Sound performance
For this review, I chose to pair the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin with the HiFiman Svanar, the Meze 99 Classics and the lovely Beyerdynamic’s DT 900 Pro X – a setup of in-ear/headphones that I’m quite fond of now. And If the Hifiman is a clearly too high-end for this DAC, the Meze should more than adequate. Same with the Beyerdynamic, that remain my go to in this price range.
As for the source, I kept my MacBook and iPhone and Hidizs default cables. For the files, I mainly used Apple Music Hi-Res stream and Spotify, as I ended up using the S8 Pro Robin almost exclusively on the train, or at the office.
Overall signature
So, how does Hidizs’ newest USB dongle, the S8 Pro Robin, fare against its predecessors and the competition? Quite well actually, even more considering its low entry price point, proving once more that the brand know a thing or two about how to deliver great sound performance at an affordable price, without skimping on build quality or features.
Equipped with dual CS43131 DAC chips, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin delivers sound performance on par with its siblings. Paired with the Svanar in balanced mode, the Robin handles highs impressively well, but like most dongles, power falls a bit short – no surprises here.
On the other hand, when paired with the Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X, the S8 Pro Robin shines. It delivers crystal-clear highs and punchy lows, even at moderate volumes, making it a great match for headphones with lower power requirements. The balance between highs and lows feels natural and organic, ensuring a pleasing listening experience across various genres, something that is sometimes missing with Cirrus-Logic DAC, compared to ESS ones.
Most importantly, going balanced definitely makes a difference, especially with big cans like the Audeze. If less powerful than the S9 Pro Plus, in real-life situation, I found the gap narrower than expected, even more with power-hungry headsets like my LCD-X or the might Sennheiser HD800S. Should you do that? I think not, but know that I tried. In that regard, the FiiO KA15 we got before was quite louder, so if your goal is to push strong headset over the top, the S8 Pro might not be your best bet.
For those seeking power, the KA17 and KA15 remains the go-to pocket DAC for anyone seeking a pocket powerhouse, and the S8 Pro Robin falls a little short in that aspect. Still, with the Meze 99 classics lows were tight and mids were clear enough to distinguish lots and lots of micro-details, even at low listening volume.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of power, enough to push big cans like my Meze 109 Pro, but compared to the FiiO, passed 50%, the dynamic range seems to lower even more than before, and I found it harder to discern micro-details – so you better stick with easier to drive headphones.
Paired with the FiiO FT1, the combo gives you a perfect mix of accuracy and dynamic, a blend that I’d fully recommend, giving newcomers the perfect setup to begin with – even more when compared to the FiiO KA13. And, for people that may find the DT 700 Pro X and DT 900 Pro X a tad too dry, this is perfect if you need a small DAC on the go – or don’t get a Beyer, get a Meze.
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin closely mirrors the ddHiFi TC44E2 Pro in both sound signature and refinement, which is certainly a good thing. Both devices offer a balanced, natural tonality with a high level of detail, particularly in the midrange and treble. The finesse in the sound presentation is quite similar between the two, delivering clear highs and well-controlled lows.
Of course, compared to Apple’s basic dongle, this is a big improvement. The same can be said when opposed to ddHiFi’s TC35C: better dynamics overall, better bass control, cleaner high-mids, especially with big cans like my Audeze LCD-X. my opinion, especially when paired with a good IEM. For those familiar with the TC44E2 Pro, the Robin will feel like a familiar yet equally impressive alternative, matching its clarity and overall smoothness with ease.
All in all, this is, as expected, a good DAC, with no real flaw, sonically speaking, giving you the level of performance the brand accustomed us to. Lovely!
Tonality
Highs: clean and crisp. The S8 Pro Robin has lively treble and with IEMs like the FiiO JA11, it gives tons of details – on the cheap side. Going balanced doesn’t make a difference, but I did notice a major difference switching between 16 bit files and 24 bit files on this one, more than I used to hear with other similarly priced DAC. There’s a slight emphasis around 7kHz, but nothing that makes it high-centric. Just feed it with Hi-Res files!
Good test track : Through and through – Leaving Laurel
Mids: open and linear. Vocals and acoustic tracks were an easy job for the S8 Pro Robin, even more so once paired with a good IEM. The soundstage is wide and voices gilded easily into my ears, especially paired with the Meze 109 Pro. Yet, I preferred the DT900 Pro X with this DAC, as some good pairing occurred, giving me the right amount of details and a wide soundstage..
Good test track: Places – Brace! Brace!
Bass: tight and powerful. Hidizs did a great job here, and the S9 Pro Plus was impressive more than once, especially in balanced mode. In fact, if you paired with a solid can like the Audeze, or the Meze 99 Classics, with a 4.4mm Pentaconn, the difference compared to the single-ended port was stunning. If you like it low, balanced is the go.
Noise and power
Noise: As promised in the product sheet, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is absolutely dead silent, even with sensitive IEMs like my Onkyo. To be sure, I tried various sources to check if EMI shielding was okay too and 99% of the time, I was pleased to hear the same pitch-black background. And this time, even when I took the subway, I never encountered any parasites.
Power: good but not definitely not deafening. Hidizs doesn’t offer gain settings with its S8 Pro Robin so all you can do is raise or lower the volume. In most situation, the given volume should be enough for almost all and every situation, but don’t try to push big planars with them.
Conclusion
All in all, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is, as expected, a solid DAC with no significant flaws in terms of sound quality. It delivers the reliable performance we’ve come to expect from the brand, maintaining their standard of clarity and balance.
I didn’t have the chance to get the previous S8 but, sound-wise, compared to the S9 Pro Plus, the new model isn’t very far in terms of raw performance – for a lesser price. And if the sound prowess were not enough already, top that with praise-worthy build quality, digital filters access, and a super wide compatibility, making the S8 Pro Robin a delightful option, for audiophiles seeking quality DAC/Amp on a budget!
Summary
Pros
- great design and sturdy built
- plug & play by essence, perfect for on-the-go sessions with the USB-C port
- great sound and enough power to drive most portable headphones
- balanced output with a real balanced circuit
- good price/quality ratio
Cons
- lacks of power for hungry headphones
- the play/pause button is tad flimsy
Page 1: About the brand, design and build quality
Page 2: Sound performance
