Sometimes miracles happen not only on New Year's Day, and amazing devices appear from there, where they were not expected. However, to say that in the hero of today's review, the portable DAC Cozoy REI, did not betray anything, it would still be some exaggeration.
First, Cozoy are close "friends" or even "relatives" of the company Shozy, which has repeatedly proved that they know how to make a sound (example 1, example 2). Secondly, is also good, although not 100% sign of an interesting device. Thirdly, this crumb was recommended to me by well-versed in sound familiar, in general, I could not pass by, and REI fully justified itself.
Usually in the preface I describe the technical findings used by developers, I focus on some unusual solutions, but this will not work with the REI. Cozoy, as faithful followers of Shozy, did not disclose the secret of what is inside the REI, offering to evaluate the sound, not the components. I like this idea as a whole, in the pursuit of "cool stuffing" many audiophiles really forget about sound, so we will not be like them, we will test this device with the black box method. Well, besides, I just do not want to break my REI, it's dear to me.
Specifications
- Output voltage: 1 Vrms
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.0005%
- Signal to noise ratio: 118 dB
- Input: MicroUSB, asynchronous, with iOS support without CCK
- Output: 3.5 mm
- Supported resolution: up to 384 kHz / 32 bit, DSD to DSD256
- Dimensions: 69 mm × 38 mm × 6 mm
- Weight: 20g
Packing and delivery kit
In general, the box is made quite simply: white cardboard with silver stamping. Cozoy did not invent anything pathos, concentrating on the device itself. In addition to the DAC, there are several brochures in the box: instructions, promotional code for downloading several DSD-tracks, advertising of an iOS-player optimized for working with this DAC. Also thought about the convenience of users and put in the kit as many as three cables: Lightning for devices from Apple, MicroUSB for Android and regular USB for desktop systems. The wires themselves are short, optimized for mobile use. According to the developers, they use very high-quality silver-plated wire and silk insulation. In principle, of course, there is not enough USB-C for the complete set, but the foresight of the company is still impressive.
Design and management
While REI was traveling to me, I studied his photos on the Web, noting the interesting design of the case. In reality, this Zapik managed to surprise me, since its size was much less than what I imagined. The thickness of 6 mm - this is really small, and the weight of 20 grams allows you to consider REI weightless. To this you can add a stylish aluminum case of interesting shape, and the appearance will be completed. Small sizes, on the one hand, make this "harvester" the perfect companion of almost any device, allowing you to add a thin "sandwich". On the other hand, people with superficial thinking are used to believe that "weight is reliability, for me reliability is the most important thing." However, the REI is assembled unequivocally soundly, it will not be able to kill someone, but it's also problematic to break it by accident.
How did Cozoy manage to put something inside this enclosure - an interesting mystery, sometimes I wonder what is inside, but while greed outweighs curiosity, I do not hurry to open the REI.
Interface is all done very simply, on the one hand - the input, on the other - a 3.5-mm headphone output, so with the connection can cope even the drop-out for underachievement from the physical education technical school. On the case there is a flat button that works with most devices like a play and pause button. Its volume control in the device is not, so the volume control is carried out by the source.
Naturally, when using this gadget with a mobile phone, the power is taken from the smartphone itself, which affects its working time. According to my approximate measurements, the speed of discharging the iPhone 6 Plus when listening to music with REI is one and a half times higher than without it, but it's a payment for quality sound. The developers recommend the device Relisten, but I, after looking at its price, decided to skip the purchase. Of course, the functionality of this player is very good, and the improvement of sound, judging by the reviews, has a place, but I could not overcome one known amphibian causing asphyxiation. Relisten has a light version limited by the time, so if you want to evaluate it, it is at your service, I decided to limit myself to the good old ones (when will they update the interface?) Onkyo HF.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 and iPhone 6 Plus as sources
- and Onkyo HF in the role of players
- Headphones: Meze 99 Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Andromeda and others
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Naturally, the main thing in this, and in any other similar device is a sound, no matter how beautiful the portable DAC, if it does not sound, this device is doomed to die in obscurity (especially with a price tag exceeding $ 500). Fortunately, Cozoy is not seen in a groundless inflation of the price, and their decisions most often sound just "on their own money." Based on these prerequisites, it should not be surprising that REI came out as one of the best sound devices in portable audio (with some, naturally, amendments).
The bass here is surprisingly deep, with very good resolution and texture transfer. The DAC perfectly controls the bass (as, indeed, the rest of the range), when necessary - playing out fast strokes, and when necessary - enveloping low notes. "Bottom", despite the massive, does not sound blurry, which gives an excellent effect of naturalness. The lightest warmth provides the very "pepper" that dilutes the neutral sound of REI, adding to it its own character.
The mid-range range is also fed in a natural and musical manner, without attempting to change anything in the original sound, so do not expect additional emotions or tricks from the REI with the construction of an imaginary scene, but what is present in the record, it will convey with enviable thoroughness. Qualitative instrumental recordings, as well as vocals, performed by this kid, sound incredibly effective and fresh. The construction of an imaginary scene, though inferior to top-end devices, but in its price, perhaps, is close to the unique, and the depth, width, and three-dimensional positioning, and the division of plans - all this is available. Of course, I'm not even talking about excellent resolution and control in both micro- and macro-parts.
HF-range is fed without undue emphasis, pleasing with the development of attenuation and excellent detail. Attacks are slightly softer than you would sometimes like, but this is more the manner of filing the device. The REI sound has enough air to keep all the nuances that distinguish top-end devices. So fans of transparency of the upper range here is where to go for a walk.
This review will not do without a couple of comparisons (I deliberately do not want to compare REI with the players, since it starts overplaying the initial and middle segment, and the tops are for that and the tops).
Chord Mojo . On the one hand, Mojo offers the most price at the same price: inputs / outputs, built-in battery, own volume control - all this makes this solution more "universal", but on the other hand - the sound here is not so simple. REI sounds more natural, with less pumped "effektnosti", offering a more natural feed and less simplified HF. Of course, Mojo has much more power, but at the same time more background noise with sensitive IEM. Well, do not forget about the dimensions with the resulting convenience of wearing.
CEntrance BlueDAC . A fresh addition to the line of CEntrance offers a new-fashioned wireless interface, balanced output and, again, some increase in sound quality. While this miracle is waiting for its turn to review, briefly I will tell you about the difference in sound (we will leave the dimensions behind the brackets). BlueDAC sounds very detailed, technically, with a slightly better resolution, but on the side of the REI - a more integrated feed with a small addition of heat. Therefore, the choice here must be made on the basis of personal preferences, both options are good, and both have the "right to life."
Compatibility
Well, yes, 1 volt at the output with a load of 32Ω - this is clearly not much, tight, full-size models with this DAC just do not listen. On the other hand - for the vast majority of IEM, this is an excellent value, allowing to achieve a completely "black background", without the slightest hint of noise, and for adequate full-size models it is enough. Although it is the top-end in-channel models - this is the main load for this baby.
REI works without problems with virtually any transport that understands USB Audio, whether it's a smartphone, computer or player. For example, you can build a very good bundle with it, using the same Shanling M2S as the source.
Stylistically, this device has no expressed preferences, successfully coping with everything that comes across to it. The sensitivity to recording quality is moderate, somewhere by 7 points out of 10, and you will hear the shortcomings, but they will not stick out "in person", so you can get along relatively comfortably with them.
Traditionally, three tracks as examples
Therion - Children of the Stone . In some ways, the "typical" composition of the current stage of development of Therion: a slow pace, a chorus, an interesting orchestration and subtle multiplane. REI here shows itself not only good, but excellent: all the instruments are perfectly worked out, the chorus sounds voluminous and realistic, the immersion effect is close to the model.
Thelonious Monk - Bolivar Blues . Perhaps, it is "Monk's Dream" that is for me the standard of work of a jazz pianist of the golden era. Even leaving the perfect work of Telonius himself behind the brackets, one can note the excellent quality of recording and the excellent work of the accompanying staff, which makes the whole album a real feast for hearing, especially if you have Cozoy REI, perfectly acting out all the minute nayunsy records.
Rush - Time Stand Still . It's a pity that until the screen version of the desktop book of all giants "The first player to prepare" is still so much time. On the other hand, while you can once again pereproyti all your favorite games (my choice - Prehistoric 2) and listen to the discography of Rush. I could choose any of their tracks, so I gave my voice to the random number generator, and he chose this great track from the album of '87. REI and then shows himself at the height: both vocals, virtuoso percussion, fine guitar - everything is played out at a level close to the standard.
conclusions
After reading this review, I thought. On the one hand, Cozoy REI turned out, it's called, "not for everyone", yet the price is very high, and the "exhaust" is not the most powerful. Add to this the inertia of thinking "how can such a small device cost so much?". On the other hand, according to the sound, REI came out close to top models, especially for connoisseurs of IEM, and surpass it in this niche - it's unrealistic. So the question is only how much buyers are willing to pay for the ideal.
The article is based on materials .
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