
There are 4 round buttons, two on each side. Along the perimeter, there are the descriptions of the buttons and USB inputs. On the rear face there are many silver inscriptions: at the top is the list of compatible files, in the centre the Hi-Res logo, at the bottom the brand name. At the bottom is the model, also in silver. Two thirds of the way up is the logo (in white), which in turn is the operating LED. On the upper face, at the top, is the brand name, in silver. It still looks very similar to the Sparrow: it is a complete aluminium block, machined on a CNC machine. It is slightly larger than a normal dongle, but it has a battery, so the size is contained. The Colibri measures 77x35x14mm and weighs 51g. The packaging is rather large for the size of the device. On the main side, there is a circular cut-out that reveals the LED with the operating logo. There are no markings on the case either, so we have to know all the connections and buttons beforehand. On the other hand, placed on my desk, connected to my PC, such a clip is not the most suitable thing to leave on the table. The leatherette case is quite nice, but the clip gives me a mixed feeling: I know it can be very useful for hanging in a pocket, but I don’t know how practical it is attached to a phone or DAP. The textile covering of the cable is nice, but it feels a bit stiff. There is no short USB Type C – Type C cable and no USB Type A connection.
COLIBRI IN ENGLISH MANUAL
COLIBRI IN ENGLISH PORTABLE
In the following review we’ll look at these and other goodies from this new little portable audio device. The Colibri is still quite a powerful device, capable of providing up to 3V on the balanced output and 1.5V on the SE output.
COLIBRI IN ENGLISH PRO
EarMen has opted to continue using the ES9281 PRO chip as the DAC, which allows it to support playback of files up to 32bit/384kHz PCM, DoP, DSD64, DSD128 and MQA. For all these reasons, the size has been increased, but the dimensions are still contained, only slightly larger than a traditional dongle. The balanced output is now 4.4mm and there is an extra USB Type C port for charging the battery. It incorporates on/off, volume (+/-) and bass boost buttons. It has a battery that gives it a battery life of up to 5 hours. Actually, it»s a doped-up EarMen Sparrow: its aesthetics are very similar, but it includes elements that enhance its body and performance. This time, it’s the recent premium battery-powered balanced headphone/preamplifier DAC/AMP called the Colibri. Once again, I am flattered to be able to review an EarMen product. There is no short USB cable, the long one is rather stiff and it is only Type C to Type C.


Delicate sound, with a neutral-analytical tendency, but very mature, with great resolution and definition.
