HiBy launches RS2 II audio player with dual microSD slots
The portable player starts at $439, supports wired headphones and USB-C audio, and has no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
HiBy has introduced its RS2 II portable digital audio player, pricing the green aluminum version at $439 and a gold brass edition at $549. The gold model is limited to 500 units, with both versions available through the company's website.
The player combines an R-2R DAC with quad OPA1622 headphone amplifiers. It offers a 3.5 mm stereo headphone connection and a separate 4.4 mm balanced jack. Maximum output is rated at 172.5 mW for the 3.5 mm connection and 630 mW for the balanced connection.
Two microSD slots each accommodate cards of up to 2 TB. Supported playback includes DSD256, MQA 8x and 32-bit 384 kHz PCM, alongside formats such as FLAC, WAV, AAC and OPUS.
A 3.55-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels provides access to the Linux-based HiBy OS. Audio settings include adjustments for sibilance and note thickness. The device can also serve as a USB-C DAC for laptops and offers coaxial digital output and analog line-out connections. Wireless connectivity is absent.
HiBy lists battery life at up to 8 hours when using balanced headphones. The 3,500 mAh battery charges through USB-C using a 5V 2A power source. The aluminum version weighs 156 g, while the brass version weighs 240 g.
