Our take on the HiFiMAN HM-101

by Dave Bar

Treat your computer like a real audio source

If you're still plugging your headphones or powered speakers directly into your computer's headphone jack, please stop — and read this! Computers are a fantastic source of movie and music entertainment, but most are saddled down with sadly sub-standard audio circuitry (yes, even the fancy expensive ones). And that means you're probably settling for sound quality that's just so-so.

Better sound for a song

HiFiMAN's HM-101 portable USB sound card is a simple and affordable solution that can help you discover what you've been missing. This tiny, outboard digital-to-analog converter plugs into one of your PC's USB ports, bypassing the computer's built-in audio circuitry and replacing it with hi-fi-grade hardware. By processing music files outside your computer's noisy electrical environment, you'll instantly hear more detail and dynamics in the music you love coming through on your headphones, powered speakers, or sound system. And it's not just about music. The HM-101 can boost the sound of all your computer-based audio sources, including game and movie soundtracks in stereo.

Easy to use

Operation is simple. Just connect the HM-101 to any USB port on your computer, and it will install itself and be ready for use in a matter of seconds. There are no settings or volume knobs to deal with, either. Simply continue using your computer's volume control to adjust the sound. And since the HM-101 draws its power through the USB connection, there are no external power supplies or batteries to worry about.

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Highlights:

compact design for portability
built-in headphone amplifier
powered by USB connection — no need for external power supply
1 Mini USB (Type B) input for connection to a computer (USB A to Mini B adapter cable included)
1 minijack (3.5mm) audio output
1 minijack (3.5mm) headphone output
supported sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz
input bit depth: 16 bits
built-in USB driver — no downloads required
frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
THD: 0.07%
stereo crosstalk: 78 dB
headphone output power: 62mW (at 36 ohms), 26mW (at 150 ohms)
1-7/16"W x 9/16"H x 2-7/16"D
warranty: 1 year
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Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Portable USB sound card
16" USB cable (with Type A USB on one end and Mini-B 2.0 USB on the other end)
Instructions

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Features

Overview: The HiFiMAN Express HM-101 is a tiny portable USB sound card with a built-in headphone amp. It dramatically improves the quality of the sound coming out of your computer's on-board sound card.

Single Input/Dual Output: The HM-101 has a single USB (Mini-B 2.0) input and two 3.5mm minijack outputs. The HM-101 connects to your computer via the supplied USB cable. The line output lets you connect the sound card to an amplifier or a pair of powered speakers. The other output comes from the built-in headphone amplifier for plugging in your favorite headphones.

USB D/A Converter: The USB sound card uses a high quality Burr-Brown PCM2702 digital-to-analog converter for exceptional sound quality.

Headphone Amp: The HM-101 uses the TDA1308 headphone amplifier chip to provide a robust 50-70 mW headphone output.

Specifications:

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20k Hz
Distortion: 0.07% (line output)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 96dB (line output)
Stereo Crosstalk: 78dB (line output)
Headphone Amp Output Level: 1.5v at 36 ohms; 2.0v at 150 ohms
Maximum Output: 62 mW at 36 ohms; 26 mW at 150 ohms

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Quick impressions from the Lab

Written by Ralph Graves, Staff Writer - Creative, on 1/21/2013 12:19:00 PM

I didn't need many Crutchfield Lab resources to test out the HiFiMAN HM-101. I just plugged some headphones into one of the computers and listened to some music for a while. Then I pulled out the headphone jack from the computer, inserted the HiFiMAN's USB connector, plugged the headphones into the HiFiMAN, and listened to the same music.

The difference was quite impressive. The soundstage became more expansive, and the music became richly detailed — and considering some of my music sources, that was pretty impressive. In addition to listening to music files saved at various bitrates (including some uncompressed tracks), I also sampled Pandora® Internet Radio, MOG, and RDio.

Sound quality isn't always the best on these streaming services (especially if you haven't opted for the premium versions), and just listening directly through the headphones the music seemd somewhat closed-in and soft around the edges. Adding the HiFiMAN HM-101 made a dramatic difference. Although I could still tell this was compressed audio, there was much more detail at the high and low ends. Plus, the mids seemed much cleaner, too. It's difficult to describe, but overall the music sounded deeper somehow.

I also tried this test with different types of headphones. Overall, the better quality the headphones, the more noticable the differences were. It's small, portable, and delivers great sound. What's not to like?

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4 out of 5

Good

Written By Rick, Phoenix Az on Thursday, May 30, 2013

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

Got this to replace my Macbook Air's internal sound card to run my Audio Technica ATH-M50's and my creative gigaworks desktop speakers. For a Headphone amp there is a noticeable difference in sound reproduction while using the Hifi Man Express. Tighter Bass response, more a more realistic sound-stage. I didn't however notice much difference in my desk top speakers, using the DAC portion. But for the price its a steal. Great headphone amp, and im sure if I had better desktop speakers the difference in sound would be more noticeable.

If your on a budget and you spent more than $100 on your speakers or headphones and currently do not have a Headphone amp and/or DAC this product is a must. Unless you have the money for something like the Audio Engine D1.

The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because there is a noticeable hum when plugged in. Sometimes depending on were the device is (next to a phone or close to my laptop) it can even be heard when listening to music witch is kind of annoying.

For the Price the sound quality upgrade is great.

Pros:

The value of the Hifi Man express is very high for the price, noticeable upgrade from Macbook Air's Sound card.

Cons:

Noticeable hum when no music is played, if next to a phone/computer hum is noticeable through music.

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2 out of 5

HiFiMAN HM-101

Written By ANDREI, BLUFFTON S.C. on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

Doesn't work with apple mcbook pro lion

Cons:

Doesn't work with apple mcbook pro lion

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5 out of 5

HiFiman

Written By webbman, Waterloo,Iowa on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

This is the best $ i have ever spent. This little amp brought my itunes and spotify to life. paired with my Beats Executive headphones to a new sharp, detailed and powerfull sound. Even at lower volumes the crisp sound is great. A" can't miss" on this one!!

10 out of 10 people found this helpful

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HiFiMAN HM-101

USB digital-to-analog converter/headphone amplifier

Item# 818HM101 offer details

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Our take on the HiFiMAN HM-101

by Dave Bar

Treat your computer like a real audio source

Better sound for a song

Easy to use

Highlights:

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Product Research

Our Product Research Team

Features

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs

Quick impressions from the Lab

Comment by Ralph Graves Staff Writer - Creative,

Product Reviews

Reviews for the HiFiMAN HM-101

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