The company HUM has confidently proved that good sound can be achieved with the use of a minimum of details, the main thing is to have a head and be able to use it. Their player Pervasion still offers its own, very cool and not similar to other market models sound. And Pristine headphones - generally surprise by the integrity of the feed, despite the use of only two radiators. So when I had an opportunity to get acquainted with their Hypno amplifier, I immediately tackled it closely.
First of all, it is interesting in this amplifier that HUM decided not to disclose its technical characteristics, except for the most basic ones. According to the developers, this is done in order not to affect the perception of the sound of this model, because exactly what we hear is the most important thing in any audio equipment. I do not know if it's right or wrong, but given that Hypno is a fairly inexpensive model, its price is about $ 180, I think this campaign has the right to life.
Specifications
- Battery capacity: 2400 mAh
- Internal power supply: ± 8.5V
- Operating time per charge: ~ 10 h
- Charging time: ~ 2.5 h
- Dimensions: 69 mm × 90 mm × 12 mm
- Weight: 100g
Packing and design
Minimalism, perhaps, is the main dominant in everything that concerns "Hypno". A simple black box made of solid cardboard, the only decoration of which is the name of the company. Absence in anything but the amplifier itself. The simplicity of the forms of the device ... The developers seem to hint at their idea fix: "the main thing - the sound." Of course, the interconnect wiring in the kit would not be a hindrance, but any connoisseur of portable audio of such kind in the kit and so should be in bulk.
The amplifier itself sports a thin body made of aluminum. Thickness is the determining factor in such devices, because they are supposed to be worn by a "sandwich" with a player and a smartphone. As for the design - I do not think that I can add anything to the photos, Hypno is very simple in appearance.
The back panel houses the MicroUSB-port for charging the battery. The full charge takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, and it lasts for 9 hours and 40 minutes (average gain, MEEAudio P1 as a load at a comfortable volume for me). There is also a small LED indicator charging status.
The front side accommodates the input and output (both 3.5 mm), gain switch (3 levels) and a power switch with LED indicator. On the right is the volume control knob, since the potentiometer is of high quality - the imbalance of the channels is practically absent, as is the noise during the adjustment.
In general, a reliable minimalist device that does not require instructions or long reflections "how to use it?". All you need to do is connect the line output of your player to the Hypno input (the connector is closer to the controller), turn it on and insert the headphones.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Resonessence Labs Concero HP as a DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS # 2 and Astell & Kern AK320 as portable players
- Headphones: iBasso IT03, Meze 99 Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Andromeda, 64 Audio U12, HUM Pristine and others.
In general, the evaluation of the amplifier's sound must be divided into two cases. The first is when the headphones do not have enough power of the source, and the gadget fulfills its main task - amplification. In this version, the effect of the device will be maximum, but for each specific headphone - its own. Of course, there are some "general patterns", with a lack of power, the LF and resolution in general suffer most, but variants "in particular" are possible. So if your player does not "pull" the headphones, then first of all you should expect an improvement in the above-described areas, but not the fact that this will limit everything.
In addition, there is also the own handwriting of the amplifier, sometimes it is smaller, sometimes more. In the bright world of ideal devices and no less perfect signals - the amplifier should be as transparent as possible, but in our material universe of the ideal there is only an 18-year-old Glenfiddich. Therefore, all amplifiers have their own character, and in HUM Hypno it is really unusual.
The main influence this kid has on the area of medium frequencies, slightly smoothening them and adding to them "iridescence". I understand that this description does not sound very specific, but to describe the sound with words - sometimes the task is complex. Despite the smoothness, all sounds remain well articulated, there is no effect of turbidity or loss of microcontrast. Especially well this amplifier shows itself on bad recordings, it slightly masks the negative effect of compression, compression with losses, poor data and other problems of modern sound recording. Of course, it is not worth waiting for miracles from him, but he is able to hide some of the flaws.
Also, Hypno adds a bit of depth to the bass, and occasionally even where it was not in the source, it is generally perceived as a more weighty sound and many tracks are in favor. HF is also slightly added in intelligibility, but here the effect is very small.
Compatibility
In fact, the lack of precise specifications is a fun game, I gladly tried to evaluate the scope of this baby using only indirect methods. First, there is practically no background noise, even on sensitive IEM models. Secondly, whimsical hybrids do not show the effects of "floating" AFC, so that the output impedance of the amplifier is low. Thirdly, its power reserve is enough for most headphones, including high-resistance ones. Of course, tight isodinam to it connect a little sense, but with pervasive perversions in the form of Chinese liners with an impedance of 300-500Ω, he copes.
conclusions
Some 5-6 years ago one of the most popular solutions for connoisseurs of portable audio was the iPod with an external amplifier. In recent years, the number of players with high-quality sound has broken all records and continues to increase, squeezing portable amplifiers from the market. But some models, including Hypno, offer an interesting sound so much that it's too early to write off for rest, despite the inconvenience associated with wearing a "sandwich". By the way, HUM are working on a new batch of amplifiers with an improved chassis, and, judging from the official page on FB, HUM in the future is also possible a balanced version.
The article is based on materials .
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