HiBy R2 & FD1 & Beans Review

HiBy FD1

The HiBy FD1 is a budget DAC & AMP module. It is a plug & play device and it is NOT battery powered. It automatically boots up as soon as you plug it into one of your devices. It is compatible with many devices such as PCs, phones, tablets and such. It features ESS Technology’s dual ES9118 audio chips and two active crystal oscillators with low phase noise filters. It has a 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended out. 

Specifications

• Chipset: SA2000
• DAC: Dual ES9118
• 2 crystal oscillators (44.1 & 48)
• DSD decoding: Native (SA2000), 128
• Buttons: play/pause, volume+, volume-
• Status display: Tri-colour LED
• USB port Type-C
• Single ended output: 3.5mm
• SE output power: 25mW + 25mW
• Balanced output: 2.5mm
• Balanced output power: 75mW + 75mW
• Dimensions: 61.5*61.5*9.5mm
• Weight: 71.5g
• MSRP 59 USD

Packaging

The HiBy FD1 comes in a slim, white cardboard box. The specifications are listed on the back of the box. Accessories are rich. HiBy even included a magic sticker, some sort of removable adhesive to stack FD1 together with R2 or phones etc. Full package comes with the following accessories: 

*USB-A to USB-C Cable

*Type-C cable (L-shaped), 

*USB-C to USB-C Cable 

*Magic Sticker

*Manual & Warranty Card

Design & Build Quality

If you follow my reviews, you know I really like all-metal devices and the FD1 is one of those. It is simply beautiful and it does not look like it is a $59 usd device. There are gold rings around the balanced and single-ended outputs and those add richness to the visual package. Buttons and sockets feel solid, durable. No wiggle-wobble. It is quite small too, it is just 61.5*61.5*9.5 mm and 71 grams. It is the perfect companion of the R2. It does not have a power button, it automatically powers up when you plug it into a source. That’s convenient.

Features

It supports every audio file type and it can offer native DSD decoding up to 128. You can use bit-perfect mode with Android via USB Audio Player or HiBy Player app. Both offer bit-perfect USB audio playback. HiBy included a USB mode switch, if you run into compatibility issues with the devices, just go ahead and try USB 1.0 instead of 2.0. I mentioned that it is mostly driverless however, DSD playback requires drivers to be installed on your preferred device. As for drivability, the balanced output is rated at 75mw whereas the single-ended one is only 25mw. A balanced output would be enough for most of the IEMs in the industry so that’s good.

FD1 – Sound

The HiBy FD1 has this slightly warm sound signature. Bass extension and impact is great. Bass is quite powerful out of the balanced output and it is controlled. Midbass is similar to R2. No bleeding to midrange at all. As for the midrange, it sounds slightly thicker than the R2 and vocals are more meaty. Instruments have enough air between them just like R2 but the width and depth is slightly better. Midrange is clear and precise.

Upper midrange is controlled, no sibilance issue here, either. Treble is detailed but smooth. Resolution is really good for a $59 USD device. It feels resolving when combined with an IEM like Earsonics Velvet v2. Dynamics and PRaT are really good for the price as well, congestion handling is tad better than R2 so sandwiching them together will be quite interesting. 

On the next page you can find the pat on the HiBy Beans, and more about how the combo sounds. Click HERE or use the jumps below.