DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Hidizs for providing this unit.
The S8 Pro Robin can be gotten here: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s8-pro-robin-hifi-balanced-dongle-dac (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS/COMPATIBILITY
The Robin is a plug-and-play dongle. I did not need any additional driver installation for Windows 10 and above, and this dongle was easily picked-up by various Android and Windows devices I paired it with. Unfortunately, I do not use Apple devices and hence cannot vouch for their compatibility.
ACCESSORIES
Other than the dongle, the packaging comes with:
- Lightning to USB-C adapter
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Plastic case
- Hi res stickers
The accessories are definitely up-to-the-mark for a sub-$100 USD dongle packaging. We even have a Lightning adapter for our Apple ecosystem friends, which is something often neglected. The provided USB-C to USB-C cable is on the shorter side but is flexible enough, with strain reliefs at each terminal.
We have a nice plastic case to store everything, and there's even a bunch of HI RES audio stickers! Well, if you are interested to read more about these controversial stickers, feel free to check out this post on their origins: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/page-5424#post-17611464
DESIGN/FUNCTION
The Robin is fashioned from CNC-molded aluminum alloy, and is lined by a matte jet-black hue. There are glass panels on both the top and bottom of the chassis, and it's quite elegant, sleek and mature-looking for sure. Build is very solid, and weighing just 17 g and measuring 58 × 23 × 11 mm, it is very compact and can easily fit into a pocket or pouch.
This DAC/AMP has no display screen. Neither does it have an app or PEQ, but thankfully it comes with 6 DAC filters.
On one end of the fuselage, we have the USB-C port, which functions as a data and power port.
On the opposite end, we have the 3.5 mm (single-ended) and 4.4 mm (balanced) port, with the latter reinforced with gold-plating.
On the side of the dongle we have 3 buttons. The outer 2 function as volume controls, with fine volume steps with each press. Sadly, the Robin does not have an independent volume controller. The middle round button is a pause/play button. This is a nice touch - no pun intended - as some other dongles do not incorporate a pause button, necessitating users to fiddle with the upstream source to do so.
Pressing the 2 volume buttons simultaneously toggles thru 6 different DAC filters:
The DAC filters are quite subtle but they do change the sonics slightly, so do explore around to see what suits your needs.
The Robin has an LED light at the bottom of the glass panel, which changes colour to reflect the current sampling rate:
INTERNALS
This DAC/AMP is powered by dual CS43131 chips. It allows playback of PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, and DSD up to DSD256.
CIRRUS' Popguard® technology is incorporated here, which is a handy tool to prevent a "POP" discharge during disconnecting of transducers.
SOUND/PERFORMANCE
I tested the Robin with only Android phones and Windows laptops and PCs. Once again, I'm not an Apple user, so I can't confirm its performance with Apple products.
On phones, I used the HiBy Music Player, with USB bit perfect OTG activated on a Samsung S22.
Tonally, with the stock DAC filter, this dongle can be described as warm neutral. Essentially the lower mids region is a bit thicker than neutral, adding heft and note weight, though it does add minor colouration to the mix. Treble seems a touch restrained, allowing the upper mids to be blunted a tinge, with mostly sibilant-free sonics. Overall, this imparts a mostly smooth soundscape with natural timbre.
In technicalities, soundstage is broad in width and height, with solid imaging. It has average micro-detailing, and instrument separation is done well for a sub-$100 dongle.
Power-wise, the Robin juices out 80 mW (@32 Ω) for the single-ended port, and 160 mW (@32 Ω) for the balanced one. These are quite standard specs when compared to modern day dongles - it isn't the most powerful dongle in existence - but it will do a serviceable job in powering most IEMs, other than outlier gear. Sadly, there are no gain switches available.
As usual, I test all sources with my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93 dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300 ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87 db/mW sensitivity)
On 4.4 mm, the E5000 was adequately powered in terms of headroom, but the bass was flabby and one-noted. The HD650 sounded quite dynamic with decent soundstage, though it wasn't the tightest in the bass. Headroom was once again not an issue here, more of the bass control.
The final boss - the Yinman 600 ohm - which has an absurdly low sensitivity coupled with high impedance, is not driven properly by most dongles, or even DAPs. Unsurprisingly, the Robin struggles in terms of bass texturing and dynamics, though headroom was covered sufficiently.
I appreciate that this dongle runs cool during usage, even when driving power-hungry goliaths. There is no hiss heard with sensitive IEMs, and the well-implemented anti-POP design eliminates "popping" when removing transducers.
We have no information on the output impedance specs of this dongle, but it should be relatively low, as
fussy low impedance IEMs that I played with the Robin sounded not too skewed in frequency response.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons will be made against other sub-$100 USD dongles that utilize Cirrus DAC chips.
Penon Tail
The Penon Tail also uses dual CS43131 chips, but it is a more barebones dongle: in addition to not having app compatibility or EQ, the Tail also does not have DAC filters, LED lights, screen, and an independent volume controller. The volume steps are also more widely spaced on the Tail, and it has an annoying "pop" on removal of transducers.
The Tail is neutralish but with a thinner note weight and a more metallic timbre. Both dongles have similar power specs - on balanced, the Tail can pump out 151.25 mW (at 32 ohms), which is very close to the 160 mW on offer with the Robin.
In terms of technicalities, the Tail is weaker in soundstage and micro-detailing, with imaging on par.
Fiio KA13
The KA13 is a neutral bright dongle that also houses dual CS43131 chips. It is a brighter source, with more fatigue and sibilance in the higher frequencies. The KA13 is also more sterile in note weight, and doesn't sound as full.
The KA13 on 4.4 mm desktop mode can hit 550 mW output (THD+N balanced<0.0005% (32 Ω)), beating the power output of the Robin handily. It can thus power more demanding stuff, albeit the KA13 gets much hotter during usage, with worse battery drainage.
In technicalities, the KA13 has a slightly wider soundstage but worse imaging. Micro-detailing is similar.
For those looking at UI aspects, the KA13 has a Fiio control app for additional settings to configure, in addition to having a well-implemented independent volume control with finely tuned steps.
CONCLUSIONS
In the ultra-competitive sub-$100 USD dongle nuclear race, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin fares decently. It brings a warm neutral soundscape to the table, with good imaging and soundstage.
The Robin runs cool during usage, with a small lightweight profile, and it has 6 DAC filter options to play with. Volume steps are finely tuned, though sadly there are no independent controls. Accessories are also generously provided for, with even Apple users covered with the provision of a Lightning adapter. There is no hiss with fastidious high sensitivity IEMs, and there is a well-implemented anti-POP design, so users don't get a nasty "POP" in the ears on removing gear.
Otherwise some nitpicks would be this dongle lacking an app or EQ functions, and it is also not the most powerful one in its price bracket, though the Robin should comfortably drive the majority of IEMs out there, other than outliers.
All-in-all, this is a reasonable dongle at the sub-$100 USD range to consider; one that eschews the usual overly bright steroid-infused sonics that veer towards sterility, and is something that is both musical with ample technicalities to boot.
I would like to thank Hidizs for providing this unit.
The S8 Pro Robin can be gotten here: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-s8-pro-robin-hifi-balanced-dongle-dac (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS/COMPATIBILITY
- DAC Chip: Dual CS43131 Cirrus Logic
- Weight: 17 g
- Dimensions: 58 × 23 × 11 mm
- Output ports: 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced
- Typical output power: 3.5 mm single-ended: 80 mW (@32 Ω); 4.4 mm balanced: 160 mW (@32 Ω)
- Playback: PCM up to 32 bit/384 kHz; DSD 256
- THD+N: 0.0005% for 3.5 mm; 0.0006% for 4.4 mm port
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 45 kHz
- S/N: 125 dB for 3.5 mm port; 128 dB for 4.4 mm port
- Tested at: $69 USD (special launch price of $65 USD for first 100 units)
The Robin is a plug-and-play dongle. I did not need any additional driver installation for Windows 10 and above, and this dongle was easily picked-up by various Android and Windows devices I paired it with. Unfortunately, I do not use Apple devices and hence cannot vouch for their compatibility.
ACCESSORIES
Other than the dongle, the packaging comes with:
- Lightning to USB-C adapter
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Plastic case
- Hi res stickers
The accessories are definitely up-to-the-mark for a sub-$100 USD dongle packaging. We even have a Lightning adapter for our Apple ecosystem friends, which is something often neglected. The provided USB-C to USB-C cable is on the shorter side but is flexible enough, with strain reliefs at each terminal.
We have a nice plastic case to store everything, and there's even a bunch of HI RES audio stickers! Well, if you are interested to read more about these controversial stickers, feel free to check out this post on their origins: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/page-5424#post-17611464
DESIGN/FUNCTION
The Robin is fashioned from CNC-molded aluminum alloy, and is lined by a matte jet-black hue. There are glass panels on both the top and bottom of the chassis, and it's quite elegant, sleek and mature-looking for sure. Build is very solid, and weighing just 17 g and measuring 58 × 23 × 11 mm, it is very compact and can easily fit into a pocket or pouch.
This DAC/AMP has no display screen. Neither does it have an app or PEQ, but thankfully it comes with 6 DAC filters.
On one end of the fuselage, we have the USB-C port, which functions as a data and power port.
On the opposite end, we have the 3.5 mm (single-ended) and 4.4 mm (balanced) port, with the latter reinforced with gold-plating.
On the side of the dongle we have 3 buttons. The outer 2 function as volume controls, with fine volume steps with each press. Sadly, the Robin does not have an independent volume controller. The middle round button is a pause/play button. This is a nice touch - no pun intended - as some other dongles do not incorporate a pause button, necessitating users to fiddle with the upstream source to do so.
Pressing the 2 volume buttons simultaneously toggles thru 6 different DAC filters:
The DAC filters are quite subtle but they do change the sonics slightly, so do explore around to see what suits your needs.
The Robin has an LED light at the bottom of the glass panel, which changes colour to reflect the current sampling rate:
- Yellow: DSD 64/128
- Purple: DSD 256
- Blue: PCM 176.4/192 kHz
- Red: PCM 352.8/384 kHz
- White: PCM 705.6/768 kHz
- Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz
INTERNALS
This DAC/AMP is powered by dual CS43131 chips. It allows playback of PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, and DSD up to DSD256.
CIRRUS' Popguard® technology is incorporated here, which is a handy tool to prevent a "POP" discharge during disconnecting of transducers.
SOUND/PERFORMANCE
I tested the Robin with only Android phones and Windows laptops and PCs. Once again, I'm not an Apple user, so I can't confirm its performance with Apple products.
On phones, I used the HiBy Music Player, with USB bit perfect OTG activated on a Samsung S22.
Tonally, with the stock DAC filter, this dongle can be described as warm neutral. Essentially the lower mids region is a bit thicker than neutral, adding heft and note weight, though it does add minor colouration to the mix. Treble seems a touch restrained, allowing the upper mids to be blunted a tinge, with mostly sibilant-free sonics. Overall, this imparts a mostly smooth soundscape with natural timbre.
In technicalities, soundstage is broad in width and height, with solid imaging. It has average micro-detailing, and instrument separation is done well for a sub-$100 dongle.
Power-wise, the Robin juices out 80 mW (@32 Ω) for the single-ended port, and 160 mW (@32 Ω) for the balanced one. These are quite standard specs when compared to modern day dongles - it isn't the most powerful dongle in existence - but it will do a serviceable job in powering most IEMs, other than outlier gear. Sadly, there are no gain switches available.
As usual, I test all sources with my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93 dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300 ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87 db/mW sensitivity)
On 4.4 mm, the E5000 was adequately powered in terms of headroom, but the bass was flabby and one-noted. The HD650 sounded quite dynamic with decent soundstage, though it wasn't the tightest in the bass. Headroom was once again not an issue here, more of the bass control.
The final boss - the Yinman 600 ohm - which has an absurdly low sensitivity coupled with high impedance, is not driven properly by most dongles, or even DAPs. Unsurprisingly, the Robin struggles in terms of bass texturing and dynamics, though headroom was covered sufficiently.
I appreciate that this dongle runs cool during usage, even when driving power-hungry goliaths. There is no hiss heard with sensitive IEMs, and the well-implemented anti-POP design eliminates "popping" when removing transducers.
We have no information on the output impedance specs of this dongle, but it should be relatively low, as
fussy low impedance IEMs that I played with the Robin sounded not too skewed in frequency response.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons will be made against other sub-$100 USD dongles that utilize Cirrus DAC chips.
Penon Tail
The Penon Tail also uses dual CS43131 chips, but it is a more barebones dongle: in addition to not having app compatibility or EQ, the Tail also does not have DAC filters, LED lights, screen, and an independent volume controller. The volume steps are also more widely spaced on the Tail, and it has an annoying "pop" on removal of transducers.
The Tail is neutralish but with a thinner note weight and a more metallic timbre. Both dongles have similar power specs - on balanced, the Tail can pump out 151.25 mW (at 32 ohms), which is very close to the 160 mW on offer with the Robin.
In terms of technicalities, the Tail is weaker in soundstage and micro-detailing, with imaging on par.
Fiio KA13
The KA13 is a neutral bright dongle that also houses dual CS43131 chips. It is a brighter source, with more fatigue and sibilance in the higher frequencies. The KA13 is also more sterile in note weight, and doesn't sound as full.
The KA13 on 4.4 mm desktop mode can hit 550 mW output (THD+N balanced<0.0005% (32 Ω)), beating the power output of the Robin handily. It can thus power more demanding stuff, albeit the KA13 gets much hotter during usage, with worse battery drainage.
In technicalities, the KA13 has a slightly wider soundstage but worse imaging. Micro-detailing is similar.
For those looking at UI aspects, the KA13 has a Fiio control app for additional settings to configure, in addition to having a well-implemented independent volume control with finely tuned steps.
CONCLUSIONS
In the ultra-competitive sub-$100 USD dongle nuclear race, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin fares decently. It brings a warm neutral soundscape to the table, with good imaging and soundstage.
The Robin runs cool during usage, with a small lightweight profile, and it has 6 DAC filter options to play with. Volume steps are finely tuned, though sadly there are no independent controls. Accessories are also generously provided for, with even Apple users covered with the provision of a Lightning adapter. There is no hiss with fastidious high sensitivity IEMs, and there is a well-implemented anti-POP design, so users don't get a nasty "POP" in the ears on removing gear.
Otherwise some nitpicks would be this dongle lacking an app or EQ functions, and it is also not the most powerful one in its price bracket, though the Robin should comfortably drive the majority of IEMs out there, other than outliers.
All-in-all, this is a reasonable dongle at the sub-$100 USD range to consider; one that eschews the usual overly bright steroid-infused sonics that veer towards sterility, and is something that is both musical with ample technicalities to boot.