The Centrance HiFi M8 thread - Page 80

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chexxchexx 

Michael,

Apologies if this has already been covered, but I don't recall having seen it explicitly stated.

I know the M8 will be able to support 16- and 24-bit files at the following sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 172.4 kHz, 192 kHz. Could you please confirm whether the above capabilities apply for Apple devices via the USB?

I ask because the CLAS AlgoRhythm Solo -dB has different capabilities for Apple devices (16/48) and Mac/PC (24/192). It would be very disappointing if this were the case for the M8, as well, but perhaps there's a limitation to the Apple devices or the 30-pin connector that I'm not aware of.

And, assuming the limitation doesn't exist, do you happen to know whether an app such as FLAC Player can be used to stream the data at, say, 24/192?

Thank you, as always.

HiFi-M8 should be able to go as follows (still checking):

44.1 through 192 kHz on USB input (this talks to PC and Mac computers)

44.1 through 96 kHz on Apple input (this talks to iPad/iPhone/iPod)

The 96 kHz limitation is a limitation of iOS, not HiFi-M8. We could go all the way to 192, if iPads would play along. They don't yet. Nobody knows if/then they will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgoodman 

 

HiFi-M8 should be able to go as follows (still checking):

 

44.1 through 192 kHz on USB input (this talks to PC and Mac computers)

44.1 through 96 kHz on Apple input (this talks to iPad/iPhone/iPod)

 

The 96 kHz limitation is a limitation of iOS, not HiFi-M8. We could go all the way to 192, if iPads would play along. They don't yet. Nobody knows if/then they will.

Michael,

Would you please clarify that 16/24 can be set via USB, in MAC's case thru Audio Midi Setup?

Can we set the rates 16/24 and 44.1~96 via Apple input devices?

Please do post as soon as the tests are conclusive. 

Thanks again for making us part of the process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chexxchexx 


Thank you, Michael. 24/96 is perfectly acceptable, as most of my HD Tracks purchases are 24/96 even when 24/192 is available. Hopefully your tests will validate this capability. Could I ask that, when you're testing Apple devices, you use the FLAC Player app?

At this point, other than the obvious, SQ impressions, my decision hinges on:
1. Performance with IEMs - channels balanced, black background, grainless playback even at low volume levels with JH 13 Pro
2. Battery life - fewer than four hours is a deal-breaker
3. DAC capabilities with Apple devices - 24/96 is a must

Really hoping the M8 meets my criteria, as I'm looking forward to this purchase.

Thanks.

All of those demands will easily be met imo. As to battery life, it was always going to have at least 4 hours. The issue was, there were a few who demanded 8 hours of battery life. But it's safe to say 4 hours is a given at this point. With the gain and impedance options, it shouldn't have any problems with your jh13(I have a pair myself).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chexxchexx 


Thank you, Michael. 24/96 is perfectly acceptable, as most of my HD Tracks purchases are 24/96 even when 24/192 is available. Hopefully your tests will validate this capability. Could I ask that, when you're testing Apple devices, you use the FLAC Player app?

At this point, other than the obvious, SQ impressions, my decision hinges on:
1. Performance with IEMs - channels balanced, black background, grainless playback even at low volume levels with JH 13 Pro
2. Battery life - fewer than four hours is a deal-breaker
3. DAC capabilities with Apple devices - 24/96 is a must

Really hoping the M8 meets my criteria, as I'm looking forward to this purchase.

Thanks.

This should all be easily achievable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saraguie 

Michael,

 

Would you please clarify that 16/24 can be set via USB, in MAC's case thru Audio Midi Setup?

 

Can we set the rates 16/24 and 44.1~96 via Apple input devices?

 

Please do post as soon as the tests are conclusive. 

 

Thanks again for making us part of the process.

> Would you please clarify that 16/24 can be set via USB, in MAC's case thru Audio Midi Setup?

Yes, just like you would with any other DAC in Mac OS. With Windows, we will give you a custom ASIO driver to make changes.

> Can we set the rates 16/24 and 44.1~96 via Apple input devices?

Yes, I believe this will be the case. We are in the process of confirming this. Need some more time.

> Please do post as soon as the tests are conclusive. 

Believe me, I cannot wait to do so :)

Micheal,

any chance this will work with android smartphones as well, like the Samsung Galaxy S3/Note II?

I will preorder one right away if you plan making it compatible with android phones as well. I plan to use it with my S3.

In case a smartphone is plugged into the USB or iDevice port, will the DAC be driven form the Smartphones battery, like the RSA Predator, or will it use its own internal Li-Ion battery for driving both amp and DAC?

Can the battery in the HiFi-M8  be switched by the user? I know it probably will last a few years, but it would be nice if it can be easily swapped by the end user if necessery.At least for international customers like me.

Thanks, for bringing an excellent product to the Market!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinf 

Micheal,

any chance this will work with android smartphones as well, like the Samsung Galaxy S3/Note II?

I will preorder one right away if you plan making it compatible with android phones as well. I plan to use it with my S3.

In case a smartphone is plugged into the USB or iDevice port, will the DAC be driven form the Smartphones battery, like the RSA Predator, or will it use its own internal Li-Ion battery for driving both amp and DAC?

Can the battery in the HiFi-M8  be switched by the user? I know it probably will last a few years, but it would be nice if it can be easily swapped by the end user if necessery.At least for international customers like me.

Thanks, for bringing an excellent product to the Market!

We are not planning to make the battery user-serviceable. The unit will be very tightly packed and going inside would void the warranty. Having said that, we are using a sophisticated algorithm for estimating battery capacity and will be extending its useful lifespan. I don't believe you need to worry about battery lifespan.

Please see the product blog tomorrow about Android compatibility. We are in the middle of research and it's not all clear.

Ooh.  Considering that the useful battery lifetime will probably extend beyond the warranty period, unless you are planning to really stand behind your new flagship product here, will you at some point issue battery specs and replacement instructions for those old timers who might be still using their trusty M8s beyond the original battery life cycle?  If not, what do you suppose a manufacturer battery replacement service charge might run (order of magnitude)? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacal01 

Ooh.  Considering that the useful battery lifetime will probably extend beyond the warranty period, unless you are planning to really stand behind your new flagship product here, will you at some point issue battery specs and replacement instructions for those old timers who might be still using their trusty M8s beyond the original battery life cycle?  If not, what do you suppose an order of magnitude manufacturer battery replacement service charge might run (order of magnitude)? 

It won't be that expensive. Generally, it's awesome to be looking ahead this far, but unless things go wrong, we shouldn't need to return to this conversation for several years. By then, there may be exciting new products on the market (from CEntrance or otherwise) that the trusty old M8, as good as it is, may no longer be at the forefront of technological leadership (he sheds a tear as he utters these words). Put another way, the battery should last way longer than the warranty period. But... we don't have any statistical data on that yet. Again, talk to me in a couple of years, when I'll have plenty of longevity data :)

Believe it or not, my trusty old iPhone 3GS has been in operation on the same battery for 6 years at this point (shows you how much I get around :)

Ah.  Just another high end disposable product, then. 

Nice. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacal01 

Ah.  Just another high end disposable product, then. 

 

Nice. 

Hey now......play nice.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacal01 

Ah.  Just another high end disposable product, then. 

 

Nice. 

 Quote:

Originally Posted by Saraguie 

Hey now......play nice.  

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgoodman 


We will be able to replace a battery and don't expect charging an exorbitant amout for that work

Of course we knew that Michael.  Jacal was just joking right...It's All Good!