS8 maintains a composure befitting a modern flagship while playing any complex music passage through any headphone load.

Turbo mode

All in! Full power output! Unleash turbo mode for 25% extra headphone amplifier carrying capacity at the touch of a button! All in for maximum musical performance!

Headphone amplifier voltage supply: default ±6V, Turbo at ±7.5V. By Power = V^2/R, turbo mode yields 56.25% extra power.

*Heat dissipation and battery drain increases significantly when turbo mode is on.

12000mAh power bank

A huge battery, custom designed for the occasion, ensures adequate current supply and battery life for the class A amplifier to come up with the goods for immediate musical transients and last the distance as well: 12 hours through 3.5mm SE and 8 hours through 4.4mm balanced for extended listening!

Independent power supplies

Digital, DAC, preamp, and post-amp circuits are each supplied independently for zero interference.

Headphone amplifier circuit supplied by 2 high-quality DC/DC transformers and 6 high magnetic flux, ultra-low internal resistance, fully shielded high power inductors. The 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced headphone outs are supplied separately.

The ultrasonic lowpass filter is supplied by another DC/DC transformer and 7 LDO regulators, supplying the left and right channels independently.

The R2R ladder is supplied by yet another DC/DC transformer and 2 ultra-low-ripple LDOs supplying each channel independently.

Strong and cool

Pure copper battery case for high heat dissipation efficiency for cool internal temperatures even in the heaviest operation scenarios.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 665

Utilizing an advanced 11nm process, the Snapdragon 665 allows smooth operation of multiple apps at the same time, instant response to music browsing and potential use of any audio DSPs.

8+256 storage configuration

8GB of RAM allows smooth concurrent operation of multiple streaming apps;

256GB of internal storage allows storage of large local music libraries;

Together they allow ready access to any music anywhere!

Open Android 12

Rewritten from the core for simpler operation and more efficient use of the powerful hardware for better responsiveness than ever.

5.5” 1080p display

With Corning Gorilla Glass and oleophobic coating, 1920x1080 resolution, 443ppi, 16:9 aspect ratio.

HiByOS specific functionality

The Direct Transport Architecture (DTA), unique to HiByOS, bypasses sample rate conversion from deep within the system kernel, allowing even 3rd party apps to enjoy bit-perfect output at the original sample rate whether from the headphone outs, line outs, or the USB Audio digital output.

Systemwide remote operation: HiByCast

Breaking all barriers, supporting systemwide operation of all device functionalities from a remote smartphone / tablet, including operation of third party apps!

*HiByCast app required on controlling device. Available on Google Play etc.

MQA 16x unfolding

The strong processing power of the SoC makes an unprecedented 16x unfolding of MQA data possible, reproducing the original master tape from ever smaller source files!

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning technology that captures and reproduces the sound of the original studio master in a file that’s small enough to stream and download. HiBy is collaborating with MQA to deliver truely original sound quality to listeners.

DSD1024

PCM1536

3.5mm & 4.4mm headphone outs and line outs

3.5mm headphone out and line out, 4.4mm headphone out and line out, all with their own physical ports.

2.4GHz / 5GHz dual band WiFi 

Dual-band WiFi for double the connection speed and stability, supporting ready music streaming.  

Supporting DLNA / AirPlay / WiFi music file transfer.

Bluetooth 5.0

Supporting two-way Bluetooth reception / transmission, supporting all major Bluetooth audio formats such as UAT, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, SBC etc.

PD2.0 quick charge

Supporting charge rates of up to 20W for quick battery replenishment.