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Showing 1 of 82 conversations about:
Acoustic Research M200 Digital Audio Player
Hansotek
9
Nov 26, 2018
I've heard this product on multiple occasions and spoken with the team at AR on it at shows through concept, beta and release. I'm actually really excited about this drop because M200 is a wonderful sounding product! I'll get down to brass tax here and give you a little mini review...
As a DAP, the OS is a bit clunky, as it is an old-school button-based design. But that's not where the M200 is at its best. IMO, the DAP portion is an afterthought. Where this thing is really at its best is if you're thinking of it as a APT-X Bluetooth wireless amp/DAC with 4.4mm Pentaconn out. Sort of like an iFi xDSD with a screen on it so you don't get confused while trying to change the settings and throw the thing against a wall. Or a less expensive Chord Mojo/Poly combo. You can also do Bluetooth out of it to a wireless headphone, but IMO, that's kind of taking advantage of the worst part (DAP browsing interface) while bypassing the best part (the outstanding amp and DAC).
The amplifier on the M200 is a beefy, all-Class-A design and drives anything from IEMs to 300ohm dynamics to moderately easy-to-drive planars very, very well. 4.4mm Pentaconn out is quiet AF, as you would expect it to be. The form factor is nicely compact, so it's good for travel, the office, or just chilling out on the patio while you stream music from your phone. As portable amp/DACs go, it easily outclasses most stuff at $399, and for $149 on the Cyber Monday deal, it's going to lay similarly-priced competition to waste in laughable fashion. If there's one thing that can be said about AR, it's that the all-Class-A amps they put in their DAPs are absolutely terrific.
I haven't really jumped on anything on MD in a while, but I think I'm going to go for this one. I've really noticed over the past year that cutting the cord between the DAP and the amp/DAC has been a convenience I want to have. IMO, this is an opportunity to grab a product in that arena that is a really high performer at an absurdly low price. So I'm in.
Hopefully, that helps some of the folks that were looking for reviews. Cheers! :)
Dave Hanson
Senior Editor - Personal Audio
EnjoyTheMusic.com
alexandros
92
Nov 27, 2018
HansotekDo you happen to know the output impedance of this unit??
Is it less than 1 Ohm??
I am really interested but I own some really sensitive iems and really worry regarding hiss or noise floor issues there...
Thanks a lot...
Hansotek
9
Nov 27, 2018
alexandrosI am not sure on the impedance, sorry.
alexandros
92
Nov 28, 2018
HansotekMe again...
Want to grab M200 desperately but.......
Saw over their site that the latest FW update causes lots of issues during playback
Any experience on that matter??
What do you thing I should do?? Take the risk and go for it?
12 hours till this drop ends... 😢
Hansotek
9
Nov 28, 2018
alexandrosI don’t know anything about it.
dariuszpro
1
Nov 28, 2018
alexandrosIts a new product, glitches are expected. They will fix it
AudioJet
318
Dec 23, 2018
HansotekWould you happen to know if this plays Mp3 320k? I have over a thousand cds ripped to this format. Thanks
AudioJet
318
Feb 15, 2019
AudioJetYes it does.
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