Enter the modern hifi world. Try this test.

@frank009 

This topic will not go well for you on this forum. 

Audio Sciences Review may be a better forum. I can see a lively discussion on the technical merits and cost. ASR'ers pledge is to find the least expensive great performing gear. No snake oi allowed. You may be able to get Amir (the owner and moderator) to test your DAC himself.

I had been a loyal ASR member, until I got screamed at for liking LPs over streaming or digital discs. I left. There is a strong cultish air on some of the conversations, but if you stay technical, you should be able to start a lively conversation.

@kevemaher 

All due to respect to ASR and its founder. I mean no personal disrespect, but since you brought it up I will voice my honest beliefs and opinions.

Audio Science Review is like trying to be scientific about your surroundings while being legally blind. Not you, just saying that’s how it feels.

I have tried numerous times to assimilate over there. The founder and owner?! Amir is often very condescending to new members, along with his moderators; who believe every DAC sounds the same if measured as "audibly transparent" with a high SNR. 

They do not understand that the HOW you got there - the actual architecture and optimization that went in to product development matters. If a device is optimized for its function, it can achieve specular results  - Not only on the test bench with resistive loads, but in the real world, with actual systems and transducers (speakers and headphones).

I have tried numerous headphone dongles with my Android smartphone, and I actually also have a collection of high end headphones that I use regularly.

The headphone dongles (DACs) did not sound all similar, even with the same or very similar power ratings, and volume matched as well, with the very same headphones. This is due to the differences in the internal circuitry and output stage, among other design choices that influence and ultimately dictate sound quality.

In addition, I hated how he and his friends would disparage those who enjoyed tube amplifiers, claiming them to be "noise machines." He has no right to do that. one of my close friends owns an amplifier with 300b tubes and he was constantly belittled and told that he wasted his money.  Last but not least he personally attacks audio industry people like Paul McGowan, Danny Ritchie, and YouTubers who make a living from their audiophile channels. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I’d rather not be part of their community.

That is why rather than cost, manufacturer claims, or online reviews from professional reviewers, I would much rather try the product for myself. 

The above is my honest take and response to you about why I will NOT join ASR again. The sheer amount of ignorance over there was even worse than some posters on here, who will go unnamed because they know who they are and I don’t want another pointless conflict to arise.

I like it here.

Thanks for your appreciation of my post  as OP...

I am interested by the Hiby  performance price /S.Q.  Especially the improved version which is really low price too ..

I had no use for it though. I am very happy with my French Battery NOS dac...

But i am happy to know about the Hiby Fc3....

My best to you...

 As a side note :

I debated many times since 7 years with Amir and one engineer from ASR...

They dont underastand the relation between acoustic and psycho-acoustic because they inherited professional biases from their "trade"...

A real scientist debunked  totally Amir  and i had arrived at the same conclusion for the same reason before him  years ago.

Read his two pages epitaph (pseudoscience in audio)  about  Amir ignorance : 

https://sites.google.com/view/kunchur/audio-acoustics 

@mahgister 

I read your profile and it showcases you as a person who is devoted to high quality audio reproduction, leaving no stone unturned with electrical, mechanical, and psychoacoustic properties that influence sound quality. 

I find your approach quite genius; Look for potential problems and embedding everything the right way BEFORE setting up you system. This is critical. I have seen many systems over the years with no room treatment and no modifications that could overwise improve the real-world performance of an audio system.

I have used shungite before, and it really works with most audio equipment. It also works in certain industrial applications to prevent excessive hum from noisy power supply circuits.

Understanding Shungite’s Role as an EMF Blocker

I recommend this for anyone who wants to read about it. No pressure.

I have heard similar iterations to the DACs you mentioned; and while the sound quality was very good, the HiBy FC1 was better. It was cleaner overall, and you have some power on tap to drive your AKG headphones. Personally, I use the AKG K872 for late night listening, when listening to my system in not an option (if I have family visiting the guest bedroom, or if everyone is tired and I can’t play the big rig). 

I would suggest trying the FC1 with the settings I suggested. The sound quality should really impress you. For best results, use it with your Sansui Alpha Au-607i on the "aux" or "line"  input, 3.5mm to RCA cable is the connection you want. They will be identical if only one of them is found on the back of the amplifier. For that integrated amplifier, it is the cleanest path that can bypass the internal parts that degrade sound quality. Use your android phone to go through the music and enjoy.

Thank you for your thoughtful and constructive post. I appreciate it.

@frank009 

My sincere apologies for bringing ASR up.

I still don't think that Audiogon is the best forum for your topic. Many contributors on this forum are of the opinion that "everything" in the audio system has a unique sound. You'll hear rebuke here also, but from the opposite direction compared to ASR.

Right now, I can't think of a better forum.

@mahgister 

Yes, I read the papers and watched the lectures from Professor Kunchur when they were first released/available.

"Pseudoscience in audio: ’Audio Science Review’ Was brilliantly written. See, this what happens when a true academic is attacked by self-proclaimed guru. You don’t get this far in life (The Professor) from just practicing junk science like ASR. Kunchur is highly intelligent and a good talker too.

I read some of your posts specifically going back and forth with the founder of ASR on here, and you practically, for all intents and purposes had the upper hand. You made the most sense and were reasoning correctly. Yet, he was sidetracked and refused to accept anything you said as valid; due to his own propensity to absorb misinformation as truth. At any rate, you made a solid impression and I’m sure he will think twice before challenging you again.

The FC3 may be similar, but have more power output for driving headphones.