HiBy RS2 II Digital Audio Player

Darwin III comprises an all new FPGA featuring over 35,000 logic units and 40 high speed, high performance DSPs, giving life to high tap FIR filtering, a plethora of AA filter choices, and special effects such as harmonics generation and control, giving rise to a fully software controllable digital processing and analogue conversion pipeline.

The dedicated 45.158MHz and 49.152MHz crystal oscillators clock audio at both 44.1 and 48kHz multiples perfectly with less than -140dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset of phase noise, ensuring phenomenal micro detail recovery and instrument separation free from jitter.

The Darwin III architecture utilises a precisely matched R2R network of resistors. The digital signal passes through a network of voltage dividers actuated via high speed electronic switches, each voltage division choice accurately converting to an analogue voltage level directly corresponding to the requested digital level, thereby avoiding the high frequency noise and digital glare introduced during digital modulation processes, making the sound more natural, clear and emotional.

This raises the overall THD+N to lower than 0.0008%, bringing true audio innovation via actual in house research.

A quad OPA1612 signal chain feeds the output stage with full voltage and current for exemplary transient and dynamic response, handling low pass filtering to remove digital residue and then fully balanced voltage amplification through a pair of OPA1612 buffers.

A further four flagship grade OPA1622 op amps deck out the amplification section, amplifying current in four independent channels, easily driving exotic multi driver IEMs with full dynamics and tight control.

The RS2 II runs the mature, stable HiByOS in its PureAudio version. HiBy spent over a decade perfecting an audio OS dedicated to Hi-Res audio playback, and HiByOS optimises audio quality from the root of the system upward, hammering out a pure audio playback chain. Onboard tools include the Darwin controller, MSEB MageSound 8 Ball tuning, a parametric EQ, digital filter selection and a harmonic controller.

The standard version body proper weighs only 156g. Device width has been decreased compared to the first generation, complete with improvements to chassis details, improving hand holding, especially for small hands.

Upgraded to the X1600E SoC, sporting dual cores, for silky smooth UI operation and faster response. Skipping songs, browsing libraries and seeking through songs happen more quickly and without stuttering during sessions several hours long, coupled with HiByOS for first class stability.

45% larger in screen size and sporting 122% the number of pixels, the all new 3.55 inch 480×800 screen greatly improves display of UI elements and album art, with a tiny bezel nearing a full screen body design. It is combined with the UI customised for the RS series, in a signature green and gold colour scheme, and the larger size and resolution make the UI more intuitive to use. Despite the larger screen, the body is 4% more compact than the first generation.

The classic warm undertones of traditional R2R technology are preserved in the RS2 II, making sounds realistic, natural and fully analogue. It is especially effective at rendering fully emotional vocals.