[wushuliu]

I got a Hiface yesterday. This is my forst foray into computer-based music server. Previously I've used media players like WDTV and Popcorn A-200 with toslink and coax out respectively. I wanted to hear if a laptop/hiface combo would offer better sound quality as a digital transport, given all the buzz it's gotten.

http://www.m2tech.biz/products.html

I listened for a few hours with several permutations:

1) 3M Belkin USB -> Hiface->RCA-RCA Adapter-> AD1865-based DIY DAC
2) Hiface -> 4ft. Neotech PCOCC Coaxial -> DAC

Software

1) 1.03 Foobar w/WASAPI
2) .8.3 Foobar w/ KS

My laptop runs Vista

Hardware

First off the overall the sound quality is indeed superior to the media players I have used. No question. Hiface is clean, clear, and quiet.

I preferred what I heard using the long Belkin USB. Tones were warmer, highs very slightly recessed, but very very quiet background. With the Neotech Coax the sound was more neutral/cool, more dynamic, a teeny bit splashy on the top end but overall I'd say neutral. Now I obviously did not wait for any burn-in, this is just fresh out the box impressions. Also, I would not be surprised if the coax was the more accurate presentation due to recent component changes in my set-up. I can see how some may find the Hiface forward and bright, but I'll side with previous comments that this may have more to do with other components. Most retail speakers for instance tend to have a hotter top end and this could be a not so great match for the Hiface. I think the Hiface gives a straight neutral presentation. My DIY speakers were designed with a pretty flat response and the Hi-face sounded just a hair splashy, but not forward, and I am very sensitive to bright/forward sound. Drives me nuts. If indeed it doesn break-in it would probably be perfect.

The soundstage was fine. I would not describe it as closed or narrow. I think 'intimate' is the word I would use to describe what I heard.

Imaging is off the hook/chain/rope/whatever
Very good detail retrieval

Software

I found the 8.3 w/ KS to not sound as good as the 1.03 w/ WASAPI. But I am very
new to the software side of things and I probably missed some optimizations along the way.

WASAPI sounds really, really good.

I think the Hiface is very much an 'audiophile' product. What I hear caters to that delicate, precise
balance of transparency and detail. The Hiface I think will let you know if you have any weak links
in the chain.

That said, I am trying to order the Audio-gd DSP-3. That thing looks tight!

 

[HAL]

Nice Review!

This makes me want to try the HiFace with Windows 7.  I am running it with Windows XP, Foobar2000 v1 and the 0.83 KS plug-in.  It does very well with this setup.

[wushuliu]

Nice Review!

This makes me want to try the HiFace with Windows 7.  I am running it with Windows XP, Foobar2000 v1 and the 0.83 KS plug-in.  It does very well with this setup.

I had low expectations for the laptop/music server. But with this kind of fidelity, no way I'd go back to the budget media players (wish one of them would try and cater to the audio market and not just leave it all to logitech).

My game plan is to get a DVI to HDMI cable to display laptop on my TV, a svelte wireless keyboard/mouse, and possibility a J River Music Center w/ remote.

[HAL]

The ASUS eeePC Netbook with the HiFace sounds very good here running Foobar2000. 

I like the long USB cable as well to the HiFace plugged directly into the DAC. 

I get the same effect on the Nat Cole piece as with the 75 ohm cable and 10dB attenuator, but the overall presentation seems cleaner.  I have a feeling this is S/PDIF receiver specific.  The Wolfson receiver seems to like the direct connect better.

I did check the specs and it is setup for the 500mVp-p S/PDIF comparitor input.  There is no maximum level in the spec sheet I can find, but the power supply is 3.3VDC.   

More listening needed!

[wushuliu]

It's also worth giving Media Monkey a try. On the TweekGeeks site where I bought the Hiface they mention some users preferring MM sound quality, so I gave it a go. It's not necessarily better than Foobar/WASAPI but it is different, smoother, a little more laid back. Worth comparing.

[silver_strings]

To get the most out of it use the shortest coax cable you can, using a longer USB cable you wont affect the sound but with coax even after short distances there is data loss.

The improvement the hiface makes is excellent , I used mine with my tube dac to my tube amp paired with tekton speakers and the results were just superb

[HAL]

The HiFace with a long USB cable and an RCA(M) to RCA(M) adaptor is basically a hard link.  I plugged it directly into the DAC RCA S/PDIF input.  Sounds really good here.   

[wushuliu]

I tried out Media Monkey w/ the hiface and depending on one's tastes, it may sound better than the Foobar. Smoother, slightly less punchy. I like it. But perhaps there are settings I have not found yet. This is all so new to me.

Next up for software is the xxhighend...

[Alexdad54]

The HiFace with a long USB cable and an RCA(M) to RCA(M) adaptor is basically a hard link.  I plugged it directly into the DAC RCA S/PDIF input.  Sounds really good here.

This intrigues me (even after spending too much for a good GH coax cable!  ) .
Does having the USB cable before the HiFace then connected directly to the DAC via a RCA (m) to RCA (M) remove the jitter question?
Also why the long USB length? Does it have better audio properties at this length? I had always thought that long USB cables were not a good idea, "over 4 meters the performance of a USB connection worsens and it may impede the 192kHz file transfer." (quote from the TweekGeek website's FAQ's. Or have I misunderstood (wouldn't be the first time....)?

[HAL]

It changes the time when the reflection occurs.  Depends on the S/PDIF receiver as to how it deals with the incoming waveform and how it changes the jitter. 

The externally powered two port hub I found only comes with a 16' cable.  That is actually good for my setup as the netbook is by my chair and the DAC is in the system.  It is about 13' away from my table to the DAC, so very close to the correct length.  I put the regulated battery power supply at the hub by the DAC and HiFace.

This is an active USB cable, so the length should not be a problem.   They are designed to extend USB full speed.

[Alexdad54]

If distance is not an issue, is this length required then? I have my Acer 1410 netbook and MHDT Havana DAC on the same small table and could run a USB (M to F) cable to the HiFace connected directly to the DAC.
Would there be any advantage to having an externally powered hub in between the netbook and the HiFace?

[HAL]

The idea is to have a separate DC power supply for the HiFace.  This gives the HiFace a more stable power supply and has made it sound better in my setup.  This is similar to what others are doing with the HiFace mods, but no modification to the HiFace is needed.   

The only commercial externally powered USB2 hub that I have found is the unit with the 16' cable that just plugs into the HiFace.  I disabled the USB power in the hub and just plugged the battery DC supply into the hub as it is designed.

A standard USB2 hub that needs an external supply will work.  I just like plugging the hub directly into the HiFace to eliminate an extra USB cable.   

[Alexdad54]

Thanks, that clarifies it for me. I was thinking of using one of these : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182146 as it seems to meet the criteria and I could lay it flat and plug the HiFace into it directly. I bought one for my wife's PC and it's pretty good quality. Would it benefit from a battery DC supply and, if so, how would I disable the USB power in the hub?
Apologies if we're getting to far off-topic or too tech but I'm trying to maximize my sonic benefits without getting out of my "DIY depth".

[HAL]

Looks like the four port hub unit is ready for an external power supply as is.  It comes with an external DC power supply.

I would give it a try as is.  If that makes an improvement, then a battery DC supply might be worth a try. 

[Alexdad54]

Thanks for the help. I've ordered the hub, USB cable and a 75 ohm RCA Male to male coupler so hopefully I can fit it all together and check it out by the end of the week.

[xxhanhxx]

  I was pleasantly surprised on how much the Hiface improved the sound quality of my system and can't imagine how much better it would sound modded.  I'm defiintely a fan of this device!