The Centrance HiFi M8 thread - Page 103

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrobe 

The "Fraudsters" Post from today was very entertaining as well....

Sadly, the issue itself was a time waster...

Michael Goodman -

I just finished reading your regular Centrance Blog (Hifi-M8) about the Apple / USB / CCK / 500 / 100 concern over the power limitation of iDevices since the update to iOS6. You might remember that I brought this up with you a few months ago because I noticed the power limitation of iOS6 rendered Ray Samuels battery powered devices, when paired with iPad 3 and newer, worthless.

Of course, RSA has always been reluctant to even discuss the issue. But, you willingly explained why Hifi-M8 was going to be different. Now, there appears to be confusion again and you appear to be concerned that the iDevices with iOS6 will suck the Hifi-M8 dry.

Am I confused, is this a different issue or ???

No way am I an engineer as a lot the Head-Fi users appear to be, just an aging accountant with an ear for great sound and equipment who appreciates your writings.

Keep plugging away. I look forward to ordering a balanced Beyer T-1 when Centrance tells me product is ready to ship

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfcpa 

I just finished reading your regular Centrance Blog (Hifi-M8) about the Apple / USB / CCK / 500 / 100 concern over the power limitation of iDevices since the update to iOS6. You might remember that I brought this up with you a few months ago because I noticed the power limitation of iOS6 rendered Ray Samuels battery powered devices, when paired with iPad 3 and newer, worthless.

 

Of course, RSA has always been reluctant to even discuss the issue. But, you willingly explained why Hifi-M8 was going to be different. Now, there appears to be confusion again and you appear to be concerned that the iDevices with iOS6 will suck the Hifi-M8 dry.

 

Am I confused, is this a different issue or ???

mrfcpa,

They are different issues. RSA's problem is that the DAC cannot get enough current from an iDevice, so we can find that an exterior-powered USB DAC usually won't work with an iPad even using a CCK. However, M8's problem is that an iDevice  wants to suck power from M8, and this action will shrink M8's battery time. 

As far as I know, iDevices have special & CONFIDENTIAL charging protocols. The only way to solve Michael's problem is to consult with Apple's technical support. 

BTW, perhaps putting a Current Limited Switch between M8's battery and an iDevice is OK to alleviate the problem we meet. (just kidding )

Thanks for the response. I'm glad that a lot of you understand so much about engineering and electrical currents and the like and can readily answer my questions. I gave up on trying to understand all of it when John Iverson sold me one of his Electro Research 75-A amps back in the 70's. The concept of that amplifier, which made it simply the best on the market at the time, was far beyond me. Oh well, it was probably before most of you were born.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfcpa 

I just finished reading your regular Centrance Blog (Hifi-M8) about the Apple / USB / CCK / 500 / 100 concern over the power limitation of iDevices since the update to iOS6. You might remember that I brought this up with you a few months ago because I noticed the power limitation of iOS6 rendered Ray Samuels battery powered devices, when paired with iPad 3 and newer, worthless.

If you been following some of the bouncing threads around here, one way that the 100 mA power output limitation on the iPad USB port has been circumvented is to use a powered USB hub in between the iPad CCK and the outboard device (e.g. DAC), or better yet, there was an unpowered USB hub called the T3 Hub by Dr. Bott that ostensively reported to the iPad that it was self-powered, so that it could induce up to a nominal 500 mA power draw from the iPad to distribute among its USB 2.0 ports (3).  If you only used one of the hub outlet USB ports, you’d be able to draw up to the full 500 mA.

The T3 Hub is no longer made or available, but I was told that its replacement, the iLuv 4-port USB Hub, also unpowered, can do the same thing (demand 500 mA max. from the iPad to distribute among its outlet ports in use).  In fact, I get the impression that all the unpowered USB hubs these days can similarly draw ≤500 mA from the iPad for distribution among its outlet ports.

So the configuration in your case would be the iPad => CCK => iLuv USB hub => RSA DAC/amp.

Michael,

Is there any chance you would be able to hint at if and what size external battery might be able to charge up the hifi-m8? I use a 5600mAh external battery to juice up my S3 and iPad on long trips. Do I need an upgraded backup battery to get me past the 8-10 hour mark?

So wait, will the Hi-Fi M8 run from an iPhone 5 or not?

Yes it will.

A couple quick questions for Michael in relation to how the i-device connectivity is coming along:

Will the M8 work fine with the lightning connector equipped devices? In other words- I can of course, use my iPod classic 30 pin with the cable included with the M8...and if I want to use the 5th Gen iPod touch with lightning connector, I could use the Apple-supplied lightning to USB cable to connect to the M8? (until something shorter becomes available - hopefully) Or is there something else to consider?

Also, I understand that the iPod touch is hardware limited to 16/48 (or is 44.1?) output. It is possible to get 24/96 files on there, but they are down-converted and played at 16/48. Since the M8 is substituting the "hardware" (or part of it) will this lift that blockade and permit the touch to output 24/96 to the M8 DAC? (I am unaware if other such devices, clas, etc can do this, it's why I'm asking) I know "24/96 for i-devices" was mentioned, just want to see how that is shaping up. 

It would certainly be great if some sort of high res playback was possible with the touch, but really just a bonus.

I want to make sure I have all my cables, etc. ready for when the M8 is finished! I have already made myself a 4 pin XLR balanced cable and an 3.5 adapter (for unbalanced use) 

Keep up the great work on the M8! Thanks in adavance

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrobe 

 

Also, I understand that the iPod touch is hardware limited to 16/48 (or is 44.1?) output. It is possible to get 24/96 files on there, but they are down-converted and played at 16/48. Since the M8 is substituting the "hardware" (or part of it) will this lift that blockade and permit the touch to output 24/96 to the M8 DAC? (I am unaware if other such devices, clas, etc can do this, it's why I'm asking) I know "24/96 for i-devices" was mentioned, just want to see how that is shaping up. 

 

It would certainly be great if some sort of high res playback was possible with the touch, but really just a bonus.

 

 

Idéa & question : Can't we bypass this 16/48 limitation  by JAILBREAKING the iPhone and using some "non apple certified" apps/kernel that will bypass this limitation ? 

Crud.  I was assuming since I could play 24/96 files through Golden Ears that I would also be able to stream the same via USB to the HifiM8.  Boo.  Then again, I only have like 3 albums at those rates so its not like I am losing that much (and redbook flac take up enough space on the ipod already).

Wait, when connecting the M8 to my computer via USB what is the max I can run 24/192 or 96?