[tamahome77]

If one just wants the hydra hub and not the DAC, does one have the option to purchase the hydra zap separately?

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

I think so. Just like their Hydra Z and ZPM.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Fairly quiet in here.

Just an update that I found a way to control remotely my Android TV Box that i am using as player/streamer for my Hydra.Vox: Teamviewer!

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Seems quiet...Or are we all in music mode? Any feedbacks?

Care to share what settings/filters you ended up?

 

[neogeosnk]

Yeah, think everyone is waiting for the hub. I settled on linear with dsd upscaling off. I get distortion when I enable that on the single ended outputs (not balanced).

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Bought an Singxer SU-6 as stop gap for the HUB. Feeding it to my VOX via I2S. Using Linear also as filter but with DSD Direct ON. From my VOX using INPOL EAR as a dedicated HP/Preamp. VOX is now DAC only.

 

[neogeosnk]

I'm using the Pi2AES in i2s mode. Honestly, not even sure if I need the hub anymore as this sounds really really good.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

My thoughts too...

 

[dcguy73]

I've read through this thread about the good and bad of the Audiobyte combo.

Absent the (incoming) Hub, would you say the overall sound quality of the vox/zap combo makes the "quirks" of using the DAC worthwhile? I have a Singxer SU-1 that has a USB>I2S converter, so that part isn't an issue.

It is a Delta-Sigma DAC, correct? I ask because the other DAC I am considering right now is the Xi Audio Sagra DAC, which is an R2R DAC.

Also, does the Vox work with Linux? I have a Linux-based streamer.

Thanks!

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Like most USB connections on DACs its main enemies are dirty power, jitter, clocking issues etc. Having a DDC (like your SU-1), it will try to minimize those problems. I2S have become a popular connection since it can support higher bit and depth rates.

There are other solutions to the problem however. Say a very good USB Reclock/Regen device such as Uptone's ISO Regen or Innuous' Phoenix USB (other manufacturers like Chord or Sonore tell their clients that USB is still the way to go). And this Audiobyte is none different than most DACs having a USB connection.

What we are eager about this upcoming HUB is that it is a further up than other DDC out there:
- powered from a sophisticated LPS (from Vox.ZAP)
- format converter (PCM to DSD or DSD to PCM)
- Upsampler (PCM384, DSD512)
- Network Streamer
- Digital Preamp

Aside from the usual Reclocker, USB Interface / Digital Converter found on normal DDC (like Singxer's).

Connected to my Hydra.VOX is a Singxer SU-6 via an LH Labs Revive USB Reclock/Regen. With this stop-gap solution, tell you the sound is already great. Even with USB alone, others say it beats the Termi.

However, still curious what the Vox.HUB will bring with all those additional advantages.

Oh, Its an FPGA DAC like Chord, PS Audio.

They are working still with Linux compatibility. But with an SU-1 (as with my SU-6) as DDC there is no need.

 

[VERASTARR]

Right, so I had some time with these boxes and here are some of my observation

Day 1
Slightly dark sounding with a a slight emphasis on bass
While the details were forthcoming and clarity was great, it sounded a little closed
Soundstage was not as wide as I expected but the depth was excellent

Day 2 onward
The slight bass emphasis had receded and overall tonality had lifted, resulting in a more noticeable opening sounding
No longer slightly dark sounding but largely neutral and rather clean sounding, but never in your face
Soundstage improved noticeably too, with good width to complement the excellent depth

The Vox has a rather big sound, I attribute this to the supercaps in the Zap
It is a great sounding DAC, largely neutral and very resolving and this allows the musical Sugden Class A and Monkey 93 to sing and express themselves

Keep in mind there are 3 different firmwares representing 3 separate sonic profiles.

 

[helljudgement]

Has anyone bought this specifically to be used with SET amps? I'm interested in getting a new dac and has shortlisted the hydra stack as one of the candidates for my upgrade. I'll mainly be using this with tube amps and won't be able to take advantage of it's balanced output so it is important for the single ended performance not to be compromised.

 

[neogeosnk]

Has anyone bought this specifically to be used with SET amps? I'm interested in getting a new dac and has shortlisted the hydra stack as one of the candidates for my upgrade. I'll mainly be using this with tube amps and won't be able to take advantage of it's balanced output so it is important for the single ended performance not to be compromised.

I'm running the Amp and Sound Kensie encore through single ended connection and it sounds the same as balanced to me.

 

[helljudgement]

I'm running the Amp and Sound Kensie encore through single ended connection and it sounds the same as balanced to me.

That is reassuring. Great amp btw. Will post some impressions if I do end up getting this.

 

[otijhuis]

I emailed Audiobyte asking for more info about the iOS app and the Hub. There are now some clear dates available. The iOS app should be available around the 17th of June and the production of the Hub will start within the first 2 weeks of July.