Usb 24 192khz M2tech Hiface - Page 23

My Hiface has arrived

My Hiface arrived this morning and is running in as I type. I sounds very different to my Musiland monitor 02us digital output from new. I wont post extended thoughts until it has had a couple of days of running in.

Initial impression is of a very large soundstage but a bit soft and emotionally detached. I am hoping it will change dramatically with run in.

It was very easy to install under windows xp pro. Amongst the easiest things I have ever installed. The firmware upgrade for the musiland was one of the worst installs I have ever done (but a great wee gadget). I hate it when I see musilands described as toys. I love them and bang for buck they are great.

I am using the Hiface through an audio-gd reference 1 dac.

regards

macrog

I also like my 01 USD, excellent performance and certainly great VfM.

But economically speaking and compared to Diverter or Bel Canto's converter - Musilands are toys.

Let us know if the HiFace is a worthy upgrade with the RE1.
RE1 does a good job at reclocking the signal and I was wondering if the HiFace was worth it for someone who could get a bit perfect digital signal from the motherboard via TOSlink or RCA jacks.

Yes the Hiface is great and a clear improvement on the musiland monitor 02us which was an improvement on the Xonar ST which was an improvement on the coaxial digital output from my motherboard.

There is no doubt it is a huge improvement on motherboard digital output.

Reclocking at the dac is a great idea but clearly the better your digital source the more information that is resolved by the dac.

You seriously wont regret getting the Hiface.

macrog

Thanks for the fast response Macrog. I will get this device.

Uninstall ASIO4all and then try KS again after a reboot. It can cause this in certain configurations.

Is BNC better than RCA?

technically yes because it's true 75ohm

... and has less jitter.

Damn but my DAC doesn't have BNC input

Some DACs, even Hi End ones don't have BNC inputs, as standard but as an option.

A connector has no "characteristic impedance", a cable have one (at high frequencies)...
R.C.

Hiface vs Musiland

The Hiface does seem better than the Musiland monitor 02us but the difference isn't night and day.

The improvements I have noticed are:
- Better imaging (height and depth)
- Perhaps a bit more micro detail e.g. extended decay on instruments (The Bells on tubular bells sound wonderful)

I think the bass may be a little weaker than the musiland.

The performance of the Hiface does highlight the value of the Musiland monitor 02us which costs significantly less performs very nearly as well but also includes a good quality dac and headphone amp.

How long does the Hiface take to sound its best?

Macrog

Now I am confused, doesn't M2Tech RCA cost $150, same as Musiland Monitor 02US.

Musiland is $138 incl shipping