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The Centrance HiFi M8 thread - Page 37

post #541 of 2132
11/7/12 at 7:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnero View Post

A new question for Michael, I've seen both silver and black front/back face plates in the various mock ups, will we have a choice of color? I'll state for the record, my preference is for black. :-)
 

BLACK x 2

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post #542 of 2132
11/7/12 at 8:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgoodman View Post

Some answers:

 

>  I’ve been arguing for an SPDIF coax vs. optical digital output, but what I really mean in this case is the 1/8” headphone/SPDIF optical combo jack vs. a dedicated 1/8” SPDIF copper TRS phone jack

> Is that part of the issue with not making it a coax jack instead of optical, which would of course also need a 1/8" to RCA coax adapter while optical would not?

 

I totally get where you are coming from. We simply couldn't find a good part in the time available. We were looking for a reliable supplier, good lead-times, good pricing, good specs, all that. We had two options - find a combo optical jack or a combo coaxial jack. We found the optical jack, but not the coax. Given more time, we would have probably found both, but since we are under the gun to ship, we needed to make a decision and move on. There is always the next rev., although I know this sounds like a cop out...

 

 

And I totally get where you’re coming from, Michael, having to make compromises between trying to please everyone and shipping product in a timely manner to meet demand and recoup developmental expenses.  However, as I stated in my preorder email to Stacie, I for one am perfectly willing to wait for the 2nd production run if necessary to allow the product capability to fully mature before taking delivery.

 

My position is that for my configuration, a combo digital/analog line output jack of any type is unnecessary.  I am specifically interested in a SPDIF coax digital out alone for my HiFi-M8.  An analog line out is not needed in view of your explanation that the headphone output is satisfactory for that purpose because of your linear volume control.  A 3.5 mm jack headphone analog output is only a convenience option, just like your choice between XLR headphone output connectors.  For me the 1/4” headphone outlet jack is sufficient, although a packaged 1/8” to 1/4” headphone adapter plug would be nice.

 

And to address your concern that an SPDIF outlet is just too darn big as well as ugly (assuming RCA), and qusp’s argument that a SPDIF TRS jack is a total hack for 75Ω impedance matching, there is now a micro BNC connector available that should sufficiently satisfy both points. 

 

Just sayin’…

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post #543 of 2132
11/7/12 at 10:05am
Quote:
Warning: Spoiler! - Long quote from above (Click to show)

Originally Posted by mgoodman View Post
 

Some answers:

 

> I do have a question - When listening from unbalanced 1/4", is one effectively using only half the amp?  

 

From a simplistic standpoint, in the "brute-force" scenario, your assumption above would be correct. If you are worried about the amp's performance degradation, then I can assure you that there is nothing to worry about. Modern silicon amplifier technology doesn't really degrade with use (or lack of use). However, we had to deal with a related, yet entirely different issue while developing the product, so let me explain some more. If you have a wall-powered device, you probably don't need to do anything. The extra amps don't care -- they would just sit there doing nothing, warming up the environment and slowly contributing to global warming.

 

But there is an important distinction between wall-powered and battery powered devices. In a portable device such as HiFi-M8, we cannot afford the unused circuitry to "just sit there", consuming power for no reason and frivolously draining the battery down. To combat this drawback, we have devised ways to prevent unnecessary power consumption, while maintaining full sound quality. CEntrance had to make sure that battery power is conserved, especially since we are using very powerful headphone amps, which, if left un-managed would take the battery down in no time. Suffice it to say that our advanced battery conservation technology prevents the above scenario from happening... Less global warming, more playing time!

 

> Also, with the "modular" design - would the end plates that have the S/PIDF input and / or 3 pin XLR combo outputs be user changeable pieces?  Or Centrance changeable pieces?

 

We don't really think these would be user-changeable. We expect to configure each unit a certain way before it leaves the factory in Chicago. We don't plan to offer side plates for sale - the amount of support we'd need to provide would make this prohibitive.

 

 

 

Mr. Goodman - Thank you for this, it answers my root question, and also seems to indicate longer battery life single ended?

 

As to the second, it was just a point of curiosity - thank you.

 

Last - I'll throw out a bone, since there has been a fair amount of dissent regarding optical vs coax out, etc.  I am fine with the 3.5 mm dual duty jack.  I used optical out when I had a Macbook pro. with my air I won't need it unless I elect to use it into my Peachtree Nova or something.  I am especially fine with it if my understanding is correct, and it also serves as a 3.5 mm single ended output.

 

Basically, with the addition of the XLR4 option, I am happy with the final configuration.


Edited by aamefford - 11/7/12 at 10:21am
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post #544 of 2132
11/7/12 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanBa View Post

For the time being, there is only one Android phone manufacturer, Samsung, the leader, 

which supports standard USB audio 2.0 on their latest smartphones Galaxy S III / Note II.
 
The USB drivers of these smartphones have the same behaviour, likely the same source code. They are intolerant with USB DACs which are not quite compliant with the USB specification.
 
VentureCraft has tested the Galaxy S III and subsequently made some modification to their pre mass-production Go-Dap X USB DAC/amp, which should not interwork with the Galaxy SIII:
"<Updating Firmware and Galaxy S3 Curcuit Change>
1. Apply here ($35 shipping fee only required.)
2. Send your Go-Dap X(pre mass-production) to the following address."
 
For the time being, a lot of existing USB DACs can interwork with the Galaxy S III / Note II:

 

With the Centrance Hi-Fi M8 still not released, would it be possible for Centrance to ensure that the device is compliant with USB specification and compatible (tested prior to mass production) with the S3/Note2 devices? Those two do seem to be among the most popular android devices at the moment...

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post #545 of 2132
11/7/12 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by analogue 3 View Post

With the Centrance Hi-Fi M8 still not released, would it be possible for Centrance to ensure that the device is compliant with USB specification and compatible (tested prior to mass production) with the S3/Note2 devices? Those two do seem to be among the most popular android devices at the moment...

yes but but the time they release it, its going to be only another 6 months before the next flagship samsung smartphone comes out...
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post #546 of 2132
11/7/12 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fuzzyash View Post


yes but but the time they release it, its going to be only another 6 months before the next flagship samsung smartphone comes out...

 

However since the Note2 is very similar to the S3 in terms of how compatible it is with external dac/amps, I don't see why the M8 if definitely working with the S3/Note2 will have issues with the S4/Note3. 

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post #547 of 2132
11/7/12 at 11:04pm

Hello again,

 

> I've seen both silver and black front/back face plates in the various mock ups, will we have a choice of color?

"You can have any color as long as it's black." - Henry Ford.

Great question and you happen to be in luck. We chose black for everything. It looks classier that way.

 

> I am specifically interested in a SPDIF coax digital out alone for my HiFi-M8. 

Not sure how to satisfy this request... We may just need to rig this up for you one way or another. Let's have a private conversation off line to see how to get this accomplished.

 

> With the Centrance Hi-Fi M8 still not released, would it be possible for Centrance to ensure that the device is

> compliant with USB specification and compatible with the S3/Note2 devices?

Yes, we will be compatible with the USB specification. Have always been. We are hoping that those two devices are as well... That's how you ensure compatibility -- standards compliance is a great thing!

I can't guarantee that we will go out and buy those phones, but then, who knows, we just might... Still a couple of weeks out for that. Need to get the next rev. digital board stuffed and running first.


Edited by mgoodman - 11/7/12 at 11:06pm
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post #548 of 2132
11/8/12 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgoodman View Post

 

> With the Centrance Hi-Fi M8 still not released, would it be possible for Centrance to ensure that the device is

> compliant with USB specification and compatible with the S3/Note2 devices?

Yes, we will be compatible with the USB specification. Have always been. We are hoping that those two devices are as well... That's how you ensure compatibility -- standards compliance is a great thing!

I can't guarantee that we will go out and buy those phones, but then, who knows, we just might... Still a couple of weeks out for that. Need to get the next rev. digital board stuffed and running first.

 

Thanks for answering my question. Not sure if you deal face to face with any head-fiers. However maybe someone local from the Android phones and USB Dacs thread who owns a S3 or Galaxy Note 2 would be willing to bring their device round for testing. I'm going to link this thread just in case in that thread. I know how expensive those devices are (I'm saving up for the next 6 months to afford an unlocked model!) so I can appreciate that it's unreasonable to expect you to purchase one or both just for testing purposes.

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post #549 of 2132
11/8/12 at 9:59am

We may end up with both those devices at my work in the near future, I guess that probably doesn't help much though seeing as I'm on the east coast of Canada.

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post #550 of 2132
11/8/12 at 12:52pm

I'm sure we'll figure it out by the time we are ready to test.

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post #551 of 2132
11/8/12 at 1:38pm
The deciding factor for me now is the battery life. As a happy owner of the Dacport LX, and love its signature, I would prefer to see a better battery life with an SQ similar/like the LX.
5 hours is too low (one of the reasons that discouraged me from getting the PHA-1).
I have faith in Centrance, that in the end they will take the best route.
Come to think of it, why don't we have the option between longer battery and shorter battery life ?
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post #552 of 2132
11/8/12 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by turokrocks View Post

The deciding factor for me now is the battery life. As a happy owner of the Dacport LX, and love its signature, I would prefer to see a better battery life with an SQ similar/like the LX.
5 hours is too low (one of the reasons that discouraged me from getting the PHA-1).
I have faith in Centrance, that in the end they will take the best route.
Come to think of it, why don't we have the option between longer battery and shorter battery life ?

I think it would last more than 5 hours. Furthermore battery life will be dependent on your usage. High gain and high volume should drain the battery quicker.

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post #553 of 2132
11/8/12 at 5:45pm

> Come to think of it, why don't we have the option between longer battery and shorter battery life ?

We are going for maximum possible. No sense in making it less ;)

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post #554 of 2132
11/8/12 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgoodman View Post

> Come to think of it, why don't we have the option between longer battery and shorter battery life ?

We are going for maximum possible. No sense in making it less ;)

Bravo.....

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post #555 of 2132
11/8/12 at 11:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgoodman View Post

> Come to think of it, why don't we have the option between longer battery and shorter battery life ?

We are going for maximum possible. No sense in making it less wink.gif

I meant, make it less as to get a better/different SQ (LX &/or Dacmini ) from the M8, if needed!
Edited by turokrocks - 11/8/12 at 11:32pm
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