HiBy R6 III 2025 Digital Audio Player

The R6 III 2025 is a mid cycle refresh rather than a ground up redesign, and that's exactly the point. HiBy kept what worked on the R6 III and swapped in a new quad Cirrus Logic DAC array, landing a genuinely different tonal character in the same familiar shell.

Type and Technology

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SOC running Android 12 with HiByOS's Direct Transport Architecture for bit-perfect playback, including over third party streaming apps
• Quad Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips in an 8-channel configuration, up from the previous generation's dual ESS9038Q2M
• Switchable Class A / Class AB amplification
• Dedicated audio grade crystal oscillators
• 4+64GB storage, dual-band 2.4/5GHz WiFi, AirPlay, DLNA, HiByLink, and HiByCast remote control
• USB-DAC mode and USB-OTG storage support
• Native DSD512, PCM 32bit

Sound Character

The move to quad CS43198 chips is reported as a real shift from the previous R6 III: reviewers describe a darker, more resolved background and punchier bass than the outgoing ES9038Q2M version, which pairs especially well with higher resolving IEMs. Independent measurements put it at 405mW balanced output, 126dB SNR, and 0.0006% THD, a strong result for the price bracket.

Build and Comfort

• 129.4 x 73.1 x 15.6mm, 250g
• Refreshed rear panel design over the outgoing R6 III
• 720p screen, on the smaller side for the segment

Best For

• Listeners upgrading from an entry level DAP who want real amplifier flexibility (Class A/AB switching)
• Higher resolving IEMs that reward a darker noise floor
• Anyone who wants AirPlay and DLNA alongside a dedicated player

What's in the Box

R6 III 2025 player, USB-C cable, and documentation. A matching leather case is sold separately.

Specifications