Hidizs S9 Headphone DAC/AMP Review

Author：Andy.EF

DAC Chip: AKM AK4493EQ (Single)

PCM 24bit - 768khz DSD512, SNR: -117/-119dB, Power: 125mWx2 @32Ω (BAL) 90mWx2 @32Ω (SE), USB Type-C Female, 2.5mm BAL & 3.5mm SE (Microphone: No), Aluminum CNC Chassis

Strengths:

• Natural and neutral timbre, slight analogue tonality, tilted towards Mids focus.
• IMMENSELY powerful 125x2mW Balanced output, effortless driving capability
• Smooth commanding dynamics, smooth, vibrant, and effortless
• Stellar, sharp imaging with excellent spatial staging
• Beautifully nuanced details retrieval. Macro and Micro
• Smooth Treble, well extended and with smooth decay
• Mid-Bass, commanding visceral impact and slam with rich texture and decay.
• Lush and deep Sub-Bass with strong seismic sensation
• Forward tilted Mids, rich texture, lush Male/Female vocals
• Vivid and crisp tonality for cello, guitars, piano, and stringed instruments
• Great speed and transients handling, no congestion
• Excellent sibilance resistance, always smooth, forgiving on Lo-Fi recordings.
• Zero floor noises with black background
• Stellar synergy with Magnetic Planar at 20Ω 96db (35/100 Volume!), Electrostatics & sparkly Bas

Weaknesses:

• Tall but slightly caved in Soundstage, depth could be slightly better.
• Timbre and dynamics not as airy as the top contenders
• No hardware volume adjusters
• The luxury build may show messy fingerprints (I know I am nit-picking here)

VERDICT:

Hidizs S9. The overall sound is classic intimate, smooth AKM signature. Very vibrant and visceral dynamics that’s meaty yet coherent. Among all of the top contenders tested, S9 is the “warmest” sounding, not surprising at all since the tuning stayed true to AKM native timbre. If I may draw conclusion with the previous AK4493EQ (Cayin N3 Pro Dual DAC) which I have used very extensively, S9 does offer better technical capabilities and better extensions – so that’s a BIG plus considering how dull edged this chip can be if not tuned as adeptly as how Hidizs did it. And I do agree wholeheartedly of other users describing this S9 being velvety smooth and powerful. S9 is quite comparable to Shanling UA2 in almost every area, perhaps the difference that separate them being one with tall soundstage and the other with slightly narrow staging – and S9 being warmer, UA2 being a tiny bit sparkier. But both will offer lush velvety timbre nonetheless – so pick your poison (if you love bass pick S9)

OVERALL RATING: 95/100

Recommended Pairing: Best synergy with natively bright sounding IEMs/HPs

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