@@PassionforSound Not at all. We're lucky as a community to be benefitting from the superb work you are doing!!!! BTW - You have my head turned with the AP80 👍
Currently im using very open speakers... Most of the time too tiring for my ears, so fatigue... Luckily i choose BTR 7 to make every thing smoother in a good way...
FiiO's new BTR7 high-end dongle provides plenty of power for both your IEMs and headphones. The single-ended 3.5mm output can deliver around 160 mW of power into a 32Ω load. The balanced 4.4 mm output can deliver around 320 mW into a 32Ω load.
BTR7 from BTR3K Thee BTR7 Is A Bluetooth Beast . . . On Sept. 11 2020 I purchased my BTR3K it and it's clip case are still going strong . I Skipped Getting The BTR5 . On March 9 2023 I finally took the plunge and got the BTR7 And WOW It's A Bluetooth LDAC Codec Beast But In Wired DAC Mode Is Where The BTR7 Really Shines . I Am Hard Pressed To Tell The Difference Over My Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE And BTR7 When In Wired DAC Mode Of BTR7.
@PassionforSound THANK YOU FOR COMMENTI G BACK The BTR7 is mos Def neck in neck with hidizs s9 pro in Wired dac mode . Any perceivable difference is very slight In The S9 Pros Favor . I actually thought to get the BTR5 and skip the BTR7 for now but after reading the output power difference in single ended AND balanced I don't see how the BTR5 would have been the better choice . In Bluetooth mode LDAC Codec the BTR7 obliterates my BTR3K . I Mainly Wanted Something To Give Me An Above Average LDAC Bluetooth Listening Experience & I Think The BTR7 Does Just That . My only complaint for BTR7 is there's no Clip Case . I thought to attach a magnet to BTR7 Case But I'm Not Sure If That Would Mess Up The BTR7 .
hello, so the hidizs AP80 pro X over bluetooth still better sounding that shanling up4 2022 (bluetooth)? Is there a big sound degradation going from wired to bluetooth? I assume that you were testing them in bluetooth mode right? (both ap80prox, up4) and propably all others.
It's been a long time since I recorded this, so I don't recall the ins and outs, but I expect it was all Bluetooth testing given the nature of the devices. The UP4 2022 is solid, but I do like the AP80 Pro X just a little more. As for staging, the move to Bluetooth doesn't tend to hurt the staging too much. It's more the fine details and nuances in sound that suffer slightly.
Your sound description of G5 reminds me of my NX4, I would say same things. It's midrangy, slightly warm-in the boundaries of neutral(someone may could call It neutral), all the frequencies very energetic, kinda intimate soundstage but not restricted. NX4 also sounds identical to my Motu m4 audio interface. So, I conclude It's due to Sabre dacs these sound that way and they're so similar between them.. Maybe they do have some minute sound differences but we would be scratching heads in order to perceive them..
I've heard Sabre chips sound thin and lifeless too so I think it's more about the output stage. The main thing though is that you're enjoying your gear! 🙂
@@PassionforSound No worries, happens to me too. I had a question, how does Mojo 2 compare against G5? you recommended Mojo 2 a few days back and I'm almost done saving up for it but I like the extra features that the G5 brings to the table. I'm currently using the BTR7 and the sound quality is decent but I could use a bit more battery life and more power for Edition XS.
The Mojo 2 is in a different league to the G5. Unless you really need Bluetooth or the extra power, the Mojo 2 is a significant upgrade from the G5 in detail retrieval, soundstage size and depth, it's got crossfeed and the only EQ I ever use because it's totally transparent.
@@PassionforSound Good to know, Mojo 2 it is then. Not a huge fan of bluetooth for audio quality but the form factor on the G5 seems like it'll stack up better with a phone compared to Mojo 2. Ultimately, I'm looking for better sound so Mojo 2 it is. I'm curious to see how it stacks up against the micro iDSD Signature which has been the best sounding portable (transportable) device I've heard so far.
Just got the topping G5 after seeing this. I can confirm that the first 3 hours are rubbish. 😂 Yes, Mid forward, horizontal soundstage. As an electric guitarist, this is as a class D sounds as it gets. Precise. Clean. Analytical. Powerful. Lacks acoustic shimmer/harmonic distortions. Not that musical. As per audio discourse review and the G5 actual ads pics, it’s perfect with Moondrop Variations. Unforgiving with treble heavy gears, barely okay on low gains.
Thanks for the review Lachlan. How would you compare the Topping G5 sound quality with the stock Mojo 2 audio? BTW... Your voice is fine in your videos. No need to alter it unless it suits your needs👍
Thanks Keith. The Mojo 2 is a significantly better sounding device in all ways I think (resolution, soundstage, etc.) so if budget permits, that's still the better choice, but the G5 is great for the price!
If you're connecting via Bluetooth I don't think any of these will support MQA (but double check that). Either way, I'd definitely take the G5 over the BTR7 every time
its a shame you probably cant use something like the G5 for a dedicated desktop solution. I really like the small form factor specifically and it wouldnt be so invasive next to my pc (i use a tiny desk). if Topping made a unit like the dx3pro+ but in a small form factor like this(bare-bones) I think it would sell very well. maybe the power requirements would be too difficult to resolve.
@@PassionforSound I went ahead and ordered an Earmen Angel after watching one of the videos you did on it comparing it to the G5 sound. I care about sound primarily for pc use/gaming and music. Originally I was going to go with the dx3pro+ which goes for about $200, then I had a look at the G5 and liked that form factor. The Angel is about $400, double the price of the dx3 but its smaller and doesnt need that dedicated power source. Im just hoping I dont run into power issues using it as a primary desktop unit for pc. Although the Mojo2 might be the best choice sound wise I couldnt justify spending another $250 ontop of the 400 for the Angel. Mojo2 is more than 3 times more expensive than a dx3pro+ which is what I was going to go with originally. I've heard nothing but praise for the Angel from various channels and it seems like the price has dropped a fair amount in the last 12 months so seems like good value, the colour is an added bonus. I plan to pair this with a pair of DT770 pro X, hopefully this sound will be complementary I have no idea
Lovely and detailed review as always. I have a Mojo but it’s battery is horrible. Would the G5 be a good replacement? How does it fair through Bluetooth?
The only one (I think) that does 2-way Bluetooth is the AP80 Pro-X so that's the only one I tried it with. I believe the others are all BT receivers only
Been looking at a few of your previous videos with purpose of creatinga. shortlist of products to look at. The FiiO products must frustrate you as they look great value, though, you clearly aren't fond of the THX sound. I suspect I'm less choosy so I'll give them a listen.
Yes, the amp stage in the FiiO gear seems to consistently take a bit of the life out of the music. Not all such designs do this, but something about FiiO's approach does. As you say, it's a pet concern of mine and it's particularly noticeable because I'm comparing the FiiO gear side-by-side with competitors. The reality is, they sound great in isolation and the build, features and functions are brilliant!
I doubt it, because it will use the same amp stage. I'm also not sure if I'll get the R9 for review. FiiO changed their internal) PR/marketing person a while back and the new person decided that my channel isn't big enough (or some similar reasoning) for them to send review units.
@@PassionforSound interesting decision for them. Your audience is probably the most likely group of enthusiasts to consider this all in one and definitely the biggest in Australia. I have to assume that they are using subscriber and views numbers alone which isn’t always the best approach. Cheapaudioman has lots of subscribers and views yet I suspect most of his viewers don’t buy anything as his reviews are so shallow unfulfilling and part of me just wonders if he actually does listen to them as he navigates a fence line approach that highlights lots that others say. Darko does the same though he does it by just reviewing kit he has a narrative for. Not dishing any of them but it’s great to have a fellow Aussie making such a good audiophile centric channel.
Definitely! Options like the Topping G5 in particular have heaps of power for those sorts of headphones. Some of the smaller ones might struggle a little bit with the tougher headphones though
The G5 sounds like the device I've been looking for. Desktop sound and power in a portable device. My space doesn't permit a desktop set up, so I think this is a good next option. Would you agree?
Thank you so much for your continued excellent content! Does the G5's "LINE IN" mean that you can use a "headset", headphone + mic, like for gaming or Discord comms?
I'm guessing that's a phone setting rather than a UP4 setting, but I don't know if there's a way to force AAC from an iPhone because I'm an Android user.
Yet another awesome comparo! Unsurprisingly it seems that sound quality delta over cheaper options (Eagle, Sparrow etc.) combined with the bulk doesn't make these very tempting (for the asking price), the feature-set may be for some.
Yeah, you're always trading off price-to-performance when you're paying for wireless AND wired features while staying small. The G5 is an absolute beast for the price but that's because they haven't tried to keep it tiny. The AP80 Pro-X is brilliant, but a dongle of similar price can still outperform it.
I went to check out your table of recommended items and found it to contain only two things, the Hidizs AP80 Pro-X and iBasso DX-30. Is it undergoing an overhaul or something?
Thanks for letting me know. It must react to any filtering I've done to it at my end (I didn't realise this and was working on some updates the other day). It's all fixed now
I agree with Suntan Glory, I had Gryphon for more than a month and while I didn't think it was bad sounding, it didn't seem value for money. The Mojo 2 & micro iDSD Signature were better sounding.
How do BTR7 compares to UA5? I am trying to decide between the two to be used when traveling with Fostex T60RP Argon (balanced, updated xenon pads mod), streaming Tidal from my iPad air 4. Other headphones I may use are Massdrop/Fostex TH-X00 Ebony and E-MU Teak (both single ended). I tried all 3 of them with my Shanling UA3 and preferred how the T60RP argons sounded with most music genres I listen to (rock, 80’s, 90’s, psytrance, tech-trance, dub). I like the UA3 but I am looking for a higher end device that can provide more power and better resolution, separation and layering with a faster and a bit more defined bass. Which one will be better for my needs? Thanks!
May I know which is sonically better between Hiby R5ii and Topping G5? I have a sennheiser hd 598 and a Sennheiser hd 650. I know both are different categories but both still have dac-amp inside them and are around the same price.
I don’t mind the softer-spoken reviews at all personally. But I also am totally good with your usual speaking voice ofc! Btw, any plans on trying to get in the new Dethonray Pegasus SG-1? I just ordered ($399 USD) and would love to get your take on it at some point. Thanks for another great shootout fondle!
@@Soundoverload I received my Pegasus about a week and a half ago now. It’s build is quite robust and feels appropriately weighty and dense for an amp of its size. BT pairing is literally the quickest and best experience I’ve had with any BT audio device as of yet. The one major drawback in form factor is how freaking sharp the edges (and especially corners) are..like you could legitimately kill someone with one 😳🫢 it’s not that it’s unpleasant to hold and operate or anything, I actually quite like it but it has indeed made me very conscientious about how I’m putting it in a pocket (bc it could easily puncture and rip thru even jeans). It’s more suitable as a transportable BT DAC/amp than one that’s truly portable just due to some of those ergonomic factors. It also scares me to put it in with anything else that might mess it up. It’s beautifully finished in a dusty purple and the volume knob is amazing in feel and v unique. Unfortunately it comes preloaded with stock firmware that has a pretty significant delay between actuation and the volume physically changing. Zeos described it well..there’s about a half second delay which makes it scary for several reasons he detailed in his video. On to the sound..wow. For portable BT devices I currently have an iFi GO Blu, a Shanling UP5, the FiiO BTR7, and the Pegasus SG-1. I also used to own the BTR5, the Qudelix 5K, and the EarStudio ES100. I have other desktop gear to also compare with. I’d say that with the stock firmware (I’m unable to get the newest firmware to load onto the device bc their website is just beyond awful) it sounds the best to my ears, especially compared to the other devices I used to own. It has a pretty warm and lush sound. The bass is definitely more significantly impactful and fuller bodied on the Dethonray when compared to all of my other devices (save when XBass is enabled on the GO Blu). I’m not necessarily a basshead but I def care as much about the bass as the rest of the FR or even a little more even than the mids at times. Their midbass is slightly thickened up to my ears when compared with the more linear and neutral BTR7 for instance. That lends to a nice richness in lower male vocals and although it’s subtle, it is definitely perceptible. Female vocals have a nice energy to them that doesn’t sound unnaturally boosted or anything like that. Also forgot to mention that tho there’s a minimal amount of bleeding into the lower mids from the upper bass, I find it tastefully done on most occasions and gives them a nice and natural timbre. The treble is also very present but not excessively so and provides great extension into the air frequencies. Truth be told, I didn’t perceive any noticeable change to soundstage when comparing with my other devices but the imaging is pretty spectacular for a portable unit. Espesh one running on lossy BT codecs. The resolution is also quite good and I have really been enjoying the Pegasus a ton!! Battery life for me has been even better than advertised. And I don’t listen at quiet volumes..not by a long shot. I’d say at comfortable listening levels I get around 7 hours or a touch more even on balanced output. And the single ended output is even longer. I’d say it’s close to 10 hours so far. I’d say that if you have the cash and have done some good research on the forums etc, I give it the highest marks at its price point ($400) for its sound and remarkable performance..and I think it’s just absolutely elegant and gorgeous to hold and play with and just to look at even. And the volume knob..oh man! I don’t ever rec anything tho unless someone has the funds dedicated and are just trying to decide between different pieces of audio gear..I’d feel absolutely awful to give something a blind-buy rec and and have someone hate it or even worse go into debt for something bc of my excitement. At the end of the day, this is a fantastically fun and social hobby but can get v expensive v quickly. Let me know if you have any other questions etc my friend. Enjoy your music!
@@davidcoons89 Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me with all your observations, it was vey nice of you. It truely sounds like a wonderful piece of equipment if one can live with the sharp edges in the construction. I like the idea of having a very capable dac/amp I can take with me where ever I go without sacrificing too much in sound quality. I will consider this together with the Topping G5 which I know will have a much more sterile and clean sound in lack of a better word... Thx
@@Soundoverload I believe linsoul has the G5 currently for around $255 on sale rn for the 11/11 event if you do want to go that route. I was also considering the G5 as well for a bit. It seems a great piece of kit as well. Best wishes my friend!
Hey, I currently have BTR5 2021, I've returned ifi XDSD Gryphon because I thought it's not much better than BTR5, I don't G5 because it's not truly balanced, I've heard dethonray Pegasus sg-1 having issues. So what else would you recommend that is much better than BTR5? Even a DAP with bluetooth LDAC reciving capability.
Holy Hand-Grenades Batman! This video really u locks the raw dramatic power of these uber dongles. If only someone made an adaptor that connected the all together. 🥸
Fiio BTR7 is 320mW into 32ohm on balanced (160mW for SE). It's hard to find, but it's in the parameters page of the Fiio product website.
Thanks for sharing that!
I actually like your reviews' laid back tone. It's not stressful to watch lol.
That's great! I try to keep things pretty level and relaxed 🙂
Wow that's quite a intro with all the glamour shots. It looks like a high-end shop advertisement. Very Impressive.
Thanks! I had some fun with that one 🙂
Great review 👍. Just to add Fiio BTR7 output power is 160mW @ 32ohm SE and 320mW Balanced.
Thank you! I hope that wasn't super obvious and I've looked past it 10,000 times 😁
@@PassionforSound Not at all. We're lucky as a community to be benefitting from the superb work you are doing!!!! BTW - You have my head turned with the AP80 👍
I'm glad you're finding my content helpful! The AP80 Pro-X would have to be the biggest surprise for me in quite some time.
Currently im using very open speakers... Most of the time too tiring for my ears, so fatigue... Luckily i choose BTR 7 to make every thing smoother in a good way...
That's a great example of where you can use a device that sounds slightly muted in one system to improve another.
the intro music is sooooo goooodd
Glad you liked it! 😁
Please compare sound quality of G5 against Gryphon and Q7. Cheers.
Sorry, I currently don't have either so I can't help there
FiiO's new BTR7 high-end dongle provides plenty of power for both your IEMs and headphones. The single-ended 3.5mm output can deliver around 160 mW of power into a 32Ω load. The balanced 4.4 mm output can deliver around 320 mW into a 32Ω load.
Thanks DL!
@@PassionforSound you're welcome
I've always really enjoyed the way you talk.
Thank you and I'm glad. 🙂 I think some people just want to be critical ☹️
BTR7 from BTR3K Thee BTR7 Is A Bluetooth Beast . . .
On Sept. 11 2020 I purchased my BTR3K it and it's clip case are still going strong .
I Skipped Getting The BTR5 .
On March 9 2023 I finally took the plunge and got the BTR7 And WOW It's A Bluetooth LDAC Codec Beast But In Wired DAC Mode Is Where The BTR7 Really Shines .
I Am Hard Pressed To Tell The Difference Over My Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE And BTR7 When In Wired DAC Mode Of BTR7.
Yes, the BTR7 is really nice. When in wired mode, it might actually be better than the S9 Pro I think
@PassionforSound THANK YOU FOR COMMENTI G BACK
The BTR7 is mos Def neck in neck with hidizs s9 pro in Wired dac mode . Any perceivable difference is very slight In The S9 Pros Favor .
I actually thought to get the BTR5 and skip the BTR7 for now but after reading the output power difference in single ended AND balanced I don't see how the BTR5 would have been the better choice .
In Bluetooth mode LDAC Codec the BTR7 obliterates my BTR3K .
I Mainly Wanted Something To Give Me An Above Average LDAC Bluetooth Listening Experience & I Think The BTR7 Does Just That .
My only complaint for BTR7 is there's no Clip Case .
I thought to attach a magnet to BTR7 Case But I'm Not Sure If That Would Mess Up The BTR7 .
I've used similar devices with magnetic attachments and never had problems so I think you'd be OK, but maybe test it before attaching permanently ;)
@@PassionforSound thank you
Great review as always, ordered the Questyle M15 after seeing your review, any plans for a Topping A90D review.
Glad I could help! The A90D review notes are all written. It's still a little way off, but coming soon
hello, so the hidizs AP80 pro X over bluetooth still better sounding that shanling up4 2022 (bluetooth)? Is there a big sound degradation going from wired to bluetooth? I assume that you were testing them in bluetooth mode right? (both ap80prox, up4) and propably all others.
It's been a long time since I recorded this, so I don't recall the ins and outs, but I expect it was all Bluetooth testing given the nature of the devices.
The UP4 2022 is solid, but I do like the AP80 Pro X just a little more.
As for staging, the move to Bluetooth doesn't tend to hurt the staging too much. It's more the fine details and nuances in sound that suffer slightly.
so funny about the voice thing. I almost commented on another video saying “it sounds like you’re trying to not wake up your sleeping girlfriend” haha
You would have been close to the mark 😁
Your sound description of G5 reminds me of my NX4, I would say same things. It's midrangy, slightly warm-in the boundaries of neutral(someone may could call It neutral), all the frequencies very energetic, kinda intimate soundstage but not restricted. NX4 also sounds identical to my Motu m4 audio interface. So, I conclude It's due to Sabre dacs these sound that way and they're so similar between them.. Maybe they do have some minute sound differences but we would be scratching heads in order to perceive them..
I've heard Sabre chips sound thin and lifeless too so I think it's more about the output stage. The main thing though is that you're enjoying your gear! 🙂
@@PassionforSound Yes, that goes to everyone.
Great review as always, love the comparision of a wide range of devices.
A correction about BTR7, it has 60 Volume Steps and not 100.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for the correction on the BTR7 - too many devices to keep in check in my brain!
@@PassionforSound No worries, happens to me too. I had a question, how does Mojo 2 compare against G5? you recommended Mojo 2 a few days back and I'm almost done saving up for it but I like the extra features that the G5 brings to the table. I'm currently using the BTR7 and the sound quality is decent but I could use a bit more battery life and more power for Edition XS.
The Mojo 2 is in a different league to the G5. Unless you really need Bluetooth or the extra power, the Mojo 2 is a significant upgrade from the G5 in detail retrieval, soundstage size and depth, it's got crossfeed and the only EQ I ever use because it's totally transparent.
@@PassionforSound Good to know, Mojo 2 it is then. Not a huge fan of bluetooth for audio quality but the form factor on the G5 seems like it'll stack up better with a phone compared to Mojo 2. Ultimately, I'm looking for better sound so Mojo 2 it is. I'm curious to see how it stacks up against the micro iDSD Signature which has been the best sounding portable (transportable) device I've heard so far.
I've owned the old microDSD and the Mojo/Mojo 2 are both better IMO
Just got the topping G5 after seeing this.
I can confirm that the first 3 hours are rubbish. 😂
Yes, Mid forward, horizontal soundstage.
As an electric guitarist, this is as a class D sounds as it gets. Precise. Clean. Analytical. Powerful. Lacks acoustic shimmer/harmonic distortions. Not that musical.
As per audio discourse review and the G5 actual ads pics, it’s perfect with Moondrop Variations. Unforgiving with treble heavy gears, barely okay on low gains.
Yeah, low gain isn't fun, but in M or H gain, for the price, it's very difficult to beat for the power and functionality.
I have g5. Obe of those purchases where i instantly knew i have a winner
Absolutely! Great choice
Does it upset you that there is no battery life indication?
I don't find it a problem, but I tend to recharge devices like this every few uses (using for an hour or so per time)
Thanks for the review Lachlan. How would you compare the Topping G5 sound quality with the stock Mojo 2 audio?
BTW... Your voice is fine in your videos. No need to alter it unless it suits your needs👍
Thanks Keith. The Mojo 2 is a significantly better sounding device in all ways I think (resolution, soundstage, etc.) so if budget permits, that's still the better choice, but the G5 is great for the price!
@@PassionforSound Great to know. Many thanks again
What about compare to Questyle M15?
It was already featured in a recent roundup of his!
G5 is desktop level. Much better than m15
Yes, the G5 is brilliant and I would choose it over the M15, but I'd probably choose the M15 over the others unless wireless is needed.
Topping NX7(+ Topping G5 DAC mode) Vs Topping G5
I just wanna know Amp quality. Are they about the same?
They're about the same, but the NX7 is a tiny bit better.
I ordered the g5 the other day over the btr7 I haven't watched this yet but I hope it was the right choice
It was absolutely the right choice. You're in for a sonic treat 🙂🙂
BTR7 works great with Focal headphones
i saw that g5 dont support mqa. my source is tidal. g5 still better choices than btr7 soundwise?
If you're connecting via Bluetooth I don't think any of these will support MQA (but double check that). Either way, I'd definitely take the G5 over the BTR7 every time
its a shame you probably cant use something like the G5 for a dedicated desktop solution. I really like the small form factor specifically and it wouldnt be so invasive next to my pc (i use a tiny desk). if Topping made a unit like the dx3pro+ but in a small form factor like this(bare-bones) I think it would sell very well. maybe the power requirements would be too difficult to resolve.
The Mojo 2 from Chord is a perfect version of that type of compact all-in-one. It's a fair bit pricier though.
@@PassionforSound I went ahead and ordered an Earmen Angel after watching one of the videos you did on it comparing it to the G5 sound. I care about sound primarily for pc use/gaming and music. Originally I was going to go with the dx3pro+ which goes for about $200, then I had a look at the G5 and liked that form factor. The Angel is about $400, double the price of the dx3 but its smaller and doesnt need that dedicated power source. Im just hoping I dont run into power issues using it as a primary desktop unit for pc. Although the Mojo2 might be the best choice sound wise I couldnt justify spending another $250 ontop of the 400 for the Angel. Mojo2 is more than 3 times more expensive than a dx3pro+ which is what I was going to go with originally. I've heard nothing but praise for the Angel from various channels and it seems like the price has dropped a fair amount in the last 12 months so seems like good value, the colour is an added bonus. I plan to pair this with a pair of DT770 pro X, hopefully this sound will be complementary I have no idea
I think you'll be very happy with the Angel! Enjoy!!
Lovely and detailed review as always.
I have a Mojo but it’s battery is horrible. Would the G5 be a good replacement? How does it fair through Bluetooth?
The G5 is great! It's not on the performance level of the Mojo, but it has good sound quality, plenty of power and solid Bluetooth. Hope that helps 🙂
Did you try the Bluetooth earbuds and headphones with these and with the LDAC?
The only one (I think) that does 2-way Bluetooth is the AP80 Pro-X so that's the only one I tried it with. I believe the others are all BT receivers only
Great review as always! Can the Topping G5 easily drive Sennheiser hd600 (300 ohms)? Thank you
Absolutely. No problems at all. Glad you liked the review.
Been looking at a few of your previous videos with purpose of creatinga. shortlist of products to look at. The FiiO products must frustrate you as they look great value, though, you clearly aren't fond of the THX sound. I suspect I'm less choosy so I'll give them a listen.
Yes, the amp stage in the FiiO gear seems to consistently take a bit of the life out of the music. Not all such designs do this, but something about FiiO's approach does. As you say, it's a pet concern of mine and it's particularly noticeable because I'm comparing the FiiO gear side-by-side with competitors. The reality is, they sound great in isolation and the build, features and functions are brilliant!
@@PassionforSound I’m going to assume this won’t change with the R9 which I’m keen to see your opinion on.
I doubt it, because it will use the same amp stage. I'm also not sure if I'll get the R9 for review. FiiO changed their internal) PR/marketing person a while back and the new person decided that my channel isn't big enough (or some similar reasoning) for them to send review units.
@@PassionforSound interesting decision for them. Your audience is probably the most likely group of enthusiasts to consider this all in one and definitely the biggest in Australia. I have to assume that they are using subscriber and views numbers alone which isn’t always the best approach. Cheapaudioman has lots of subscribers and views yet I suspect most of his viewers don’t buy anything as his reviews are so shallow unfulfilling and part of me just wonders if he actually does listen to them as he navigates a fence line approach that highlights lots that others say. Darko does the same though he does it by just reviewing kit he has a narrative for. Not dishing any of them but it’s great to have a fellow Aussie making such a good audiophile centric channel.
I'm glad you're enjoying my content, Neil! The good news is that I have SO much to review even if FiiO don't want to send me stuff. 🙂
Do you think any of these can run a more demanding planar headphone (the DCA Noire, Hifiman , LCD, etc.)?
Definitely! Options like the Topping G5 in particular have heaps of power for those sorts of headphones. Some of the smaller ones might struggle a little bit with the tougher headphones though
@@PassionforSound well looks like the G5 is for me!
Thanks!
Fantastic & classy intro Lachlan
So glad you liked it!
great intro vid bud 👍👍 & i've got to get one of those hoodies 😎😎
Glad you liked the intro! Hoodies are readily available in the merch section below the vids or via the link in description 😁
The G5 sounds like the device I've been looking for. Desktop sound and power in a portable device. My space doesn't permit a desktop set up, so I think this is a good next option. Would you agree?
That's exactly how I'd use it. It's perfect in those situations
@@PassionforSound thank you! Great channel!
Thanks Scott!
Thank you so much for your continued excellent content!
Does the G5's "LINE IN" mean that you can use a "headset", headphone + mic, like for gaming or Discord comms?
My pleasure!
The line-in is for a stereo line input only so no gaming AFAIK. It's for using with an external DAC and making the G5 just an amp
@@PassionforSound makes total sense. Tbh, I think I spaced out a lil on that : s
All good!
What about cayin Ru7
I haven't tried that one. I've reviewed RU6 separately though
Any idea how to get my up4 to use AAC on my iPhone? The up4 keeps blinking blue which apparently is sbc
I'm guessing that's a phone setting rather than a UP4 setting, but I don't know if there's a way to force AAC from an iPhone because I'm an Android user.
@@PassionforSound or maybe cyan looks blue 🤷🏻♂️
That's also possible 🙂
hi btr7 compare to moonriver 2 where is better in SQ
Shanling UA5 and Questyle M15 are both better 🙂
Yes! Uber dongle fondle!
Enjoy the fondle! 😁
Yet another awesome comparo! Unsurprisingly it seems that sound quality delta over cheaper options (Eagle, Sparrow etc.) combined with the bulk doesn't make these very tempting (for the asking price), the feature-set may be for some.
Yeah, you're always trading off price-to-performance when you're paying for wireless AND wired features while staying small. The G5 is an absolute beast for the price but that's because they haven't tried to keep it tiny. The AP80 Pro-X is brilliant, but a dongle of similar price can still outperform it.
I went to check out your table of recommended items and found it to contain only two things, the Hidizs AP80 Pro-X and iBasso DX-30. Is it undergoing an overhaul or something?
Thanks for letting me know. It must react to any filtering I've done to it at my end (I didn't realise this and was working on some updates the other day). It's all fixed now
Which dap would the G5 compare to then,if you don't mind? 😄😂🙏 Thank you.
Ifi gryphon which it is better than gryphon for half the price.
@@nellatl I had ifi gryphon for 2wks, didn't think the sound was worth the asking price so returned it.....
I don't have any DAPs to directly compare, but the G5 IS very impressive so I expect it would compare favourably to some more expensive DAPs
I agree with Suntan Glory, I had Gryphon for more than a month and while I didn't think it was bad sounding, it didn't seem value for money. The Mojo 2 & micro iDSD Signature were better sounding.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your impressions!
How do BTR7 compares to UA5? I am trying to decide between the two to be used when traveling with Fostex T60RP Argon (balanced, updated xenon pads mod), streaming Tidal from my iPad air 4. Other headphones I may use are Massdrop/Fostex TH-X00 Ebony and E-MU Teak (both single ended). I tried all 3 of them with my Shanling UA3 and preferred how the T60RP argons sounded with most music genres I listen to (rock, 80’s, 90’s, psytrance, tech-trance, dub). I like the UA3 but I am looking for a higher end device that can provide more power and better resolution, separation and layering with a faster and a bit more defined bass. Which one will be better for my needs? Thanks!
I am also considering iBasso DC06, iFi Go Bar and iFi Hip Dac 2
I can't comment on the extra ones you've mentioned, but the UA5 is a nicer sounding unit than the BTR7 IMO
@@PassionforSound Thanks. Purchased it yesterday. UA3 is fine but as I am using an iPad as my source when traveling I can’t access the settings.
Mr Nolan, what is this intro 😂?
Haha. Not quite there yet I think 😁
How do you find not having a battery life indicator on the G5
It doesn't really worry me because I tend to charge these devices semi-regularly
May I know which is sonically better between Hiby R5ii and Topping G5? I have a sennheiser hd 598 and a Sennheiser hd 650. I know both are different categories but both still have dac-amp inside them and are around the same price.
I'm afraid that I haven't compared them - sorry
G5 doesnt have balanced output? Rly??? Are you sure???
It has a 4.4mm connector, but I'm pretty sure (going from memory now) that it's not a separate balanced circuit and is just there for convenience.
Would hiby R3 pro be a better choice vs. AP80 pro-x?
I haven't tried the R3 Pro so I can't say - sorry
Good job on those intro
Thank you! I was very happy with this one too 🙂🙂
Does the UP4 support multipoint connection?
I'm not sure on that one. You'd have to check the website specs. I don't recall it being listed anywhere prominently
I don’t mind the softer-spoken reviews at all personally. But I also am totally good with your usual speaking voice ofc! Btw, any plans on trying to get in the new Dethonray Pegasus SG-1? I just ordered ($399 USD) and would love to get your take on it at some point. Thanks for another great shootout fondle!
Actually, I was just contacted about it the other day, but I'm not sure if they'll be happy with the delay before I can publish the review. 🤞🤞🤞
Did you get the Pegasus and how does it sound?- it gets incredible reviews despite not measuring super well
@@Soundoverload I received my Pegasus about a week and a half ago now. It’s build is quite robust and feels appropriately weighty and dense for an amp of its size. BT pairing is literally the quickest and best experience I’ve had with any BT audio device as of yet. The one major drawback in form factor is how freaking sharp the edges (and especially corners) are..like you could legitimately kill someone with one 😳🫢 it’s not that it’s unpleasant to hold and operate or anything, I actually quite like it but it has indeed made me very conscientious about how I’m putting it in a pocket (bc it could easily puncture and rip thru even jeans). It’s more suitable as a transportable BT DAC/amp than one that’s truly portable just due to some of those ergonomic factors. It also scares me to put it in with anything else that might mess it up. It’s beautifully finished in a dusty purple and the volume knob is amazing in feel and v unique. Unfortunately it comes preloaded with stock firmware that has a pretty significant delay between actuation and the volume physically changing. Zeos described it well..there’s about a half second delay which makes it scary for several reasons he detailed in his video.
On to the sound..wow. For portable BT devices I currently have an iFi GO Blu, a Shanling UP5, the FiiO BTR7, and the Pegasus SG-1. I also used to own the BTR5, the Qudelix 5K, and the EarStudio ES100. I have other desktop gear to also compare with. I’d say that with the stock firmware (I’m unable to get the newest firmware to load onto the device bc their website is just beyond awful) it sounds the best to my ears, especially compared to the other devices I used to own. It has a pretty warm and lush sound. The bass is definitely more significantly impactful and fuller bodied on the Dethonray when compared to all of my other devices (save when XBass is enabled on the GO Blu). I’m not necessarily a basshead but I def care as much about the bass as the rest of the FR or even a little more even than the mids at times. Their midbass is slightly thickened up to my ears when compared with the more linear and neutral BTR7 for instance. That lends to a nice richness in lower male vocals and although it’s subtle, it is definitely perceptible. Female vocals have a nice energy to them that doesn’t sound unnaturally boosted or anything like that. Also forgot to mention that tho there’s a minimal amount of bleeding into the lower mids from the upper bass, I find it tastefully done on most occasions and gives them a nice and natural timbre. The treble is also very present but not excessively so and provides great extension into the air frequencies. Truth be told, I didn’t perceive any noticeable change to soundstage when comparing with my other devices but the imaging is pretty spectacular for a portable unit. Espesh one running on lossy BT codecs. The resolution is also quite good and I have really been enjoying the Pegasus a ton!! Battery life for me has been even better than advertised. And I don’t listen at quiet volumes..not by a long shot. I’d say at comfortable listening levels I get around 7 hours or a touch more even on balanced output. And the single ended output is even longer. I’d say it’s close to 10 hours so far.
I’d say that if you have the cash and have done some good research on the forums etc, I give it the highest marks at its price point ($400) for its sound and remarkable performance..and I think it’s just absolutely elegant and gorgeous to hold and play with and just to look at even. And the volume knob..oh man! I don’t ever rec anything tho unless someone has the funds dedicated and are just trying to decide between different pieces of audio gear..I’d feel absolutely awful to give something a blind-buy rec and and have someone hate it or even worse go into debt for something bc of my excitement. At the end of the day, this is a fantastically fun and social hobby but can get v expensive v quickly. Let me know if you have any other questions etc my friend. Enjoy your music!
@@davidcoons89 Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me with all your observations, it was vey nice of you. It truely sounds like a wonderful piece of equipment if one can live with the sharp edges in the construction. I like the idea of having a very capable dac/amp I can take with me where ever I go without sacrificing too much in sound quality. I will consider this together with the Topping G5 which I know will have a much more sterile and clean sound in lack of a better word... Thx
@@Soundoverload I believe linsoul has the G5 currently for around $255 on sale rn for the 11/11 event if you do want to go that route. I was also considering the G5 as well for a bit. It seems a great piece of kit as well. Best wishes my friend!
Hey, I currently have BTR5 2021, I've returned ifi XDSD Gryphon because I thought it's not much better than BTR5, I don't G5 because it's not truly balanced, I've heard dethonray Pegasus sg-1 having issues. So what else would you recommend that is much better than BTR5? Even a DAP with bluetooth LDAC reciving capability.
I like the BTR7 and Shanling UP5 better.
@@PassionforSound BTR7 and UP5 are exactly same price, which one should I get purely in terms of sound quality?
UP5 here: ua-cam.com/video/2pJ-1muW6_U/v-deo.html
BTR7 here: ua-cam.com/video/lVUEbfndANA/v-deo.html
I slightly prefer UP5 I think
The title. Ayyyyyoooooooo!
😁
F people, you sound how you want to sound. They can either take it or leave it! Much love
Thanks for the support, Kevin!
That intro was beautiful. Wow. 🥲
So glad you liked it! I had lots of fun with that one.
Yeah, what music was that?…
It's called Destination by STRLIGHT
Holy Hand-Grenades Batman! This video really u locks the raw dramatic power of these uber dongles. If only someone made an adaptor that connected the all together. 🥸
That would be an interesting looking result! Glad you liked the video and the bit of drama thrown in 🙂
@@PassionforSound The video is very cool. I have a drawer for all my dongle DACs. Now I know what they are doing when the drawer is closed. 🙂
😆