How to express yourself in any segment? You need to make an unusual device that offers a new experience for users. How to become a leader in this segment? It is necessary to implement this device perfectly. The Hong company Hum with their debut Pervasion player was very good at fulfilling the first point, but on the second point they stumbled. Although their offspring turned out to be interesting, there is more than one fly in the ointment in the ointment.
Actually, the idea that was tried in Hum to implement is quite simple, an audiophile player based on Android OS. Of course, the same iBasso used in their Android players for a long time, but their version of this operating system was very circumscribed and not suitable for any use except, in fact, the player. In the case of Pervasion, the user receives a full Android 4.2.2, which includes Google Play and everything else. Also, the player on board has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which further expands the possibilities of its use.
The heart of the player is dual-core RK3168, running at 1.2 GHz, complemented by 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory. Of course, for the phone this is very small, but we are now talking about the player, for similar purposes it is quite good.
In the role of DAC, the flagship of Wolfson WM8741 is used, which is also interesting, as usually the devices use the junior model WM8740. The amplifiers are built on the LME49720 and TL072 and are powered by a stabilized source, ± 8 volts. The harness uses quality parts, Nichicon, Vishai - obviously not extraneous words for the developers of this player. Interesting and double volume control. In addition to the digital adjustment using the capabilities of the WM8741, there is also an analog twist from ALPS, this allows tuning the volume of the player for different types of headphones, providing adjustment in comfortable limits.
Another very positive feature of this player is the price. At the official distributor, , the player is at the time of writing the article 17 900 rubles (on the site there is still an old price), which, given the current rate, is generally a gift. How does all this work together?
Specifications
- Screen: 4.3 inches, 800 × 480, IPS
- Processor: dual-core RK3168, Cortex A9, 1.2 GHz
- OS: Android 4.2.2
- Memory: 8 GB ROM, 1 GB RAM
- Supported sampling rate: 16 bit, 44.1 kHz - 48 kHz
- Supported formats: ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AAC, APE, MP3 (some formats using programs from Google Play)
- Memory Cards: MicroSD up to 128 GB
- DAC: WM8741
- Battery: non-replaceable, 1770 mAh
- Operating time per charge: ~ 6 hours
- Full charge time: ~ 2 hours
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0
- Dimensions: 118 mm × 66.6 mm × 13.8 mm
- Weight: 146g
Packing and delivery kit
The box of the player is minimalistic and made obviously under the impression of Apple devices. Thick white cardboard, the device lying on top, is already very familiar to us. In addition to Pervasion, the kit includes a velvet bag-pouch and a microUSB-cable for charging and data exchange. I would, perhaps, have not refused to receive a protective film for the screen, but what is not, that is not.
In general, everything is quite modest, but this has already become the norm for modern devices.
Design and management
Initially, HUM conceived two versions of the player, in a red and black case. But judging by the fact that everywhere in the photos I saw only a red version, from the production of black or refused, or postponed for later.
The case Pervasion - completely aluminum, pleasant rounded shape, it is well placed in the hand and convenient to operate. The control elements are quite standard: the memory card slot, the micro USB for charging and synchronization, the digital volume control, the two output connectors (headphones and line), the analog volume dial and the power / lock button are located on the sides.
Management does not cause the slightest problem, if you are familiar with devices on Android. The idea with a double volume control is just great, since the player is powerful enough, it makes it easy to find an acceptable option for any headphones.
The screen is average in quality, it does not please super resolution, and it's hard to read something in the sun on it, but I think it's more than good for a player. Indoors or in the shade - the colors are pleasant, the picture is good, you can watch a movie with a good sound.
Use in the Android player opens up a wide range of possibilities for unusual use. You can install third-party player software, download music from the Internet and do many other things that are not possible for simple players. Unfortunately, HUM did not bring the wireless module to mind, and when Wi-Fi is working, loud noises are heard in the headphones. Therefore, you will not be able to use the player for streaming services or playback from DLNA storage without downloading.
The second, quite unpleasant feature of the player is a very short work time. At full charge of the battery, it does not even reach the stated 6 hours, showing a time of about 4 hours. At the forum pleer.ru user DOC2008 suggested that if you get on the root device and put the program to lower the CPU frequency, the running time can be significantly extended, but I did not check this version.
In general, the two problems described above would be enough to bury the device, if not for its main plus - the sound.
Sound
To listen to the player, the following headphones were used:
- HiFiMan HE560
- Dunu DN-2000J and Titan 1
- Lear LUF-4F
- Rhapsodio RTi1
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
Definitely, the sound of this player was successful. Pervasion is not at all neutral, it is tinted, but tinted "correctly" to sound more accented and "interesting." Of all that I've listened to so far, this tint resembles the Maverick Aduio amplifier, so perhaps we can say that HUM has the same lampiness (or a hint of it) in the feed. Since this color is obtained by hardware, not programmatically, it does not tire and does not irritate. Separately, I want to note the competently matched quantity of this "seasoning" in the sound of the player.
The bass is very pleasant, it is slightly softened, but it does not prevent it from remaining very massive and very dense. Percussion sounds very bodily and volumetrically, there is no stumbling in a heap and an ointment, there is no excessive rumbling, everything is balanced in moderation.
The middle frequencies are musical, there is no shaving sharpness in the transmission of the slightest nuances, the player draws the picture as a whole rather than trying to decompose it into components. Due to the nature of the filing, the scene of this player for me is slightly narrowed, but it is not expressed strongly, and in order to hear it, you need to listen. Separation of instruments and positioning in depth - quite at the level for the device of this price range.
HF - almost ideal for those who are afraid of fire like sybilants and other natural artifacts falling into the HF range. Obtain from Pervasion sharpness, of course, you can, but this will have to try pretty hard, picking up bad records and unsuccessful headphones. The upper frequencies also soften a little, but just enough to not be unpleasant on most headphones. Their elaboration and detailing are still very good.
Compatibility
For some reason the developers of the player did not publish any practical characteristics related to sound, and I do not know the exact power of HUM, but it is enough for most headphones. In view of the player's input, the selection of headphones for it may have to be spent a little longer than usual. For him, it is best (in my hearing, of course) fit reinforcement models such as Nails or VSonic GR01, DN-2000J also proved very good. But the old DN-2000, with a greater emphasis on LF, already issued some sorting through the vigorous filing, although fans of the "bass" bass might have been ok.
To record the player is not very critical. Of course, you will hear the shortcomings, but they will not be so obvious that the records can not be listened to. Genre HUM Pervasion I liked more with live, not very heavy music - jazz, classical rock, not orchestral classics. Although, of course, and other styles, he wins very decent.
By tradition - a few tracks that work well for the player.
Deep Purple - Child in Time . I understand this is a trivial example, but how good it is in HUM'a performance, juicy guitar, clear percussion, soulful vocals - everything merges into a large-scale single canvas.
Candlemass - Solitude . In fact, the track-predecessor of the genre of doom-metal, sad, melancholic, melodic and exciting. Thanks to the player, the vocal is perfectly transmitted, which is, perhaps, the strongest part of the composition.
John Coltrane & Duke Ellington - In a Sentimental Mood . Unquestionably, one of the best tracks in the history of jazz. The soft and musical pitch of Pervasion allows you to immerse yourself in the mood of this calm melancholy with your head.
conclusions
The first pancake turned out to be not quite a lump, but certainly with a burnt edge. HUM faced the problem inherent in many innovators - an excellent idea in the course of implementation received several strong problems that slow its progress. The player saves that, despite the shortcomings, it pleases with an excellent sound and at the same time its price is more than affordable. I hope that in the future, with the help of the firmware update, the HUM will be able to correct the operating time, and the player will get deserved popularity.
The article is based on materials .
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