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The Centrance HiFi M8 thread - Page 46

post #676 of 2079
11/26/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armaegis View Post

I wonder if there are any solid XLR to mini-XLR adapters on the market. As in, not two adapters connected by wire, but one single piece.

Hmmm.  Haven't seen one commercially available.  Might be an interesting challenge to tackle this coming weekend.  

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post #677 of 2079
11/26/12 at 10:18am

I was thinking one could bootstrap something together by fitting the mini-xlr into the strain relief of the xlr, maybe a couple layers of adhesive shrink wrap over top... or something like that. 

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post #678 of 2079
11/26/12 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

Hmmm.  Haven't seen one commercially available.  Might be an interesting challenge to tackle this coming weekend.  

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Armaegis View Post

I was thinking one could bootstrap something together by fitting the mini-xlr into the strain relief of the xlr, maybe a couple layers of adhesive shrink wrap over top... or something like that. 

 

I sort of visualized something similar.  If it sticks out too far from the faceplate, it might be better to have the short wire in between 4 pin and mini XLR's, just for strain relief.  FraGGleR, please post a photo or 6 if you gin one up this weekend.


Edited by aamefford - 11/26/12 at 11:31am
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post #679 of 2079
11/26/12 at 11:15am

Guys i don't want to derail the thread,but i did send an E-Mail to their info service asking if the M8 should be able to bypass the internal dac an amp of the Galaxy S2 naturally ,since Goodman sad it should work with aAndroid devices(just for curiosity ,or for when i will be able to save some bucks for an Hi-Fi portable solution),but yet no response.

Anyone?Thank you guys

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post #680 of 2079
11/26/12 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by antberg View Post

Guys i don't want to derail the thread,but i did send an E-Mail to their info service asking if the M8 should be able to bypass the internal dac an amp of the Galaxy S2 naturally ,since Goodman sad it should work with aAndroid devices(just for curiosity ,or for when i will be able to save some bucks for an Hi-Fi portable solution),but yet no response.

Anyone?Thank you guys

 

Unless the S2 can output digital audio over USB if/when it gets the Jelly Bean update (or via a custom ROM), I don't think it will work. Have a look in the Android Phones and USB DACs thread to see if anyone has had any luck using external USB DACs with the S2. That should give some indication.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs

Here's one post to get you started on your research (it's not promising though):

http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/825#post_8863240

I used "S2" as the keyword to search within the thread.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

 

Mini XLRs are just like regular ones, just mini :)  Below is the cable I made to take to meets.  You can see the female mini-XLR's size compared to some regular male XLR's.  

 

 700

700

 

I preordered for a regular 4 pin XLR.  At this point, if there is a last minute change to mini-XLR's I hope I can work something out with Centrance to get one of those instead.  From reading this thread, it looks like it might be too late since the analog board is in testing.  

 

And for the faceplates, unless things change again, you won't get the combo spdif/analog 3.5mm jack with the dual 3-pin XLR's.  I don't know if it will move to the back or simply not be an option.  You can, however plug 1/4" plugs or use an adapter for a 3.5mm in the combo jacks used for the dual 3-pin XLR option.

 

Again, sorry if I'm being dense. Is it possible to use a converter which has single 1/4" female at one end for a standard headphone plug and converts that to 2x XLR (or mini XLR) plugs? One of your pictures is showing 2 on 1 end and 1 on the other, however I can't tell what's connection type is at each end. Most XLR converters which I've seen online are mono and won't convert a single stereo 1/4" jack into 2xXLR mono plugs.

 

I checked the back plate configs on the blog and it looks like it will be used for input only. However I know that they are still finalising design whilst getting the prototype plates in so things might change...

 

The SPDIF out is a really nice feature since it will make the USB only source device (e.g. Galaxy S3 if it works with the M8) compatible with any DAC with optical/SPDIF input which should make for a very versatile setup, e.g. auditioning other DACs when at a meet. I really hope he's able to keep that feature on all permutations of the M8.

 

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like the mini XLR locks into place just like regular XLR does :) I can see plenty of mini XLR to ??? items for sale online so should make it easy for connecting with unbalanced setups whilst still locking in securely. 


Edited by analogue 3 - 11/26/12 at 12:04pm
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post #681 of 2079
11/26/12 at 1:18pm
Quote:

Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post


I preordered for a regular 4 pin XLR.  At this point, if there is a last minute change to mini-XLR's I hope I can work something out with Centrance to get one of those instead.  From reading this thread, it looks like it might be too late since the analog board is in testing.  

 

And for the faceplates, unless things change again, you won't get the combo spdif/analog 3.5mm jack with the dual 3-pin XLR's.  I don't know if it will move to the back or simply not be an option.  You can, however plug 1/4" plugs or use an adapter for a 3.5mm in the combo jacks used for the dual 3-pin XLR option.

I pre-ordered a regular 4 pin XLR version as well and would be really glad to switch to a mini-XLR version if CEntrace decides to make one. To be honest, I can do these terminating stuff myself, but considering the cost for tools and parts, including shipping fees, it's not so economic to most of the people here.

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post #682 of 2079
11/26/12 at 2:28pm

Thanks.

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post #683 of 2079
11/26/12 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by analogue 3 View Post

Unless the S2 can output digital audio over USB if/when it gets the Jelly Bean update (or via a custom ROM), I don't think it will work. Have a look in the Android Phones and USB DACs thread to see if anyone has had any luck using external USB DACs with the S2. That should give some indication.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs
Here's one post to get you started on your research (it's not promising though):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs/825#post_8863240
I used "S2" as the keyword to search within the thread.


Again, sorry if I'm being dense. Is it possible to use a converter which has single 1/4" female at one end for a standard headphone plug and converts that to 2x XLR (or mini XLR) plugs? One of your pictures is showing 2 on 1 end and 1 on the other, however I can't tell what's connection type is at each end. Most XLR converters which I've seen online are mono and won't convert a single stereo 1/4" jack into 2xXLR mono plugs.

I checked the back plate configs on the blog and it looks like it will be used for input only. However I know that they are still finalising design whilst getting the prototype plates in so things might change...

The SPDIF out is a really nice feature since it will make the USB only source device (e.g. Galaxy S3 if it works with the M8) compatible with any DAC with optical/SPDIF input which should make for a very versatile setup, e.g. auditioning other DACs when at a meet. I really hope he's able to keep that feature on all permutations of the M8.

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like the mini XLR locks into place just like regular XLR does smily_headphones1.gif I can see plenty of mini XLR to ??? items for sale online so should make it easy for connecting with unbalanced setups whilst still locking in securely. 

If I am understanding you correctly, you are trying to go from a 1/4" single ended cable to the balanced dual XLR's? That won't get you anything beyond a normal single ended cable. The dual XLR's are combo jacks, meaning you can simply stick a 1/4" plug into the middle of one. Only way to get the benefits of balanced is to reterminate your cable (if it has 4 conductors) to a balanced connector.
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post #684 of 2079
11/26/12 at 5:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

If anyone needs help with cables or terminations, you can PM me or visit the DIY cable gallery.

I might take you up on that Fraggler once I figure out what my cable needs and wants will be. Thanks for your kind offer!! smily_headphones1.gif
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post #685 of 2079
11/26/12 at 6:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

Mini XLRs are just like regular ones, just mini smily_headphones1.gif  Below is the cable I made to take to meets.  You can see the female mini-XLR's size compared to some regular male XLR's.  

Come to think of it Fraggler, would you be interested in building an adaptor for me? If so, please PM me with a price. No worries if you can't or don't want to.....although my feelings may be a little hurt! Lol wink.gif
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post #686 of 2079
11/26/12 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

Hmmm.  Haven't seen one commercially available.  Might be an interesting challenge to tackle this coming weekend.  


Full Compass sells a 3-Pin Mini XLR-F to 3-Pin Standard XLR-M Adapter here.

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post #687 of 2079
11/26/12 at 7:01pm
Hello Michael,

In your blog you wrote: "Some folks have asked for a switch on the PCB, which would allow to select between output power and battery life. Unfortunately, this is not so easy. We are looking at using two different output chips – one is hungry and eats the battery faster, but gives you the drive capability. The other one is much more conservative on the power, but will have a harder time with LCD2′s as one example. We can only put one chip on the PCB. We don’t have the space for both, unfortunately. We tried…
The version we are preparing for CANJAM at RMAF will have the “longer battery life” chip inside. I’m working hard on another version, which will drive the LCD2′s with confidence. That would be the “more output power” version. I don’t think I’ll have it in time for RMAF, though – it’s too close.
My gut is that we will settle on the more powerful version and will be working hard to give you the best of both worlds – power and longevity. That’s all I can say for now. Gotta get back to the drawing board."

I would like to know if the final version of the HiFi-M8 will have the more powerful chip ? My plan is to use the amp with the LCD-2 and I don't want to be disapointed wink.gif

Thank you

Patrick
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post #688 of 2079
11/26/12 at 8:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilCox View Post


Full Compass sells a 3-Pin Mini XLR-F to 3-Pin Standard XLR-M Adapter here.

Nice find.  If they had a 4-pin we would be in business.  I think the few of us that want mini-XLR want to use a 4-pin since that reduces the number of connectors needed.

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post #689 of 2079
11/26/12 at 8:55pm

> I would like to know if the final version of the HiFi-M8 will have the more powerful chip ? My plan is to use the amp with the LCD-2 and I don't want to be disappointed

Yes, we are on track for the more powerful version. This assumption was tested at CANJAM in Denver. The flimsier chip didn't pass muster. We are going for gusto with the M8! LCD should be no problem. 


Edited by mgoodman - 11/26/12 at 8:57pm
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post #690 of 2079
11/26/12 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

Nice find.  If they had a 4-pin we would be in business.  I think the few of us that want mini-XLR want to use a 4-pin since that reduces the number of connectors needed.

 

I wonder if we could just use the barrel and shove the 4-pin equivalents in... 

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