The Hidizs S8 Pro was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the S8 Pro is $79.0 tax excluded and you can order it from Hidizs online shop.
Hidizs S8 Pro
Hidizs offers a wide range of USB DAC dongles such as the S9 Pro Plus, the XO, and the Hidizs SD2. Their latest release, the S8 Pro, also known as Robin, is now available. For more information on the product’s history and the inspiration behind its name, you can find it here.
The S8 Pro is a USB DAC dongle that comes with a detachable USB type-C cable and two headphone outputs – a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced. This model is an upgraded version of the previous S8 DAC dongle. The Hidizs S8 Pro is equipped with a dual 32-bit DAC balanced architecture, powered by two CS43131 chips from Cirrus Logic, a chip commonly utilized by various manufacturers. The chip includes an embedded headphone amplifier with a maximum output power of up to 80mW/32Ω from the 3.5mm jack and 160mW/32Ω from the 4.4mm output.
Design and appearance
The S8 Pro features a middle frame constructed from aviation grade aluminum alloy, with wing-shaped structures on both sides that are supposed to resemble a flying bird. On the right side of the chassis, there are three physical buttons, with the center one being larger and resembling a volume wheel, although it serves a different function.
Subjectively, I am not particularly fond of this design and I much prefer the cleaner and more minimalistic appearance of the Hidizs S9 Pro plus. Both the front and back panels of the chassis are reinforced with delicate and lightweight glass panels, giving it a premium and luxurious feel, but they do tend to attract visible fingerprints, especially in the black finish. Additionally, the Hidizs logo at the lower part of the front panel is actually an LED light that changes color based on the input sampling rate.
The Hidizs S8 Pro is lightweight at 17g and compact enough for everyday carry. While there are smaller devices available, they often lack dual headphone interfaces and hardware buttons.
User interface
The S8 Pro is user-friendly plug and play with Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS, Android, iOS, and Harmony OS. It does not support any configuration through an app; you can simply adjust the volume using the side buttons and cycle through digital filters by pressing them simultaneously. The six available options include High pass, NOS, De Emphasis, Fast and slow Low-latency, and phase compensated, Wide band flatness mode. The Hidizs logo will briefly change color for each filter selected. It is important to note that the volume control of the Hidizs S8 Pro is linked to the source volume. Additionally, the center wheel, although it looks like a rotating controller, is actually a press button. A single press will pause/play music, while a continuous press will skip tracks.
Accessories
The bundle consists of a brief USB type-C to C cable of standard quality, along with USB-A and Lightning connectors.
Power output and efficiency
The Hidizs S8 Pro provides a maximum power output of 80mW/32Ω through the 3.5mm jack and 160mW/32Ω through the 4.4mm jack, making it a USB DAC dongle that is not the most powerful in its category. In comparison, the Hidizs XO offers 195mW/32Ω and the Hidizs S9 Pro 180mW/32Ω. The dual CS43131 DAC chips in the S8 Pro have limits in their embedded amplifiers, so an extra op-amp amplification stage is needed for extra power output. The S8 Pro is well-suited for driving earphones and even some sensitive headphones like the Sivga Luan, delivering impactful sound with good dynamic range and ample headroom. The S8 Pro is silent and well shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI).
When tested, the power consumption of the S8 Pro was measured at 0.06A/0.32W with a 32Ω load, indicating that it is an efficient USB DAC that won’t quickly drain your phone’s battery.
Listening impressions
The Hidizs S8 Pro underwent testing with a range of earphones, including the Hidizs MP145 and MS3, while prior to the listening evaluation, the device was left to play music for approximately 50 hours.
The Hidizs S8 Pro stands out as one of the best sounding USB DAC dongles I have tried, featuring dual CS43131 DAC chips. It delivers crystal clear and transparent sound with exceptional technical precision and fidelity, while still maintaining musicality. The frequency response is neutral and linear, and the sound signature strikes a balanced middle ground between warmth and coolness, ensuring the right mix of sonic elements.
The extended bass is fast, precise, and controlled, providing outstanding clarity and definition. The layering remains satisfying even with a heavily populated bass line, delivering impactful and dynamic sound when paired with sensitive earphones. The textures are rich and weighty, ensuring that the S8 Pro does not sound dry or lean, and instead offers high-quality, punchy bass.
The midrange is equally clear and open, with exceptional separation and articulation, while the resolution and refinement are at the upper limits of what the CS43131 can achieve in a portable configuration. The timbre is natural and true to life, with minimal pre-echo and digital ringing artifacts, a quality of the S8 Pro that also extends to the high frequencies. The sound is harmonious and vibrant, creating an engaging and realistic listening experience.
More listening impressions
The high frequencies of the S8 Pro are airy and extended, providing plenty of sparkle without being overly bright or sterile. While there are other USB dongles that use the same DAC chip and offer a more energetic and vivid sound, as well as being more technical and transparent, few can match the musical and smooth sound of the S8 Pro. Additionally, the S8 Pro is no slouch when it comes to technicalities and fidelity. The higher frequency textures are not thin or dry, resulting in a very coherent sound with consistent weight from the top to the bottom. The CS43131 treble has always been expressive and natural sounding, without much digital glare, and the S8 Pro arguably has one of the best implementations of this DAC chip.
The soundstage of the Hidizs S8 Pro is expansive, offering precise imaging and excellent separation in the horizontal plane. While it may lack depth and spatial holography, you can trust that it will never sound congested or hinder the connection between your music and earphones.
Family business
Now, Hidizs offers a total of four USB DAC dongles in their lineup. Apart from the S8 Pro, there are also the entry-level SD2, the XO, and the S9 Pro Plus, which might leave some customers unsure about which one to purchase. The SD2 is straightforward – it is the most budget-friendly and portable choice, offering plug-and-play convenience without the need for extra cables or clutter.
The XO and S9 Pro Plus are both slightly more powerful than the S8 Pro, making them suitable options for those in need of extra power. Among the two, the XO is the lightest and most compact. Its design features a unique LED lighting system that exudes a youthful and fresh vibe. In terms of sound quality, the XO maintains Hidizs’ signature musicality and smoothness, although it may not be as technically proficient, resolving, or transparent as its counterparts.
On the other hand, the S9 Pro Plus shares a similar musical tuning but leans towards the typical sound signature of ESS DAC chips. It offers a slightly more technical, transparent, and airy sound compared to the S8 Pro, albeit with a touch of sharpness and less organic feel.
In the end
The Hidizs S8 Pro might be yet another USB DAC dongle equipped with dual CS43131 chips but it stands out because it delivers impressive sound quality. While it may not offer groundbreaking features in comparison to other options on the market, its exceptional audio performance places it among the best. If you prioritize superior sound over additional features and are open to its unique design, the Hidizs S8 Pro is sure to meet your expectations with its top-notch sonic capabilities.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Balanced and natural sound signature
+ Top sound quality
+ Full bodied and punchy bass
+ Good transparency and technicalities
+ Minimum pre-echo and digital artifacts
+ Six digital filters
+ Low power consumption
+ Hardware buttons
+ No background noise
+ Lightweight and compact
+ Dual headphone outputs
+ USB-A and Lighting adapters are included
+ Plug and play with all OS
- No independent volume control
- No gain settings
- Somewhat odd appearance
- Not as powerful as the competition
- Bulky center wheel that is just a button
- No app connectivity
- Limited features
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