Enjoying good sound quality is comparable to enjoying a good plate of food. That is, it is not enough to have good food but also to have a cook who knows how to get all the flavor out of it. So while there are music services that already offer Hi-Res audio, it's useless without a proper audio system. This is everything you need to know about Hi-Res players.
What is Hi-Res sound
Abbreviations Hi-Res is the acronym for High Resolution. Therefore, Hi-Res sound or audio is nothing more than high-resolution sound and with this the idea is to indicate to the user that the listening experience will be identical to the original recording. But it is still worth explaining beforehand how a recording is made.
When you enter a studio to record, what takes place is an analog process that records the waveform of the different sounds that are produced. These can be those of a musical instrument, voices, etc. This process is capture by that wave completely without any kind of compression or alteration of it.
So far so good, but in order to enjoy this recording on devices that we use daily such as televisions, mobile phones and many other players, it is essential that it has been previously converted to digital format. That's when all this high-resolution sound quality stuff comes in.
When an analog wave is converted to digital, a process called sampling. What it does is divide it into small sections that correspond to different frequency ranges. Thus, the higher the sampling speed, the more faithful and precise the generated wave will be. To give you a better idea, imagine that they are like a bar graph. The greater the number of bars, the more faithful the shape it generates will be with respect to the analog wave.
Well, most of the audio that we capture with day-to-day tools allow us to reach sampling rates of 44,1 kHz. That means that for every second 44.100 samples are generated. However, High Resolution Audio or Hi-Res increases that number and goes as low as 96.000 samples or 96 kHz.
This increase logically also implies a larger file size. And of course, that until not long ago was a problem. However, now it is much easier due to the capabilities of new devices, storage systems and something that is also key in all these products: compression.
Current compression algorithms make these high-quality files much easier to manage and take up less space without affecting final quality. So that you can not only store several Hi-Res tracks on supports that we had been using for the popular MP3s, but also transmit them over the Internet if you need a connection with a significant bandwidth.
So, combining the ability to capture audio at the same quality as originally recorded with all these algorithms and technical improvements is how you get to services like Spotify, Tidal or Amazon Music HD that are capable of offering a very high sound quality.
Is there a real difference between normal audio and Hi-Res?
The answer to yes there are real differences between a normal audio and another Hi-Res yes, of course there is. Although it should be noted that in order to appreciate this greater fidelity in the representation of each and every one of the frequent users, it is not enough to access a service with Hi-Res music or download it as a file. Having a sound system made up of a player and compatible headphones or speakers is essential.
Therefore, if you access the Hi-Res audio option of Spotify, Tidal or Amazon Music HD among other existing ones, you're going to need a capable player and sound system reproduce all those frequencies that allow you to enjoy many nuances that previously went unnoticed. Or as they say, a much broader and richer sound scene.
And we have not commented on anything, but it is also important that you train your ear and take the necessary time to sit calmly and listen to those notes that you did not hear before or were not able to locate with the same precision that you could do now.
What is needed to listen to Hi-Res audio
As we have already said, to enjoy high-resolution audio it is essential to have a player and a sound system (headphones or speakers) that are capable of reproducing all those frequencies that other devices cannot due to technical limitations.
These devices are usually easy to identify because they have some type of seal or indicator that they are prepared for Hi-Res audio. If this is not the case, if you have doubts as to whether or not it is capable, then you will have to visit the manufacturer's page and in the specifications of the same verify if it is so or not.
Once you have it, there are many services like Tidal, Spotify or Amazon Music that offer the possibility of listening to Hi-Res audio streaming. Although you can also do it through applications for your computer that are compatible with the different formats used for this type of recording, as long as you have a compatible sound card.
Thus, for example, for Windows and Mac there are apps like Audirvana, Amarra, Fidelia, BitPerfect or Pure Music that allow it, although there are more. All of them must support the FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, DSD DFF or DSD DSF formats which are the ones that are usually used in most cases.
What to consider when buying a Hi-Res player
If you do not have any equipment capable of processing Hi-Res content or if you are looking for a more specific one to enjoy at home and even when you travel, etc., you can purchase one of the many that exist on the market today. Although you should take into account some considerations:
- Compatible formats: as we said, at least you must have support for FLAC; ALAC, AIFF and WAV which are the most popular
- If it offers the option to connect to internet services, it must support those that you are interested in using such as Spotify, Tidal or similar
- Output connections to be able to connect speakers or headphones of different types as long as they also support Hi-Res sound
- Do you need portability? There are options as a portable player and other fixed ones, here it will depend on your needs
- Price: it is obvious, but the cost of players with Hi-Res support is usually higher than a normal one. But if you like to enjoy the highest quality, the investment is worth it in the long run.
The best Hi-Res players
Below we make a selection of the best Hi-Res players on the market. With it we hope you find the ideal option according to your needs and even budget.
Cambridge Azure 851N
Cambridge is a well-respected brand when it comes to sound and its Azure 851N one of the most interesting players on the market. It is a device to have at home, it is not a portable solution, but it offers a wide variety of connection types for audio output such as XLR, RCA, coaxial or optical. The input signal is digital and among the services you can use to play high-resolution audio is Spotify. To do this you only have to connect the player via ethernet cable to the network and that's it. To enjoy.
See offer on AmazonTechnics SL-G700
Like Cambridge, Technics is another of the classic brands in the sector. He Technics SL-G700 It is a player that not only supports digital signals and services such as Spotify Connect, Chromecast, Tidal, AirPlay and other audio playback methods such as AirPlay or DLNA, but also the use of physical discs in CD or SACD format.
Pioneer N-50AE
Another great option if you are looking for a player that supports Hi-Res Audio is the Pioneer N-70AE. This equipment also for use at home offers support for Spotify Connect, Chromecast, AirPlay, DLNA and a wide variety of output connections.
See offer on AmazonSony Walkman A100
Sony has a wide range of Hi-Res players, but this Sony Walkman A100 It is one of the most emblematic and by price currently even one of the most attractive options. Logically there are cheaper models and many more expensive ones, but this one has a very good balance.
The Walkman A100 allows you not only to play stored high-resolution music, but also to do it directly from different streaming apps thanks to the support offered by using Android as an operating system. A highly recommended option.
See offer on AmazonSony NWA105B.CEW
Model with the classic design and the quality of the materials typical of the players of the Japanese brand that offers a capacity of 16GB, expandable via an SD card with 128 more. Supports playback of the most popular audio standards (MP3, WMA, AAC, HE-AAC, Linear PCM, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF or DSD4), 3,6-inch touchscreen, Android 9, multiple colors to choose and connectivity both Wifi and Bluetooth.
It offers autonomy (according to the manufacturer) of about 26 hours of continuous playback and you can use a standard USB-C charger.
See offer on AmazonHiBy R2
Ultra-compact model, perfect to carry in your pocket and almost without being noticed, with 2,45-inch touch screen, 15 hours of autonomy in which you can play music –32 bits/384 kHz and DSD128 thanks to the DAC ES9218– without rest, compatible with a multitude of formats (MP3, AAC, DSF, AIFF, APE, FLAC, WMA, WAV, OGG), Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth and microSD slot capable of storing a maximum of 2TB.
See offer on AmazonHiBy R3 Pro Know
This player offers a dual SABER-type DACs with HyperStream architecture capable of supporting up to 256-bit 384 kHz PCM and DSD32. Enjoy Bluetooth 5.0 that supports high-definition codecs like UAT, LDAC, aptX, AAC, and SBC. It also has a 2,5mm balanced output with a more powerful amplification and another 3,5mm. Its microSD slot has a maximum capacity of 2TB and the entire front is a 3,2-inch touch screen and a battery with 19 hours of uninterrupted playback.
See offer on AmazonFiiO M11 Pro
Leaving aside the players that are or are designed to be enjoyed in the tranquility of the home, let's talk about portable solutions. Because if you like to enjoy the highest possible sound quality, that will be something that you will want to do wherever you go. In that sense the FiiO M11 Pro It is a very good option, although its price is somewhat high (or not).
This player in the shape of a small smartphone or MP3 player offers a touch screen with which to control the interface of the device, access to songs, lists, etc. Of course, it is a product for use both with downloaded music (offers 64GB storage) and with Tidal-type apps over Wi-Fi.
See offer on AmazonAstell & Kern KANN CUBE
This device is worth every penny of its price if you want to accompany it with the best accessories to obtain a powerful, professional and crystal clear sound quality. Install a Dual ES9038PRO DAC with SABER chips of ESS designed specifically for Pro Audio Equipment. It has Wi-Fi connectivity, a 5-inch touch screen and offers 5-pin Mini XLR outputs, 32bit/384kHz playback quality, native support for DSD256 and a 128GB storage capacity expandable via micro SD cards with a maximum capacity of 512GB. A real beast.
See offer on AmazonPioneer XDP-02U
Again Pioneer, but this time with a portable player whose price is somewhat more restrained (about 299 euros) and with options for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition to having 16 GB of internal storage that can be expanded with microSD cards, it also has a 2,4-inch touch screen. An interesting solution for those looking for quality and an affordable investment.
See offer on Amazonsurfers f20
Very compact and with a very robust design, this music player also allows you to listen to music without losses thanks to its chip PCM510xA 2.1 VRMS Stereo DAC. Supports all major lossless music formats.
It also has a 2 inch and a very fluid operation with a wheel, thus imitating the control that the legendary Apple iPod had. Regarding connectivity, you can output audio through the typical headphone cable, as well as insert a microphone to use the device to record. Regarding wireless connectivity, we have Bluetooth v4 and APT-X codec, which is one of the most advanced so as not to lose sound quality during wireless broadcasting. Of course, you will have to use headphones compatible with this codec.
The memory of this player is 32 GB, but you can use a card microSD up to 256GB. Its battery can last about 10 hours without interruption.
See offer on AmazonOther Hi-Res Players to Consider
These are some of the most interesting Hi-Res audio players, but there are many more on the market. There are even solutions that allow you to enjoy this content through mobile devices that a priori do not support. And not because they don't have the capacity for it, but because the integrated DACs are sometimes limited.
Therefore, external DACs connected through the Lightning connection in the case of iPhones or USB C in Android terminals can offer that digital-to-analog conversion that allows you to enjoy the highest quality. So everything is to look for what type of need you want to cover. Of course, the idea is always to enjoy all this sound quality from the tranquility of your home, sitting comfortably and without thinking about anything other than what you are listening to.
The links to Amazon in this article are part of our agreement with their Affiliate Program and may earn us a small commission on their sale (without affecting the price you pay). Even so, the decision to publish and add them has been taken, as always, freely and under editorial criteria, without attending to requests from the brands involved.
The FIIO M11 player from the regular version is based on Android, therefore it has applications such as Tidal and Spotify.