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Meizu Mblu Lifeme Pro Portable DAC/Amp Review

Rate this DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 5 3.4%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 34 23.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 87 58.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 22 14.9%

  • Total voters
    148
Easily done when they all look the same and have some combination of meizu , hifi and pro in the names !
Indeed... in this older thread on the Pro, the same confusion occured;

There isn't much info around about the CX31993 and the MAX97220 appears to be noted as discontinued;


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JSmith
 
Oh, no Tanchjim Space Lite for you..? :D Seems to be about the same price, right now.
The Keysion and the original 43131 Meizus have mic input, to be used for work. The Space Lite is music only, though probably measures better than the others.
 
for the price this is simply an amazing performance.
23$ remember. Nothing in the list performs better without having to pay over 70$ (except for the meizu hifi pro, which however seems to be discontinued)
 
Only the o
Oh! Fair enough. Cool hidden feature of my Meizu usb-c, then ;)
Only the original hifi pro though (woven cable) not the non pro (smooth cable)
 
Maybe there should be "Great Value" and "Terrible Value" Panther votes? Sometimes there's gear that measures decently and should get a "fine" vote, but it's either super cheap or super expensive, which throws a wrench into things.

On performance alone I'd call this "fine". When taking into account that it only costs $23, though, I'm tempted to vote "Great".
 
Regarding the jitter issue, I have been using as pure DAC another Conexant CX31993 based similar device on a linux computer and checked that the usb interface works in adaptative mode now considered almost obsolete vs async mode offering better jitter performance and now ubiquitous on state of the art DACs using an XMOS chip based USB interface. At this price point no XMOS inside...:p
 
Maybe there should be "Great Value" and "Terrible Value" Panther votes? Sometimes there's gear that measures decently and should get a "fine" vote, but it's either super cheap or super expensive, which throws a wrench into things.

On performance alone I'd call this "fine". When taking into account that it only costs $23, though, I'm tempted to vote "Great".
I share the same opinion. The only problem with that is that we don't know the whole category, This is just one product out of 20 similarly priced ones that do the same thing. Moondrop has one for $20 and so does Dunu. There is a Sonata and a JCally one for $29, 7Hz and SMSL has for $35 etc. So this is cheap and measures well for what it is, but is it really good value - in my mind that depends on how others perform as well.
 
This is marginally better than an Apple USB-C dongle that I use every day and costs $9.99. So good for Maizu for keeping it real in price, but not ditching my Apple dongle just yet. Actually have like 4 more sealed in boxes just in case. This one here hashed shrink which helps to make it last.

Screenshot 2023-07-20 at 12.49.41 PM.png
 
Though I’m always fascinated with the performance of these, “MicroDacs”, I’ll stick with the Apple Dongle for 60% less money.
Mine regularly surprises me with good recordings. Stick to IEMs and sensitive examples of full-size cans and you should be fine.
When I saw what this was, I half expected a mention given the ubiquity of "the $9 phone dongle". It's been around long enough to get a seniors discount...
 
the MAX97220 appears to be noted as discontinued;
It's unfortunate, subjectively a great sounding chip headphone driver, that cost peanuts. Very predictable across impedance and frequency range. It's actually class AB which is an interesting direction I find for this class of IC.
 
This is marginally better than an Apple USB-C dongle that I use every day and costs $9.99. So good for Maizu for keeping it real in price, but not ditching my Apple dongle just yet. Actually have like 4 more sealed in boxes just in case. This one here hashed shrink which helps to make it last.

View attachment 300439
Are you using it with the USB>Lightning (camera) adapter? Looks like it comes lightning to C
 
This is marginally better than an Apple USB-C dongle that I use every day and costs $9.99. So good for Maizu for keeping it real in price, but not ditching my Apple dongle just yet. Actually have like 4 more sealed in boxes just in case. This one here hashed shrink which helps to make it last.

View attachment 300439
In my book, twice the power is not "marginal" Yeah some will say it's just 3 dB more headroom but it's a real audible benefit.
 
Are you using it with the USB>Lightning (camera) adapter? Looks like it comes lightning to C
Its a USB-C to 3.5mm and also other Lightning to 3.5mm too. I have a Camera adapter too but only use it when connecting USB sticks and similar.
 
In my book, twice the power is not "marginal" Yeah some will say it's just 3 dB more headroom but it's a real audible benefit.
I don't debate that, but for the listening I do and the gear I use there would be no difference. Koss Porta Pros and Tin T2.
 
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