HIFI WALKER H20 Ultra HiFi MP3 Player User Manual

1. Introduction

1.1 Product Highlights

• Precision-machined aerospace-grade aluminum body
• 3.97" HD wide-angle LCD (480×800)
• ES9038Q2M DAC chip with 4-channel amp: 3.5mm & 4.4mm outputs
• 2V (SE) / 4V (Balanced) strong output power
• Full touch control + physical buttons for easy blind operation
• FPGA decoding for native DSD playback
• 32bit/192kHz studio-grade audio, supports multiple formats
• USB DAC function supported
• LINE OUT & SPDIF digital output
• 3000mAh battery for long playtime
• Fast charging: full in 3 hours
• ALPS knob for precise volume control

1.2 Package Contents

The package includes the following items. Contents may be changed without prior notice to improve performance or quality.

• H20 Ultra Player
• USB-C Data Cable: For connecting to a computer or charging the device.
• Micro SD Card: Stores songs and provides storage for the player.
• User Manual: Offers operating instructions and customer support.
• Velvet Storage Bag: Protects the player from scratches and dust, and is easy to carry.

Image: H20 Ultra Player, USB-C Data Cable, Micro SD Card, Velvet Storage Bag, and User Manual.

2. H20 Ultra at a Glance

Familiarize yourself with the physical components and controls of your H20 Ultra player.

Image: Side view of H20 Ultra highlighting the Precision ALPS Volume Knob and physical control buttons.

Image: Top view of H20 Ultra showing the 4.4mm Balanced and 3.5mm Single-Ended headphone jacks.

2.1 Physical Controls and Ports

• LCD: 4-inch full touchscreen display.
• Volume Knob: Precision ALPS rotary knob for smooth and accurate volume control.
• POWER ON/OFF Button: Also functions as a screen lock button.
• Previous Song/Fast Rewind Button: Navigate to the previous track or fast rewind.
• Play/Pause Button: Control media playback.
• Next Song/Fast Forward Button: Navigate to the next track or fast forward.
• TF Card Slot: For inserting a Micro SD card to expand storage.
• 4.4mm Balanced Earphone Jack: For balanced audio output.
• 3.5mm Single-ended Earphone Jack: For standard single-ended audio output.
• TYPE-C USB Port: For data transfer, charging, and USB DAC functionality.
• Working Indicator Light: Indicates the device's operational status.

3. Initial Setup

3.1 Charging the Device

Ensure your H20 Ultra is fully charged before first use.

• Via Adapter: Connect a 5V-1.5A (or above) adapter to a power outlet. Plug the USB-C cable into the adapter and the player. A full charge takes approximately 4 hours.
• Via PC USB Port: Charging via a PC's USB port is slower (under 500mA). If using this method, turn off the device while charging. This is not recommended for regular use.
• Long-Term Storage: If the device is not in use, charge it every 3 months to maintain battery health.

Note: Slight heating during charging is normal, especially when the battery is low.

3.2 TF Card Insertion/Removal

The H20 Ultra supports Micro SD cards up to 512GB for expanded storage.

• Insertion: Insert the TF card into the slot until it locks into place.
• Removal: Gently press the TF card inward until it pops out slightly, then pull it out.

Note: Use high-speed TF cards (Class 10 or above) for smooth playback performance.

4. Operating Instructions

4.1 Power On/Off and Screen Lock

• Power On/Off: Press and hold the power/lock button for 3 seconds. The blue indicator light will illuminate when the device is powered on.
• Screen Lock: Press the power/lock button once to lock the screen. Press it again to unlock. Unlock behavior can be customized in system settings.
• System Reset: If the device becomes unresponsive, press and hold the power/lock button for 10 seconds to force a restart. The indicator light will turn off during this process.
• Indicator Light: The blue light remains on during normal operation, serving as a working status indicator.

4.2 Main Interface

The main interface provides access to the player's core functions:

• Playlist: Manage your music playlists.
• My Music: Access your music library.
• File Browser: Browse files on your TF card or OTG storage.
• Playback Settings: Configure audio playback options.
• System Settings: Adjust device settings.

Note: In 'Display' style theme, a sixth function 'Play' is also shown.

4.3 Now Playing Interface

When music is playing, the interface displays:

• Top: Song title.
• Middle: Album cover (or a background image if none is available).
• Bottom: Playback progress bar and audio information.

Controls:

• Play/Pause: Tap the screen icon or use the physical button.
• Skip Tracks: Tap the previous/next icons on screen or use the physical side buttons.
• Fast Forward/Rewind: Long press the previous/next icons or physical side buttons.
• Playback Mode: Tap the bottom icon to switch between Sequential, Shuffle, Repeat One, and Repeat All.
• Favorite: Tap the heart icon to add the current song to your 'I Like' list (icon turns red when favorited).
• Track Menu: Access options like viewing playlist position, adding to a playlist, viewing song details, or deleting the song.

4.4 Playlist and Music List Functions

Playlist Function Introduction:

• All Music: Displays all songs on the memory card. Songs are automatically scanned and updated when the device is turned on or a new card is inserted (can be enabled/disabled in system settings). Manual scanning is also supported.
• Recently Played: Shows the most recently played songs.
• Albums: Songs are automatically grouped by album after scanning.
• Artists: Songs are sorted by artist.
• Genres: Songs are automatically categorized by music genre.

Tip: In any list, tap a song to play it, add to favorites, view details, or delete it. Tap the up arrow to jump to the top of the "All Music" list. Tap the right arrow to locate the currently playing song.

Music List Functions:

• My Favorites: Songs marked as favorites during playback are saved here.
• Recently Played: Displays songs played most recently.
• Playlists: Shows your custom playlists (up to 8 supported).
• Recently Added: Shows songs recently added to any playlist.

Note: In all lists, tap a song name to enter the playback interface. Tap the three dots next to a song for options like adding to playlist, viewing song info, or removing/deleting the song.

4.5 File Browsing

Tap 'TF card' or 'OTG storage' to view files and music lists. Tap a song to play it, or tap the three dots next to a song for options (favorite, info, delete). Tap a folder to enter its subdirectory.

Note: OTG storage requires a dedicated OTG data cable (sold separately). Music files on OTG storage cannot be moved to the TF card. Only supported audio formats will be recognized by the system.

4.6 Playback Settings

Access 'Playback Settings' from the main menu to configure various audio playback options:

• Playback Mode: Choose between Sequential, Random, Single Loop, or List Loop.
• Output Selection:
  • Headphone Output: 3.5mm interface used as headphone jack (default).
  • LO Output: 3.5mm interface used as LINE OUT jack. In LO mode, maximum volume is output. Do not insert headphones in LO mode; the device will prompt when switching.
  • SPDIF Output: When no headphones are connected, audio defaults to SPDIF output. A dedicated USB-C to SPDIF adapter (sold separately) is required for connection to a decoder.
• EQ Equalizer:
  • Built-in EQ: Select from 8 preset options (Rock, Classical, Jazz, Pop, Dance, Life, Sadness, Metal) or turn off. This has a significant effect on music files below 48kHz sampling rate.
  • Custom EQ: Available only when built-in EQ is off. Adjust individual frequency bands using sliders. Settings are automatically saved.
• High and Low Gain: Select low gain for low-impedance headphones, and high gain for high-impedance headphones, based on listening preferences.
• Playback Gain: Automatically adjusts playback gain to avoid volume fluctuations between different music and albums. Options: Off, Track-based, Album-based.
• DSD Output Mode: When outputting via SPDIF or USB DAC OUT, set to PCM, DoP (DSD to PCM), or Native mode (only for digital signals).
• DSD Gain Compensation: Compensates for DSD gain (default 0).
• LR Channel Balance: Adjusts balance between left and right channels (default centered).
• Digital Filter: Fine-tune with 4 filter options: High-pass filter-low delay, High-pass filter-phase compensation, Low-pass filter-low delay, Low-pass filter-phase compensation (Default: no additional compensation).
• Maximum Digital Volume Output: When off, SPDIF and USB DAC volume can be adjusted locally. When on, output is maximum and cannot be adjusted locally.
• Maximum Output Volume Limit: Set a maximum volume limit (e.g., 80 out of 100).
• Default Volume at Power On: Set and memorize the default volume for startup.
• Fade In and Out: Gradually increases volume at song start and decreases at song end.
• Seamless Playback: Minimizes interval between song switches.
• Break Point Memory Playback: Resumes playback from the last stopped point. Options: Off, Track (from beginning of last track), Position (from exact last stop point).
• Album Skipping: When playing from album list, if enabled, it will jump to the next album after the current one finishes.
• Folder Skipping: When playing from file list, if enabled, it will jump to the next folder after the current one finishes.

4.7 System Settings

Access 'System Settings' from the main menu to configure device preferences:

• Multi-language: Choose from 5 languages: English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish.
• Scan Mode: Set whether to automatically scan songs. Options: Automatic (scans on startup/card insertion), Manual (user-initiated scan), Song Scanning (manual scan if song names/files are not found).
• Homepage Style: Select from 'Street', 'Display', or 'Gallery' themes for the main interface.
• Font Size: Choose 'Small', 'Medium', or 'Large'.
• Screen Saver: After screen lock, press power button or double-click screen to wake up. Options: Off, Album Cover (displays album art if available, otherwise default image), Clock (real-time clock).
• Lock Key Options: Configure button functionality when locked. Options: Power (only power button works), All Keys (all buttons remain functional).
• Battery Display: Show or hide battery percentage.
• Display Settings: Adjust LCD brightness (default 50%) and screen timeout (default 30s).
• Time Settings: Set system time.
• About Bluetooth: Turn on Bluetooth, view device name, adjust sound quality/volume, search and pair devices.
• HiBy Link: Control the player via the HiBy Music app on your mobile phone over Bluetooth.
• Auto Power-Off: Power-saving mode; auto shutdown after 10 minutes of inactivity.
• Sleep Mode: Auto shutdown after 120 minutes during playback or standby.
• Standby Mode: Automatically enters standby 3 minutes after screen turns off when idle. Power-saving and sleep timers are based on standby state.
• E-Book: Scan and display e-books from TF card. Supports favorites, folders, and recent reads.
• USB Mode: Options: Charge Only, Data (for file transfer), DAC (use as external sound card for PC).
• Factory Reset: Restore all settings to factory defaults.
• System Upgrade: Download firmware from the official site, place it in the TF card root directory (FAT32), and perform the upgrade.

5. Maintenance

• Keep the device clean using a soft, dry cloth. Avoid liquid cleaners.
• Protect the device from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, and high humidity.
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to strong impacts.
• For long-term storage, ensure the device is charged every three months to prevent battery degradation.

6. Troubleshooting

• Device unresponsive: Perform a system reset by holding the power/lock button for 10 seconds.
• Songs not appearing/playing: Ensure your TF card is Class 10 or above. Use the 'Song scanning' function in System Settings to manually scan for new music.
• No audio output: Check headphone connections. If using SPDIF, ensure a dedicated USB-C to SPDIF adapter is used and connected to a decoder. Verify 'Output Selection' in Playback Settings.
• Battery drains quickly: Ensure 'Auto Power-Off' and 'Sleep Mode' settings are configured to your preference. Avoid leaving the device idle for extended periods without these features enabled.
• Bluetooth connection issues: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both the player and the connecting device. Try re-pairing the devices.

7. Technical Specifications

Image: Diagram of the ES9038Q2M DAC chip, highlighting its specifications including Total Harmonic Distortion, Signal-to-Noise Ratio, and Frequency Response.

8. User Tips

• For the best audio experience, consider using high-quality balanced headphones with the 4.4mm output.
• Experiment with the EQ settings to personalize your sound profile. The custom EQ offers granular control.
• Utilize the HiBy Link feature to control your player conveniently from your smartphone.
• If you encounter any issues with music playback or file recognition, ensure your Micro SD card is a high-speed (Class 10 or above) card.
• Regularly check the official HIFI WALKER website for firmware updates to ensure optimal performance and access to new features.

9. Warranty and Support

For detailed warranty information, technical support, and the latest firmware updates, please visit the official HIFI WALKER website. You may also refer to the comprehensive user manual PDF available for download at User Manual (PDF).