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

If you use its network interface you could use Roon, HQPlayer, Airplay or as UPnP (in Android i use BubbleUPnaP to send music)

 

[AmanK]

Any update on when volume control will be implemented in HUB? I am going dac-direct from VOX to my amplifier (using the volume control in the VOX). I would expect that sound quality will further improve if VOX output is fixed.

 

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

You could disable the volume contro (and the built in HP amp) l by turning "Direct DSD" on.
I was using this function and let my Pathos amp's do the volume . Using this before when "Direct DSD" was set at DSD512. Later it was reduced to DSD256 thru an update. Now I just set Vox's volume to max and use the volume control on my amp.

 

[AmanK]

You could disable the volume contro (and the built in HP amp) l by turning "Direct DSD" on.
I was using this function and let my Pathos amp's do the volume . Using this before when "Direct DSD" was set at DSD512. Later it was reduced to DSD256 thru an update. Now I just set Vox's volume to max and use the volume control on my amp.

Hi m-i-c-k-e-y, I am using a Plinius power amp (with no in-built volume control), thus I need to use the digital volume control of the VOX. Did you compare sound quality between using volume control of the VOX vs using analog volume control of the Pathos (with VOX at fixed output)?

 

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

Nope. My Pathos don't have a bypass feature. So decided to use Pathos' control instead of using two. And out of convenience. Controlling only one device and being assured that my HP's volume are under control.

But there was a distinction when using Direct DSD. But when the update was changed to DSD256, I couldn't barely detect the difference.

 

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

Updated the Hub (need to do twice, first an app update and then system update)

They added OpenHome protocol and fixed the UPnP and Android issues, don't know how it is for the rest.

With UPnP I could now play DXD and DSD256 (DSD512 stutters..) via BubbleUPnP.

Could now do Android playback using UAPP on DXD and DSD256. DSD512 is interpreted as DXD. Don't know if this is a hardware or software issue.

Using between SU-6 thru SPDIF/AES and UPnP via LAN has minimal SQ difference. The former a bit refined, nuanced, smoother but minimal. Could trade it in favor of UPnP for convenience (no SU-6, DSD256 and control via BubbleUPnP).

 

[Miracle1980]

Did anyone got news about the application support for the HUB? When it should be released?
The guys at Rockna/Audiobyte seem to be silent since long time...

 

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

Did Audiobyte/Nicolae announced/said this? Or a user feature request?

Don't know how will they do this since HUB has no BT (well there's LAN/RJ45). And Vox has no uplink connection to the HUB.

There is a USB Host, maybe you could plug a BT tranceiver.

 

[Miracle1980]

Nicolae announced the remote support for the HUB via application, yes.
As it's Linux based OS, I don't see that difficult to implement.

It would be also nice to change the settings on the fly to test the various filters. Also volume control is supposed to come, as it's one of the features advertised on the product webpage.

 

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

Just sharing a part of the email Nicolae sent to me today:

... Regarding VOX, we are working on the Torpedo firmware which will include a updated DS modulator for better sound quality and complete removal on mute-relay activation between tracks. More details to follow.

Best Regards,
Nicolae

 

[SonnyMarrow]

Is it possible to unplug the integrated headphone amp? I've already had the unit open to set the DC offset after upgrading the firmware. I noticed the headphone amp is a separate PCB with a single cable connecting it to the main board. Unplugging it would save a lot of heat, since I don't need to use the headphone amp.

 

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

You turning ON DSD Direct will also disable your Headphone Amp. But will bypass also your preamp functions and setting volume to max.

 

[Juiced]

Hello

How hydra vox compares to Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE?
They both roughly at the same price range.

 

[SonnyMarrow]

Any updates on the new firmware? I’ll be doing a DAC shootout soon and it would be nice to have the Vox at its best.

 

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

None published at the moment. If you register your Vox at their support site (https://support.audiobyte.net/), you can download the latest.

Currently at their support site are
FW 153_276_119 if you have FPGA version 1.41 or lower.
FW 154_276_119 if you have FPGA version 1.42 .