The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is a neat little dongle DAC that claims to offer you high-resolution audio on-the-go, without weighing down your pockets. Super versatile, too, with 3.5mm and 4.4mm output support-it works with a whole heap of headphones and in-ear monitors. If one is in search of great sound for a favorite IEM or simply in need of everyday listening, this S8 Pro Robin offers up a cool combination of performance and portability. In this review, we're going to take a closer look at its sound quality, features, and how it works with different headphones. With its solid bass and that open but sometimes a bit weak treble, the S8 Pro Robin has some cool stuff to look into. But does it really deliver on that whole high-resolution audio in a tiny package deal? We will see what it can pull off.
Hidizs S8 Pro Robin Review
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is an impressive portable DAC/amp and offers a significant upgrade for mobile devices. To bypass the limited audio processing of mobile devices, audiophiles always search for a faithful portable device to break that limitation and to enjoy the Hi-Res audio files to the fullest. And for those who are new in this journey, a DAC on a budget is a huge salvation.
Robin falls in this segment of budget and with it’s build & performance, it will soothe the audio desire from beginner to enthusiast audiophiles. When the very first time I got it, I plugged my MP145 with this and literally blown away with its capability of delivering perfect melody. Though its not as open as my Fosi Audio DS1, it has its own character of fantastic instrument separation that will give you a sensation of wideness. I tested it with various IEMs from my collection for the last three weeks and found that it’s a true keeper.
TESTED WITH
Sources:
POCO X3, Xiami MiPad 5Pro, PC
Files:
Spotify, local Hi-Res DSD & FLAC files
Pairings:
ɸ Hidizs MP145
ɸ Hidizs MP143
ɸ AFUL MagicOne
ɸ AFUL Performer 5
ɸ AFUL Explorer
ɸ Dunu Falcon Ultra (MT)
ɸ Dunu Titan S2
ɸ Ikko OH10
ɸ Ikko OH10S
ɸ SeeAudio Rinko
ɸ QoA Gimlet
ɸ QoA Adonis New
ɸ Aria 2
ɸ Moondrop LAN
ɸ BQEYZ Winter (modified with dense filter)
ɸ Tanzchim One
ɸ Tanzchim Zero
ɸ Tangzu Princess Chag-Lee
ɸ KBEar KW1
DISCLAIMER
Hidizs was kind enough to send me ‘S8 Pro Robin’ to review. I am not affiliated with Hidizs and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review’ are my subjective thoughts.
One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different sources. Your experience may vary due to personal preference and physical differences like the shape & depth of the ear canal.
For your personal purchase, checkout Hidizs for their products and special offers. (Non-affiliated Link)
TECHINICAL DETAILS
● Dual 32-bit High-performance DAC Balanced Architecture – CS43131×2
● PCM Supports Up to 32bit/384kHz
● Native DSD 64/128/256
● 4.4mm Balanced & 3.5mm Single-ended Output
● CNC Aluminum Alloy Integrated Molding
● Practical Function Buttons (volume +-/filter switching)
● Sampling Rate Indicator
● 80mW+80mW@32Ω 3.5mm SE / 160mW+160mW@32Ω 4.4mm BAL
● Compatible with All platforms: Windows/Mac OS/iPad OS/Android/iOS/Harmony OS
● Hi-Res Audio Certification
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
● S8 Pro Robin
● Type-C to Type-C cable
● Type-A to Type-C adapter
● Type-C to iPhone/iPad adapter
● Some official papers
UNBOXING & BUILT
Unboxing the S8 Pro is a very straight-forward business. It comes with a hard plastic box, which I really appreciate and the DAC nested on a tyro foam. Underneath the tyro foam, inside a paper box, you will find the USB C to C cable, a USB A to C converter. As this is a review unit, I’ve got the iPhone converter in the package, which you will need to purchase separately. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated!
The built quality of Robin is fantastic. It’s a beautifully crafted dongle DAC that’s made of CNC-machined aluminum and feels sturdy in hand. On the front and the back, it features glossy glass panel that not only enhance its sleek look but also give it a premium feel. But this also creates a problem as it is very prone to fingerprints and dust. The design reflects its namesake, with “wings” on the sides that protect the volume and play/pause buttons (that round button mistakenly appears as volume knob), making it easy to operate without accidentally pressing them. Though made of metal, it’s a light-weight DAC to carry around.
DAC CHIP & ARCHITECTURE
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin uses a dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 chip in the architecture of its DAC, one of the very famous chips for high-quality audio. Each chip has an integrated headphone amplifier, while power output is up to 80 mW at 32 Ω from the 3.5mm single-ended port and up to 160 mW at 32 Ω from the 4.4mm balanced output. This dual-DAC setup allows for really fine clarity and resolution in audio playback. Architecture that supports a variety of audio formats, including PCM to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD to DSD256, translates into so much freedom in the arena of high-resolution audio playback. Equipped with six selectable digital filters, it includes NOS (no oversampling), high-pass mode, and phase-compensated modes for personal listening preference by every user. Thus, S8 Pro Robin becomes strong in this particular category.
DIGITAL FILTERS
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin comes with six types of digital filters that give very similar voicing, indeed allowing tweaking of the audio according to preference or gear. Here’s a breakdown of the filters and how they influence the sound:
● NOS (No Oversampling) (Green Light): This filter provides a smooth, upfront vocal presence and extended high frequencies without resonance. That gives a very neutral sound, which makes this filter the darling of many who love clarity while tampering as little as possible.
● High Pass Filter (Red Light): It amplifies the high, which allows the sound entering to be crispier and cleaner. It is ideal for those who would love to hear more detail of critical and sharp focus in their sound and precision.
● De-emphasis Filter (Blue Light): This is all about enhancing the harmonics. It carves in some warmth and fuller low frequencies, making it a sound that feels more relaxed and natural-especially when one adds a bit of reverb.
● Fast & Slow Filter (Yellow Light): This is a balanced option. It gives the average tuning through the spectrum. As an all-rounder, it produces a smooth and even sound without focusing on any particular frequency.
● Low-Latency & Phase-Compensated Filter (Purple Light): This filter is directed toward the front and clean sound for those tracks where precise timing and phase are indispensable.
● Wideband Flatness Filter (White Light): This is a softer filter that softly smoothes the sound while detailing. Ideal for listeners who prefer a relaxed sound but with no compromise to clarity.
These are indeed subtle differences between these filters, but for sure, they do give latitude in tailoring the sound to one’s IEM or headphones. Many listeners often settle on either the NOS or De-emphasis filters, as they seem to hit that generally great balance between warmth and detail.
COMPATIBILITY
S8 Pro Robin is a plug-and-play type of DAC dongle that is compatible with Windows, Android, & iOS systems. When you plug it with Android or iOS, the DAC will take over the device’s volume control, as it has a physical volume up-down button. With Windows (I use Win 11), just plug it in, and the operating system will automatically recognize it. There is no need to install any app to operate it, which is positive and negative at the same time. There’s a lot of users out there who love to control their DAC dongle through an app, and some don’t like it.
SOUND SIGNATURE ANALYSIS
First of all, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin has a more balanced sound profile. By this, I mean it keeps a good balance between the bass, mids, and treble; neither piece is really overpowered by the others. It isn’t super detailed and clinical like the Questyle M15 or warm and analog-sounding like something such as the iBasso DC04 Pro or Cayin RU7. Instead, it is more natural and organic in sound and with realistic timbre. Now, if I really wanted to nitpick, I did hear just a touch of coloration in the upper frequencies when I paired it with hybrid IEMs, those which contain both a dynamic driver and balanced armature driver, such as the Ikko OH10/10s or Aful P5. It is not a huge deal, but worth mentioning. Curiously enough, however, I didn’t encounter that problem with single BA IEMs such as the MagicOne or even with the IEMs driven by a single dynamic driver-they sounded clean and natural across the board.
OK, let’s dive into the analysis. Here’s a breakdown of its sonic characteristics:
LOW FREQUENCIES
Generally speaking, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin performs robustly and with good definition of the lower frequencies, especially considering its price. It is doing a really great job of balancing strong, full-bodied bass response with keeping control. When paired with good-quality IEMs, it offers a deep, satisfying rumble. The bass response is punchy, impactful, and the extension impresses too-you get to feel the depth and weight in those tracks that rely heavily on bass. It does add some warmth into the lower end, making it colored but still pleasant. This added subtlety of warmth really contributes a lot to the organic nature of the S8 Pro Robin overall sound signature, quite nice to listen to, especially when genres calling for rich deep bass response are in play.
MIDRANGE
Behind the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin lies a midrange performance where the actual point of its balanced and organic sound signature shines great. The midrange delivery is clear and natural, adding in some pleasant warmth to make the vocals and instruments similarly rich. Whether one listens to male or female vocals, the S8 Pro Robin provides a well-rounded presentation that feels full and lifelike, though never overly forward or recessed. There is a smoothness in the mids that can make long listening sessions quite comfortable, especially when it comes to acoustic tracks, where guitars and pianos sound particularly resonant and rich. Paired well with any IEMs tuned well, details in the midrange came through beautifully without harshness or sibilance. In tracks with layered instruments, such as rock or jazz, there is a good sense of separation and clarity, so you can pick out individual elements without congestion. Lovers of genres heavy with midrange, like classical or vocal jazz, will appreciate how the S8 Pro Robin handles those with finesse to let the soul of the music come through in a natural and engaging way.
HIGH FREQUENCIES
High frequencies on the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin are clean and smooth; lean toward a balanced representation rather than bright or harsh treble. The well-extended treble manages not to be too piercing but retains some softness that adds to the listen, making it easier on longer sessions. One of the standout characteristics of the S8 Pro Robin’s treble is a sense of control. Cymbals, hi-hats, and strings naturally shimmer and are never in-your-face or sharp. For those familiar with more analytical DACs, like the Questyle M15, the treble here might feel a bit more relaxed, but it still holds enough sparkle to keep things engaging. While it can handle most genres well, it definitely goes very well with those smoother-sounding IEMs and headphones. Paired with really bright or treble-lean earphones, though, the S8 Pro Robin sometimes forwards a slight edge in the upper frequencies – especially with hybrid IEMs. Single BA or DD IEMs, though, treble feels more coherent and continuous in its presentation; it is linear, pleasant high-frequency response.
INSTRUMENT SEPARATION
One of the strong points of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin, especially considering this price point, is its instrument separation. With its dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, this dongle makes for clear and accurate instrument separation across the frequency spectrum. When you finally get to listen to some complex tracks, the instruments do not sound cluttered or muddled. Instead, every note and every sound has its space; this makes for good layering. The IEMs may be warm or bright, or neutral, but clean separation and imaging from the S8 Pro Robin placed vocals clearly within the sound stage, strings, and percussion. Again, that makes it a certain pleasure on tracks with much instrumentation or for those who enjoy listening to details. Extra depth in the stage through the 4.4mm jack assists in enhancing not only the realism of the whole performance but also space between the instruments.
DYNAMICS & SPEED
The dynamic range of the S8 Pro Robin is very impressive, hence it handles subtle and loud passages alike. It offers a lively and engaging sound: softer parts of the track retain loads of detail, while louder sections burst with energy and punch. That probably helps with bringing nuances into music and making it much more immersive and expressive. In terms of speed, the S8 Pro Robin masters fast transient handling. Be it fast drum hits or fast-moving guitar riffs, the Robin keeps up and doesn’t sound sluggish or muddy. This rapid response will ensure that instruments retain their clarity and separation, even on complicated and busy tracks. For example, bass sounds tight with quick decay and doesn’t have that feeling of being bloated or long-decaying low-end.
SOUNDSTAGE
The soundstage of the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is pretty much well-balanced between natural openness and a balance that provides a sense of large space. You can feel how the DAC opens up the sound field to surround you in the track “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. The instruments and vocals have their positions, and there is depth and width for immersion, but it doesn’t feel like it is excessively wide or artificially large. It’s all a bit more intimate, at least compared to the large, open stages that some of the competing DACs provide, such as the Questyle M15, the Cayin RU7, or the iBasso DC04 Pro. It never feels overly closed in or congested, however. The placement of instruments felt accurate, and that accuracy makes for a more enjoyable soundstage. If I have to nitpick, it’s that vertical depth is not as pronounced as some may like, especially for those who like a more 3D holographic presentation. One could feel the placing of various instruments quite easily in orchestral or live recordings, though it may not offer the great open theatre-like sound some high-end DACs may offer.
POWER CAPABILITIES
The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin punches above its class given its small size, making it a solid choice for most IEMs and a bunch of headphones. It’s fitted with two output options:
● 3.5mm Single-Ended (SE): It delivers 80mW of power per channel at 32 ohms-inside and out, perfect for driving those low-powered IEMs and efficient headphones. Not the strongest out there, but totally enough for most in-ear monitors and headphones that aren’t super hard to drive.
● 4.4mm Balanced (BAL): More powerful, the balanced output provides 160mW per channel at 32 ohms, providing better headroom and ideal for more demanding headphones. That gives you a cleaner and more robust signal, especially for balanced headphones or IEMs that benefit from the extra power.
For what you pay, the S8 Pro Robin gives quite a punch. Plenty of power for most on-the-go setups, keeping the sound nice and clear without distortion, even when cranked up. Of course, stacked against some rivals-like the Fosi DS2, for example-the S8 Pro Robin is not an outright king as far as raw power goes.
RECOMMENDED FOR
1. Portable Audio Enthusiasts
2. Users Who Value Sound Customization
3. Balanced Sound Lovers
4. Budget-Conscious Audiophiles
NOT FOR
1. Power-Hungry Headphone Users
2. Analytical Sound Lovers
3. Those Seeking App Control or Gain Switch
4. Users Needing Independent Volume Control
FINAL THOUGHTS
Finally, the S8 Pro Robin impresses with its super clean, detailed, and neutral sound due to two CS43131 DAC chips. That should please the ears of everyone, from casual listeners to serious audiophiles. Pretty clearly, Hidizs managed to make this little gadget filled with a ton of features and a quite decent choice in the under-$100 range. One of the cool things with the S8 Pro Robin is that it features six digital filters that allow you to tune the sound just the way you want it. For sure, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin is an awesome choice if someone’s after a portable, powerful, and customizable DAC/AMP-clean and detailed sound awaits. Maybe not the strongest option out there, but considering the size and price, this is a steal. If you’re into versatility and just want to be able to play with the sound without wanting crazy power, then this little dongle could easily be your new audio buddy.
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