audio-sound @ hatena

An audio review & news blog. The volume should not exceed 80 dB is recommended. I usually adhere to the safe-listening style by WHO. Please note that my aural impressions and interpretations of measurements are also made from a safe-listening style.

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(News) HiBy FC4: A Mighty Powerful Compact USB DAC/AMP With Dual DAC Configuration

HiBy FC4

HiBy FC4

 

The wait for the latest Portable USB DAC/AMP from HiBy is finally over, the HiBy FC4 is here. HiBy has been teasing the FC4 for the past few days, showcasing its various features like Dual DAC chipset, Hardware volume keys, Multi-colour RGB indicator light, Dual headphone outputs(Balanced+Single-Ended), etc. The latest FC4 comes between the entry-level FC3 and the flagship FC5 bridging the gap between them with excellent audio performance. HiBy has launched the FC4 at an attractive price of just 89$. Check out more details here.

 

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Features

  • Professionally designed audio architecture.
  • Premium Dual DAC arrangement.
  • FPGA=based dual independent crystal oscillators.
  • Dual Headphone outputs(3.5mm Single-ended+4.4mm Balanced).
  • Powerful output.
  • 8x MQA decoding.
  • High-quality USB Receiver supporting 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD256 signals.
  • Low-power consumption.
  • All-metal construction.
  • Hardware volume control.
  • RGB indicator light.
  • Hi-Res certified.

 

Technical Specifications

  • DAC Chipset: 2xES9218PC.
  • Output Power: Up to 340mW(32Ω).
  • THD+N: ≥0.0006%.
  • Noise floor: 1.7uVrms.
  • SNR: 123dB.
  • DNR: 123dB.
  • Crosstalk rejection: 98dB.
  • Frequency response range: 20Hz-90kHz.
  • Weight: 21.7grams.
  • Dimensions: 65.3x22.1x11.9mm.

 

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Professionally Designed Audio Circuitry

HiBy has got years of experience in designing premium and high-end audio gears. Previously, they have designed many HiFi audio gears including portable DACs and Digital Audio Players. Using that experience, Professional acoustic engineers at HiBy have designed the FC4 with a professional audio circuitry.  They have equipped the device with a premium Dual DAC chipset along with a specially designed FPGA architecture consisting of dual independent crystal oscillators.

 

High-Quality Sabre DACs

ESS DAC chips are widely used in HiFi audio gears across different price segments. They have a huge catalog of products designed to suit the needs of audiophiles on every budget. HiBy FC4 adopts two ES9218PC DAC chips that support high-resolution 32-Bit audio signals. It achieves a lower distortion rating of 0.0006% and a high SNR value of 123dB promising high-quality performance for the users.

 

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Independent FPGA-Based Dual Crystal Oscillators

The FPGA section consists of two 45.158MHz and 49.152MHz independently used crystal oscillators. They effectively protect the output signal from jitters and provides a smooth and clear audio experience.

 

Exquisite and Compact Build

HiBy FC4 has an all-metal construction. It has a rich, smooth textured finish with physical hardware volume keys available to easily adjust the volume on the go. The device looks exquisitely finished just like all the other products from HiBy.

 

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Dual Headphone Outputs With Powerful Amplification Section

HiBy FC4 features dual headphone output ports. The device houses a single-ended 3.5mm and a balanced 4.4mm output port. HiBy has designed the FC4 with a powerful amplification section. The device gets a powerful output rating of up to 340mW @ 32Ω of load. This is a best-in-class output rating making the FC4 suitable for almost all the IEMs and some headphones too.

 

8X MQA Support

HiBy FC4 supports 8x MQA unfolding. It provides high-resolution master-recording level sound quality performance by fully unwrapping the recording to its true form.

 

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Multi-Color RGB Light Indicator

HiBy FC4 houses a multi-color RGB indicator light that glows into different colors depending on the bitrate of the active file. It glows into Green, Blue Magenta for MQA signals, Yellow, Aqua, and Orange for PCM signals(different bitrates), White for DSD signals, and Red when the music is paused.

 

Price & Availability

HiBy FC4 is launched officially for 89$. It comes right between the FC3 at 69$ and the flagship FC5 at 159$. Check out more details here!!

 

HiBy FC4

HiBy FC4

HiBy FC4

$89.80